Leonard Cohen - Democracy

[Tommyfazz]

What the hell's happanin here? I click on Jedwood and get this geezer singing about something meaningful and with honest charm? ffs!

[sukideni]

Thank you again Leonard.Suzannex

[ADonovan43]

The freedom to speak out in music and song is important to the maintaining and the gaining of new freedoms world wide.Censorship is the mortal enemy of all mankind.ADonovan43

[XuZhongRui]

« even though he was built to see the world this way, he was also built to disregard, to be free of the way he was built to see the world »

[glennmac88]

Naive, but well meaning. Voting for candidate every few years is pointless :( I may, of course, be misunderstandung this great mans interpretation on democracy

[ivaivaiva0]

YESS HAS ARRIVEDD!! THE SUN*

[amb2953]

Democracy is coming to screw up your brain : )

[tomestubbs]

@amb2953 It's better than republican fascism. any day.

[boybuddha]

PROPHETIC..............might have spelled that wrong , love ya all x

[izzigogo]

Just when I thought Dylan was the top of perfection, in comes Cohen, he is too good, I get lost in him and forgot about Dylan for the time

[DontTread0nMe1776]

This song should be considered a warning about what was happening around the time he was born (1934), "democracy" took over the republic our founders fought for! Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner, but in a republic the sheep has a gun and can contest the vote.

[seplrm]

Wow, I heard one song of his back in the day, then just today I heard "It's closing time" and looooved it. This guy rocks

[TheRealOzzie234]

Bob has nothing on Cohen.... Cohen is larger than life.

[oblio66420]

SUPERB! Peut on trouver le texte? Si oui, Ou?

[santinoantonio]

Yes Leonard Cohen, old, old but still impeccable. From Canada to the whole world, an excellent singer, composer and poet.

[chevaldemarseille]

Je l'adore..

[electronicmedium]

Seeing that dylan talked about true freedom, not democray! Democracy is the worst form of government! True democracy is 45 whites hanging one black. Democracy= the people rule. Not all people think the same! How about a government that loves everyone and a government that will take the 6 bilion dollars they spend on war each year or day and feed the hungry and give everyone else a chance to live a life to wich they want.

[Putlta]

The Webb Cute Sisters.. He couldnt make a better choice =]

[bboooobbyy]

Love the harmonica riff

[gwoodin1]

Beautiful. Sad that I did not find you earlier in my life.  A new and forever fan.

[JTerrible63]

AS IF THE POLICE STATE PLUTOCRACY THAT THE MINDLESS "MERICAN" MOB n BLOB LET SLIDE IN IS PREFERABLE?

HAPPY JAILS, AMERICA, BECAUSE YOUR TRAILS ARE NOW PARKING LOTS, DUMPS,

AND THE NEXT LINE FOR THE NEXT COURT

[musicrobusto]

Unfortunately democracy is taking over. USA was founded as a republic not a stinking democracy.

[dagalagas]

The song is a lament, though most don't know it. Democracy is coming to the USA, and it's bad news. Get ready for more "homicidal bitchin'

that goes down in every kitchen

to determine who will serve and who will eat. "

[alienhunter94]

On most of these Leonard Cohen videos there's lots of people assuming he's american and then there's just as much people yelling at them saying he's canadian.

Super Mega LOLS.

[cajuncarla]

Leonard,, I love your tunz.. and I have read ur commentary and the meaning of ur songs... I have ordered all ur dvd's

This one was touching.. knowing ur history and what is happening to the U.S.A.

[voidsiriusonly]

Thank you Leonard Cohen,,, for carrying this message to the City of London... and nailing it to the Gates...

[zossima44]

@voidsiriusonly

Yes - timeless - thank God.

[nicck]

It's not patriotic...no.

[gresiu7]

the DeePest poemS eveR wriTten!!!!

[pattynVABeach]

I really believe that he saw that Obama was going to win. Hence our President's Noble Peace Prize, He got more folks to get involved than any other Candidate could of dreamed on. Lenny is American after all. This was done live in 2009. I also believe he was thinking of the days in the 60s that led us finally to get involved again.

