Chelsea Hotel

[MrSickness1138]

Had to cry today...thank you Leonard, I needed that, Ive been running from love for too long....

[NadiaDowton]

I hope Janis can/did hear it. Soooo beautiful! The man is a poet beyond compare.

[tristhan1181]

I love this song. Was Leonard harsh? Perhaps, or maybe, he was just honest. They were musicians in a time of free love. They were together for a brief time, and when that time was past, they went their separate ways. Did he love her best? No, he didn't. Did he love her in his way? Yes, he did, but there were others who loved her more. Oh, and I always thought the "keep track of each falling robin" was a play on words. God sees every falling sparrow...that kind of thing.

[DirkjeA]

I understand he wrote this after spending a night at this hotel with Janis Joplin, and if you know about Janis her lifestory this lyrics become even more touching as they are now.

[archaist]

God this song is beautiful. I think of it all the time. "We are ugly but we have the music."

[indoworx]

Its hard to speak... relate... the emotions that these beautiful artists conjure...words and pictures never come close to the will! Thanks Mr Cohen

[charliemag]

The best Leonard Cohen song of them all. The lyrics, the music, it transcends

[blueguitarblue]

This song was written for Janis Joplin. Makes me so sad...she "just turned her back on the crowd..."

[DirkjeA]

@blueguitarblue You told me again you preferred handsome men

but for me you would make an exception.

And clenching your fist for the ones like us, who are oppressed by the figures of beauty,

you fixed yourself, you said, "Well never mind, we are ugly but we have the music."

Never there was a poet that could paint the hurt of living in such a way I would feel it cut deep in my heart.

Never came across a more beautiful lovesong like this one......

[blueguitarblue]

@DirkjeA Leonard Cohen is one of the greatest poets in Northern American history. I hate it when songs are remade by others, except when it come to Leonard! But, he is a flawless poet who can take you to a private place and teach a profound resonating gut-wrenching message along the way. Guess what? I was named after Janis! Never appreciated that until I realized what a genius she was. The Blues Mama! The lyrics you quote are my favorite also. Great minds think alike!

[DirkjeA]

@blueguitarblue oh sweety, just be proud to be named after such a great lady, that touched the heart and souls of so many. As for Leonard Cohen, you just said it all.

[blueguitarblue]

@DirkjeA Thank you. I always wanted a more romantic name! Like Leonard wrote: "Your heart was a legend." Have you heard Rufus Wainwright's version on the DVD celebrating Leonard's cannon. It's genius. He also sang: "Anything Goes." His sister, with an uncannily beautiful voice sang "The Traitor." And there was this one singer who has the voice of God's sweetest angel. I think his name is Antony. He sang: "If it be your Will." His voice is so superior to almost every male voice I've ever heard.

[gramule]

@DirkjeA ditto. thank you.

[Sjisjin2]

Every now and then I need to dust off my old acoustic and sing this song... Its crazy how we feel the world is ending loosing one you love, and still we reach life again...

[10xjupiter]

Sadly, I think that the men who knew Janis viewed her as a bit of a novelty. I think they were intimidated by her talent, and turned on by her lack of self worth. To be able to conquer the likes of Janis Joplin must've been a lovely notch on the hotel bedpost. And now that she's gone, they regret the way they treated such a beautiful soul. Leonard C. and the rest will know they made it to heaven if they hear Janis's laugh.

[ageovlove]

I wish I was giving him head...lol

[danielray1975]

I think he's saying, "I don't even think of you that often" (but actually I think about you all the time).

[MrMariusz915]

For our Janis..

[galiano31]

Funny MikeMirachi, I always though that last verse had a comedic twist to it..

[galiano31]

Funny MikeMirachi, I always though that last verse had a comedic twist to it..

[adenauni]

@cHr1s819...better depressed than STUPID.....

[hagshor]

@cHr1s819 You're a damn fool who listens to Rihanna and T Pain.

[ConnieLynchitz]

@cHr1s819

Almost a good troll. Actually no, not really. You suck.

Hone your art and quit being so obvious.

[LadyKubrick]

l'hotel dell'arte pura, quella che respirava, un tempo..

[HandsInTheDirtAgain]

Gets me everytime :)

[nordicsky]

This is the best recording I've heard of this song.

I admire Leonard Cohen...he never sold out.

I listen to his music and I know why I want to write poetry.

Thanks for posting this.

Kind regards, Peter

[shenora1116]

Pure poetry

[Nertrender]

this song make me think of edward hopper paintings

[DirkjeA]

This makes me cry, every time, again and again....

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,

you were talking so brave and so sweet,

giving me head on the unmade bed,

while the limousines wait in the street.

