Leonard Cohen - Tower of song

[merdufer]

U2 did amazingly well here. They're just cheesy, chill, and safe enough to let the singer and the lyrics come across. God knows if they were a backing band of Leonard Cohen (and if I have never listened to Bono speak) I would have *loved* them.

[Chitumbuka]

hate bono

[peacenikkle]

for some reason this is my Leonard Cohen Summer. When is Cohen going to get the Nobel peace prize ? Does he cut to close to the bone for the corrupted prize givers ?

[tomodizdarevi20]

no comment for the very, very beutiful song " Tower of song" lesson this song and die.... leonard you are the legend...Congratulations.... Your fan.... Tomo from Slovenija...

[krisslee]

Two Words

Amazingly awesome



[Yashodam]

Hot-blooded.

[deabajo]

I wonder about what all these "experts" telling bad about Bono and U2 actually achieved to feel like they have right to say about them anything at all... if anything ruins this song it is your disrespect...

[Sergueivster]

Precioso tema. No me cansa escucharlo.

[chooseanothernick]

Video blocked in your country ? No problem. Just go to google, type "proxies"get some of them. Go to Tools, Internet Options, Connections, and put in there the proxy. I believe if the proxy is in the US surely you will be granted all accesses. So if you are in a free country like Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Yemen and they hate you because of that. That is the way to work it around. you can cheat the$_SERVER["REMOTE_ADDR"] by faking your IP that way. but dont do nothing illegal, it is traceable

[cupid1d]

say what you will about U2 but they have and continue to show profound respect for those who came before them. It's an Irish thing. Egotists? yeah probably but what Rock star isn't arrogant? it comes with the turf. You have enough people falling on themselves to touch your coat tails and before you know it you start buying into the myth of greatness of yourself. Now if you write a song like "Bad" well then you've earned the right to feel good about yourself in my book. I thought this was great

[deabajo]

@cupid1d good point

[ODAATaaangie]

this is amazing, never heard this version before. absolutely loved it!

[aaa0780]

I see you standing on the other side, I don't know how the river got so wide...I loved you baby way back when.....and all the bridges are burning that we might have crossed, and I feel so close to everything that we've lost....

[juanlagartija69]

Me lo pense dos veces en entrar en la critica , pero si se trata de hacer pasar por politica correctamente correcto tendre que decir que somos muy ardidos, por querer criticar a personas que hacen intento por querer componer AUNQUE SEA con su protagonismo , algunas cosas, aunque nosotros no hagamos nada por mejorar este mundo y todas sus jodidas cosas

[twilliams232]

Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, (Simon and Garfunkel?)

[Chelita1995]

dylan ,cohen,tom waits,bowie,lou redd

[barrozin]

@Chelita1995 and Nick Cave.

[grint34]

Bono should have shut his mouth. Its Leonards song.

[ThisIsDJJD]

@grint34 he asked him to sing it

research your shit next time

[grint34]

@ThisIsDJJD Of course he did. He was just being polite, you idiot. Go fuck your grandmother.

[ThisIsDJJD]

@grint34 your the idiot for being immature. Grow up.

[swallmiff]

true genius and humanity being surrounded by self centred egotists .bono dueting with LC is like farting along to an angel choir

[muintir]

Bono is a male sexual organ...in other words....A Prick of the highest order

[iGaucho]

genius

[thedude266]

Dylan, Morrison, Neil Young and Cohen.

Say no more!

[55mandreck]

THIS VERY SAME POSEUR WRECKS THE

joy div tune too -

[55mandreck]

well thats spoilt that song for me forever I thought leonard was less of a sapp - shame4 him the song was good without any Imput from BOzO - IIuminati scum- gobbler - rokker feller wud b prouud leonard-? NWO - are you part of it ??lenny ??? $ or against tell ur fanz to F.O.A.D. lol

watz that spell ?? I will not tell but no poet of any worth wud wurrk witjh n.w, ORDER - LICKSPITTLE SCUM LIKE HIM _ AND PEHAPS u ARE ONE TOO??? WHO KNOW'S WHO'S IN IT = luv u anyway - Jan- JOP Chelsea

[heronheinz]

U2 must be very proud of it

[theRoadrebel]

The whole arrangement and feel of the song is a bit too close to "the Wanderer" which they did with Johnny Cash. All brilliant artists though.

[la9li]

genious collaberation. Love this soooo much

[shanna1950]

yeah Bono, masterpiece so why did you have to screw it? Don't touch things that are perfect - the rhyhtm section in this version is sooo sexy.

[roos123roos5]

@shanna1950 you're so right!

[shanna1950]

@roos123roos5 - SMILE...!

