Leonard Cohen - Do I Have To Dance All Night (1976 version - with Laura Branigan)

Although Leonard Cohen performed "Do I Have To Dance All Night" frequently in concerts during the 1976 and 1980 tours (the 1976 and 1980 versions differ; my video for the 1980 version is found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRwgE3d3eK4), it was released only as a seven inch single, originally recorded at a 1976 concert in Paris, for sale in Europe. (During the 1980 Tour, a different version of this song was performed. Both versions can be heard at http://1heckofaguy.com/2008/04/23/another-best-leonard-cohen-song-some-of-you...) There was, of course, no official video.

But now - well, there still isn't an official Do I Have To Dance All Night video. In my ongoing crusade to introduce others to this wonderful, under-appreciated gem of a song,however, I have cobbled together a pastiche of Cohen-associated photos and clips that kinda sorta fits the music from my own copy of that 1976 record. (A Reference Key is available at http://1heckofaguy.com/2009/05/06/do-i-have-to-dance-all-night-video-referenc...)

I offer this advice to those in the audience:

1. The optimal viewer mindset is thinking of this not as a music video but rather something to watch while listening to a fine, semi-funky Leonard Cohen tune. As a bonus, Leonard Cohen fans may garner a modicum of entertainment by figuring out the origins of the clips and the identities of the various characters on the video.

2. Those unable to squelch the notion that this is or should be a music video are advised to view it in the manner one watches those cavalierly dubbed Japanese martial arts movies. Squinting has also been found helpful although at least one early viewer reports the ingestion of 3-5 shots of tequila to be an efficacious and altogether more enjoyable means of enhancement.

And, a robustly sustained willing suspension of disbelief is always appreciated.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leonard Cohen
• Do
• Have
• To
• Dance
• All
• Night
• laura
• branigan

[nnknkable]

Is this on any album?

Thanks for uploading DrHGuy!!!

[DrHGuy]

@nnknkable - It's not on any album. The story behind the song and an MP3 of the song can be found at my Heck Of A Guy site (see the blurb describing the video). I'm glad you enjoyed the song.

[gwashingmachine]

Can You See Laura In This Vid?

If So Where?

[DrHGuy]

Ms Branigan sings backup on this version of the song. The video, however, is just my cut and paste effort comprising elements of various L Cohen videos and Laura Branigan is on none  of those.I list her on the title to alert her fans and to distinguish this from the 1980 version.

[M3town3]

@DrHGuy Is Sir Phil Spector involved?

[DrHGuy]

@M3town3 No - as far as I know, Phil Spector and Leonard Cohen collaborated only on the Death Of A Ladies' Man album

[drumrun]

Best Live version of this tune

[Trealawking]

brilliant, as is your website. have used it many a time

[AltheaHekate]

Totally love it!!!!!!!!

Why is it not released on any album?:-(

Love your video, it's great!!! (again!)

Blessed Be;

Althea

[MOUCHADOR]

oh you're so sexy my dear!

[studes4ever]

Wow, GREAT song!! I never knew Branigan sang back up for Cohen. I love them both, so this is an awesome find!! Sweet track too!!

[M3town3]

@DrHGuy that's a shame, well I think Spector wrote this one anyway.