Suzanne

Leonard Cohen

About Suzanne

"Suzanne" is a song written by Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen in the 1960s. First published as a poem in 1966, it was recorded as a song by Judy Collins in the same year, and Cohen performed it as his debut single, from his 1967 album Songs of Leonard Cohen. Many other artists have recorded versions, and it has become one of the most-covered songs in Cohen's catalogue. In 2006, Pitchfork Media listed the song No. 41 on their list of "The Top Songs of the 1960s".


Year:
1967
18 
#1

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Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Then he gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover

And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind

And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone

And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
And you think you maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with her mind

Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
She's wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey on our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they wil lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds her mirror

And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind

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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 »

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Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Song Creation and Release
"Suzanne" was originally written by Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen and later covered by Judy Collins. - Leonard Cohen first published "Suzanne" as a poem in 1966 before recording it as a song. - Judy Collins recorded the song later in 1966 for her album "In My Life," even before Cohen released his own version.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by Cohen's platonic relationship with Suzanne Verdal, the former wife of a friend. - Suzanne Verdal and Cohen never had a romantic relationship, but their close friendship and shared experiences became the foundation for the lyrics of the song.
Song Meaning
"Suzanne" is known for its deep, poetic lyrics which discuss themes of love, spirituality, and humanity. - The song is about Suzanne, who shows the singer pieces of beauty and love amid a world that often seems dark and chaotic.
Impact and Recognition
Judy Collins' version of "Suzanne" catapulted the song into popularity, and it quickly became one of Leonard Cohen's most celebrated songs. - The song made the Billboard Hot 100 chart and established Cohen's music career. - Through the years, "Suzanne" has been covered by many other artists, testifying to its enduring appeal and influence.
Personal Relations
Leonard Cohen and Judy Collins had a close friendship and a musical partnership that spanned decades. - Collins was one of the most instrumental figures in bringing Cohen's music to a wider audience.
Song Style
The song is noted for its folk style and is often regarded as a classic example of the 1960s folk music movement. - The song features minimalistic instrumentation, with its focus primarily on the vocals and lyrics.
Legacy
"Suzanne" has been covered by numerous artists, including Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, and Neil Diamond, reflecting the song's universal impact. - The song was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. - "Suzanne" continues to be highly regarded in music circles and remains one of the iconic songs of its era.

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