[constableman]

shit, bono's ugly voice ruined the song!

[givemeabreak000]

I love how Edge's guitar sounds in this version !

[mackanniskanen]

OMG, Bono's singing is da crap, worst ever, please end your career will ya Bono...

[mackanniskanen]

I agree, Bono, step out, let the King sing !!

[YGSLL]

Cohen says he can't sing but he sings so well, that you can hear every word. Bono sings for humanity

[YGSLL]

I love Bono, he sings for humanity

[rslylmz]

Yes, I'm agree with you.

[janki69]

my god, people, how can you be so bitter:D

obviously Leonard doesn't think the same, that's why he wanted to do this song with Bono. Fist think, then write: )

[rstandmartin]

Bono has been with Roy Orbison etc etc pushing his fucking Irish Stupidity around for years .........HE CAN'T even sing .....I have never known what people see in this little Leprechaun .................He is small and needs to be around the Biggest stars

[TheBaboon5]

@rstandmartin wots irishness to do with it .............. arsehole.

[TheBaboon5]

@rstandmartin ONE written by bono voted greatest lyrics of all time...................... because ur a bigot u will have overlooked this.

[levellifemars]

how does bono dare to be on stage with this legend.

[ConradSpandex]

Love the way Leonard puts a lot of effort into the line "I was born with the gift of a golden voice".

When he sang that line live when I saw him, the crowd erupted.

[paleoanthropic]

these U2 idiots couldn't catch the little musical details that distinguish Cohen's voice. this version sucks. I love Cohen though

[beukersblixem]

You may dislike U2, but you can see on the face of The Great Cohen that HE is happy.

And it is just big fun to play music with people who ALSO breathe music.

Me for myself, i like it very much, all those musical heroes in this video...

[littleknowngenius]

I cant find the original for all these bloody U2 ones. I have great admiration for Leonard Cohen, but I can't help but wonder when he mentions drink at the start was he drunk when he agreed to do this with U2?? They dont deserve the privilege to work with him.... they also dont deserve to be Irish..... U2 are prats

[chuck1990bb]

Couldnt agree more, Bono is an annoying little shite. Totally up his own ass.

[blindpilots1]

saw len last night in dublin. amazing, and the solo version he did of this far surpasses this. u2 have just beaten it across the head.

[parisianna87]

Bono makes me want to die, leonard on the other hand helps me to understand universal balance, he's so grounded he may aswell be the soil.

[1001Olga]

I just hope Bono understands how fortunate and privileged he is.

[deabajo]

@1001Olga he does, more then anybody else...

[banzansberger]

I've only just discovered Leonard Cohen but his voice and songs sound trully awfull. He reminds me of the worst place I've been in in my life. nothing against him but trully awful.

[imaonarseal]

Bono's best days seem to be behind him, with only a few really great songs, a gargantuan property portfolio and a holdings empire to show for it.. which tells you a lot about where his focus has been really... maybe some day he'll actually heed Cohen's advice to the rich; if he does he might come good again musically, but for now there's little hope of it I'd say.

[imaonarseal]

The original is better of course, the Edge seems to miss the melodic point; makes me think he only knows one kind of solo; I liked Bono's duets with B.B. King, Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra.. still, it must be an ego thing; he wants to jam with all the legends, but as others have pointed out, it won't elevate him that much..

[karolecampesine]

leave U2 alone. the music is superb in this version, so is Leonard's voice and Bono's backing vocals.

[pulibcn]

nadie la canta como leonard

bono, desaparece!!!

[akhaled40]

why we can`t download any more??!!

[macflyfilm]

All you guys need to chill out. U2 are just fans, and you are sitting behind your keyboards trying to convince us you know it all. Shut up with the negativity already.

[eimstudent]

Bono just doesn't know how to do background vocals... He usually doesn't have to do them I guess. Other's might argue he doesn't sing well in general.

[blasketboy]

Aw man I agree FUCK OFF BONO YOU FUCKING WANKER!!!

[Beeliiinnda]

trust u2 to jump on his band wagon.. they will never have the appeal and spirituality our leonard truly has. Bono you have just slaughtered a great song!! ohh well - you got paid well.:P *big up* 2 leonard xoxoxo

[insanlikhalleri]

cohen is fucking cool l.e.g.e.n.d

[surrealfabetiquette]

his music is so sexy, and he is so yummy handsome ;-)

[hus787]

lovely song

[therealmusa]

You are an idiot

[grouchxr]

Might not be cohen & personally I enjoy this version better than the original and for me a great way to find out about his music..Ive ordered a couple of discs and I hope not to be disapointed

[texelektronik]

beautiful song and he sing very very sensual.

like his songs and thanks

[MJBriley]

let me listen to the video, before I crap an agenda, one moment please

[sydsfloyd]

Bonos ego is getting too much, he says hes been in the tower of song,.

