I started my Music(al) Mondays segment November 2010, and Leonard Cohen was the second blog in the series. It’s with great sadness that he is no longer with us.
Here’s a wonderful quote from him: (on his writing process).
“Well, I’ve never been intimidated by form … What we call a novel, that is, a book of prose where there are characters and developments and changes and situations, that’s always attracted me, because in a sense it is the heavyweight arena. I like it — it frightens me, from that point of view — because of the regime that is involved in novel-writing. I can’t be on the move, it needs a desk, it needs a room and a typewriter, a regime. And I like that very much.”
Cohen had an innate love of the English language, and it’s revealed in every interview I’ve ever read of him. He was thoughtful in how he chose his words and phrased his responses. His economy of words was what made him both poetic and interesting.
The inspiration I took from him almost six years ago lives on.
It’s time for me to get writing, but not before I leave you with one of Leonard Cohen’s songs.
“Tower of Song” is both funny and self-depreciating. The song jokes about his voice (“I was born like this / I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice”). He ranks his songwriting skills “a hundred floors” below those of Hank Williams, and admits to the ravages of time with the line “I ache in the places where I used to play.”
Rest in peace, dear sweet man. May you forever sing to us from your tower of song.
Looking forward to a better week,
eden
Filed under Musical Mondays
I remember him for two reasons: in my youth in London, if I’d arrive at my girlfriend’s flat and Leonard Cohen was playing on the deck, we knew that one of her flat mates had had a break up with the latest boyfriend. Therefore association with morose moods. The second reason is because of the sense of poetry in his lyrics. The quote above is very revealing and make his lyrics all the more interesting.
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Hi John, I’ve heard that about Leonard Cohen. His voice is deeply thick and soothing, though I’ve never considered it depressing. I love his poetry, and the quote is a truly inspiring one.
Thank you for commenting, xox
eden
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Such a loss. It’s been such a sad year with such significant losses of musical greats. But this one hits so close to home. I’ve been enjoying all the remembrances of Leonard Cohen on the radio this week, and your post is such a heartfelt tribute to a great man. Such wise words of his you shared re: the “regime” of writing. Thank you Eden. xo
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Hi Sue, yes, a huge loss in a year already peppered with too many losses. I’ve always considered Leonard Cohen a writer/poet first. The fact that his words lent themselves seamlessly to music was a wonderful gift for music lovers too. Sad to see him go, but somehow I think he chose his time.
xox
eden
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“Tower of Song” is great choice. I was surprised and saddened by his passing, but how wonderful that he continued to be creative until his last years. I take great inspiration in that too.
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Absolutely Letizia, the way he lived his life is one of great inspiration for me too. Thank you for your comment. xox
eden
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A great writer and thinker gone over. To home? I think maybe so.
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That’s a very comforting way of putting it Tim. Thank you xox
eden
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I heard the news when I opened my blog list on Friday morning- the first blog was about his passing. What a shock.
He was a great light in the world, and we’re lesser with his absence.
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Well said William. We are definitely lesser without him.
eden
xo
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A wonderful person, poet, songwriter, singer, but, most of all, a gracious and kind man has left. But his work remains and for this I’m very grateful! Thanks for honoring him.
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Thank you for those words Christa. We are certainly fortunate to have his work, and his legacy lives on through it.
eden
xo
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I wasn’t into his music until I came across Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes. I had no idea he wrote all those songs.
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Hi Matt, yes, he’s written a lot of songs sung by other artists. Thank you for commenting, xo
eden
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Hallelujah.!
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