Those were the reasons and that was New York,

we were running for the money and the flesh.

And that was called love for the workers in song

probably still is for those of them left.

The whole song speaks of such lonelyness and sadness, but what a poet and how tender he brings this.

[lightbulberer]

He wrote this about a night he and JANIS JOPLIN spent together, they where playing the same venue and it was a one off thing and then they went there seprate ways

[drakebloedje]

Still my #1 favorite song of all time. Such great lyrics, simple yet beautiful guitar playing and nothing else except for the end. I love it so much. Got it on CD and this is just one of those incredible songs.

[raindogz]

Leonard Cohen is living proof that sincerity and poetry is far more sexy than a set of abs.

[costeaaa]

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[MikeMirarchi]

Clundall-- That's a good point about her being mean as well. I had never really thought about it that way, but you're right -- telling him that she prefers handsome man is a mean thing to day.

[DirkjeA]

@MikeMirarchi Janis was known for the fact that she thought of herself as ugly and was insecure. In the song, she says "we are ugly" to me it was more she thought they were companions in this and that she is either joking or comforting him saying she makes an exception. I would rather believe that than believing she is hurting him.

[GabrielArgent]

@DirkjeA I agree, I think it was said in jest to hide true feelings. Just like I don't think the last verse is meant in a mean way. The tone of the whole song suggests that he really cared about her but just wasn't capable of admiting or showing his feelings.

[GabrielArgent]

@GabrielArgent And the song was published almost 4 years after her death which to me gives it even more meaning.

[DirkjeA]

@GabrielArgent I think you are realy puting the finger on the right spot (as we say in Holland) I too want to believe they were soulmates for a moment in time, and she didnot intend to hurt him in any way. And yes, the song speaks of such tender feelings in my opinion, he must have had good memories about their meeting. I hope she had too.

[Folkies54]

@GabrielArgent I think the same.

[indiedrugmusic]

I fucking love this song.

[Mar2623]

Giving me head. LOL Mr. Cohen is genius I say Lady Gaga what

[Digdigs2]

This man's lyrics and voice - oh, wow. A true genius.

[mjmcnult]

Cohen was a ladies' man back in the day.

[TheChilloutDog]

did anyone imagined a woman giving blowjob to Cohen?

[signeponge]

@TheChilloutDog: Actually it's about his affair with Janis Joplin.

[g74ui78ll88ermo]

@TheChilloutDog yeah right.............

[TheChilloutDog]

a singer must die for the lie in his voice... fack yall

[lorenzoinnabenzo]

@TheChilloutDog too true

[Monies1899]

I love Cohen because he is one of the master poets and musicians of his generation, the twentieth century and all time...

[MissGuideMe]

wonderful *****

[MrCiaran31]

Recently covered his "In my secret life" some feedback would make my day :-D

[MikeMirarchi]

Thank you for posting this. Leonard Cohen truly is a genius, and even, dare I say, a prophet. The last verse of this song has to be one of the coldest, saddest, and harshest pieces of song ever written:

I don't mean to suggest

That I loved you the best.

I can't keep track of each fallen robin.

But I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel.

That's all, I don't think of you that often.

[cantseaforskye]

oh man i think that's my favorite part too....so raw.

[clundall]

@MikeMirarchi, I agree!! My view on the last verse though, is that he's trully heartbroken but want to make her feel like she wasn't that special and that he didn't really care. The other verses suggest that she was quite mean to him by saying: "I prefer good looking men but with you I'll make an exception". Read between the lines.

[LoveCutieTweety]

@MikeMirarchi :) I'm no musical analyis just a common listener; everyone finds different meanings to music and lryics. I just wanted to put it out there that when I first heard the song I thought he was being cold too, but after while my view of it changed and now think Cohen is being sarcastic in his last verse. I often wonder if anyone else ever felt the same way about it.

[TCLovesCheese]

@LoveCutieTweety I tend to think of it more like that, too. Though less sarcastic and more in a denialy way. Like he's trying to convince himself he doesn't miss her, need her, or loved her the best.

[LoveCutieTweety]

@TCLovesCheese Exactly. I should of said he was in denial instead of being sarcastic. "I don't even think of you that often." That's a lie! lol Janis had been dead for 20 years or so when I was born; I never knew her, I never will and I think about her all the time. For him to have known her and to have loved her and then say that he doesn't think of her that often... he's in total denial. Janis isn't a person you forget; you can try but it's just not possible.

