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Leonard Cohen — Boogie Street
Album: Ten New Songs
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2546









Released: 2001
Length: 5:50
Plays (last 30 days): 1
O Crown of Light, o Darkened One,
I never thought we'd meet.
You kiss my lips, and then it's done:
I'm back on Boogie Street.

A sip of wine, a cigarette,
and then it's time to go
I tidied up the kitchenette;
I tuned the old banjo.
I'm wanted at the traffic-jam.
They're saving me a seat.
I'm what I am, and what I am,
Is back on Boogie Street.

And O my love, I still recall
The pleasures that we knew;
The rivers and the waterfall,
Wherein I bathed with you.
Bewildered by your beauty there,
I'd kneel to dry your feet.
By such instructions you prepare
A man for Boogie Street.

O Crown of Light, O Darkened One...

So come, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
In love we disappear.
Though all the maps of blood and flesh
Are posted on the door,
There's no one who has told us yet
What Boogie Street is for.

O Crown of Light, O Darkened One,
I never thought we'd meet.
You kiss my lips, and then it's done:
I'm back on Boogie Street.

A sip of wine, a cigarette,
And then it's time to go...
Comments (201)add comment
 sfoster66 wrote:

I dig Leonard...but that rhythm track that sounds like my grandmother's 70s Yamaha organ...just ruins the whole damn thing for me. 


I think it is great. The fact that they can build a song as good as this upon such a minimal and outdated background track, shows that we're dealing with great artists here.
I believe Cohen had a sweet spot for these simple synthesizers. I remember reading that he would sometimes scour flea markets for them, but I could be wrong.
 SgtBeefheart wrote:

Who is the female singer ?


Sharon Robinson
Saw him at Edinburgh castle a few years ago - outstanding!
Who is the female singer ?
Boogie Street, hmmm, not much boogying going on!! 
So smoothly sweet. They wrote together, right? Love it. 🙏
Dreary
They’re in unison but his voice is so sonorous it sounds like an octave lower!
I dig Leonard...but that rhythm track that sounds like my grandmother's 70s Yamaha organ...just ruins the whole damn thing for me. 
Wow

Pretty smooth for a boogie street 
Been on RP forever and love it.
But, RP, I can't to the next song fast button fast enough,  when this guy is mumbling away. 
I just noticed.  My rating was a measly 8!  Fixed now to a proper 10!! Miffed that I can't push it to ELEVEN! 
 stevearthale wrote:
I've not got this Leonard album, I will soon thanks to EBay...thanks RP.
 
You won't regret it. Every track is stellar.
I've not got this Leonard album, I will soon thanks to EBay...thanks RP.
That voice, so unique. I think the first song I heard of his was Democracy Is Coming The USA. I purchased this CD when it came out. 
Rebecca and Bill: Thanks so much for this great music - hit me right in my heart !!!
I never get tired of any Leonard Cohen... Amazing lyrics always..
 Alastair wrote:
To my shame, I spent my late teens referring to LC's output as "music to slash you wrists to".  I am much older and a bit wiser now and feel I owe him a posthumous apology.  He was a poet.    
 
I felt the same way!
Lord, I miss Leonard. My favourite homie from Montreal.
Love you 4ever.
 Alastair wrote:
To my shame, I spent my late teens referring to LC's output as "music to slash you wrists to".  I am much older and a bit wiser now and feel I owe him a posthumous apology.  He was a poet.    
 

Me also.  Regret it now.
down the scotch, snub out the butt, grab your fedora and trench coat and head on out...to boogie street
Always loved Leonard cohens stuff
 Alastair wrote:
To my shame, I spent my late teens referring to LC's output as "music to slash you wrists to".  I am much older and a bit wiser now and feel I owe him a posthumous apology.  He was a poet.    
 
You and me both, Alastair! I have since come to appreciate the dark humour and plain ol' naughtiness in his lyrics. It was my pleasure and privilege to see him in concert on what became his final tour.  We were up at the back of the venue, practically in the roof with the bats and spiders, but it was one of the best live performances I've ever seen.
Just Waking up, at the kitchen table with coffee and then the fopening tunes of This song as the first sounds of the day- almost Magic.
song is very sexy
His Wikipedia headshot is looking very Dustin Hoffman.
Bill, we really appreciate that you seem to appreciate our Canadian singer/songwriters so much. They seem to get the most airplay after all the great US musicians and probably after all the many Brits too. One more reason RP is tops.
LC voice is so soothing :) 
Perfect late December Saturday morning to you Paradisers
this is just so good - he is missed
"No one ever listens to me!   It's like I'm a Leonard Cohen album!"   -- Neil Pye (The Young Ones)
To my shame, I spent my late teens referring to LC's output as "music to slash you wrists to".  I am much older and a bit wiser now and feel I owe him a posthumous apology.  He was a poet.    
As someone who has a fairly deep voice myself, I am in awe at how effortless LC sounds while singing in that lower register.  It takes a LOT of effort to get the volume out and heard in those lower frequencies and yet LC does it wonderfully.  I've rated this an 8 and find myself looking forward to the various LC songs in the RP library.  Long Live RP!!
This righteous boogie man makes my heart... and those luscious ladies backin him up are beeeeyond!  We are all disappearing together.  Thank you for so often just the right thing at the right time and this is for sure that. 
 Pedro1874 wrote:
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Leonard and the fabulous voice of the great singer/songwriter Sharon Robinson.

