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Leonard Cohen — Almost Like the Blues
Album: Popular Problems
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 876









Released: 2014
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I saw some people starving
There was murder, there was rape
Their villages were burning
They were trying to escape
I couldn't meet their glances
I was staring at my shoes
It was acid, it was tragic
It was almost like the blues

I have to die a little
Between each murderous thought
And when I'm finished thinking
I have to die a lot
There's torture and there's killing
And there's all my bad reviews
The war, the children missing
Lord, it's almost like the blues

So I let my heart get frozen
To keep away the rot
My father said I'm chosen
My mother said I'm not
I listened to their story
Of the Gypsies and the Jews
It was good, it wasn't boring
It was almost like the blues

There is no God in Heaven
And there is no Hell below
So says the great professor
Of all there is to know
But I've had the invitation
That a sinner can't refuse
And it's almost like salvation
It's almost like the blues
Comments (82)add comment
 maxvonevil wrote:


It's always been hard to describe what being 'American' means. There's a lot of decent and kind folk, yet there is a certain percentage of them, who are not exactly what you would call diversity-friendly.

It's the mullet-wearing pickup-driving gun-touting dont-tread-on-me youknowwho-voting cousin-marrying kind who's perception of anything foreign is remade starring Tom Cruise and their idea of a trans person is Hulk Hogan in a cocktail dress groping their 13 year-old daughter in a restroom.

Please give this a downvote to acknowledge your affiliation with that demographic.


Wow?! Nice open-minded, diversity embracing, nonjudgmental comment you got there.
 markpeachey wrote:

Yeh! Reminds me of Bob Dylan. He wouldn't make past the auditions on any current TV talent show

OMG, did you really post this? Unbelievable.
Big Clay Aiken fan, are you?
 stalfnzo wrote:

Really? How very American. Why not accept and encourage diversity? Why not just take a little time to translate it yourself? 


It's always been hard to describe what being 'American' means. There's a lot of decent and kind folk, yet there is a certain percentage of them, who are not exactly what you would call diversity-friendly.

It's the mullet-wearing pickup-driving gun-touting dont-tread-on-me youknowwho-voting cousin-marrying kind who's perception of anything foreign is remade starring Tom Cruise and their idea of a trans person is Hulk Hogan in a cocktail dress groping their 13 year-old daughter in a restroom.

Please give this a downvote to acknowledge your affiliation with that demographic.
LC has always been our inner tormentor...

Love his 'blues' vocal on this. 
 nickshortie wrote:

Please try again in english....

 
Really? How very American. Why not accept and encourage diversity? Why not just take a little time to translate it yourself? 
 Waldi11 wrote:
Immer wieder großartig, Leonhard Cohen zu hören. 
Es ist traurig, dass er nicht mehr ist, aber wir haben seine Songs. Für immer!  {#Angel}

 
Please try again in english....
Immer wieder großartig, Leonhard Cohen zu hören. 
Es ist traurig, dass er nicht mehr ist, aber wir haben seine Songs. Für immer!  {#Angel}
A real dead set.  I see what you did there.  ;p
 kingart wrote:
OK, Leonard, Maestro of Existential Misery. He wrote and warbled some great songs, clearly, but couldn't he have ever crooned, you know, some happy tunes? Some upbeat Cole Porter covers were his for the asking. On this one, though, he sounds like Mr. Spock Nimoy who just witnessed the extermination of Vulcan by raping Romulan rebels. Take it easy brother, it's only a movie.  

 
"GROSS: And do you think that you are more kind of cynical on some of your songwriting than any of those kind of classic guys could ever be?

COHEN: You know, that's a question I've just been asking myself in the past few days because, somehow, I've heard Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World It Could Be" - every turn, I hear it for some odd reason. It's such a very beautiful song. And I think to myself, you know, why don't I leave a couple of songs like that behind me, you know? And I'd like to.

You know, there's a lot of things I'd like to do. But when you're actually in the trenches, and, you know, you're in front of the page or, you know, the guitar or the keyboard under your hands, you have to deal with where the energy is, you know, what arises, what presents itself with a certain kind of urgency."


OK, Leonard, Maestro of Existential Misery. He wrote and warbled some great songs, clearly, but couldn't he have ever crooned, you know, some happy tunes? Some upbeat Cole Porter covers were his for the asking. On this one, though, he sounds like Mr. Spock Nimoy who just witnessed the extermination of Vulcan by raping Romulan rebels. Take it easy brother, it's only a movie.  
 old_shep wrote:
Death sells.

 
As Leonard has shuffled closer to the end of his mortal coil, he has turned into a one-trick pony. 
 Andres-7 wrote:
It is not music. LC is not a musician, neither singer. A solid 1 for every LC song.

