In My Secret Life

Leonard Cohen

About In My Secret Life

"In My Secret Life" is a song written and performed by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. Bob Metzger plays the guitar. The song first appears on the album Ten New Songs, released in 2001. Cohen first revealed he was working on a new song called 'My Secret Life' in 1988, although the song finally made it onto record in 2001. In addition to the album version of 4:53 minutes long, a promotional radio edit of 3:52 minutes was released by Sony Music Canada."In My Secret Life" peaked at number two on the Polish Airplay Chart in 2002.  


Year:
2008
4:55
204 
#35

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In my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life
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
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
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 wanna cry
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it's either black or white
Thank God 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 my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life
In my secret life

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Leonard Cohen

Leonard Norman Cohen, (September 21, 1934- November 7, 2016) CC GOQ, was a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. His work often explored religion, isolation, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour. In 2011 Cohen received Prince of Asturias Award for literature. more »

30 fans

Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Songwriter
"In My Secret Life" was written by Leonard Cohen, a Canadian songwriter, poet, and novelist, often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
Co-writer
Sharon Robinson, an American singer, songwriter, and record producer collaborated with Cohen for this song. They have also co-written several other songs.
Album
This track is the opening song of Leonard Cohen's 2001 album "Ten New Songs." The album was Cohen's tenth studio album.
Musical Style
"In My Secret Life" showcases Cohen's distinctive musical style, featuring his deep, gravelly voice blended with modern electronic music elements.
Lyrics
Known for his profound and poetic lyrics, Cohen delves deep into themes of love, loss, and longing in "In My Secret Life." The lyrics reflect on personal shortcomings, contemplations, and secret aspirations.
Reception and Charts
The song was significantly popular in Poland, reaching number 1 on the Polish Singles Chart. It remained in the top 20 for 21 weeks.
Music Video
The music video for "In My Secret Life", directed by Floria Sigismondi, depicts a diverse array of characters in slightly surrealistic settings, mirroring the introspective and layered theme of the song.
Covers
Several artists have covered "In My Secret Life," including Katie Melua and Eric Burdon, showcasing the ongoing influence and reach of Cohen's music.
Collaboration
"In My Secret Life" is notable for its strong backing vocals provided by Sharon Robinson, making the song a true collaboration between the two artists.
Awards and Recognitions
The album "Ten New Songs", which includes "In My Secret Life" was nominated for a JUNO Award, while Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a few years later, again highlighting his status as a highly regarded songwriter.
Song Details
"In My Secret Life" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. It is the opening track from his tenth studio album "Ten New Songs", which was released in 2001.
Creative Collaboration
The song, like all the tracks from "Ten New Songs", was co-written by Sharon Robinson, an American singer, songwriter, and producer. She and Cohen had previously collaborated on his album "Various Positions" in 1984.
Popularity
In countries including Denmark and Finland, "In My Secret Life" reached the top 20 on the music charts. It received extensive radio airplay across Europe and North America.
Music Video
The song's music video was directed by renowned French fashion photographer and music video director Floria Sigismondi. It depicts Cohen in symbolic scenes, including one where he turns away from a figure resembling himself.
Thematic Content
The song is about Cohen's struggle with his personal desires and how they conflict with his aspirations for moral, spiritual, and emotional purity.
Critical Acclaim
"In My Secret Life" is hailed by critics as one of Leonard Cohen's finest songs. It was nominated for the Juno Award for Single of the Year in 2002.
Covers and Interpretations
The song has been covered by several artists, including Erik Truffaz, Katie Melua, and Till Brönner. It has been interpreted in various ways, with some believing it to express feelings of regret or reconciliation.
Reflective of Cohen's Life
"In My Secret Life" is seen by some as deeply reflective of Cohen's life, particularly his time spent in a Zen Buddhist monastery during the late 1990s.
Unique Musical Production
The song stands out for its unique musical production, with a sound that blends Cohen's deep, gravelly voice and minimalist instrumentation with Robinson's layered backing vocals and electronic beats.
Inspirational Source
Rumors have it that Cohen's inspiration for "In My Secret Life" can be tied to his fascination with themes of duality and the idea of maintaining a private self in a world that demands the presentation of a public image.

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