Leonard Cohen — By The Rivers Dark
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Length: 5:13
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By the rivers dark
I wandered on.
I lived my life
in Babylon.
And I did forget
My holy song:
And I had no strength
In Babylon.
By the rivers dark
Where I could not see
Who was waiting there
Who was hunting me.
And he cut my lip
And he cut my heart.
So I could not drink
From the river dark.
And he covered me,
And I saw within,
My lawless heart
And my wedding ring,
I did not know
And I could not see
Who was waiting there,
Who was hunting me
By the rivers dark
I panicked on.
I belonged at last
To Babylon.
Then he struck my heart
With a deadly force,
And he said, 'This heart:
It is not yours.'
And he gave the wind
My wedding ring:
And he circled us
With everything.
By the rivers dark,
In a wounded dawn.
I live my life
In Babylon.
Though I take my song
From a withered limb,
Both song and tree,
They sing for him.
Be the truth unsaid
And the blessing gone,
If I forget
My Babylon.
I did not know
And I could not see
Who was waiting there.
Who was hunting me.
By the rivers dark,
Where it all goes on:
By the rivers dark
In Babylon.
I wandered on.
I lived my life
in Babylon.
And I did forget
My holy song:
And I had no strength
In Babylon.
By the rivers dark
Where I could not see
Who was waiting there
Who was hunting me.
And he cut my lip
And he cut my heart.
So I could not drink
From the river dark.
And he covered me,
And I saw within,
My lawless heart
And my wedding ring,
I did not know
And I could not see
Who was waiting there,
Who was hunting me
By the rivers dark
I panicked on.
I belonged at last
To Babylon.
Then he struck my heart
With a deadly force,
And he said, 'This heart:
It is not yours.'
And he gave the wind
My wedding ring:
And he circled us
With everything.
By the rivers dark,
In a wounded dawn.
I live my life
In Babylon.
Though I take my song
From a withered limb,
Both song and tree,
They sing for him.
Be the truth unsaid
And the blessing gone,
If I forget
My Babylon.
I did not know
And I could not see
Who was waiting there.
Who was hunting me.
By the rivers dark,
Where it all goes on:
By the rivers dark
In Babylon.
Comments (286)add comment
LeftonWright wrote:
Thankfully, Bill disagrees. I love this album and would not have heard it were it not for RP. Thank you Bill!
Is there a musical artist more overrated than Leonard Cohen?
I can't think of one. 🤔
Thankfully, Bill disagrees. I love this album and would not have heard it were it not for RP. Thank you Bill!
This evening I'm seeing the Tribute to Leonard Cohen at the Kennedy Center in DC. Tremendous lineup backed by the NSO: https://www.kennedy-center.org...
macadavy wrote:
Indeedy! So I'm at a party in Old Montreal circa 1969. Brought some Molson's beer with me (never show up at a canuck party empty-handed!) and gave one to some guy in the corner. Then he picks up his guitar and starts singing:
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there..."
To quote another song: "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end!"
Les bon vieux temps!
As a post office clerk I had a customer named Suzanne. I told her I am ways reminded of lenorard cohen's song. I must have heard that in elementary school.
Indeedy! So I'm at a party in Old Montreal circa 1969. Brought some Molson's beer with me (never show up at a canuck party empty-handed!) and gave one to some guy in the corner. Then he picks up his guitar and starts singing:
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there..."
To quote another song: "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end!"
Les bon vieux temps!
As a post office clerk I had a customer named Suzanne. I told her I am ways reminded of lenorard cohen's song. I must have heard that in elementary school.
acolt wrote:
There are a lot of voices I can't stand, but I don't mind Cohen or Dylan at all. It works for their music. I feel the same about Tom Waits. His music wouldn't be his music without that gravelly voice.
For me, Leonard Cohen occupies the same space as Bob Dylan. Exceptional songwriters, bordering on timeless poets, but I just cannot for the love of god stand their voices. I wish Cohen and Dylan had frontmen/women giving their songs actually decent voices.
