| Leonard Cohen – Famous Blue Raincoat Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I have to say, I never thought of the song as being as sexual as all that.. I always thought it had to do with that strange relationship when a couple are close friends with another person. Both man and woman platonically loving another man. When Joan turns to the other man to see her through her depression or boredom or inertia or whatever it is - perhaps because this 2nd man battles the same demons - she betrays Cohen by castrating him emotionally. She effectively cancels his usefulness to her. Another man, the man Cohen most admires and loves has betrayed him by understanding 'his woman', usurping his position as the woman’s confessor. The woman can come back head high, 'with a lock of his hair' because she did not technically cheat on her partner. Maybe she feels vindicated, Cohen didn’t help her, this other man did. She was right to do as she did. He cannot help but welcome her back. He cannot help but be thankful the trouble she felt is gone. That his woman would rather place her wellbeing with another is a hit, especially to a man. It's the kind of betrayal that you cannot speak about, so fine and minute are its grains of discomfort. But discomfort is there. The 3 friends have been torn apart by subtle jealousy and ill advised confidences; the letter wishes the damage can be undone, now the fault lines are fading. I think it’s about the feeling of loving people who have hurt you, wanting to forgive, wishing to remember the carefree days and after all the trying, the crushing weight of the betrayal comes back. I think that’s why after reminiscing of love lost — coming home without lily marlene, dancing with a rose between his teeth, gypsy boy — the old nickname, and oh I guess I forgive you …. Well then the repeated ‘Jane came by with a lock of your hair/She said that you gave it to her’ The song is irresolute. |
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