leonardcohenforum.com

I love "Because of". I had my own vision of it in my head when I first heard it. Then I saw the video, and I was disappointed. To me, the song is about memories and is not about pretty young girls. Am I mistaken? I feel that the women who are being "exceptionally kind" to Leonard can't be twenty-somethings. They have to know something, been around some, or how can they say "One last time"...?

I'd like to see the video remade with older, strong, beautiful (but not model-beautiful) women.

I suspect the reason for its look is to attract younger listeners. Too bad, if so.

Girls laughing over the soundtrack & jumping naked on bed... I understanded that like pointing to the fact that the song and the album are very like game, improvisation... Imagine the video for Dear Heather, how would that look like! Otherwise, you could be right.
The true emotion in the video was in moment when L and Anjani dance, I think... see the look of her face while they dance.

The video doesn't work for me.

Hi All,

I've not seen the video, but like the song alot. I wonder, though,
how much say Leonard Cohen and other artists have in maintaining
the honesty of their songs when these videos are made. Also, I
wonder how much they care about this when it comes to translating
some songs into videos. I imagined the women to be
experienced, i.e. seasoned women, having "busy lives" bereft of
others that have communicated the "mystery" that Leonard has
sung about. Though thinking them to be older, I think of them as
much younger than Leonard, otherwise their their interaction with
him would make no sense in terms of their having "been exceptionally
kind to my old age." A realization that this may be missing in their lives,
is more likely to be present in older women, than for e.g. those in their
twenties.

Hi Steven,

I'll keep my opinions to myself for now, as I believe there is a link around here somewhere that will take you to the video.

The original thread was/is called Because Of video (I think - as is this one) and it's here still. If not, you can search it. I think it was started by Painskillersinaction. I think he found the link in the main site or in one of the 'satellite sites' (i just make that saying up to describe the other sites, affiliated with this one, but separate, each with their own URL).

I'd be interested to hear your remarks after you've seen it. There was quite a bit of commentary about it. The most poignant moment (and on this most agreed) came about when Leonard and Anjani danced together. Anjani is quite a bit younger than Leonard, yet she is not a twenty year old (although there were some in the video). Anjani is probably a 'seasoned' woman and may have been chosen to play that role because of that.

Even though there were young women in the video, there was no 'interaction' between Leonard and the young women. Try to find the video link, if you can (it is here somewhere).

As with most of Leonard's videos, it does not seem to be a 'big record company production', which leads me to believe that he probably had more creative control than many artists do. I've always felt that Leonard tries to maintain his honesty when it comes to videos or any area of his creative life. I'm somewhat biased, however.

Linda.

Hi again...I checked and the thread is listed on page 2 of the main forum index. It was started by Painkillersinaction. Just click the appropriate index link at the top, then go to page two, and clck the Because Of link. All of that clicking should get you there.

Linda,

I appreciate your letting me know of the earlier link and the original
thread. I found the link, but the video won't play because of a
"Media Player Error." A message came on that there is a media
update available. Perhaps that's what I need to take care of for it
to play. I'm technically challenged, so feel free to share your opinions,
it might take awhile for me to get it to play. I share your bias as to
Leonard's honesty, btw.

Hi Steven,

Right now I'm just quickly checking my mail, but I'll look into the link for you as most of my opinions are in that thread. As are the opinions of many of the forum members.

It could be that the link in that particular thread is no longer valid??? I too am technically challenged. But, if you have the time, I have tomorrow (which is Wednesday where i am - it's Tuesday 8:10 PM right now).

I'll see if I can find the someway to get it to you. Or rather, get you to it.

See you,
Linda.

PS: you may want to check into that update. If my memory serves me right, I watched it on RealOne (I could be wrong, but I don't think so). Do you have RealOne? See you.

As to videos, I suspect LC takes 'em with a pinch of salt. 'Get in, get out' is what he's thinking, I imagine. Pop promos, as a rule, are dreadful. LC's are no exception.

Yes, I think the 'get in, get out' approach is the trend with some videos (the others going waaay over the top - not Leonard's though). His videos are usually quite simple.

In the Because of, I loved the dance sequence at the end - Anjani looked enraptured. As would I ...

I think the record companies see videos as a necessary evil. These days one must have a visual to support any single. It could be much, much worse though - Leonard's videos don't really get much play. They seem to be of interest to only his die-hard fans.

Linda.

Am I the only one who thinks "Because Of " was not the best song to make a single/video. Wouldn't "The Letters" reach out more...

Just wondering what you think. Btw, I think "Because Of" is a mighty fine song, but it's narrative and repetative and therefore not the most obvious choice...

I would love to see "There for You" put to video.

I think the Letters is a great song! But, I also think it would be difficult to put to video. In the end, the record company decides which one is the video (usually - don't know what kind of control Leonard might have). There for You is also a great song, but again, difficult as a video. At least from the perspective of what record companies think should be in a video (girls, girls, girls). Once again, can't comment on Leonard's control.

I thought Take this Waltz would be a hard video, but it turned out nicely. Then, it was just piano and Jennifer - white room, that's all I remember - Leonard on piano. A straight performance really. But if I'm remembering correctly, it was visually very beautiful.

Linda.

i also thought Because Of was a bad choice before i saw it, but in the end - it did look as something that may interest some kids who'll see it on TV and have never heard of the man.

I agree that The Letters would be obvious choice for the single and video. At least, it's only song played on radio here almost regularly!

Oh, hi there Tom,

You're back, already?? Hope you had a nice time. The Letters is getting a lot of airplay there?? Funny, here in Canada we're not (I'm not) hearing it at all. Most of what I'm hearing is KD Lang's cover of Hallelujah, and some of Leonard's older stuff. DH didn't really take off here. Unfortuntely, as I like it more everytime I hear it.

Linda.

I came back yesterday, Linda, but I'm still on low profile (still don't working). Thanks for welcoming Already? I was on sea side for 20 days!
Yes, The Letters are often on radio here, on national Open Radio, which is playing only commercial and foreign music, what's very good and important.. But smaller radio stations are airing Because Of from Sony's May 2005 single compilation: at least Radio Sljeme, specialised in older and European music (i.e. Sinatra, Brel, oldies, fifties) is airing it almost every day. And you still can hear Dance Me To... and I'm Your Man on their wave every few days