[mcdufferish]

Russian Jewry have produced so many poetic lyricists and they often stopped at the Chelsea Hotel. a place that encompasses so much of that history and culture unique to NYC

[SithianHawk]

Another Cohen song that sums up something that happened to me. Even though its about Janis Joplin I still think anyone who lost someone they loved but didnt love them back can relate to this. Thats the beauty of Leonard. His songs are stories where anyone can find something, a line, a character, an event, and feel like someone understands them.

[Marconikoff7]

That's exactly what makes great poet.

[judithorloffmd]

I wanna be there

[musicsavage]

"You told me again you preferred handsome men

but for me you would make an exception."

I just love this line.

[liesjes55]

chelsea hotel ,... lot of famos people stayed there, somes for months.

He wrote the song and yes also Janis sung it

[TrueBlue091]

best song ever written about getting a blowjob off janice joplin

[giulia555]

loving janis.

[langkjaer81]

giving me head on an unmade bed?

[lutherhans]

yep.

are you confused?

its a fairly simple sentence

[langkjaer81]

not confused....just bewildered:-)

[Xaxannoul4]

...We are ugly but we have the music!!!!..poet.

[mikemar421]

everybody knows

[sukieisme]

My all-time favourite song by Leonard is Stories of the Street. Check it out, folks!

[barbieflu]

Great song for Janis Joplin

[phyllismalow]

This song was written for and about Janis Joplin...they were lovers.

[lamusevenale]

i remember you well at the chelsea hotel. but that's all, i don't even think of you that often.

[lutherhans]

such a hard hitting lyric...

that would make anybody sad.

[TheSelectaSound]

Glad to hear that El Cohen is fit and well again

[caxad]

iyi gibi..

[TheSevoD]

the best balade ...no more words

[DrakeChristensen1]

I just started getting into Leonard Cohen, What are some must hears like this one? I love it!

[cuxland1]

Dress rehearsal rag

Famous blue raincoat

and, naturally, Suzanne

[atlian42]

I like in no particular order:

Take this Longing,

If it be your will,

Bird on the Wire,

You know who I am,

Dance me till the end of love,

the Future,

Hallelujah,

and of course Everybody Knows

[normurfin]

Anthony and the Johnson's do a beautiful version of If it be your will

[sweetpe60]

Try Nick Cave or Cat Power.Of course Sir Cohen is The God.

[222sexidj4uuu]

tower of song, chelsea hotel, I'm your man

[Grafschnitzel]

Of his early work I would recomment: The Master song Stories of the street, The story of Isaac Sisters of mercy The Stranger song Teachers And the whole album of New Skin for the old Ceremony; especially Why don't you try, I tried to leave you, and Field commander Cohen

[monkeybars101]

I stand corrected. I heard on the radio a different version but i'm not sure who by. It wasn't as good as this one though.

[manwithnoname123]

yeah, don't compliment Leonard Cohen on his good cover - ha ha ha! one of the best songs, ever...

[itsalexagain]

Monkeybars it isn' a cover. it was written and first recorded by Leonard Cohen

[monkeybars101]

Fantastic Cover

[lamusevenale]

what the hell man?

[laxy212]

oh wow i love this, makes me cry

[alexislanexoxo]

me too

[Jay3039]

haunting..........i hear this, im there

[rrtodd95]

Just in case anyone was wondering who was giving him head.

It was Janis Joplin.

Revealing that was one of his greatest regrets.

[xSagotroll]

There is something quite special about Leonard Cohen, he's magic!

[fadedfuck]

what a poet

[LoveAndPeaceMaker]

I need you, I don´t need you...

[GabrielArgent]

Yea, that is probably my favorite part, he says it with such emotion.

[psychochicken7654758]

it's magnificently heartbreaking

[blockthisuser]

giving me head on the unmade bed,

while the limousines wait in the street

please Leo dont kill us anymore

[ctrn61]

we are ugly... but we have the music...

[ctrn61]

This song talk about a love story with Janis Joplin, I think

[ROQUENROW]

This always makes me feel sad... But it's so... good to hear it...

[tathjones]

all i can say is is for once amidst my teenage years.... ypu were right

[evasion89]

Oh, my gosh. Leonard Cohen has so much talent.

[medicinmanden]

I wish more girls would make exceptions.

[Commentary1984]

it's about janis joplin...and as she says....'all you gotta do is be a good man, one time, to one woman, and that'll be the end of the world, babe"

don't be oppressed by the figures of beauty!

[valor93]

my wise cousin told me once that the beautiful girls are the ones you have to be aware of.

ya know.. those who look really cute and all that.. but their personality is ugly.

[Awesomelybored]

*tear*

[habacuke]

this, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most intense song ever written

[roor06]

I dont think of yiu that often ...

[Fawksian21]

Leonard's got an amazing voice. I don't care how limited its range is, he wrings every last drop of emotion out of it.

