To know is to understand. To know is also to love. We tend to hate what we don't understand or are confused by. Until you have been crushed by a relationship I don't think you would understand this song. My hope is you never understand this song.
It's strange but I do think this song predates the baudy atmosphere of some songs on Death Of A Ladies' man (1977) like Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On.
I saw Leonard live Massey Hall,Toronto,mid-70s,for his"New Skin for the Old Ceremony"tour.For his fellow Canadians he altered a line to:"And the maple trees are burning in your promised land."He was enthusiasticdid a long encore,saying: "we're going to be here for a while".But his band evidently hadn't rehearsed enough material&ended up doing two or three songs twice. I recall the backup singers smiling when he called out a song they'd already done.The audience didn't seem to mind. A good show.
@Bobjb999 I saw him in Sydney in 1980...just him..no band..just an acoustic guitar..then i saw him in Melbourne in 2009 FULL band...terrific stuff...interesting you mention doing some songs twice..in the 2009 concert he went through the whole thank the band thing twice without looking like..or his band looking like..it was a mistake..i thought that was weird..but as far as I'm concerned if Leonard is weird..then I WANT to be weird too...he IS THE master
I love Leonard Cohen and also think this is his best album (avalance is amazing) but this song is just horrible and I have to skip it every time. By far the worst song of Leonard Cohen (not lyrics). I seriously dont get why many has it as a favourite..
I love Leonard Cohen and also think this is his best album (avalance is amazing) but this song is just horrible and I have to skip it every time. By far the worst song of Leonard Cohen (not lyrics). I seriously dont get why many has it as a favourite..
This is an early protest against abortion. In fact at 2:40, there's an overt reference to sterilization and abortion.
The song actually dates back to the early 70's, before the issue became so highly charged politically.
Later on, in an act of uncharacteristic cowardice, Cohen tacked on a cheesy anti-Vietnam prelude to disguise the song's message which by then had become politically incorrect.
@bloggenfels Don't be stupid, please. Leonard Cohen is, in addition to being a Canadian, a resolute thinker, humanist, and, oh yeah, A WRITER. The anger is clearly involved with abortion here, but that doesn't mean it's a protest song; does he believe in rape and arson because he wrote Joan of Arc? He's writing from a distended, angry perspective which is distinctly not his. STFU.
@MrHomme0: I guess you can read Leonard's mind because you, too, are a resolute thinker and a humanist, right? But somehow, Mr. Man, you forgot to mention that Cohen's background is *Catholic* -- which would explain his interest in both the abortion question and St. Joan of Arc. I look forward to your obscene, vituperative response which will be, in addition to your clairvoyance, a clear indication of your humanistic and open-minded spirit. What an attractive mindset you progressives have.
@carolynsoftball2013 You don't need to read Leonard Cohen's mind; he's spilled out most of it. The Favourite Game features a passage in which his socialist girlfriend gets an abortion, and "we spoke of the little ghosts, I did not know them, but I also did not know her," comes in. I believe he holds her as she chants "petites fantomes petites." He didn't give a speech then, because IT WASN'T HIS PLACE TO. Also, please call me Mr. Homo.
This is one of Cohen's rawest songs! You get the intensity and sarcasm right away. The title is a double (IMO, triple) entendre about a woman's dreams and worth,... and if I know Mr. Cohen's style, a particular woman. ;-)
"There are no grapes upon the vine..." Right out of the Tarot cards, seven of Pentacles (or Coins). Cohen's readings and studies stretch far and wide!
Classic!!
oneblueorange 1 month ago
To know is to understand. To know is also to love. We tend to hate what we don't understand or are confused by. Until you have been crushed by a relationship I don't think you would understand this song. My hope is you never understand this song.
switchfootaged 2 months ago
I hate this song; I love Leonard Cohen.
Sydwayman 2 months ago
@Sydwayman
How could you hate this song?xD
This has always been one of my favorites.
CarlSagan0101 2 months ago
It's strange but I do think this song predates the baudy atmosphere of some songs on Death Of A Ladies' man (1977) like Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On.
lyonslaforet 3 months ago
I saw Leonard live Massey Hall,Toronto,mid-70s,for his"New Skin for the Old Ceremony"tour.For his fellow Canadians he altered a line to:"And the maple trees are burning in your promised land."He was enthusiasticdid a long encore,saying: "we're going to be here for a while".But his band evidently hadn't rehearsed enough material&ended up doing two or three songs twice. I recall the backup singers smiling when he called out a song they'd already done.The audience didn't seem to mind. A good show.