 
Thanks, I was wondering if anyone knew off-hand who she was.
And what exactly is Boogie Street for? Do tell. 
Wow, ein super Song! Wunderbar. Danke. {#Guitarist}
Dark, sultry, sublime.  Genius.
Boogie on, Leonard.
So many great songs...
Beautiful set Bill. Nice tribute. Well crafted my friend!  Nuff said!{#Roflol}
 Proclivities wrote:

The R&R Hall of Fame is a private business enterprise, essentially run by Jann Wenner and a handful of other journalists and other non-musicians.  They have no public mandate and inductees are selected through the whims of the business owners.  The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is an independent organization composed of scientists and academic authorities, their objective is to promote the sciences and humanities.  A prize from them means much more than a hollow induction from Jann Wenner's part-time hobby/business, but even they've made some dubious selections over the years.

 
Sense and Sensibility, so rare these days.  ('Tho no disrespect to Leonard Cohen)  
 Bleyfusz wrote:

The one who'd give a flying fuck about the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Just sayin'.

 
The R&R Hall of Fame is a private business enterprise, essentially run by Jann Wenner and a handful of other journalists and other non-musicians.  They have no public mandate and inductees are selected through the whims of the business owners.  The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is an independent organization composed of scientists and academic authorities, their objective is to promote the sciences and humanities.  A prize from them means much more than a hollow induction from Jann Wenner's part-time hobby/business, but even they've made some dubious selections over the years.
Last three artists:
Leonard Cohen — Boogie Street

you wouldn't want to be the next one up, would you. {#Pray}


It's a cruel, cruel 2016 set:

David Bowie — Lady Grinning Soul
Leon Russell — A Song For You
Leonard Cohen — Boogie Street

RIP to these great artists! 

 
 Huey wrote:
 Bozo wrote:
This man does not deserve to be in the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame  while Chicago, Yes, Hall and Oates, the Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.etc. sit on the wayside.  What gives?

 
Who gives a f*ck who's in the "Hall of Fame" ?

 
The one who'd give a flying fuck about the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Just sayin'.
Really love this song
Just good, good stuff.  Our culture was deepened and enriched so much by this man.
Love this sound!
Amazing how something so steady and slow can fill you up.
 jhorton wrote:
Sounded okay for a second, then Leonard Cohen started singing.
The fact that he is in the rock and roll hall of fame, is all you need to know to understand that institution is a JOKE!
 
Maybe if you keep those votes coming, Kid Rock will get in!
the hell happened in that crossover to the next song. :/
lovin this ... Leonard Cohen sounds great!
 jhorton wrote:
Sounded okay for a second, then Leonard Cohen started singing.

The fact that he is in the rock and roll hall of fame, is all you need to know to understand that institution is a JOKE! 

 
Lighten up Francis!
 jhorton wrote:
Sounded okay for a second, then Leonard Cohen started singing.

The fact that he is in the rock and roll hall of fame, is all you need to know to understand that institution is a JOKE! 

 
What, not enough hair bands in the RnR Hall of Fame for you? No room for a highly talented and influential songwriter?

 I am boogieing on to PSD

 

Webfoot wrote:


What, doesn't this make you want to boogie?

 


 jhorton wrote:
Sounded okay for a second, then Leonard Cohen started singing.

The fact that he is in the rock and roll hall of fame, is all you need to know to understand that institution is a JOKE! 

 
What, doesn't this make you want to boogie?
Sounded okay for a second, then Leonard Cohen started singing.

The fact that he is in the rock and roll hall of fame, is all you need to know to understand that institution is a JOKE! 
magical
Sexy sound !!!!!!!!!!!!
that's one of the rare songs of him that I like. The girl's voice matches his really nicely
 Pitjes wrote:

Sorry, but I disagree, in my opinion he was influenced by George Moustaki by himself. Neverthe less one with his background doesn't need to get in relation with anybody.

