The Greatest Oldies Music

Oldies Musics

Suzanne – Leonard Cohen

Why Leonard Cohen wrote the apocalyptic 'The Future.'

About the Song

Ah, Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”. This iconic song, both a poem and a musical masterpiece, has captivated listeners for generations. Released in the late 1960s, it ushered in a new era for Cohen, solidifying his position as a poet-musician extraordinaire.

The song’s origins are as intriguing as its melody. It began life as a poem titled “Suzanne Takes You Down” in Cohen’s 1966 collection, “Parasites of Heaven.” The inspiration? A real-life encounter with Suzanne Verdal, a choreographer and artist living in Montreal. Cohen, captivated by her spirit and the bohemian atmosphere surrounding her, immortalized her essence in this now-legendary piece.

“Suzanne” paints a vivid picture of a Montreal landscape. The listener is transported down to the riverside, a place imbued with a certain mystique. We meet Suzanne in her “place near the river,” a woman described as “half-crazy” yet possessing an undeniable charm. The narrator is drawn into her orbit, enjoying her company, the “tea and oranges” she offers, and the gentle sway of her wavelength.

The beauty of the song lies not just in its imagery but also in its emotional ambiguity. There’s a yearning for connection, a desire to travel with Suzanne, yet a sense of her being untouchable. Cohen masterfully explores themes of love, loneliness, and the search for meaning, all wrapped in a melancholic yet hopeful melody.

“Suzanne” transcends its specific Montreal setting. The river becomes a symbol of life’s journey, ever-flowing and ever-changing. Suzanne, with her enigmatic allure, represents a muse, a beacon of inspiration that draws the narrator, and by extension the listener, on a quest for self-discovery.

Cohen’s masterful use of language adds another layer of depth. Lines like “You can hear the boats go by” and “And the sun pours down like honey” are deceptively simple yet evoke powerful imagery. The song’s gentle guitar accompaniment perfectly complements his baritone vocals, creating a hypnotic and mesmerizing atmosphere.

“Suzanne” has been covered by countless artists, each interpretation adding a new dimension to its legacy. However, Cohen’s original rendition remains a touchstone. It’s a song that lingers long after the last note fades, inviting us to ponder the mysteries of love, loss, and the human condition against the backdrop of a Montreal dawn. So, the next time you hear those opening lines, “Suzanne takes you down,” take a moment to let yourself be swept away by the magic of this timeless classic.Leonard Cohen – MAC Montréal

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Lyrics: Suzanne

Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she’s half crazy
But that’s why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you’ve always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind.
And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said “All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them”
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him
And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you’ll trust him
For he’s touched your perfect body with his mind.

Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she’s touched your perfect body with her mind.

 

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During his days at Humes High School, Elvis Presley was far from the self-assured icon America would soon embrace. After moving to Memphis for a fresh start, his family settled into the Lauderdale Courts public housing. Financial struggles persisted, and memories from his school days reveal that even paying for a simple lunch was a challenge. A former coach even remembered slipping Elvis a quarter every now and then just to ensure he had something to eat.

It feels almost surreal that Elvis Presley left behind a legacy so immense given how brief his journey was. Born into poverty in a modest Tupelo home, he passed away at just 42. Yet within that span, the quiet Mississippi boy forged a voice, a presence, and an emotional resonance capable of transcending generations. His time was far shorter than anyone could have foreseen, but somehow, he made every moment of it monumental.

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