submissions
| Leonard Cohen – Lover, Lover, Lover Lyrics
| 7 years ago
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@Mikohns. You're making a very interesting point. I don't think the diaspora Jews are portrayed in a negative light - the stereotypes associated with diaspora Jews are. That's what Cohen refers to when he sings "my name" in my opinion. 'Lover come back to me" doesn't really fit any of the verses, but maybe, just maybe, if we look at this song as a prayer or a psalm rather, then, it would make sense as something LC asks from God in addition to the main request to give him a new identity. I agree that "lover" most likely refers to a soldier. So, yes, it's a war song from a pacifist point of view. |
submissions
| Leonard Cohen – A Singer Must Die Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This song in my opinion is the response to the critics in general. The first verse is an admission, but it's a false admission. There is just sarcasm in it, not true agreement with critics. The second verse is about the inspiration the singer gets. I see it as Cohen gives us a glimpse of what is driving his songs, where is the source of his inspiration - women. That he's defence, an explanation why he wrote the song. The third verse is more serious rebuff echoing the first verse. In it Cohen is more straight forward - he describes the methods critics use to demean the work of art. He finishes it though again with a playful "la-la-la" which punctuates one more time he's not really interested in critical opinion in the first place. |
submissions
| Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I agree the song is about terrorism, but more in a way of Taxi Driver. References to Manhattan and Berlin were probably chosen not because of the cities, but because of how well names rhyme together and how they create a beautiful rhythm. I agree just mentioning those two cities invokes all sorts of theories, but in my opinion it's there for shock value and a sound. |
submissions
| Leonard Cohen – Lover, Lover, Lover Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This song was produced by Mati Caspi, one of the iconic Israeli rock stars. Interestingly enough Mati Caspi also had songs which dealt with theological and philosophical aspects. His lyrics are similar to Cohen in a way, although it's hard to compare Hebrew songs to American. At the end of each verse Cohen sings with very much pronounce Yiddish melody, which makes this song very Jewish in my eyes.
The lyrics deal with Jewish identity, and more so with Jewish identity in the State of Israel. If I can interpret the text, the new face - is the new way of relating to Jewish culture, to being a Jew in new times when there is finally a state which didn't exist before, the state which needs protection. Old stereotypes about Jews unable to defend themselves must be destroyed. And the reply as I see it, God says that Jews already have everything they need to protect themselves, "you can use it as a weapon", and to multiply "or make some woman smile" in order to build their state. God also says that he always protected his people and will do it again if needed.
This is such a powerful and proud song, I can see how fitting it is in the context of war. Sheer brilliance. |
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