[quenuca]

@pattynVABeach

Leonard Cohen is Canadian, not American.

[Delia007]

@pattynVABeach

Not only is Cohen Canadian, but the song is on an album that came out in 1992. Find the lyrics online and study them. He's almost always sardonic, but he's also serious. In this case about democracy, I think. Which is still on the way rather than actually in existence.

[pattynVABeach]

First, your right he was born in Canada but spent his younger days in NYC. I agree with your take on his music as I have listened to it for 40 plus years. It is just like Dylan's lyrics ....timeless. I was speaking about how I felt he was directing this song with the USA's election / Obama. Thank you for your input.

[bboooobbyy]

@pattynVABeach He's Canadian, through and through.

[cleanmrbroadway]

The USA is a constitutional republic. That only the introduction of true democracy can kill. Like George Bush said." the constitution is only a Goddam piece of paper" . First they"ll take Manhatten then the world.

[lilifyre]

Woke up this morning with this song running thru my head. How can I choose one "best" from the man who does EVERYTHING the BEST????

I was at the St.Louis concert. That was the highlight of my life.

[appledecca]

Well, this song has stimulated some conversation! Thank You .

[trexpaddock]

I can only guess that the american's don't complain about this song because they a) the don't realize it states their country is not a democracy, and/or b) the ones who are smart enough to figure that out are smart enough to know it is true.

[RichMed1a]

@trexpaddock The USA was never a democracy, and I sincerely hope that it never will be. Ben Franklin, when asked what kind of government the Continental Congress had created, famously replied, " A republic, Ma'am, if you can keep it."

[tychoSNM]

That democracy "is coming" (as opposed to already there) may imply the song says USA is not a democracy... but I don't think that's what he means.

I think the phrase "The cradle of the best and the worst" sums it up nicely. I take the whole song as a summation of both what makes USA great and what makes it deeply flawed. But, is it democratic? Without a doubt.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

The Bilderberg group rule this planet and these people ain't pushing democracy its the jack boot in your face look at your FIMA camps you must live in Disneyland my friend.but you are about to wake up just in time for them to shoot you.

[philosopherg]

@tychoSNM Are you nuts. nuts you are. You are nuts. Tell me how your boss lets you smoke dope? Is it only non-smokers are free?

[tychoSNM]

dude, the fuck you talking about?? I don't smoke no shit. I just stick to my cocaine, as long as I share my boss has no qualms about it.

What on the Man Jesus Holy Grace does "Is it only non-smokers are free?·" even mean? Damn pothead commies sons of bitches,

[zossima44]

@tychoSNM

Do you have food to eat and freedom to be who you are? Do you imagine that this is a priviliege? History has not been so kind.

[tychoSNM]

@zossima44

Luckily I have said freedoms (amongst many others). And while I know not what you are trying to say with history having not been so kind, I ask you, have you not those freedoms in the USA? And I furthermore urge you to compare and contrast the USA democracy in practice against every single country in our 'lil world. Not that you actually have to do that to see the USA has a healthy democratic level.

[ShotgunAFlyboy]

@tychoSNM Tthe same people whom are presently taking the freedoms about which you speak are destroying them in any other country too.

[groenekan]

tis gewoon geweldig!!! beautifull voice, beautifull song!!

[dkkroger]

Saw him Saturday in STL - he blew us away.....simply amazing!

[bertiebear37]

Saw him in the UK several times he is simply the BEST. We love you Leonard.

[existingappointment]

Saw him in Tampa, FL last night. What a fantastic performance!

We didn't want him to stop. Thanks Mr .Cohen for stellar show! We love you!

[mtcharts]

I'm sorry I missed it. Kids first. I heard it (Mr Cohen Tampa concert) got stellar reviews. This tune has always been one of my favorites in music, then I heard it today on 60s show (WMNF-FM). I thought, cool.

