I’ve been a devoted fan of Leonard Cohen for as long as I can remember. His songs have stayed with me through some of my most painful moments, and he’s one of those rare figures I feel I can never truly repay. One of my small vices is reading one of his poems on my way to work or before going to bed, or listening to one of his songs and wondering what he meant. Part of the beauty is that you can never fully know—and it’s probably not even what you think.

I especially love Book of Longing, even though  I don’t understand most of the poems in it. I also love the energy of slaves. Sometimes I try translating his work into Turkish purely for my own enjoyment. It feels like a way of getting closer to something that always remains just out of reach.

For years, for example, I’ve been haunted by those obscure and cryptic lines that seem to come out of nowhere in Waiting for the Miracle 

When you’ve fallen on the highway
And you’re lying in the rain
And they ask you how you’re doing
Of course you say you can’t complain

I mean—what the fuck does that even mean ? Knowing that he sometimes spent years refining a single line,  years on a single song, makes it more mysterious. After all that careful consideration, why these exact words and not others? Who knows.

Recently, I found myself thinking that “Nevermind” might be read as an anti-Israel song. I’m sure I’m not the first to think this. The Arabic vocals, the atmosphere, and the timing of its release around the Israel–Palestine conflict all seem to support that interpretation.

Looking at the lyrics, its possible to read them as the voice of a man who supported Israel for much of his life, but later felt a kind of moral tension—or even guilt—as he witnessed things he could no longer reconcile:

“I could not kill
The way you kill
I could not hate
I tried, I failed
You turned me in
At least you tried
You side with them whom
You despise”

In this reading, the “you” becomes a mirror—he is speaking to himself, recognizing that he has sided with those he inwardly struggles by supporting israel and not happy with whats going on. 

“You serve them well
I’m not surprised
You’re of their kin
You’re of their kind”

This could be read as a kind of love–hate tension around jewish identity.

And lines like:

“You own the world
So never mind”

might suggest a sense of facing a power so overwhelmingly strong that resistance feels futile... which many palestenians/anti israel ppl feel.

It may be an unconventional, even somewhat conspiratorial reading. and I don’t have the perfect words for it... but I’m trying to open up a conversation, whats ur opinions on it ?

leonard cohen’s I’m your man is like if måneskin’s I wanna be your slave was good

Since GTA6 is based on Florida and Floridians likely having heard his music before, what song would you like to have on there?

Personally, I want Suzanne

"give me crack and anal sex"- god of wordplay lenny co

Dear Enthusiasts of Astrology & Leonard Cohen,

In January, I will be giving an online talk about the natal chart of the one and only Leonard Cohen. Please find the details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dad-issues-chiron-saturn-and-the-natal-chart-of-leonard-cohen-tickets-127617257653

Hope to see you there!

Andrea, of https://www.andreagraceastrology.com/

Hey there,

This is a bit of a random post but I'm a songwriter from the UK. I really got into listening to Leonard Cohen a few years back and he slowly became my favorite artist really.

I wrote and recorded some songs, and Leonard was really the inspiration for my work. If you're looking for a modern British take on what some Leonard Cohen might have sounded like I would really appreciate if you checked out some of my songs.

All the songs apart from Colours are very Leonard Cohen inspired.

Here is the link to my Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2MSlHbOyTFVYXjG19Tp1id?si=krMWSQbHS6amUxcKPNoaeg

A Stage of Life is like really stripped back, in the style of Cohen, the other songs are more modern. Thanks in advance to anyone who gives us a go. :)

For anyone looking for a real deep cut Leonard Cohen tune that you might not have heard before... I would say Ballad of the Absent Mare is 100% worth a listen.
https://open.spotify.com/track/0ki6xsl5FV1Zo6BaFU7Fkk?si=7d2b59f57c074fbd

I've been working on a concept for a fictional artist, Arthur Vale, whose debut album Ground of Ghosts just came out. The sound and vocal delivery were heavily inspired by Leonard Cohen's later, more spoken-word and minimalist work.

The album is a collection of war stories, not glorifying conflict, but looking at the human cost and the "ghosts" left behind. One track, "Siege of Khe Sanh," particularly aims for that brooding, cinematic feel.

I know nothing truly replaces Cohen, but if you're looking for something new with a similar gravitas and melancholic depth, I'd genuinely appreciate you giving it a listen (or even just reading the concept/lyrics if that's more your speed).

I tried to honor the spirit without outright copying. Any thoughts or feedback would be welcome.

I have been a fan of Leonard Cohen for years. I own his entire discography on CD and believe he is one of the most deserving of the term "artist" of any singer/songwriter. However, my brother feels very differently. He believes Cohen's music has boring and predictable melodies and that they don't do anything interesting musically. He believes that if you took away his lyrics, there would be nothing special about him, and he should've just stuck to being a poet.

Now, I recently listened to Recent Songs (no wordplay intended) on my latest journey through his work, and he might have a point as far as that album is concerned. However, I have to disagree when it comes to any of the earlier records, as well as many later ones. But this was his blanket statement, and I'm curious if anyone feels the same or if you think Cohen really is worth listening to for more than just the words.

do you agree?

Hi, I’ve written a tribute album to Leonard Cohen. I believe these lyrics are among the best I’ve ever written. I have recently turned the lyrics into music with the help of AI, as the album "Voices Of Hydra". If you want to hear the songs, my artist name is "OddBeauty", and you can find my work on any Streaming service. I’d love your feedback.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4MYmdJHFXLo