 
The same criticisms are expressed about Bob Dylan.
It is not music. LC is not a musician, neither singer. A solid 1 for every LC song.
SHITTURD EXCREMENTIOUS vibration that propagates as an audible mechanical wave of pressure and displacement
Leanord Cohen's music is understated and basic - almost cheesy, and his voice isn't melodic or tuned.  

It's not intended to be about the music or the sound though.

It can be appreciated much better by understanding he is a poet doing a live reading.  Everything is to serve the painting of the words.  The music then fills in the mood and emotion of the words.  In this context he's one of my favorite artists.  
Death sells.
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
Lifelong Cohen fan, but he really needs to stop recording. Please. Please.

 
Agreed!!!
Lifelong Cohen fan, but he really needs to stop recording. Please. Please.
But where is the famous blue raincoat?

We need "songs of love and hate"!
peace
There is something about the music and the background vocals that's very soothing and then the juxtaposition of his rough stoic vocals creates a very interesting piece.
 Highspirits wrote:

Don't bet on it. 

 

Being a "wife or girlfriend", I'm with you Highspirits.
 markpeachey wrote:

Yeh! Reminds me of Bob Dylan. He wouldn't make past the auditions on any current TV talent show

 
Neither would have most musicians and composers of any value or meaning.
Love it, this is like the third Leonard Cohen song today, way to go Bill!
Wow!  The man does have a way with words.......
I always think this is Nick Cave when I first hear the piano at the beginning.
This man is so important in music...
 
 markpeachey wrote:

Yeh! Reminds me of Bob Dylan. He wouldn't make past the auditions on any current TV talent show

 
Thank goodness!  A viral star today and forgotten tomorrow. 
Hey Bill, you can play Leonard Cohen any time you want.  Great lyrics, great spirit.
 philinnz wrote:

i am glad it is
 
I think Bill likes it
 WonderLizard wrote:

In fact he is an accomplished poet and novelist—Beautiful Losers is generally regarded as a classic—in addition to his songwriting, recording, and performing. For both depth of lyrics and, um, uniqueness of voice, I easily put him in the same rank as Dylan and Waits. Seventy-something and he's still going strong. We should all be so lucky.

 
Yeh! Reminds me of Bob Dylan. He wouldn't make past the auditions on any current TV talent show
 ChrisVIII wrote:
How come this song has been played so often lately ? 

 
i am glad it is
NO NO NO NO Please No!
Gravelly voiced old men whose peak was 1978 just doesn't cut it for me. Saw him live a couple of years ago. Couldn't get out of there quick enough.
Becoming confused by RP listeners lately. Bagging on some excellence material and embracing some real crap. Sure it's all personal taste but, what happened to being tasteful. Just confused.
 humbled wrote:

You may not like him but I guarantee you that your wife or girlfriend loves him. 
 
Don't bet on it. 
 otis_of_moab wrote:

Perhaps he should write poetry or short stories.  But please, please don't insult us with these offensive sounds.



 
In fact he is an accomplished poet and novelist—Beautiful Losers is generally regarded as a classic—in addition to his songwriting, recording, and performing. For both depth of lyrics and, um, uniqueness of voice, I easily put him in the same rank as Dylan and Waits. Seventy-something and he's still going strong. We should all be so lucky.
 otis_of_moab wrote:

Perhaps he should write poetry or short stories.  But please, please don't insult us with these offensive sounds.



 
You may not like him but I guarantee you that your wife or girlfriend loves him. 
 calypsus_1 wrote:


 
I love the fact that he is ALWAYS impeccably dressed. His father owned a clothing store. He's a different cat.



How come this song has been played so often lately ? 
 otis_of_moab wrote:

Perhaps he should write poetry or short stories.  But please, please don't insult us with these offensive sounds.



 
If you agree not to share your offensive thoughts. {#Beat}
 westsound wrote:
There is no one quite like Leonard Cohen,you just have stop what ever your doing and listen to his lyrics.

 

Perhaps he should write poetry or short stories.  But please, please don't insult us with these offensive sounds.


 westsound wrote:
There is no one quite like Leonard Cohen,you just have stop what ever your doing and listen to his lyrics.
 
