The Great Event - meaning?

[jinslebelle]

Hi there,
I listend to The Great Event for the first time, I wondered if anyone on this forum knew about the meaning or backstory to this rather strange and haunting song? Thank you!

[B4real]

Hi jinslebelle, I've just noticed your request.
Welcome to the forum and here's some background on this recording. It's also written in Book of Longing, page 108.

https://www.leonardcohenforum.com/viewt ... ent#p22993
by jarkko » Sun Apr 25, 2004 10:53 am

Well, the reading IS computer generated. Leonard was interested
in synthetic voice at the time, and "The Great Event" was some kind
of test he made for practice. Sony wanted some bonus tracks for
"More Best Of" so he gave them "Never Any Good" and this song.
I have my doubts about the purpose: I'm pretty sure he partly made
it with his tongue in the cheek and was eagerly waiting
for analysis by the reviewers --- On the other hand he was living
at the Zen Center on Mount Baldy and had time for this kind of computer
exercises but no resources to record an accustomed new song.

Written by Leonard Cohen
Produced by Steve Lindsey
Vocals by Leonard Cohen and Victoria (Macintosh Text-to-Speech voice of Victoria)
Keyboard Instrumental Performed by: by Jim Cox
Programming and Editing: Iki Levi
Recorded and Mixed by Gabe Veltri