Leonard Cohen - So Long, Marianne

Being a muse to Leonard Cohen sounds enviable - an idyllic life on a bohemian Greek island, free love, drugs, alcohol,  immortalised in song and on an album photo. Cohen even sent a heartfelt farewell as she was dying - passing within months of each other - a romantic ideal. Sadly the recent documentary "Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love" conveys the truth of infidelity, loneliness, abandonment and heartbreak. But can it tarnish the majesty of "So Long, Marianne" ?

Cohen adored women (and it was reciprocal), the inspiration for his classics  "Suzanne", "Sisters of Mercy", "Chelsea Hotel", but it was always Marianne, pervading the early albums.  Meeting on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, him a struggling poet / author, her with a child and dissolving marriage. They continued an on-off affair for most of the 1960s, as she dutifully followed to New York and Montreal, but often left alone as he toured, recorded and caroused.

"So Long, Marianne" charts an entire relationship, from their meeting ("we were almost young"), his obsession ("such a pretty thing"), romantic bliss ("I love to live with you") and pain of separation ("why do I feel alone?"). The poet Cohen paints vivid images with indelible phrases ("cold as a new razor blade"). The religious references to angels and crucifix, an early indication of  a recurring Cohen theme.

He had wanted a sparse sound of just him and a guitar, but was overruled by producer John Simon, who arranged a richer but sympathetic arrangement of drums, bass, mandolin and fiddle. Cohen's deep often monotone voice is not loved by everyone, but I think it is perfect on this. The crescendo chorus  with Nancy Priddy is a thing of beauty, especially the "Marri-annne" part.

"Songs of Leonard Cohen"  was released at the end of 1967, by then he was 33, a latecomer. The album was acclaimed, inevitable comparisons with Dylan, and established his reputation as master songwriter and stunning performer.

"So Long Marianne"  remained a quintessential Cohen classic, with its love, pain and religion. His very successful comeback tours of the 2000s, often used its chorus as communal catharsis. Thousands sang, as Cohen gracefully tipped his hat. A memorable departure.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XzAjfwQtvM

Hear Next -  "Songs of Leonard Cohen" is the perfect place to start.


** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats - https://tinyurl.com/y43mbr2b