From Suzanne to Synths: The Golden Era of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen didn’t venture into songwriting until 1967. Before that, he was best known for his poetry and novels. But once he turned to music, his first four albums delivered a stream of lyrical masterpieces—a treasure trove for serious songwriters.
His debut, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), gave us Suzanne, Sisters of Mercy, and So Long, Marianne. The follow-up, Songs from a Room (1969), added Bird on the Wire and The Partisan (a cover) to his growing list of greats.
In 1971, Songs of Love and Hate was released, with Famous Blue Raincoat as its standout moment. Three years later came New Skin for the Old Ceremony, introducing the legendary Chelsea Hotel #2, reportedly about Janis Joplin. Who by Fire also deserves a mention.
In 1977, Cohen worked with Phil Spector on Death of a Ladies’ Man. The collaboration was chaotic, and the album didn’t produce any lasting tunes. His next release, Recent Songs (1979), was equally forgettable.
Then, in 1984, came a major comeback with Various Positions. It included his most iconic tune, Hallelujah. Though overlooked at first, it later reached legendary status, especially after Jeff Buckley’s haunting 2004 cover. That same year, Madeleine Peyroux offered a beautiful rendition of Dance Me to the End of Love, also from Various Positions.
Cohen’s last truly great album, I’m Your Man (1988), saw him embracing synth-heavy production. While the sound may divide opinion, the songwriting is exceptional. First We Take Manhattan, Everybody Knows, I’m Your Man, and Take This Waltz are all highlights. Interestingly, First We Take Manhattan was first recorded by Jennifer Warnes, featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar.
I’m Your Man also includes what may be Cohen’s finest lyrics in Tower of Song. The opening verses are unforgettable:
Well, my friends are gone, and my hair is grey
I ache in the places where I used to play
And I’m crazy for love, but I’m not coming on
I’m just paying my rent every day in the Tower of Song
I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn’t answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
Oh, a hundred floors above me in the Tower of Song
After I’m Your Man, Cohen released another seven albums. Some had striking titles—Popular Problems, You Want It Darker—and there were moments of lyrical brilliance, but none quite captured the balance of melody and message that defined his earlier classics.
Leonard Cohen Tunes | Related Pages
Bird on the Wire | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Bird on the Wire by Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A | E |
Like a bird on the wire…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Bird on the Wire (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Dance Me To The End Of Love | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Dance Me To The End Of Love by Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Cm | Cm | Gm | Gm |
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Dance Me To The End Of Love (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Famous Blue Raincoat | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Bm7 | G |
It’s four in the morning, the end of December…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Famous Blue Raincoat (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Hallelujah | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G5 | Em7 |
I heard there was a secret chord…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley + Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
So Long, Marianne | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play So Long, Marianne by Leonard Cohen using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A | A | Bm | Bm |
Come over to the window, my little darling…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: So Long, Marianne (Leonard Cohen) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Leonard Cohen on the web