[Obelisk2290]

saw him the show before in Sunrise never seen an artist do 6 encores and play over 3 hours. Im honored to be in his prescence

[ooogmorg]

i saw him when he was in ottawa BEST EVER no genre just BEST

[ldavi32]

Poet. Simple.

[Dededetracker]

Great Poet

[TheCarlDickinson]

Not one of the best, but THE best

[slimnick53]

he's a legend

[scrappylor]

thanks for posting......one of the best

[mattb622]

One of the greatest song writers ever!

[Obelisk2290]

lets enjoy a true artist while he is alive and he is coming to south florida

[sidthinker]

wow, what a great fuckin' clip. first time I ever heard of it, loved it instantly... class act all the way, singers, band, leonard. great great great... :) thank you.

[lisein]

Simplemente excelente!!!

[SusanMH1]

Cohen's music is still so relevant, this song could have been written yesterday!

[gomby1956]

I will take Cohen anyday over Bob Dylan (who is doubtless also a great artist)

[pfgnyc85]

you cannot say that!

[DanQueen2008]

explain, why not Dylan?

[anhelo911]

@gomby1956

Aw cmon now I cant even spew hate on you since you acknowledged that Dylan is great. I think we shouldnt compare. Art is not a linear quantity!

[chacharoxy]

I smile because others are as awed as I am at this wonderful musician... we love ya Leonard!! xo

[BrilliantBastard]

Pure awesome

[Thomasss47]

absolutely right!!!!!!!

[nihoro]

It's great to see people can still appreciate Leonard's style of music, i pray the day will never come a day when people shun great artists like him

[TheOwl54]

Divine - Ironic - Loving !!!

WOW !  - these lyrics ...

I take off my hat to you, Leonard Cohen !

An outstanding artist accompanied by wonderful musicians. So great ...

Namasté, Ute.

[blackytear13]

god he is astonishing!!!!

[bobsastre]

"They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom For trying to change the system from within I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin" It's coming from the feel that this ain't exactly real, or it's real, but it ain't exactly there. From the wars against disorder, from the sirens night and day, from the fires of the homeless, from the ashes of the gay: Democracy is coming to the Spain ??????

[Laughingman120]

I'd really like to see some Cohen, Dylan collaborations that would be ridiculously awesome

[jimrobertsid]

this is the first time ive ever listened to leonard cohen and all i can say is im blown away by his brilliance,im kickin myself for not going to see him live!!!!!!!

[freedailyhoroscopes]

the best lyricist (if not poet) ever in the english language

[huckbrownmvp]

...and the music ain't bad either!

He's my fave and he is definitely a "world class consummate artist" who loves women ,politically right on, gentle, tender, biting and a "mensch". Love you Leonard; you and Dylan "the great ones". Thank you for the music, for the love, for the understanding, the compassion, the passion and for sharing your trip.

Jillian

[LeComteDeFlandre]

Talk hard!

[alexthasy]

I wonder if he wrote that for the Bush Cheney fraud

[ocgiii]

It certainly applies, however this song was released in the last year of Bush 41.

[NowIamheretoo]

in '92 ?

[siepmann]

Tell 'em, Leonard!

[TheDentist27]

wow that band is tight! Leonard isn't messing around

[damohicanelle]

Ha! Vous êtes un as, bien sur!

Merci en grosses caresses pour ce que nous recevons. Danielle de la rue Ste-Famille.

[chris1978nl]

Timeless music,

and however his songs exist for many years, most songs from Leonard are still actual now!

What a great voice, what a great poet!

[vinnyhart1]

Probably the greatest song writer of the past 50 years,not a bad singer too

[6151RichmondStreet]

F***, we need more songwriters like this!!!!!!!!!

[fps44]

We DO have writers like Leonard! They are Brendan Sloan, Vinnie Scorziello and Sasha Yatchenko! Check out Vinnie's web site Choo choo la rouge and Brendan and Sasha's my space. You will LOVE them!

[Marynorton13]

Yeah but we can always use more ;-)

[ILERDENSE53]

Bravo, excelente trabajo, Leonar, un gran aplauso, muchas gracias.