There are a lot of voices I can't stand, but I don't mind Cohen or Dylan at all. It works for their music. I feel the same about Tom Waits. His music wouldn't be his music without that gravelly voice.
dwhayslett wrote:
I'm trying not to imagine why you know what that sounds like.
I found this response funny and the original comment funny....It is getting so I listen to RP just to read the song comments.
I'm trying not to imagine why you know what that sounds like.
I found this response funny and the original comment funny....It is getting so I listen to RP just to read the song comments.
Is there a musical artist more overrated than Leonard Cohen?
I can't think of one. 🤔
I can't think of one. 🤔
Friday, Dec 15th. I really don’t want whatever karmic stuff is generating this evening’s stream to end. The force is awesome.
What about playing more from the classic album: Songs of Love and Hate?
Just seeing the album cover is worth hearing any song off that album.
Just seeing the album cover is worth hearing any song off that album.
What many here seem to miss, is that Mr. Cohen was, first and foremost, a poet and novelist. His songs show that. It was Judy Collins that convinced him to get on stage & sing. I discovered his poetry as a schoolboy and have been a fan ever since. When he released his first album of songs I played it over & over and never tired of it.
Now 50 some-odd years later I still enjoy his music. I was sad to learn of his passing.
Now 50 some-odd years later I still enjoy his music. I was sad to learn of his passing.
LinThizzy wrote:
Try a concert... well it is not possible now, but let me tell you... the love and fragility of life is shared with all who attend(ed).
Life does not have a fast forward button...
fast forward please
Try a concert... well it is not possible now, but let me tell you... the love and fragility of life is shared with all who attend(ed).
Life does not have a fast forward button...
fast forward please
Just perfect.
Leronard Cohen: Adequate singer....bad monk....great poet....national treasure!
I will triple the payment to ensure that we always hear Leonard Cohen😁
JAELLIS1114 wrote:
Dear Radio Paradise,
I'll double that amount if you keep playing them...
Dear radioparadise
I adore you. I enthusiastically send you money monthly -- just started.
How much would you need from me to ensure you never play another LC recording? :)
Dear Radio Paradise,
I'll double that amount if you keep playing them...
Dear radioparadise
I adore you. I enthusiastically send you money monthly -- just started.
How much would you need from me to ensure you never play another LC recording? :)
I adore you. I enthusiastically send you money monthly -- just started.
How much would you need from me to ensure you never play another LC recording? :)
radioparadise9 wrote:
My mileage definitely varies, as Nirvana had more than one Great Song on Nevermind by itself. And don't even get me started on Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones. Point is, this is an incorrect take.
I've heard lots of songwriters over more than 50 adult years.
My take:
Dylan wrote about 50% of the great songs
Leonard about 25%
The rest are mostly 1 hit wonders
YMMV
My take:
Dylan wrote about 50% of the great songs
Leonard about 25%
The rest are mostly 1 hit wonders
YMMV
My mileage definitely varies, as Nirvana had more than one Great Song on Nevermind by itself. And don't even get me started on Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones. Point is, this is an incorrect take.
For me, Leonard Cohen occupies the same space as Bob Dylan. Exceptional songwriters, bordering on timeless poets, but I just cannot for the love of god stand their voices. I wish Cohen and Dylan had frontmen/women giving their songs actually decent voices.
Pjesnik wrote:
Possibly. But the creativity in the album title blows me away.
Cover photo is a selfie?
Possibly. But the creativity in the album title blows me away.
Can anyone here please explain the meaning of this song?
I find people are generally attracted to, and curious about their own darkness. Is this all there is to these lyrics?
I find people are generally attracted to, and curious about their own darkness. Is this all there is to these lyrics?
I admit to not being a big LC fan, but this is lovely! Heartfelt...