 
Hmmm, not seeing much in common with Milord.
Bewildered by your beauty there,
I'd kneel to dry your feet.
By such instructions you prepare
A man for Boogie Street.



 fredriley wrote:
Sounds about right. I know nothing about Bourbon, but following your analogy I'd figure Leonard Cohen to be the singing equivalent of a good Islay malt such as Lagavulin - deep, smooth, and medicinal, which stays in your sense centres for a long time after drinking.
 
 unclehud wrote:
And Islay single malts already have a smoky taste.  (My liquor store cashier-buddy recommended Caol Ila a few years ago by saying, "You gotta try this; it tastes exactly like seaweed."  Been a big fan ever since.  I sincerely believe it's hallucinogenic.)
 
Mmmm, Islay malts.
I'm an Ardbeg guy myself, but I like pretty much all the Islays.
 lemmoth wrote:

I love Chicago's first album, Roundabout is a good song, Hall & Oates were extremely popular and I could hm to a few tunes, the Moody's had a moment or two beyond Nights in White Satin and Tull, besides being a great heavy metal band {#Biggrin} gave us a handful of classic rock songs.

All of the above put together can not match the influence of Leanord Cohen on generations of songwriters.

 
Sorry, but I disagree, in my opinion he was influenced by George Moustaki by himself. Neverthe less one with his background doesn't need to get in relation with anybody.
{#Kiss} Love this song - fab album
 Bozo wrote:
This man does not deserve to be in the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame  while Chicago, Yes, Hall and Oates, the Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.etc. sit on the wayside.  What gives?

 
I love Chicago's first album, Roundabout is a good song, Hall & Oates were extremely popular and I could hm to a few tunes, the Moody's had a moment or two beyond Nights in White Satin and Tull, besides being a great heavy metal band {#Biggrin} gave us a handful of classic rock songs.

All of the above put together can not match the influence of Leanord Cohen on generations of songwriters.
 fredriley wrote:
Sounds about right. I know nothing about Bourbon, but following your analogy I'd figure Leonard Cohen to be the singing equivalent of a good Islay malt such as Lagavulin - deep, smooth, and medicinal, which stays in your sense centres for a long time after drinking.
 
And Islay single malts already have a smoky taste.  (My liquor store cashier-buddy recommended Caol Ila a few years ago by saying, "You gotta try this; it tastes exactly like seaweed."  Been a big fan ever since.  I sincerely believe it's hallucinogenic.)

{#Arrowd} By the way, Bozo: Hall and Oates will never make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because they've never released any rock and roll. 
 Bozo wrote:
This man does not deserve to be in the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame  while Chicago, Yes, Hall and Oates, the Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.etc. sit on the wayside.  What gives?

 




Who gives a f*ck who's in the "Hall of Fame" ?
 fredriley wrote:

Sounds about right. I know nothing about Bourbon, but following your analogy I'd figure Leonard Cohen to be the singing equivalent of a good Islay malt such as Lagavulin - deep, smooth, and medicinal, which stays in your sense centres for a long time after drinking.

 
To you, my friend, I raise a glass of my finest, though I'm rather partial to Aberlour's a'bunadh myself: Leonard Cohen sounds exactly like a smoothly aged whisky by the fireplace. :)
 dnabes wrote:


....Or watch Shrek and wonder who wrote "Halleluhiah."
 
     Nice work...lol.

... a sip of wine  {#Cheers} a cigarette {#Cowboy} Yes!


 Boy_Wonder wrote:

That's a joke, isn't it?   Please tell me it is!

 
A lot of people, though they may know a lot, don't know all of their history. Mr. Cohen predates all of the bands mentioned and he has been more influential. All that person needs to do is listen to the body of his work and sample the album Tower of Song to catch the covers by the artists who pay homage to the man who was "born with the gift of a golden voice."
 Or watch Shrek and wonder who wrote "Halleluhiah."
 Coppertop wrote:
If aged Bourbon could sing, it would sound like Leonard Cohen.
 
Sounds about right. I know nothing about Bourbon, but following your analogy I'd figure Leonard Cohen to be the singing equivalent of a good Islay malt such as Lagavulin - deep, smooth, and medicinal, which stays in your sense centres for a long time after drinking.
"I'm wanted at the traffic jam, they're saving me a seat"
Damn, that's an awesome line :) 
 Bozo wrote:
This man does not deserve to be in the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame  while Chicago, Yes, Hall and Oates, the Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.etc. sit on the wayside.  What gives?

 
That's a joke, isn't it?   Please tell me it is!
Wonderful, life and Boogie, Cohen's voice is truly pantheistic, thank you DJ.
First time I heard this, it is fantastic! Instant "9" and probably going higher. Wow.

C'mon play something form the Love and Hate album...