Im afraid until you write your "Dark side of the moon" or your "Suzzanne" ,

Bono ,you will never get a room in the tower of song.

[alexpeplow]

That's not Bono, that's Edge's voice. Or possibly Larry.

[idioot15]

actually its not Bono who is talking..its The Edge...and they are not egos...U2 is a good band...and this song was magical: )

[HobbyistX]

Wait, the Edge was talking, and it wasn't about Ego? Bullshit!

[idioot15]

i cant say that Edge has big ego..Bono has:D but not The Edge...

[macflyfilm]

Both Bono and Edge talked there. Bono is the first voice in the video.

[pots5jak]

when he says "i was born with the gift of a golden voice" people seem to assume he's making fun of his singing voice. i think he's referring to the gift of poetry.

leonard has done consistently great work for 40 years.

he opens up a whole new landscape for songwriters.

[MaxMackan]

I assume it's both, which adds to the brilliance. Most great lyrics and writings says different things on different levels and even more things in between the lines.

[Heatexchangerpump]

Bono 4.31.-4.33 God I thought someone had fake dubbed it..lol

[hollyforosshermanna]

He's so skinny now compared to this!!

I LOVE L.C. for over 15 year!! He's my #1 favourite!!

[stevec8181]

was good until bono started singing

[hangover24]

what a wonderful song

[janez1982]

Bono sucks this song...He can't be compared to Cohen,no matter who says what

[1oo1oo1oo]

U2 are using Leonard Cohen to make themselves look better than they actually are. I guess if Bono doesn't sing they could make for a passable backing band.

[ProjectCobalt]

This song is an encapsulation of everything that's great about Cohen. It's religious and spiritual and self-deprecating, and it states his influences and his meanings.

To me, it tells us that speaking to him as if he's great is off-base, that he's just trying to "pay his rent in the Tower of Song". I think the meaning comes across most strongly when he uses the song as his acceptance speech for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction.

[AngelaNanie]

Leonard Cohen, so chill, so laid back, I loved seeing him live in DC years ago...

& I liked seeing him sing with U2...pretty kool! :)

[effshelt]

The only dust here is gold dust

[jfk144]

U2 are not just Bono, and all that Bono is doing here is complenting this great man, so forget Bonos tings, remember there is a crack in everything!!!

[1oo1oo1oo]

Bono, you are a right thick bastard. Leonard, you are the coolest old man walking the planet. (But stay away from U2 - they're really not as good as they think they are, and are using you Lenny to make themselves look better)

[ElgiranImroth]

idiots like you shouldn't be allowed to speak

[dimitrisjazz]

just great young or old the man rocks

[nonkelronnie]

Concert in Brussels 3 weeks ago was simply perfect. He's still the same old phenomenon, even if the voice has become a tiny bit dusty

[wanchope6700]

Leonard Cohen is a genius. Bono is generic.

[ElgiranImroth]

you are an idiot

[Peppinaldo]

Well - Paul H is Jesus...and Leonard C is the God.....and i´m an ateist...

[iwonalojkaskova]

EXRTA!!! 5

[arniemazmax]

Is bono singing ron ron ron strangely I feel compelled to go out a get me a big mac!!!

Climb the tower and jump off...can't sing sorry love the feeling but it's all a bit musicians indulging themselves and bono and Leonard YOU AINT COMING BACK this is it.

Always loved U2 but all this Jesus stuff makes my skin crawl and no its not the devil inside me ( although if shes kinky as me invite her over ) its just so deluded really dumb and very very contrived in the words of Simon Cow " its a No"

[therealazaro]

This clip is sad to me... It looks s like Leonard is a broken man. Fuck Bono lol

[tmpnms2]

I don't know that I'd say that, exactly. Remember the bath tub scene at the end of his other movie, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen...it may make you feel better;)

[Jean9172]

he is brilliant...but to see this...makes me sad...because it sounds like saying goodbye...look in his eyes at 7.01...but before he leaves i'm going to see him in october here in berlin.

[jagathehut]

Indeed he is briliant...he's been in Bucharest last Sunday and the concert was just great...it seems like he is reborn..it was his birthday on that day and we all sang happy birthday to him..:) called himself: a kid with a crazy dream...

[OneWold]

He is a master  no question.

[mad83women]

I am madly in love with your voice Leonard Cohen

[wetmoose1960]

At least Cohen keeps his eyes partially open in this song. He's not dead yet.

