by Cai Trefor Contributor | Photos by Wenn

Tags: Leonard Cohen 

7 songs that illustrate the genius of Leonard Cohen

From 'Suzzane' and 'So Long Marianne' to 'Hallelujah' and 'Tower Of Song'

 

Leonard Cohen what are his best songs Hallelujah Suzanne Photo: Wenn

In light of the tragic news of Leonard Cohen's passing we look back at some of his best work.

Having lost the likes of Lou Reed, Lemmy, and David Bowie in recent months, hearing the news that Leonard Cohen has left this world paints a damning picture. It illustrates that songwriters from the golden era of that late 60s early 70s period that are still around should be cherished while they're still around and be seen live at any given opportuntiy. We're so lucky to have had what work they've given us and all the great new music is informed by these legends in some way. They represent the highest level of artistry as their lives completely devoted to their craft in an effort to be the greatest.

The seven songs below are among the most beautifully crafted songs of Cohen's back catalogue and stem from his first album in 1967 right up until his latest release last month. Leonard Cohen had it all: obsession, commitment, talent, a huge heart, and lyrics that can make you cry or invigorate a sense of wonderment or adventure. His body may have gone but his spirit is in all of us. RIP.

'Bird on the Wire'

"Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir/ I have tried in my way to be free" is just one the sumptuous similes to gift vivid imagery to the listener. The sparse instrumentation accompanies his baritone that has an understated fragility that's relatable to people who feel affinity in the singer for them, too, have inadequacies and fears. Quintessential listening showing his

'Suzanne'

It's a love song from 1967 that's more poignant than anything you're likely to hear and it launched Cohen's career. "You touched her perfect body with your mind" he says talking of Suzanne Verdal a woman involved in the Beat scene who he loved who was out of reach as she was with another man. They sustained a wonderful friendship but like a great writer he saw inspiration in his feelings for her and made a beautiful song out of them. It's a tale anyone can relate to as we've all been there longing for what's out of reach.

'So Long Marianne'

Just how open Leonard Cohen is with his feelings and experiences in his love life comes clear in this other hit from his debut album. It tells the tale of Marianne Jensen who he met on the Greek Island of Hydra in 1960. He fell in love with her but the song shows the process by which his relationship with her toward the end fo the 60s began to wane. "I’m standing on a ledge and your fine spider web / Is fastening my ankle to a stone," he sings conveys how he began to feel suffocated.

'Tower Of Song'

"I was born with the gift of a golden voice," sings Cohen in a Tom Waits gravelly style. The song shows his awareness of how timeless his songs are. He sings: "Now I bid you farewell, I don't know when I'll be back, There moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track, But you'll be hearing from me baby, long after I'm gone, I'll be speaking to you sweetly, From a window in the Tower of Song." The words take on a new significance now that' he's died as they seem like a farewell message.

 

'Hallelujah'

This is his masterpiece and incredible to think it was written as recently as 1984. An absolute stunner that's been covered 300 times with the best version being the original or Jeff Buckley's. Cohen told Dylan it took him nearly two years to put the pieces together for this song. The way his baritone voice gradually builds in intensity on each verse makes it a journey through emotional peaks and troughs and you come out the other end feeling distraught by the vulnerability but happy to hear such beautiful words.

  

'You Want It Darker'

This was released this Autumn and shows Cohen's complete commitment to his craft and his irrepressible need to create. Fortunately, he didn't lose form and ideas evolved and compliment his legacy. You can hear he's reaching the end of his life as he sounds old but as his style has always been baritone it just adds character like a fine whiskey. It's rugged, dark, fantastical.



'Famous Blue Raincoat'

One of the saddest songs in his oeuvre, definitely don't listen to this on a comedown. It's taken from his album Song Of Love And Hate which is pretty devastating throughout. But what's magical about music that manages to be as emotional as this is it succeeds in being the best. It's the best sad music and for that reason this album ranks among his finest work. There's nothing but some simple strings, acoustic guitar arpeggio, Cohen's voice and subtle backing vocals to hear and, to be fair, Cohen's voice alone could carry it, it's so affecting. Thank you Leonard Cohen for giving us this incredible music.


Cai Trefor

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