He used to be called Laughing Len back in the 70s.
a bit dull
wendyleefrancis1 wrote:
Then I suggest iHeartRadio radio, since that is your speed
Sorry; not a Leonard fan. pressing 'next'.
always a fan of his but some of the backup vocalists (groupies?!), not so much! This is above the norm, imo
Sorry; not a Leonard fan. pressing 'next'.
easmann wrote:
Silly and endless stupidity
Silly and endless stupidity
jhorton wrote:
You'll only need your fingers and toes
Ouch!
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
You'll only need your fingers and toes
Edweirdo wrote:
Gosh, you really need to hear some other songwriters. I suggest you start with early Joni Mitchell.
I've heard lots of songwriters over more than 50 adult years.
My take:
Dylan wrote about 50% of the great songs
Leonard about 25%
The rest are mostly 1 hit wonders
YMMV
RP followed this with Dance Me to The End of Love"" written by ...
Gosh, you really need to hear some other songwriters. I suggest you start with early Joni Mitchell.
I've heard lots of songwriters over more than 50 adult years.
My take:
Dylan wrote about 50% of the great songs
Leonard about 25%
The rest are mostly 1 hit wonders
YMMV
RP followed this with Dance Me to The End of Love"" written by ...
One of the best. Pleasure to have seen him perform this live.
By The (1.000 Kisses Deep) Rivers Dark
Fabulous album. Really hard to forget some of the songs on it once you've heard them once, including this one, if you bother with lyrics at all.
Paddy_Hannan wrote:
Too drastic, in my opinion. Cohen didn't make a bad album, it slightly changed his path, because he had to do it.
Almost everything Cohen did after Various Positions has no appeal to me.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
Too drastic, in my opinion. Cohen didn't make a bad album, it slightly changed his path, because he had to do it.
Paddy_Hannan wrote:
We agree to disagree.
Almost everything Cohen did after Various Positions has no appeal to me.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
We agree to disagree.
Cover photo is a selfie?
Almost everything Cohen did after Various Positions has no appeal to me.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
Almost everything he did before Various Positions is, for me, god-like.
smackiepipe wrote:
Nice try :-))
Love the vibe. Puts me in the same mental place as Shriekback's 'This Big Hush.'
Nice try :-))
jp33442 wrote:
Or hang out and have a beer with
Indeedy! So I'm at a party in Old Montreal circa 1969. Brought some Molson's beer with me (never show up at a canuck party empty-handed!) and gave one to some guy in the corner. Then he picks up his guitar and starts singing:
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there..."
To quote another song: "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end!"
Les bon vieux temps!
Or hang out and have a beer with
Indeedy! So I'm at a party in Old Montreal circa 1969. Brought some Molson's beer with me (never show up at a canuck party empty-handed!) and gave one to some guy in the corner. Then he picks up his guitar and starts singing:
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there..."
To quote another song: "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end!"
Les bon vieux temps!
This is an amazing. My favourite Leonard Cohen album.
WonderLizard wrote:
I think I'll disagree. Even if Cohen wasn't IMHO an important novelist and poet, his lyrics touch themes which I believe are timeless in and of themselves. My guess, then, is that you're looking—instead of genuine discourse about an important 20th century literary figure—for a fight. Bully for you.
Buffy Sainte-Marie sang a page from Cohen's novel, "Beautiful Losers" in God Is
Alive Magic Is Afoot...
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
I think I'll disagree. Even if Cohen wasn't IMHO an important novelist and poet, his lyrics touch themes which I believe are timeless in and of themselves. My guess, then, is that you're looking—instead of genuine discourse about an important 20th century literary figure—for a fight. Bully for you.
Buffy Sainte-Marie sang a page from Cohen's novel, "Beautiful Losers" in God Is
Alive Magic Is Afoot...
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
smackiepipe wrote:
Me too..
Love the vibe. Puts me in the same mental place as Shriekback's 'This Big Hush.'
Me too..
sirdroseph wrote:
I would agree with you except you are 180 degrees of exceptional wrongness. Cohen is the best songwriter I have ever heard, better than Dylan imo, but other than that, yea you are right.
Gosh, you really need to hear some other songwriters. I suggest you start with early Joni Mitchell.