Yes, you just have to stop what you're doing.....and push the PSD button ASAP

he and tom waits growling through their songs may sound pleasing to some, but not me.
Totally understand every word and like them,
as well as the song. 
I'd better push the lyrics button because I can't understand a word of what he's saying.(singing?) I'd rather turn the sound off because his hoarse mumbling doesn't soud very pleasant to me.
( though Dutch is my native language I can understand most singers rather well and enjoy most music on radioparadise.
There is no one quite like Leonard Cohen,you just have stop what ever your doing and listen to his lyrics.
Good song for an anti-smoking campaign
less talk, more rock {#Yawn}
A Yello like song...  
If you dont like Cohen just change it
You dont have to hate him just cause loads love him.
And this song is okay,not bad...
Actually i like it..Lol 
First time i hear this. Now he sounds a bit like Tom Waits. I prefer the singing, not the talking!
I'm a big LC fan, but though I like this song A LOT, would be more if it didn't have such a similar musical MO to a song on Live in London.
 tkosh wrote:
That would be deserted island, I believe..
 
Well, technically, it was called an "uncharted desert isle", and the Professor was definitely a player.
prof
This song is perfect for walking up after mid term elections.
Came here to vote 1, oh wait, already did. Auto-PSD would be great, but listening via stream, so silence for some time.
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...
 zepher wrote:
...So says the great professor
Of all there is to know

But I've had the invitation
That a sinner can't refuse

And it's almost like salvation
It's almost like the blues

———-
 
I know that professor....
What does he know?
He couldn't get to 2nd base on a desert island.
That would be deserted island, I believe..

 


Wow, if you took Cohen's voice out of this, it'd be, " Almost like this song doesn't suck."

Almost. 
 unclehud wrote:
 deepwoodskev wrote:
I simply do not understand how anyone finds his singing listenable. Absolutely horrible.

I find it riveting — enjoyably riveting to be clear. 

(And how did Ginger's hair get done, and who cleaned her evening gowns, and where did she get whatever it takes to glue on those false eyelashes?  Not complaining, just curious.)



 
Uncle H - Are you off of your meds, again?
Not bad. But I'm wildly biased. This guy can do no wrong in my mind. : )

Leonard's voice speaks directly to my soul.  The waves of emotion tear through me when I listen to him.  Sure its not a classic sound but I struggle to see how people don't see the utter beauty in his lyrical mastery.
 deepwoodskev wrote:
I simply do not understand how anyone finds his singing listenable. Absolutely horrible.
  PSD for deep.

Amazing. Soulful.
Wonderful lyrics.
Perhaps would have benefited from being a spoken tone-poem rather than poorly arranged "singing".


 tkosh wrote:

You take Justin Bieber..  I'll take this..  I think it's called "soul."

 
Wow. What a come back.
 deepwoodskev wrote:
I simply do not understand how anyone finds his singing listenable. Absolutely horrible.

I find it riveting — enjoyably riveting to be clear. 

(And how did Ginger's hair get done, and who cleaned her evening gowns, and where did she get whatever it takes to glue on those false eyelashes?  Not complaining, just curious.)


 deepwoodskev wrote:
I simply do not understand how anyone finds his singing listenable. Absolutely horrible.

 
You take Justin Bieber..  I'll take this..  I think it's called "soul."
The bass line in this is what captures me.
I've got bloody pockets in my pants!  LOVE this groovy song!

I would say that would be unprecedented and a rare phenomenon, the pinnacle of creative and inspirational force arise after 80-year-old artist (next 21 September), is remotely possible but not expected. I can´t remember any case, but if someone wants to cite any , feel free. But i recognize that uncle Cohen remains active doing excellent performances with passion and dignity, and so i raise my hat.
So we should wait for the output of promised album "Popular Problems" by the uncle Cohen. Let's see if with the collaboration of co-writer Patrick Leonard ....we'll see.


Holy sh*t this is bad! Would give it a zero if that was an option.
The Bard can sing!
...So says the great professor
Of all there is to know

But I've had the invitation
That a sinner can't refuse

And it's almost like salvation
It's almost like the blues

-------
 
I know that professor....
What does he know?
He couldn't get to 2nd base on a desert island.



I simply do not understand how anyone finds his singing listenable. Absolutely horrible.
It just struck me that he sounds somewhat uncannily like Leonard Nimoy might sound if he was a crooner. Leonard Cohen "Spock" Nimoy does Vulcan's Top 40 Mind Melds. And Uhura singing backup. 
This is published in poem form in this week's edition of The New Yorker.
I think Cohen is phenomenal! Though I can't sit through all of his pieces, he is a great artist, deep and at times sly and to the point
Love it. All I need now is to hear a track from the great new Morrisey album next and I'll be in new music heaven. 
A better title would be "Almost like Music".  Leonard Cohen's music?  No thanks.
Agreed.... and what great lyrics... not bad from someone who's 80 in 17 days!!
...eighty years and still going strong:  this guy's got legs!..
I can't believe his speaksinging, like that of Dylan and Waits, has sustained him for so long. A genius.
First play earlier tonight for the new Robert Plant, and now new LC... good evening!