Famous Blue Raincoat

Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams

About Famous Blue Raincoat

"Famous Blue Raincoat" is a song by Leonard Cohen. It is the sixth track on his third album, Songs of Love and Hate, released in 1971. The song is written in the form of a letter (many of the lines are written in amphibrachs). The lyric tells the story of a love triangle among the speaker, a woman named Jane, and the male addressee, who is identified only briefly as "my brother, my killer."


Year:
2003
106 
#2

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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
Well, 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

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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

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Famous Blue Raincoat" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, who was renowned for his poignant lyrics, distinctive voice, and blending of folk, pop, rock and classical music.
Album Details
The song is part of Cohen's third studio album, "Songs of Love and Hate," which was released in 1971. The album topped the charts in multiple countries.
Songwriting Inspiration
The track was supposedly inspired by a real-life blue Burberry raincoat that Cohen owned, which was stolen. The song is written in the form of a letter to the man responsible.
Musical Genre
The song falls into the folk-rock genre, a popular genre in the 1970s that Cohen was known for pioneering.
Unique Structure
Unlike most popular songs, "Famous Blue Raincoat" has an unconventional structure and lyrical storyline, annotated with a time "It's four in the morning, the end of December".
Involvement of Famous Musicians
The famous English guitarist Ron Cornelius played the acoustic guitar in this song.
Symbolism
The song is often noted for its profound use of symbol and metaphor, a characteristic typical of Cohen's work. The blue raincoat itself is often seen as a symbol of loss and longing.
Positive Recognition
"Famous Blue Raincoat" is widely regarded as one of Cohen's best songs. It's been covered by numerous artists and bands since its release.
Up for Interpretation
Despite being one of Cohen's most famous songs, its narrative and meaning remain somewhat ambiguous even to Cohen himself, who is quoted as saying, "I don't really understand a song like 'Famous Blue Raincoat,' you know?"
Notable Covers
His song has been covered by numerous artists, including Jennifer Warnes, whose 1987 album, "Famous Blue Raincoat," focused heavily on Cohen's compositions, and Tori Amos on her 2001 album "Strange Little Girls."
Use in Media
The song was featured prominently in the 2005 Irish film "Short Order."

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