I would agree with you except you are 180 degrees of exceptional wrongness. Cohen is the best songwriter I have ever heard, better than Dylan imo, but other than that, yea you are right.
Gosh, you really need to hear some other songwriters. I suggest you start with early Joni Mitchell.
jahgirl8 wrote:
Or hang out and have a beer with
This is an artist you wish you could receive a letter from.
Or hang out and have a beer with
Another Leonard cohen I bumped to 8
Today is Leonard's Yartzeit. I miss his presence in this world.
At least a minute and a half too long.
AhhtheMusic wrote:
Me too. I tried to dislike him for years due to his voice alone but he just grew on me. And when I really began to listen I discovered his lyrics were amazing and his persona was intriguing. So I watched a tribute concert for him on CBC and got hooked. Bought a couple compilation albums (Greatest Hits and Live in London) and never looked back. I wish I'd been a little more open minded when he was alive.
Leonard has grown on me (not literally) so much the past year or so. Will miss his most unique sound.
Me too. I tried to dislike him for years due to his voice alone but he just grew on me. And when I really began to listen I discovered his lyrics were amazing and his persona was intriguing. So I watched a tribute concert for him on CBC and got hooked. Bought a couple compilation albums (Greatest Hits and Live in London) and never looked back. I wish I'd been a little more open minded when he was alive.
Watch the video...
frikkin marvelous... ! 
jhorton wrote:
You're pretty sharp, a musician, often funny, and you’ve got eclectic tastes which include a few polarizing artists. I don't find any evidence that you're a troll except when it comes to Leonard Cohen. And I'm betting you're not an intentional troll, it's just that you really don't like him and when he pops up in the playlist you can't help yourself, you gotta pop off. All of that is fine. Polarizing artists polarize people, we love 'em or hate 'em, and I think we know where you land on that spectrum.
You have my sympathy, or, you would have had if not for the comment above. Let’s review — Here are some of the prior multiple comments you made:
• 'Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!'
• 'Not much of a songwriter either, really. Honestly, he wrote a song called, "Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses. Everything else he wrote, sucks.'
• 'Nope. Still can't sing.'
Then, the responses you got were amazingly civil, restrained, and reasoned on the whole (if unconvincing, reason doesn't work in matters of subjective judgment). Yet you cry as if you'd been abused. You most certainly were not. And you trot out that false accusation about not tolerating dissent. It most certainly was tolerated, just not agreed with. That’s a critical distinction you disregard.
You may have landed on "Leonard's doorstep" without choosing to but you landed here nonetheless, lobbed the firebombs above, and were treated quite fairly afterwards.
Please consider: you may feel that you've been abused, either by Leonard's music or by his fans, but from the perspective of those who admire or respect Leonard Cohen, or by any objective measure I'd say, it's you that's been abusive, not they.
Ouch!
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
You're pretty sharp, a musician, often funny, and you’ve got eclectic tastes which include a few polarizing artists. I don't find any evidence that you're a troll except when it comes to Leonard Cohen. And I'm betting you're not an intentional troll, it's just that you really don't like him and when he pops up in the playlist you can't help yourself, you gotta pop off. All of that is fine. Polarizing artists polarize people, we love 'em or hate 'em, and I think we know where you land on that spectrum.
You have my sympathy, or, you would have had if not for the comment above. Let’s review — Here are some of the prior multiple comments you made:
• 'Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!'
• 'Not much of a songwriter either, really. Honestly, he wrote a song called, "Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses. Everything else he wrote, sucks.'
• 'Nope. Still can't sing.'
Then, the responses you got were amazingly civil, restrained, and reasoned on the whole (if unconvincing, reason doesn't work in matters of subjective judgment). Yet you cry as if you'd been abused. You most certainly were not. And you trot out that false accusation about not tolerating dissent. It most certainly was tolerated, just not agreed with. That’s a critical distinction you disregard.
You may have landed on "Leonard's doorstep" without choosing to but you landed here nonetheless, lobbed the firebombs above, and were treated quite fairly afterwards.
