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Sexual Orientation in "Teachers"

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2002 3:53 am
by EdC
I'm new to the site and don't know how serious members are, but I'll try a question.

In his song "Teachers," L. Cohen sings

and I wished for an embrace.

Several girls embraced me, then
I was embraced by men,
Is my passion perfect?
No, do it once again.

Does anyone know if this refers to any forays into homo or bi sexuality? Is there a different reading.

Thanks

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2002 8:47 am
by jarkko
In numerous interviews Leonard has made it clear
that he has not had any homosexual experiences.
His personal history would more point to pretty
ladies :wink:
The song lyrics should not be taken too literally.
Jarkko

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2002 3:33 pm
by smile
THANKYOU FOR PUTTING US ALL STRAIGHT WITH THIS.

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2002 4:46 pm
by Kush
Is there another figurative explanation ? Anyway, he could be speaking from some else's perspective. Aznavour had a great song 'What makes a man' from the perspective of a gay transexual.
Yes, I have noticed LCs personal history points exclusively to pretty ladies.
Methinks he missed the point......

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2002 3:44 am
by lizzytysh
Hi EdC,

I've always taken those lines to be more of an expression of trying and failing, wanting to be loved and to please, and somehow even failing in what should be a fairly simple gesture. I took the mention of the man/men to just be a way to express the comprehensiveness of his failings and resultant loneliness.

~Lizzytysh

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2002 6:44 am
by lightning
A lot of people are now denying experimentation with both drugs and sex done proudly in the 60's. To hear them talk you'd think no-one ever did anything. Maybe it's self-protective but what hypocrisy!

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2002 8:16 am
by lizzytysh
Akin to Bill's not inhaling....