You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame If thine is the glory then mine must be the shame You want it darker We kill the flame Magnified, sanctified, be thy holy name Vilified, crucified, in the human frame A million candles burning for the help that never came You want it darker Hineni, hineni I'm ready, my lord There's a lover in the story But the story's still the same There's a lullaby for suffering And a paradox to blame But it's written in the scriptures And it's not some idle claim You want it darker We kill the flame They're lining up the prisoners And the guards are taking aim I struggled with some demons They were middle class and tame I didn't know I had permission to murder and to maim You want it darker Hineni, hineni I'm ready, my lord Magnified, sanctified, be thy holy name Vilified, crucified, in the human frame A million candles burning for the love that never came You want it darker We kill the flame If you are the dealer, let me out of the game If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame If thine is the glory, mine must be the shame You want it darker Hineni, hineni Hineni, hineni I'm ready, my lord Hineni Hineni, hineni Hineni
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
30 fans
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Patrick Leonard
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Album Release"You Want It Darker" is the title track from Leonard Cohen's 14th and final studio album, which was released in 2016.
|
Late-In-Life CreationCohen was 82 years old at the time of composing and releasing this song. Sadly, he passed away just a few weeks later.
|
SpiritualityThe song and album explore themes of religion and spirituality, with Cohen seemingly coming to terms with his impending death.
|
LyricsMany view the lyrics of "You Want It Darker" as a farewell message from Cohen to his audience, with eerie words like "I'm ready, my Lord".
|
Jewish InfluenceCohen was born into a Jewish family, and he used his deep understanding of Jewish liturgy and spirituality to craft the lyrics of this song; it even features the Hebrew prayer Kaddish.
|
Award-Winning"You Want It Darker" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance in 2018, a posthumous honor for Cohen.
|
Family InvolvementLeonard Cohen's son, Adam Cohen, was the producer of the album including this song.
|
Music CompositionThe song carries Cohen's characteristic style of spoken word vocals with choral and orchestral arrangements.
|
Cultural Influence"You Want it Darker" was featured prominently in the second season of the TV show "Peaky Blinders."
|
Health IssuesCohen was suffering from severe back pain while recording this song. He had to lie on his back, using a microphone hung above him to record his vocals. His son Adam said there were certain times when Leonard’s pain was so severe he had to record the vocals one verse at a time.
|
Album ArtNotably, the album cover for "You Want It Darker" is a non-specifically religious symbol, which may imply a general appeal to everyone irrespective of their religious beliefs.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"You Want It Darker Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Jul 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33441791/Leonard+Cohen/You+Want+It+Darker>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the You Want It Darker Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In