Please consider: you may feel that you've been abused, either by Leonard's music or by his fans, but from the perspective of those who admire or respect Leonard Cohen, or by any objective measure I'd say, it's you that's been abusive, not they.
Leonard has grown on me (not literally) so much the past year or so. Will miss his most unique sound.
Soul stirring.
This song speaks to me more every time I hear it.
when I hear things from this tennewsongs album I either think of a guy passing from terminal illness surrounded by singing angels with vague, plodding music, or perhaps a television christmas special........
rpdevotee wrote:
Bill has good taste; he'll do it again.
....yeah BillG - next time you should play them BACK TO BACK....we'll see how much of a devotee rpdevotee really is ;-)
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits almost back to back? Please don't do that again.
On_The_Beach wrote:Bill has good taste; he'll do it again.
....yeah BillG - next time you should play them BACK TO BACK....we'll see how much of a devotee rpdevotee really is ;-)
Every time you play a Leonard Cohen song I say "Thank you, Bill."
rpdevotee wrote:
Bill has good taste; he'll do it again.
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits almost back to back? Please don't do that again.
Bill has good taste; he'll do it again.
rpdevotee wrote:
Silence.
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits almost back to back? Please don't do that again.
Silence.
Legend.
drek
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits almost back to back? Please don't do that again.
sid1950 wrote:
Is the entire CD comparable to this song.? I'm thinking of downloading this one.
Awesome! Haven't heard this for at least 10 years. I must replace the CD which disappeared in a move.
Is the entire CD comparable to this song.? I'm thinking of downloading this one.
Come back, Leonard. Please.
Awesome! Haven't heard this for at least 10 years. I must replace the CD which disappeared in a move.
Love the vibe. Puts me in the same mental place as Shriekback's 'This Big Hush.'
L
eonard Cohen never gets old...
eonard Cohen never gets old... juanos wrote:
Everybody in my elevators loves this groovy classic... we be dancing slowly like happy hippies... hope life is grand for you these days, juanos, and your ears feel good!
it is definitively what my ears need this morning!!!
Everybody in my elevators loves this groovy classic... we be dancing slowly like happy hippies... hope life is grand for you these days, juanos, and your ears feel good!
Beautiful music.
Thank you for including this in your play list.
Would be very happy to hear more Leonard Cohen. May he rest in peace.
Yesterday I was listening to You want it darker and people on YouTube said how much it resembled Bowie's Lazarus... some were cautious and saying - Leonard, take care, we love you!
Today I woke up and learned he died. :( :( So shocking.
Today I woke up and learned he died. :( :( So shocking.
I really didn't know anything of Leonard Cohen until I started listening to RP 10 years ago. I understand that some have strong feelings against his work, but I am truly grateful to have gotten to know a bit of it here. Thanks, RP.
Gutted to hear of his passing. A brilliant poet has apparently paid his dues and moved on to the next gig. RIP, Leonard. This world will be less wry without your sense of humor chiding us forward.
So sad to hear of his death....he was a great poet/storyteller.
Here's to you LC...
All you naysayers below...True music listeners hear the meaning in the words...
nickshortie wrote:
He also signs their paychecks.
Hey Mr. Cohen what do you do in the band?
I'm speaking lead!
I'm speaking lead!
He also signs their paychecks.
Emotive.
Many years ago Cohen was appearing in concert in the city I lived in. Someone asked a friend of mine if he was going to the concert.His reply: 'the only time I'd pay money to see Leonard Cohen is if he was jumping off a bridge, hand-in-hand with Rod McKuen'. Thought that summed up the situation rather clearly.
Hey Mr. Cohen what do you do in the band?
I'm speaking lead!
I'm speaking lead!
Dish water comes to mind - 
dwhayslett wrote:
. . . and why he felt compelled to share it.
Beyond tmi.
I'm trying not to imagine why you know what that sounds like.
. . . and why he felt compelled to share it.
