In an April evening of the year 1967, at an anti Vietnam War benefit, singer Judy Collins, invited songwriter and close friend Leonard Cohen to perform alongside her, a song called “Suzanne”. Despite an obvious case of nerves, Cohen that evening, established himself as a distinguished singer & songwriter, beyond the charismatic, young poet that he already was, at the time. Leonard Cohen’s demise was announced over his official Facebook page recently, bringing a final close to an illustrious career as a poet, novelist and singer, songwriter spanning over 50 years. According to his son, Adam’s conversation with the Rolling Stones magazine, Cohen had continued writing till his final moments, and passed away in a peaceful, serene manner, at his home in Los Angeles. (He was 82 years old at the time of his death).
Canadian born Cohen, had an avid interest in literature and music, right from his childhood days in Westmouth, Quebec. He took a voracious interest in folk music, and was part of boy group known as the Buckskin Boys, playing classical guitar. His interests began to evolve as he grew up, paving way for a keen devotion towards poetry in specific. His prominent influences included Yeats, Elliot as well as Irving Layton (who would later on, become a close friend and mentor as well).
His first collection of poems, titled “Let Us Compare Mythologies” was published in the year 1955, just as he moved from the McGill University to Columbia, New York. It was inside the several artistic Greenwich coffee shops, that he was immediately drawn to the eclectic combination of poetry and beats, under sincere exploration by various writers and artists, at the time.
Shortly, under his new found romantic, liberal influences, he released his second compilation titled “Spice Box of Earth”, displaying a fresh, uninhibited, writing form, unlike his previous works. Following a short stint in London, Cohen moved to the Greek Islands in 1960, devouring the Bohemian culture of the region. It was while staying at his Greek residence, called Hydra, that he produced his next works - Favorite Game and Beautiful Losers. The latter, was explosive in its narrative, replete with raw, flamboyant emotions, and over sexualized prose (much to the discomfort of many, but nonetheless, among the most exemplary literary works of that time).
At the age of 32, Cohen moved back to the United States, frustrated with the financial limitations of writing poetry (he was till then working primarily on government grants and scholarships). Rekindling his interest in music, he dabbled in songwriting, while prowling around the fringe circles of Andy Warhol’s “Factory Crowd”. His work was introduced to legendary singer, songwriter Judy Collins, through Bob Dylan’s manager, and drew her attention immediately. The collaboration resulted in Collin’s rendition of “Suzzane”, becoming the most famous song in history to be written by Cohen. He was soon signed on by Columbia Records, after his gruff vocals and song writing were spotted by John Hammond (who had earlier discovered Bob Dylan).
What followed was a dynamic journey of over 5 decades of memorable songwriting and performances, including the famous song “Hallelujah”. The song, first debuted in Cohen’s 1984 studio album, “Various Positions”. Despite limited initial success, the song surged on popularity charts, with 1991 cover by John Cale, followed by an even more popular cover by Jeff Buckley. In Cohen’s later works throughout early and late 2000s, there is an expansion of literary thoughts to muse and observe themes of war, politics and religion (read “Democracy” and “Tower of Song”).
As the world today, mourns the loss of a gifted poet and songwriter who had tremendous capacity to evoke unparalleled emotions within readers and listeners, his works continue to resonate with many of our deepest, and perhaps loneliest of emotions.
“And I'll dance with you in Vienna,
I'll be wearing a river's disguise.
The hyacinth wild on my shoulder
my mouth on the dew of your thighs.
And I'll bury my soul in a scrapbook, with the photographs there and the moss.
And I'll yield to the flood of your beauty, my cheap violin and my cross.”
― Leonard Cohen, Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs
(This article has been written by Shweta Sharma who is Delhi based musician/entrepreneur)
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