Leonard Cohen wins literary prize

Leonard Cohen wins Spanish Prince of Asturias award


Canadian singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen performs during his concert in Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.
(AP Photo / MTI, Peter Kollanyi)

Singer Leonard Cohen has won one of Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias awards for his poetic gifts and thought-provoking songs.

The prize foundation said Wednesday it was awarding the Canadian its Letters prize, praising him as one of the most influential authors of modern times.

The foundations said "his poems and songs explore with depth and beauty the major questions concerning humanity."

Cohen, 76, is famous for songs such as "Suzanne" and "So Long, Marianne."

The award is one of eight the foundation gives each year. They range from the arts and humanities to scientific research.

The prizes are presented by Crown Prince Felipe in the northern city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainment/20110601/cohen-asturias-award-110601/

Bob Dylan won the arts prize...

Should I have posted this thread in the literature section?

well deserved

I don't know much about literature but I do enjoy Leonard Cohen lyrics (never read any of his books)

guacamayo wrote:Should I have posted this thread in the literature section?

It does not really matter.

FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT

It's four in the morning, the end of December
I'm writing you now just to see if you're better
New York is cold, but I like where I'm living
There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening.

I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert
You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record.

Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear
Did you ever go clear?

Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older
Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder
You'd been to the station to meet every train
And you came home without Lili Marlene

And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was nobody's wife.

Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth
One more thin gypsy thief
Well I see Jane's awake --

She sends her regards.
And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
What can I possibly say?
I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
I'm glad you stood in my way.

If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free.

Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
I thought it was there for good so I never tried.

And Jane came by with a lock of your hair
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear

-- Sincerely, L. Cohen

IN MY SECRET LIFE

I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can't seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
There's no one in sight.
And we're still making love
In My Secret Life.

I smile when I'm angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I'd die for the truth
In My Secret Life.

Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I'll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.

Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it's either black or white.
Thank G-d it's not that simple
In My Secret Life.

I bite my lip.
I buy what I'm told:
From the latest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I'm always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it's crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.

_________________________________________________________

in that last verse it reads
"And my heart is like ice
and it's crowded and cold"
and I thought it was
"And my heart is like ice
and there's crowd in the cold"
what I think would be better

guacamayo wrote:

IN MY SECRET LIFE

I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can't seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
There's no one in sight.
And we're still making love
In My Secret Life.

I smile when I'm angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I'd die for the truth
In My Secret Life.

Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I'll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.

Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it's either black or white.
Thank G-d it's not that simple
In My Secret Life.

I bite my lip.
I buy what I'm told:
From the latest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I'm always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it's crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.

_________________________________________________________

in that last verse it reads
"And my heart is like ice
and it's crowded and cold"
and I thought it was
"And my heart is like ice
and there's crowd in the cold"
what I think would be better

One of my favourite Cohen songs. His last couple of albums have been fabaroonski.

It's one of my favorite Cohen songs too.
Not long ago I downloaded "Ten new songs", haven't listened to it much but it sounds good.
I usually listen to the compilation album "essential"... haven't explored Cohens albums... just songs

but wait... what does fabaroonski mean?
maybe you should post that word in pinhedz's pomposity thread

guacamayo wrote:
but wait... what does fabaroonski mean?
maybe you should post that word in pinhedz's pomposity thread

I would say it is just a made up slang term he uses to mean fabulous

guacamayo wrote:
Not long ago I downloaded "Ten new songs", haven't listened to it much but it sounds good.

A really enjoyable album. At times I find early Cohen albums hard to listen to, due to his voice and the music. But with his later stuff, I enjoy both as they are nicer on the ear I think.

His most recent studio album is 'Dear Heather', which wasn't quite as good (IMO), but still had some great songs:

Doc Watson wrote:
I would say it is just a made up slang term he uses to mean fabulous

Gold star for Watson.
(OK, blue).

Simulacrum wrote:At times I find early Cohen albums hard to listen to, due to his voice and the music. But with his later stuff, I enjoy both as they are nicer on the ear I think.

From what I've listened to, I like both, his early and later songs. If I had to choose I think I would choose his early songs though.

Bird On a Wire

His early work is undoubtedly better, it's just his music/vocals these days SOUNDS better.

guacamayo wrote:It's one of my favorite Cohen songs too.
Not long ago I downloaded "Ten new songs", haven't listened to it much but it sounds good.
I usually listen to the compilation album "essential"... haven't explored Cohens albums... just songs

but wait... what does fabaroonski mean?
maybe you should post that word in pinhedz's pomposity thread

As Mr Ulacrum says, it's a made up word. Like fab-orooni! Everything's a great big orooni to Slim! (Gaillard, that is...)

guacamayo wrote:

To Slim Gaillard the whole world was just one big orooni.'

From 'On THe Road' - see extract here for context: http://www.litkicks.com/Texts/RoadJazz.html

It's all vout, oh yes!

I tried to read "On the road" in English but I think I didn't get to that page... or at least I don't remember it.

Store Room appears as a bonus track on the 2007 reissue of his first album.
I've been very fond of it since I first heard it.

Clarence LeRoy Van Cleef wrote:His early work is undoubtedly better, it's just his music/vocals these days SOUNDS better.

I don't claim to know much about music but sometimes I find Cohen's music a bit dissapointing. I think he has good songs, not only lyrically... as a whole, but somehow the music as developed there leaves me a bit cold, like it could have been better done. And yes, I think that happens to me more frequently when I'm listening to his early songs. I like a lot his early vocals though.

People often say that Dylan is brilliant lyrically, but his music isn't all that. I, on the other hand, love the majority of his music. I probably couldn't say the same about Cohen. As you say, a lot of Cohen's music leaves me cold, whilst I still love his lyrics.

His older songs are for sure better than his more modern efforts, but I often struggle to listen to them. I prefer his new style but older songs, which is why it's quite a treat to see him live. In my opinion, he often improves on his older songs these days.... Which is something I definitely can't say about Dylan!

I'm listening to his second album, Songs from a room and I love everything about it, from the title and the most look alike Pacino Cohen pic to the insisting bass. Everything matches the words sung.





This was the first Cohen's song that called my attention:

Lady Midnight

Have you ever waited for a miracle...

This is from a LC concert I attended in 2009

Which one do you prefer?


Leonard Cohen's adaptation of Lorca's poem "Pequeño Vals Vienés"




Enrique Morente singing it like it was originally written