Beyond tmi.
Stratocaster wrote:
Maybe is because you're hearing with your ass, instead of your heart.
Every time. Every single time.
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
Maybe is because you're hearing with your ass, instead of your heart.
This song is just sublime. So rich and multi-textured. Thank you, RP for challenging all of us with your exquisite mix of music. Always something a little unexpected.
Stratocaster wrote:
I'm trying not to imagine why you know what that sounds like.
Every time. Every single time.
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
I'm trying not to imagine why you know what that sounds like.
Every time. Every single time.
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
I hear Cohen and think to myself "What a great song, but that voice sounds like a loose, flapping anus".
Come on folks, let's raise the level of discourse here. I'm not really interested in your boring opinion.....
Tell us why, do some thinking, give us your take on where it stands in the universe of music, and why.
After all, this is rock and roll history we're writing across the sky here!
This pairing of voices, Cohen and Sharon Robinson, is just perfect on a harmonic level.
It's what enlightenment looks like, and sounds like.
Tell us why, do some thinking, give us your take on where it stands in the universe of music, and why.
After all, this is rock and roll history we're writing across the sky here!
This pairing of voices, Cohen and Sharon Robinson, is just perfect on a harmonic level.
It's what enlightenment looks like, and sounds like.
wrangler wrote:
Don't know about genius part but average rating 7.1 tells the story
I know leonard's a supposed genius and whatnot, but I find him simply unlistenable.
Don't know about genius part but average rating 7.1 tells the story
Turning the volume up for all the people who are turning it down.
I know leonard's a supposed genius and whatnot, but I find him simply unlistenable.
It's times like these when I get annoyed that the PSD button doesn't work (more than half the time) on my Android.
And yes, I'm signed in, and yes it's updated to the latest version of RP.
And yes, I'm signed in, and yes it's updated to the latest version of RP.
Reminds me of Shriekback or Waterboys
I like..
I like..
Andres-7 wrote:
beautiful and awesome
I turn the Volume UP when I hear Leonard Cohen
Awful and sad.
I turn off the volume when I hear Leonard Cohen.
I turn off the volume when I hear Leonard Cohen.
beautiful and awesome
I turn the Volume UP when I hear Leonard Cohen
50 years and counting, if you don't know his music by now you will never get it.
Ugh, can't even go one day without playing something from him, eh?
Thank goodness for the PSD button.
Thank you RP ! this collaboration with Sharon Robinson is deep.. lyrics, music, production..
Applause..thats good taste !.. please play something from Sharon's album Everybody Knows
Applause..thats good taste !.. please play something from Sharon's album Everybody Knows
I love LC's earlier work, and I really appreciate the lyrics. And I think that it sucks that he was forced out of retirement because he got ripped off. That being said, the PSD button was made for any of his music produced in the last decade. It's all just too depressing to listen to.
On the song comments page of another (of the four Thousand songs of LC here on RP) LC song, someone wrote something like:
"Whenever someone says this is terrible, fans of LC are all like "but the poetry" and so on. Well, write a book then Mr. Cohen and stop reading poets over utter crap lame elevator music."
I couldn't agree more. The attempt to create "muzak" as guidance for Mr. Cohen's poetry is a complete failure. This sounds terrible. Please, read and write your poetry but do not try to merge it with music because it's horrible.
1
"BUT THE POETRY......."
Awful and sad.
I turn off the volume when I hear Leonard Cohen.
I turn off the volume when I hear Leonard Cohen.
Sweet_Virginia wrote:
The highest frequency of response to this song is an 8 - pretty high for RP. Most seem to disagree...
It has nothing to do with amplitude , more with frequency across the line.
The highest frequency of response to this song is an 8 - pretty high for RP. Most seem to disagree...
It has nothing to do with amplitude , more with frequency across the line.
Kaisersosay wrote:
The highest frequency of response to this song is an 8 - pretty high for RP. Most seem to disagree...
