If there ever was a writer whose songs spoke gently to the hidden dark and broken parts of ourselves, it is Leonard Cohen. The story of his life, of finding his voice, of pain and loss and betrayal, retreat as a Buddhist monk, and return to writing and performing was one, ultimately of redemption, if only for the consolation he gave to those who listened.
This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can… reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah.’”
The great Open Culture put together a complete chronological discography available on Spotify starting with Suzanne from his very first album in 1967, and ending 267 songs later at Treaty from You Want It Darker, his last album. (You can find similar on Spotify by searching Leonard Cohen Chronological Albums and Leonard Cohen: His Brilliant Musical Career in Chronological Order)
He was indeed a poet. From Anthem:
You can add up the parts
but you won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
As with all Spotify playlists, you can select your own songs from it to forge your own personalized playlists of favorites.
Thank you, Sallie. I have worshipped at what I call the church of Leonard Cohen since I was 19; now 67 and still attending! I love the story he tells the Spaniards about how he learned the chords from an young Spanish man, giving all the credit to land and people of Spain.
I look forward to firing up the computer and listening over the weekend! All best from the left coast.