[612franklin]

Six Wheels of Exception and Promise...

[chloeencore]

Dear Leonard

Good days dear friend

[fourfingershuffel]

Man i thought Dylan was 'The Man' but Leonard is just as good. Top Draw. Gifts to the world. God bless them.

[youtubister]

Aren't we lucky that we have Bob and Leonard. And Bruce.

[mizz77anna]

But for how long and who will step in their footsteps

It is a big weight that is on their shoulders I cannot see a world without the great poets

[ukulazy]

Simile! And yes... particularly where you imply YouTube audio quality is like getting 3rd degree burns.

[gbbfreestyler]

Leonard Cohen is a beautiful genius, his lyrics grounding and transcedant. The Webb sisters honeyed voices coo with seductive strength, Sharon Robinson her own force ... I was there for one of the concerts in this tour and will never forget it ....

[TravelFactory]

This is a gift. Cohen is the poetic giant of our time.

Get to his concert. No regrets. Take home a lifetime of enchantment.

[Desire2311]

I Love the Mouth-Harmonica part! it's amazing.

[danagasta1]

Wonder what kind of mic that is--it doesn't seem sufficient in the lower frequencies. So sad, because the full resonance of Leonard's voice isn't audible.

[biancavoi]

click on the "HQ" button and you'll hear the difference in sound quality.

[birdiejoehoaks]

i dont mean to be insulting, but its hilarious that youre trying to make judgments on a microphone in relation to a youtube video.

thats like trying to judge lotions while youre on fire

[ukulazy]

Haha what an odd simile.

[birdiejoehoaks]

but the metaphor works, doesnt it?

[roobahak]

this's been on repeat for the past hour... and i still want more... marvellous piece!!

[atjr]

The Web sisters are on the left side. Sharon Robinson is the one on the right.

Julie Christensen and Perla Battalia used

to back him up. Check them out. I've seen

LC twice in the last year and he just gets stronger as the night goes on. He is one

of a kind!

[BushWomanOtter]

I wish I was her!  LOL

[selenabalbina]

the man of my dreams ... hot!!

[vickie2491]

okay....................

[mcrgerardway923]

she is pretty...i wish i looked like her...

[EISE2000]

Please, can anybody give the name of the chorus girl on the left. The one with the hat. She's sooooo beautiful.

[lepassant50]

merci pour cette vidéo courageuse

[cindyvacek]

What a visionary. He saw it coming!

[llinnae1]

What a great opening to the song!

[icoGreg]

What an amazing show - go see him live if you still have the chance!

[jrggrz]

qué gran personaje, es lo máximo

[ladyblue614]

GREAT!! One can not lose faith!!

[mulo66]

El viejo Leonard esta gagá!!

Pero su música sigue tan vigente como nunca

[Bonobo3D]

Beautiful in so many ways!

[kimlea69]

think you from one old man.......kim

[Annakis]

Thank YOU For Yopur Inspiration to never Give UP and Keep Writing!? L:ove Ya!

[OnHerDemand]

brilliant - just as always!

[PoorDispatch]

Democracy came and went through Oakland, California.

[emirparrotta]

Camp.

[jerryskid1]

Simply amazing. I will be seeing this in a few hours in LA.

[srmpress]

see you tomorrow night leonard. can't wait.

[Dharmadejavu]

Brilliant....love ya Leonard!!!!

[diyopatino]

Sail on, sail on...

[hellzapoppinUp]

This man is an anarchist.

[Petiber]

I'll definitely get this dvd. it's a pity Famous Blue Raincoat isn't in it - it's my favourite song by leonard

[Minuvash]

Thank you very much.

[tracylynn45]

ha! Perfect antithesis to sentimential crap like America the Beautiful.

[streetspiritlive]

I'm sentimental if ya know what i mean...

but i'm stubborn like those garbage bags that won't decay...

Love This Man!

starting with the Eyes/background pic/Words/Voice(s)/Music...

Thank You!!