I'm beginning to wonder if Bill lost in a poker game with Lenny at some time,,,,and the in the pot was more airtime for Lenny's stuff
The highest frequency of response to this song is an 8 - pretty high for RP. Most seem to disagree...
I'm beginning to wonder if Bill lost in a poker game with Lenny at some time,,,,and the in the pot was more airtime for Lenny's stuff
milleronic wrote:
same here ! But somehow, today, I'm listening to this one till the end, it's tolerable and almost pleasant. I'm the first surprised !
Update : not so almost pleasant today... rating back down from 3 to 2 ... Sorry Leonard...
LC = PSD! 
same here ! But somehow, today, I'm listening to this one till the end, it's tolerable and almost pleasant. I'm the first surprised !
Update : not so almost pleasant today... rating back down from 3 to 2 ... Sorry Leonard...
LC = PSD!
jhorton wrote:
I think I'll disagree. Even if Cohen wasn't IMHO an important novelist and poet, his lyrics touch themes which I believe are timeless in and of themselves. My guess, then, is that you're looking—instead of genuine discourse about an important 20th century literary figure—for a fight. Bully for you.
Not much of a songwriter either, really.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
I think I'll disagree. Even if Cohen wasn't IMHO an important novelist and poet, his lyrics touch themes which I believe are timeless in and of themselves. My guess, then, is that you're looking—instead of genuine discourse about an important 20th century literary figure—for a fight. Bully for you.
jhorton wrote:
I'm feeling a bit intellectually challenged right now. I was actually really enjoying this song (first time I've heard it). What is wrong with me?
Ouch!
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
I'm feeling a bit intellectually challenged right now. I was actually really enjoying this song (first time I've heard it). What is wrong with me?
Ouch!
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
Enough, enough, you have collectively beaten me into submission!
Leonard Cohen is THE GREATEST SONGWRITER EVER!
Please forgive my previous comments-I harken back to the olden days, when all were allowed their opinions, but in retrospect, in America, those days seem long passed. We live in the new America, where those of different opinions are ignorant A**BAGS!
Forgive my meager intellect, when Mr. Cohen's glorious voice again rings down from RP, I shall retreat to the soundproof broom closet of my deluxe trailer here on Cape Cod, and attempt to count my limited brain cells.
Does anyone have an abacus I may borrow?
jhorton wrote:
Not much of a songwriter either, really.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
You don't have much to listen to in your trailer park (in Cape Cod).....do you?
You trolled.....we bit.
LC is one of the finest song writers of this generation.
I like the hypnotic sound...
jhorton wrote:
I would agree with you except you are 180 degrees of exceptional wrongness. Cohen is the best songwriter I have ever heard, better than Dylan imo, but other than that, yea you are right.
Not much of a songwriter either, really.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
I would agree with you except you are 180 degrees of exceptional wrongness. Cohen is the best songwriter I have ever heard, better than Dylan imo, but other than that, yea you are right.
jhorton wrote:
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah
Open your eyes and let me tell you this
Men and people will fight ya down (Tell me why?)
when ya see Jah light
Let me tell you, if you're not wrong (Then why?)
ev'rything is alright
So we gonna walk, alright, through the roads of creation
We're the generation (Tell me why)
trod through great tribulation
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to our fatherland
Exodus, movement of Jah people
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus,
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus
Move! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Babylon is a metaphor here.
LC Lamest song writer ever? That says all I need to know about your critical thinking skills.
What's the Exodus song got to do with this, other than to demonstrate how far you missed Cohen's point here?
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah
Open your eyes and let me tell you this
Men and people will fight ya down (Tell me why?)
when ya see Jah light
Let me tell you, if you're not wrong (Then why?)
ev'rything is alright
So we gonna walk, alright, through the roads of creation
We're the generation (Tell me why)
trod through great tribulation
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to our fatherland
Exodus, movement of Jah people
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus,
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus
Move! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Babylon is a metaphor here.
LC Lamest song writer ever? That says all I need to know about your critical thinking skills.