[MOUCHADOR]

aahahahah :)

[NickyFontana]

what is Tower of Song about?

[jellyfishattack]

Jesus Christ Bono sounds like shit. He ought to shut the Hell up, rather than spoil the song! What makes Bono think any Leonard Cohen fan wants to hear him "singing"? We DON'T!! Why would Leonard even permit this travesty?

[nicocollard23]

So, I guess Bono should just say "No, Leonard Cohen is crap... I refuse to sing with him."

Maybe Leonard allowed it cause he likes Bono... I doubt he's just going to let someone else say Bono is going to sing without asking him what he thinks.

And it's called worhipping Leonard's genius... unless you don't think Leonard is worth worshipping.

[frkpho]

grandaddy for times in the towers of tempo,

ha!

congas Leonar for this track

[toskivalentino]

I can't believe Bono is going to open the Olympics in 2012! Too much. And probably on a monocycle too. I do believe there's a band called US2 looking for a lead singer?

[nicocollard23]

Well he's got to be better than David Beckham and what he did in the closing ceremony in Beijing. What a waste of time. Just like Leona Lewis was.. and the double decker buses... I'm sure there could have been something better than that...

Almost as good as the kangaroos riding bikes in Atlanta.

I like the music of that song... could do without the singing (not only Bono's, but LEonard's as well)...

[tmpnms2]

I think the message is that Cohen is rejecting his MONARCH mind control;) He's saying he's been manipulated and forced to do songs by his controllers and programmers;)

[tmpnms2]

i can't possibly believe somebody thumbed that up.

[rtupin1956]

Bono is just wallpaper in this video.

[rtupin1956]

How did this get to be about Bono? Sorry, but I gotta say this...shut up and listen....please

[namnoiz]

Maybe i dont understand the song but i do think it is a masterpiece.Cohen is one of a kind.I like this version better than the original.The difference is Edges slide work on the guitar.

[tiamattiamatre]

Bono is a fucking retard

[OttOmOlOtOv]

...and even HIS mediocrity can't diminish Cohen's genius songwriting and and singing!!! That is a good sign and reason to rejoice!

[OttOmOlOtOv]

actually The Edge (despite his pretentious name) does add a little something to the song.

[elgruga]

Someone has to remind us that Bono is a bit of a weasel, deep inside his smug little body.

Fuckin U2 bollocks, they work on the notion that eventually any monkey can make a half-decent record, given enough time and money.

[romber58]

well done elsmugo you finally worked it out,,,waiting to hear your hit record....

[sonnyjazzman33]

The Master Poet with the "Golden Voice"....awesome.

[arvensis68]

very well put :)

[toskivalentino]

Does Bono have to stick his face into every damn thing. Ruined the film for me when he showed up at this 'climax' with leonard. As if that gave some modern credability to LC. Bono shows up at everything....Kylie's comeback gig...Mandella....United nations,..Spice girls...! Anything he can push his smug face into. U2 are great, but I wish he'd just stick to his music, he diminishes his own value by being a world tart. I wonder if leonard even knows who he is.

[killerbeecowboy]

Bono is great! and so is Leonard Cohen. the're paring up. for a unique and powerful vides not to mention classic! don't shit on this lifetime documentation with your superfishile BS Dude! Be Real! u know?

[stestooge]

Amen.

[NathanielFoote]

hehe! Valentino - brilliant comment. You didn't trash Bono or U2 music - not possible. Duhhhh - umm. YEAH. They are ALL "great." Not the point, Killerbee. Val makes such a valid point about sanctimonious showboating & "world tarts" - I love it. Nobody can fault Bono's good will. But, I agree with Val's issues around all the sanctimony. "wonder if Cohen knows who he is." LOL. Great line! Valentino is my new hero. Will you do a cameo at my comeback concert? LMAO!!!

[arvensis68]

I have to agree in a way.I love Leonard Cohen and U2 have had their moments(HAD),I saw them live many years ago and they were very good but now I just look at them/Bono mainly to be honest as a guy that just has to be there for the sake of being there almost.U2 in my opinion are well past their best but have done sum great songs.I jst think Bono thinks he is far more important/talented than he actually is. Sorry! ;)

[tuvaluhu]

I agree this is the one best songs of Leonard, simply beautiful, though I never heard this version before, I'm simply astonished. Masterpice

[jimb47gm]

i just recently discovered cohen,i don't know how i missed him years ago,i love this song,bono and company could have been left off in favour of cohens band,in my opinion,i've listened all afternoon to his songs it's great to find happy pleasures like this,so real,why can't the young singers figure out if you're real and your work is real,that's where it's really at.