Bobjb999 3 months ago
@Bobjb999 I saw him in Sydney in 1980...just him..no band..just an acoustic guitar..then i saw him in Melbourne in 2009 FULL band...terrific stuff...interesting you mention doing some songs twice..in the 2009 concert he went through the whole thank the band thing twice without looking like..or his band looking like..it was a mistake..i thought that was weird..but as far as I'm concerned if Leonard is weird..then I WANT to be weird too...he IS THE master
writerman242 2 months ago
Comment removed
Bobjb999 3 months ago
I love the Manson refrence in this song. The song is pure controled insanity, and i love it.
52ohass 6 months ago
Off the best Cohen album Songs of Love and Hate. Yes, we even(or atleast I) love Leonard in Alabama, well the civilized parts.
52ohass 7 months ago
I love Leonard Cohen and also think this is his best album (avalance is amazing) but this song is just horrible and I have to skip it every time. By far the worst song of Leonard Cohen (not lyrics). I seriously dont get why many has it as a favourite..
zamzam11 7 months ago
I love Leonard Cohen and also think this is his best album (avalance is amazing) but this song is just horrible and I have to skip it every time. By far the worst song of Leonard Cohen (not lyrics). I seriously dont get why many has it as a favourite..
zamzam11 7 months ago
Great song.
This is an early protest against abortion. In fact at 2:40, there's an overt reference to sterilization and abortion.
The song actually dates back to the early 70's, before the issue became so highly charged politically.
Later on, in an act of uncharacteristic cowardice, Cohen tacked on a cheesy anti-Vietnam prelude to disguise the song's message which by then had become politically incorrect.
Nobody's perfect I guess.
bloggenfels 1 year ago
@bloggenfels Don't be stupid, please. Leonard Cohen is, in addition to being a Canadian, a resolute thinker, humanist, and, oh yeah, A WRITER. The anger is clearly involved with abortion here, but that doesn't mean it's a protest song; does he believe in rape and arson because he wrote Joan of Arc? He's writing from a distended, angry perspective which is distinctly not his. STFU.
MrHomme0 7 months ago
@MrHomme0: I guess you can read Leonard's mind because you, too, are a resolute thinker and a humanist, right? But somehow, Mr. Man, you forgot to mention that Cohen's background is *Catholic* -- which would explain his interest in both the abortion question and St. Joan of Arc. I look forward to your obscene, vituperative response which will be, in addition to your clairvoyance, a clear indication of your humanistic and open-minded spirit. What an attractive mindset you progressives have.
carolynsoftball2013 7 months ago
@carolynsoftball2013 You don't need to read Leonard Cohen's mind; he's spilled out most of it. The Favourite Game features a passage in which his socialist girlfriend gets an abortion, and "we spoke of the little ghosts, I did not know them, but I also did not know her," comes in. I believe he holds her as she chants "petites fantomes petites." He didn't give a speech then, because IT WASN'T HIS PLACE TO. Also, please call me Mr. Homo.
MrHomme0 7 months ago
@carolynsoftball2013 Also, he's Jewish.
MrHomme0 7 months ago
@carolynsoftball2013 Did Mr. ouiebeib have permission to submit this, please read terms of use.
Myrtone 6 months ago
@carolynsoftball2013 You're hilarious. Please post on all videos. LOL. Catholic. And now without sarcasm: Nice insight MrHommeO.
jellyrollmoretonne 2 months ago
This is one of Cohen's rawest songs! You get the intensity and sarcasm right away. The title is a double (IMO, triple) entendre about a woman's dreams and worth,... and if I know Mr. Cohen's style, a particular woman. ;-)
"There are no grapes upon the vine..." Right out of the Tarot cards, seven of Pentacles (or Coins). Cohen's readings and studies stretch far and wide!
Thanks for posting this jewel!
makuabob 2 years ago
wow..well timed
probably my favorite song of cohen
..sound so great compared to his
new sensual voice....i think i'm
not living so far from his house...
anyways i dont think i could recognize him
blackcheesyghoul 3 years ago
already been added
JacquesBrel11 3 years ago