What's the Exodus song got to do with this, other than to demonstrate how far you missed Cohen's point here?
Yes, notwithstanding the poetry, a dirge is still is a dirge.
Too bad he is singing on this one.
jhorton wrote:
LC has been around for decades. Have you listened to all his stuff? If so, that's an impressive level of masochism.
Try "Suzanne" and "So Long, Marianne" and songs from that era; they're a lot different from his recent, dark croonings/burblings/mutterings.
Not much of a songwriter either, really.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
Honestly, he wrote a song called, " Hallelujah," that was about 120 verses, that became famous at four verses.
Everything else he wrote, sucks.
LC has been around for decades. Have you listened to all his stuff? If so, that's an impressive level of masochism.
Try "Suzanne" and "So Long, Marianne" and songs from that era; they're a lot different from his recent, dark croonings/burblings/mutterings.
MinMan wrote:
Could not agree more, minman.
And you have made your point/fool of yourself, horton who hears a who. Give it a rest.
PS more than one lyricist can make a Biblical reference without being considered lame. (Oh yeah...)
wtf?!
better lay off the ganja man.
jhorton wrote:
better lay off the ganja man.
jhorton wrote:
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah...
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah...
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Could not agree more, minman.
And you have made your point/fool of yourself, horton who hears a who. Give it a rest.
PS more than one lyricist can make a Biblical reference without being considered lame. (Oh yeah...)
wtf?!
better lay off the ganja man.
jhorton wrote:
better lay off the ganja man.
jhorton wrote:
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah...
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah...
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
I am laughing at you Leonard not with you. Thanks for the laugh.
I'm bumping this to 10 (take that all you nasty ill-informed tone deaf listeners out there)!
fredriley wrote:
I think you mean the singer, not the song, and Cohen is now nearly 80. Not bad for an old gimmer, eh? I've really come to appreciate Cohen in the years of being exposed to his works by RP. He's quite the modern prophet who speaks of universal human traits, and I hope that he'll be as much played a century hence as he is now. The guy's songs are deeper than his voice, and that's near subsonic.
Modern prophet? In what way?
I think you mean the singer, not the song, and Cohen is now nearly 80. Not bad for an old gimmer, eh? I've really come to appreciate Cohen in the years of being exposed to his works by RP. He's quite the modern prophet who speaks of universal human traits, and I hope that he'll be as much played a century hence as he is now. The guy's songs are deeper than his voice, and that's near subsonic.
Modern prophet? In what way?
ScottN wrote:
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah
Open your eyes and let me tell you this
Men and people will fight ya down (Tell me why?)
when ya see Jah light
Let me tell you, if you're not wrong (Then why?)
ev'rything is alright
So we gonna walk, alright, through the roads of creation
We're the generation (Tell me why)
trod through great tribulation
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to our fatherland
Exodus, movement of Jah people
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus,
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus
Move! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
Stunningly impressive. Simply wonderful. The piano frames the melody and transports the lyrics.
By the rivers dark,
In a wounded dawn.
I live my life
In Babylon.
Though I take my song
From a withered limb,
Both song and tree,
They sing for him.
Be the truth unsaid
And the blessing gone,
If I forget
My Babylon.
By the rivers dark,
In a wounded dawn.
I live my life
In Babylon.
Though I take my song
From a withered limb,
Both song and tree,
They sing for him.
Be the truth unsaid
And the blessing gone,
If I forget
My Babylon.
You're kidding, right?
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah
Open your eyes and let me tell you this
Men and people will fight ya down (Tell me why?)
when ya see Jah light
Let me tell you, if you're not wrong (Then why?)
ev'rything is alright
So we gonna walk, alright, through the roads of creation
We're the generation (Tell me why)
trod through great tribulation
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to our fatherland
Exodus, movement of Jah people
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
Send us another Brother Moses gonna cross the Red Sea
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus,
Exodus, Exodus, Exodus, Exodus
Move! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland
Leonard Cohen is the lamest songwriter ever!
RIP Leonard.