[partyguinness]

Bono has hypersensitivity to light which is why he never takes off his glasses...so he says anyway

[TuMira85]

Why does bono NEVER take his glasses off?

[arvensis68]

because he is from K'PAX?

[mtylerf1974]

Edge and Clayton get to do some great work in this song. Bono did well with his brief solo, but the shoo-la-las and the oohs were unnecessary. U2's my favorite for many years, but I would have arranged it differently. How come no one notices (except cohen) that cohen can't hit a note? He just writes well and talks smoothly.

[HughJardon69]

Everybody knows that Cohen's voice isn't exactly the greatest, but the way he delivers his brilliant lyrics is second to none.

[arvensis68]

could you imagine him any other way ;) Personally I love his voice ;)

[umans33]

I was lucky enough to see the version of this, as well as Who by Fire with Sonny Rollins when it aired on "sunday night". I am battling leukemia and his words are inspiring me to fight.

[diamonddust22]

I've been writing lyrics for 25 years + and I don't come close to this, and lyrics are my obsession. He is truly beyond everyone.

[peacenikkle]

the golden voice.a sub text in COHENS words is the rich in the pockets of the poor.just look at AFRICA.JUST CRINGE AT THE WORDS OF W BUSH.

[AlexDK962]

These are the two best musicians in the world

[g0moz]

A most excellent song ..

[romber58]

I love this version.Can anyone tell me if it is on DVD?

[oldrocnroll]

Wow that was really good - and I'm no U2 fan.

[bonnydayz]

for me this video is an illustration of leonard cohen's status with modern musos:

number one wordsmith.

who else gets u2 to do the business with in such intimate circumstances? muddy waters.

who else? few, oh precious few.

[falzaabi]

wow this is nice

[FranciscoSmirsley]

I think it`s a decent live hommage to an exquisite poet/singer; I found nothing wrong with it.

[DangerousKJL]

Edge's guitar was choice, but the other members of U2 added nothing.

[romber58]

You are obviously not a musician,but thats ok

[konstantiss]

It seems like his good bye song

Although he is still aching so he might be coming on again.

I believe that he has paid his dues and i wish him peace of mind.

Great song.

Don't really like U2 but i must say they are talented. Got to respect them for all the social work they ve done

[tallships1992]

This is the poem he read when they finally got smart and inducted him into the RnR Hall of Fame.

I would bet that not one modern group understood and got bored and left wondering who is this guy. Not knowing the greatest they would never know.

[luketheduke122]

not the damn U2..

[Dasha387]

I really wish U2 were'nt behind him.... how annoying

[romber58]

I discovered L.C in 1978 abouts and have seen him live twice in Berlin.The original recordings are precious to me but i like this version...listen again to what he said at the beginning of the clip about why he would like to tour again..

[vanjatena22]

Respect L.C.!!

[Mia444]

This song is so awesome words can't do it justice. All I can do is bow.

[Jkash17]

I have been lucky to discover his music when I was 14. Now 30, I love it even more cause now I know what pain is. Long live Cohen

[allrightyougotit]

su voz seduce totalmente!!

[mcarmona]

Great Léonard surprises us once more!

[amintac]

Leonard Cohen es una delicia -->>> SIEMPRE!

[sunnberry]

Humbling..

[tehila894]

absolutely, sorry sunnberry, by mistake I pressed the "down thumb" instead the up one...

[berbling]

leonard makes bono look like a sissy

[baddirt78]

so very true!

[wytworny]

His face!

[romber58]

You should see mine!.lol

Anyway Leonard is doing a world tour this year,

I have seen him twice in Berlin and i hope that he plays in Poland so that you can see him live....Try to get near the front.

[margritj]

totalny profesjonalizm.gratulacje.supe­r

[KATLINRIMER08]

golden voice all the time he is the best

[timbunch2004]

Great song

[magpadmnp]

not just music,,,, connects me to the cosmos

[ishhod]

A brilliant song! A true musical poet. And a rare thing to see Bono playing keyboards!

[fayito75]

Un deseo mio vuelto realidad, Leonard Cohen and U2 together, wooooouuuuu!!! what sublime song!!!!

[romber58]

I always am disappointed when people on this site argue about musical tastes.and who should have played with whom and which version is better etc...i,m sure that they could flip flop just as easily into arguing about their God..

[ronjon2030]

good point well made!

[Farfendugle]

Marianne Faithfull--ha, yeah, that was a cover. Cohen wrote it. It's his song all the way. It was the closing track on his 1988 album "I'm Your Man."

[fifirockefeller]

The first time I heard this song, Marianne Faithful sang (covered?) it. I like this version every bit as much. Did he write it?