[lyndasabian]

I saw Leonard twice this week in Sydney and the Hunter Valley. It was transcendent, something so excrutiatingly perfect in every respect, moments of beauty beyond words. People everywhere are raving about his concerts here - I've not seen anything like it. What an amazing man. Certainly, definitely, we are lucky to have this man in our midst.

[shiboigan]

When you see the video in which he tells the story of meeting Janis Joplin in the lift of the Chelsea Hotel you will realise how much the song means. You might have enjoyed it before, but, that brings it into new realms

[joycespencer]

Legendary hotel - Legendary Leonard. Saw him at Glastonbury , them most amazing gig I have ever seen. Spent a week at the Chelsea over New Year and again the most amazing hotel ever. Perfect combination.

[thebluekiwi]

My Whippet is named after this song....lol.....I luv it.

[droidivan]

yes! great shongh

[MmmPomegranate]

Only realised that this song was about Janis Joplin yesterday. Lovely song

[GuyPerkal]

We are ugly, but we have the music.

[seachess]

maybe you're ugly, I'm not.

[MenteDeChristo]

mabye you aren't but i am

[StrawberryK08]

if this guy was english he would be the poet laureate

[boudeca]

where is chelsea hotel? new york?

[JackMDT8888]

Yes, and the woman this song was was written about was Janis Joplin....he had a one nighter when they were shit faced there!!

Honestly....he told the story before singing it live once....

[rsmiraldi]

it's all there. the music, the reality, the chelsea.

[bbusl]

a genius of a musical poet... who wouldnt give their lifes savings to share a bottle or three of fine wine, a leather armchair and a guitar and just sit with this guy... "odsantos" you are sooo right... the most interesting guy on the planet...

[Cutki]

hah,

grow up kid

[kutcheravec]

Magnificent and beautiful...so soft and so harsh at the same time..but unmistakeable..

[hug2046]

Thank U

[54spiritedwill54]

so beautiful

[ksrox2006]

Cant wait to see him in dublin!

[odsantos]

this guy is way to whats the word clever, no insightful and probly one of the most interesting guys on the planet.

[chloeencore]

Leonard's my man.

thanks for it all.

sheila

[c156798]

I never once heard you say

I need you.

I don't need you.

I need you.

I don't need you.

And all of that jivin' around.

One of his greatest insights (even though Janis's songs often talked of desperate need.)

[snjoklukka]

agree

[Ciprianroman]

Beauty is in the heart of the artist. Janis and Leonard... Beautiful.

[foweygal]

wow been listening to leonard for the last 30 years, my mother was also a devotee, what a master of words....

[xxkissxmexx]

Just...Wow! It's only thing I can say 'bout this song. So beautiful, so powerful, so...Cohen. From Cohen to Janis. Maybe they're ugly but they have the music...

[leoccash]

Cohen is the absolute best; always.

[taylankaraca]

Thank you Janis, for your inspiration to written this song.And thank you Cohen.

[John145Rogers]

Eulogy to Janis Joplin .. superb .. she got away ..  but never forgotten

[02617552]

Commovente!

[STANZYE]

my prefered song from L.Cohen was 15 years old first time I heard it.

[A550RGY]

"That's all, I don't even think of you that often..." wow, what a powerful ending.

[mercyriddle]

every time I listen to this,I can't help but mourn the loss of Janis. This is such a tender, personal song, full of affection. I love it.

[carolinemsvetlana]

thank you Mr. Cohen.

[leinadseveer]

The lyrics are brilliant...

[gavroche67]

yeah right a photo of a hotel named chelsea hotel during 3 minutes, best video ever ! jesus some guys are really stupid

[frrrrrankenstein]

well since it's the hotel the song is named after it seems to make perfect sense.

[chelash1n1]

what the heck...my name is chelsea...uh...yea...WEIRD thanks alot. HA

[6strings27]

yeah, so is mine...so what's the big deal?

[piratehooker316]

I heard this was about Janis Joplin. I love this song so much.

[ruihsj]

yes... I have the song of concert of Montreal where Leonards told so...

[gavroche67]

the video sucks

[Dumbell99]

The video is hardly the point.

[zyhz]

So simple yet so beatiful!

Thank you very much for sharing!

[Onderstekop]

so beautiful

[motocycleboy]

the best song 'if it be your will'...

[ruihsj]

The best song ever?

[motocycleboy]

best singer ever and forever

[MDJarv]

Man, what a great song. Simply beautiful. I love this man's music.

[filmerado]

Leonard was legendary at the Chelsea on w 23rd Street, NYC. Nice tribute.