Songs of Love and Hate - should it have a warning?

[lizzytysh]

"I can see clearly now... "

. . . that punk was quite some years later than this beautyful song, which gives off the beautyful, fresh breath of rebellion .

... and now that I understand what you're saying, I agree .


~ Lizzy

[hydriot]

I would say this is my favourite album, which I played incessantly in 1971, when I was hopelessly in love with someone who did not reciprocate (well, not very much). I have never found this a depressing album, rather an angry one. Some people cloak themselves from reality with all sorts of flowery devices, others of us are braver and face the world as it is, and the singer of that album and his audience are of the latter persuasion. After some of the lines, you can almost sense LC utter a hollow laugh.

For me, there is only one truly depressing song that LC ever wrote, and that was It Seems So Long Ago, Nancy, from Songs from a Room. It's also a song that drips guilt, a rare emotion for a songwriter to explore. I was in that position in 1975, and thirty-two years later I still feel guilty. It's not something that ever goes away, and his song captures that brilliantly ("See her everywhere").

[JOHN LLWL]

No, I don't find it a depressing album. It 's my favorite together with Songs of LC. The only song I like less is Diamonds in the mine.

[lizzytysh]

The only song I like less is Diamonds in the mine.

Hi John ~

Welcome to the Forum . Have you tried singing along to Diamonds in the Mine, yet? It could make the difference. Just turn it up a little louder and start singing.


~ Lizzy

[JOHN LLWL]

Hi Lizzy,
I tried (for almost thirty years) . It 's not of my favourite kind of melodies . Also I would prefer a different kind of instrument arrangement . I 'm sorry.

[lizzytysh]

Hi John ~

Ah, well. I guess every song is not for every person. I was just hoping a different approach to it might help. That's okay, though. In 30 years, I'd guess you've tried more than one .


~ Lizzy

[Undertow]

Imagine my plight, my very first Cohen album was Songs of Love & Hate, the first song I heard by Cohen was Avalanche. The album knocked me down, then picked me up only to knock me down again. It hit me so powerfully, the absolute pure ferociousness of songs such as Avalanche, Diamonds in the Mine, and the unbelievably disturbing Dress Rehearsal Drag followed by subtle beauties like Famous Blue Raincoat, Joan of Arc and Sing Another Song, Boys.

In fact, the person who recommended me the album (who I am ETERNALLY grateful to) introduced the album as "the most depressing thing you will ever hear". Obviously I had to get it immediately. At the time, it was so bleak, but since then, you can see hope shining through the clouds of the pure despair Cohen documented.

It is without a doubt one of the most powerful albums Ive heard. So yeah, a "Warning: Will change your life." might not have been amiss.

[lizzytysh]

Ha. That's a great warning! I think it's AWESOME that your introduction to Leonard was "Avalanche" and "Songs of Love and Hate," Undertow.


~ Lizzy

[Domi]

It's my favorite Leonard Cohen album.

I think it's a dark album, but not depressing. Ya' know? This album is written by such a BRIGHT-minded songwriter that I just feel inspired listening to it. I'm doing my High School senior project on songwriting. Leonard Cohen is the man. I love the tunings and the phrases and Cohen's phrasing on this cd, though, especially... I wish there were more songs... I have the remastered (2007) copy with the added track.

Does anyone know if there are any B-sides or any alternate versions from the Songs of Love & Hate sessions? Yes, I know there is an early version of Dress Rehearsal Rag 'cause it's track #9 on the remastered cd. I just would love to hear more from this time in Leonard Cohen's career. Thanks!

Edit:
Upon more thinking about why I enjoy this album is because it is honest. For the most, it doesn't have a lot of instruments on the album, mainly just him and his guitar. The bare-bones --- the soul of man. And, I know that life isn't always bright. So, I find it comforting to know that someone like Leonard Cohen can expound on his feelings and write a really great collection of songs. Am I making any sense? I should think about it more. This album is uplifting to me. The songs are tough. I feel pretty sweet listening to it. Like, "Yes. That's what I'm talking about". Hah.

[John Etherington]

Hi Undertow,

I have a somewhat different perception of "Sing Another Song Boys". I wouldn't personally describe it as a subtle beauty...to me it is a song of desperation, and the one where Leonard really takes things to the edge and beyond! Strangely some people like this track least and feel that as a live track it shouldn't have been on the album. However, I personally think it fits perfectly...the rawness of that live moment could never be recaptured (I was there at the Isle of Wight, as I've no doubt mentioned before).

All the best, John E

[Lissa]

This is my favorite album so far. It really speaks to me.

[matt]

I listened to this album for the first time yesterday. Hard going. Is going to take some re-hearings, but a lot of good stuff does.

[Darling]

"Songs of Love and Hate" is the closest he ever got to sounding like Jacques Brel.

Hi John,

I have not been a member of this interesting forum for very long, but it has been already a few times I've read that people link Leonard Cohen with Jacques Brel. I discovered LC when I was a teenager through 'Songs of Love and Hate' and never stopped listening to him. I used to listen to a lot of Jacques Brel too at the same time but I have never seen much of a connection except from both being great songwriters. Could you explain to me what connection you see, especially with Songs of L & H ?
Thanks,
Louise

[John Etherington]

Hi Louise,

I have to admit that I'm only familiar with Brel's work secondhand, as translated by Mort Schuman and sung by Scott Walker. Thus, the songs I know best are: Mathilde, Amsterdam, Jackie, My Death, Next, Girls And The Dogs, If You Go Away, Funeral Tango, & Sons Of (I also know Seasons in the Sun).

However, assuming these translations to be reasonably accurate, both Leonard and Brel do seem to be exploring similar territory.
with songs about love, death, life's struggles and our spiritual dilemmas. Their songs are conveyed at various times with passion, intensity, drama, and also with tenderness and sadness. Both address the darker, more taboo, aspects of existence and describe sexual matters quite graphically, using words such as "naked", "thighs", and "whore" that you rarely see elsewhere in songs. Also,both are highly literate.

Therefore, in conclusion, it may have been innacurate for me to say that Leonard 'sounds' like Jacque Brel, but rather that he conveys many of the qualities that are expressed in Brel's songs.

All good things, John E

[Darling]

Thanks John,
I will ponder that.
Louise