leonardcohenforum.com

Hi!

I've been working up songs for a project, and looking at lesser or not yet covered versions of Mr. Cohen's work. Much to my surprise, "Love Calls You By Your Name" is not on Jarkko's list, not even once!

Ok, so as I'm looking at the lyrics and my approach I'm considering the names "Judy" and "Anne" and how much more effective it would be to change them to names that are relevant to me. For example I've NEVER played "Famous Blue Raincoat" in front of people and sung the line "Sincerely, L. Cohen", because I'm not actually L. Cohen.

So I would want to change them unless the names Judy and Anne refer to women that were historical, or had some other non-personal association. If that's the case, I would want to leave the line as is.

Anyone have any ideas who "Judy" and "Anne" were?

Yours,

(AFC) John K.

Hi John K,

To the best of my knowledge, Anne was the girlfriend of Leonard for whom he wrore the poem "For Anne" - "With Annie gone whose eyes to compare with the morning sun/Not that I did compare, but I do compare now that she's gone" (that, from memory). Judy presumably is Judy Collins. It was an eerie experience for me when I first heard "Love Calls You By Your Name" because two of the first girls I went out with were named Judy and Anne. Judy was my first proper girlfriend, and Anne was the name of the girl that I took to my first Leonard concert (it was like Leonard was tapping into my soul!). I don't see that it's a big issue if someone uses other names when singing the song, unless it's being recorded. Though it seems right to seek permission, if it is. Judy Collins did the right thing when she recorded "Famous Blue Raincoat" and ended with "sincerely a friend". I think I'm right in thinking that her's was the first cover version of the song.

All the best, John E

John Etherington wrote:Hi John K,

To the best of my knowledge, Anne was the girlfriend of Leonard for whom he wrore the poem "For Anne" - "With Annie gone whose eyes to compare with the morning sun/Not that I did compare, but I do compare now that she's gone" (that, from memory). Judy presumably is Judy Collins. It was an eerie experience for me when I first heard "Love Calls You By Your Name" because two of the first girls I went out with were named Judy and Anne. Judy was my first proper girlfriend, and Anne was the name of the girl that I took to my first Leonard concert (it was like Leonard was tapping into my soul!). I don't see that it's a big issue if someone uses other names when singing the song, unless it's being recorded. Though it seems right to seek permission, if it is. Judy Collins did the right thing when she recorded "Famous Blue Raincoat" and ended with "sincerely a friend". I think I'm right in thinking that her's was the first cover version of the song.

All the best, John E

Hi Mr. E!

From my earliest listens I had assumed that Judy was Judy Collins, but never knew for sure. Anne, on the other hand, I had no idea. Your story is quite funny and kind of spooky too!

As to "Famous Blue Raincoat", I'd not heard anyone sing "Sincerely, a friend" until Jennifer Warnes, but I've always just ended the song after the last refrain, even though the vocals are musically unresolved. No ones ever called me on it (then again, I can't say I've ever sung if for anyone who's known better).

Thanks for the info!

JK

John K. wrote: ↑Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:05 am Hi!

I've been working up songs for a project, and looking at lesser or not yet covered versions of Mr. Cohen's work. Much to my surprise, "Love Calls You By Your Name" is not on Jarkko's list, not even once!

Ok, so as I'm looking at the lyrics and my approach I'm considering the names "Judy" and "Anne" and how much more effective it would be to change them to names that are relevant to me. For example I've NEVER played "Famous Blue Raincoat" in front of people and sung the line "Sincerely, L. Cohen", because I'm not actually L. Cohen.

So I would want to change them unless the names Judy and Anne refer to women that were historical, or had some other non-personal association. If that's the case, I would want to leave the line as is.

Anyone have any ideas who "Judy" and "Anne" were?

Yours,

(AFC) John K.

Hi John K,

I was searching the lyrics "where are you Judy, where are you Anne?" into Google because I was trying to remember which song my Nanas name was in. Judy is my nana, her and Leonard were friends in Montreal after they both shot the movie The Ernie Game. She denies that they dated but my dad tells me differently. Anne is my Nana's middle name although, I don't know if Anne is also just another woman.

So no, she's not particularly historical, and she is not Judy Collins either. That would be a whole new level of cool.

Sincerely, G. Gault.