..there are no diamonds in your mine...
This man does not deserve to be in the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame  while Chicago, Yes, Hall and Oates, the Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.etc. sit on the wayside.  What gives?
The poet.  The poet.  Sending me lasting contributions three minutes at a time.
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Leonard and the fabulous voice of the great singer/songwriter Sharon Robinson.  Leonard introduces her as his "collaborator".  (Even though the three attempts at downloading songs from her album have been rejected by Bill!)  If you like this, she has made only one album,  "Everybody knows",  5* late night chilling music {#Good-vibes} {#Notworthy}
bumped to a nine this morning.   can't wait to see you in April Leonard!!!!
 Webfoot wrote:

Maybe it's my mood, but man this is boring right now!

 
Its not your mood..... they are ALL boring

 
 Coppertop wrote:
If aged Bourbon could sing, it would sound like Leonard Cohen.
 
Love it!

Maybe it's my mood, but man this is boring right now!


I heard this morning that he has a new album coming out!  KEXP played a track off it — pretty good, will have to give a few more listens.
If aged Bourbon could sing, it would sound like Leonard Cohen.


I think I need a cigarette.
Bill, why does this cut off early? 
 hallogallo wrote:


Leonard Cohen = coolest guy on this planet.
 
Leonard Cohen = Anthony Bourdain

Same guy... I swear.

 

There are some really great comments here from Cohen fans—too many to quote. My only quibble with this song is that it really needs a bottle of wine to complete the experience, and it's too early for wine—at least it is for me! {#Cheers}

wow. super-groovy.
instant 8. probably moving to 9 soon.

Well!
To the untrained ear it could sound like kitsch, but only if you don't listen to the lyrics.

Always has been, always will be a 10.... 

 Rooney wrote:
Aw, come on.  This is Leonard Freaking Cohen, for crissakes.  I love the way this man can turn a phrase, inject his mysticism and earthiness all in the same breath.  I'm giving him a 10 and wish it could be more to counteract you whippersnappers that are clueless. 
{#Ass}

 

Yea, I am with you. Kids today.......{#Lol}
this song reeks of schmaltz - 2 


Leonard Cohen = coolest guy on this planet.



The word lugubrious was coined just to describe this song. But who could have guessed that song so described could be so good?
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Never heard this song before, but like it instantly!
 
So did I the first time I heard it.

Easily a 9 from me and this, imo, is not nearly LC's best work.  Try Take This Waltz or The Gypsy's Wife  which are unfortunately not in RP's library.
Zen Buddhist, Jewish, activist, provacatuer and peacemaker, humble and tastefully ostentatious.  A Man in Full, including his faults.
His body of work as a whole is magnificent, rising occasionally to Genius.  In his prime perhaps only Dylan equals.

 ortallcowgirl wrote:


Didnt you know that mainstream music isnt about music anymore but who sleeps with who, who does the most drugs, and who is getting attention or plastic surgery.  Mainstream has forgotten music and focused on the demented lives of those who "perform" on stage.

Thank goodness for someone like Bill, this is what they call real music!
 
True enough: mainstream music is all S/spectacle, no substance. As evidence I offer the popularity of the execrable X Factor, which is no more than karaoke meets 'reality TV' (which of course isn't about reality at all).

Kudos to Bill & Becky for playing music with substance and meaning. I've really become quite a fan of old gravel-voice since listening to RP. The guy deserves to be a star, and not to be mentioned in the same breath as, say, Lady Gaga.

Aw, come on.  This is Leonard Freaking Cohen, for crissakes.  I love the way this man can turn a phrase, inject his mysticism and earthiness all in the same breath.  I'm giving him a 10 and wish it could be more to counteract you whippersnappers that are clueless. 
{#Ass}

Okay, I’ll admit it, I was surprised.



it's the Bee Gees in the background I could do without.
So come, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
In love we disappear.

Geez... Cohen can twist a phrase, bringing it from insanity into the most sensible emotion, a wondering why we hadn't seen it that way before...

Mr. L Cohen by ~crazy-david
dave wilson  ©2009-2010 ~crazy-david



 BettyB wrote:
I really don't get this. At all. Blech.
 
So sorry for you - come north and make "Love Where the Nights Are Long"!  {#Wink}

 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
Cohen got the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys, and it was barely a footnote somewhere between LadyGaGa and Pink's performances....guess he should have that boob job to get some attention! ;) 
 

Didnt you know that mainstream music isnt about music anymore but who sleeps with who, who does the most drugs, and who is getting attention or plastic surgery.  Mainstream has forgotten music and focused on the demented lives of those who "perform" on stage.

Thank goodness for someone like Bill, this is what they call real music!
ah, the possessive grammar of a critic

 
j7 wrote:
cohen's a snore
 


Cohen got the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys, and it was barely a footnote somewhere between LadyGaGa and Pink's performances....guess he should have that boob job to get some attention! ;) 
Great tune...
I am feeling that Motown beat. . .
Never heard this song before, but like it instantly!
I think LC gets better with age ... so smooth.
Nice!
I always thought he said "Beaubien Street".  Montrealers will understand.
cohen's a snore