Sail On!!! : )))

[reporterfarofino]

Não há palavras que possam definir Leonard Cohen.

[bruciafedere]

75 years old and a great voice....

[CHARROMISTERIO]

A True Living Legend of All Artists!

[wyoming99]

What a guy!!

[aymiderham]

I will play my DVD many times to bring back great concert memories :)

[inmycountry007]

As will I. I will never forget the magical evening we spent with Leonard Cohen in Dublin.

[Obelisk2290]

please come to south florida leonard

[anastasia4657]

Fantastic!

[fewmarbles]

AWESOME!!!!!!!

[languagedancer]

Thank you for the share fewmarbles....am hoping to  be at Red Rocks later this season to take in his live show...wanna join me...couldn't think of better company...just a thought

[PoorDispatch]

If by some magic Red Rocks happens to be slang for Paramount in Oakland, I'm in!

[languagedancer]

PoorDispatch---Red Rocks is in Colorado and a great place for music---if you ever have the chance to take in a show there DO IT...and by all means, enjoy the show in Oakland!

[PoorDispatch]

Hahaha! I know, I checked that out and told a cousin of mine to try and see the show, but she can't afford it. And I can't make it to the Paramount--both concerts sold out. If I scratch the money out, I might drive 350 miles south and try to catch him in LA. I don't think I'll be able to do that, though, since I'd be going with another person and that pins the tickets at $200 already. =/

[PoorDispatch]

But YOU enjoy YOUR concert! For both of us. =P

[PoorDispatch]

Leonard is doing a third concert in Oakland, I'm so excited! You know what that means, right? I'm going to be able to get tickets!

Ha! Good for us. :D

[cjthemusicman]

I agree! Thank you for sharing this gem!

[coloardokid103]

his voice gets better with age

[mikki2006]

awsome as usual thanks Mr Cohen !

[oooldred]

holy jaaaasis, this gave me shivers from the get-go . . .

what a legend is Leonard . . .

RED

[teachemariusz]

amazing!!1

[photonetau]

And it look like Democracy IS finally coming to the USA! Great Sydney show, come back soon!

[ciuffolina1]

thanks...I adore Leonard Cohen..for me the best in the world :)

Grazia

[gluecksmensch]

It's so great that Leonard is comming to Germany again this year! I got two tickets for the first row. It's a pity that the DVD isn't in 16:9 and that no Blu-Ray is available.

[lizziecohen]

Your voice is still so strong, rich, full, and wonderful, Leonard; and the feeling that rises to the top is that I am so proud to know you. Watching this, I get lost in melancholy. You have been such a huge part in making my world all it is today.

~ Lizzy

[lepercq]

Leonard, Merci pour tous ces instants de pur bonheur .Merci pour avoir illuminé ces heures de solitude par ces chants que l'écoute en boucle n'a jamais usé.

sam s

[rtupin1956]

What a great video!!!! I love Leonard so much. Thank God we have someone who isn't afraid to speak the truth.

[yoramli3]

So wnderful !! I love it ! Thank you !!

[graszka1957]

Thank you for this. Wonderful!

[messalina79]

Amazing clip, looking forward to the DVD, and to seeing Leonard in NY :)

[ejcurtis100]

This is such a fabulous clip. That show was great. Can't wait for the DVD!

[lierxagerate]

I am so stoked to see Leonard Cohen in Austin :D

His backup band is really good too!

[5THGENTXN]

See ya there!

[aseezy220]

Amazing.

[xtremeone11]

yeah, may can not come soon enough to see your show in boston!!! :) leonard, you are the best!

[AnneCouture]

leonarddddddd

[GeoffreyRaines]

Thank you for this. Wonderful!

[chirogirl67550]

Oh Yah!!! Listen to this man!! What a spirit!!

Yvonne,Bob and Kazandra

Ava,Illinois USA/Obamaland

[bobsbarnacle]

Thank you so much for sharing your immense talent with us. Great to have you back. Nothing short of a class act! Looking forward to the cd and dvd.