powerful, soulful, personal. Three girls with guitars and harmonicas.
Add to that a contageous energy on stage and you have “Cookies n' Beans”:
Charlotte Centervall, Linda Ström and Frida Öhrn.
On February 14th 2009 they will perform their song "What If" at the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest in Skellefteå.
The story of Cookies n' Beans takes us back to 2003 and a small basement in the Southern part of Stockholm, the indeed modest venue for their first gig. It was just meant to be an entertaining evening for friends and family, but the feedback and the sensation of playing together was just too overwhelming to let it end there.
This evening became the start of a more or less neverending tour, and by now they have made over 200 gigs in Sweden and Europe. In the fall of 2008 they won the category ”Alternative Country” at the prestigeous Swedish Country Music Championship, that took place in Sälen / Sweden.
The music of Cookies n' Beans is made out of heart and soul – they are heart and soul When three strong, personal voices find harmony, without having to compromise with their own expression, pure magic is bound to happen. Testimonies reveal that more than once large, big bearded men with tattoos have bursted into tears while listening to the Cookies playing live.
But they don’t just serve heartbreaking ballads: They also play raw and sweaty country music songs that make it impossible to stand still!
Among the more significant influences you will find artists like the brilliant Dolly Parton, Lucinda Williams and her appealing harshness, Gram Parson and Emmylou Harris with her characteristic touch of sadness.
During the spring of 2009 the band will be recording their second album (title tbc), and right now they are in the midst of the creative process. But first things first – The Swedish Eurovision Song Contest:
”It will be such great fun to participate in this beloved, nation wide music festivity! It’s wonderful that we get to play ”What If”, and with that get a possibilty to spread our joy and our music.”
First We Take Manhattan
Cookies n Beans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For trying to change the system from within
Im coming now Im coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
Im guided by a signal in the heavens
Im guided by this birthmark on my skin
Im guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take manhattanthen we take berlin
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you I told you told you
I was one of those
Ah you loved me as a loser
but now youre worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me
to let my work begin
First we take manhattan then we take berlin
I dont like your fashion business mister
And I dont like these drugs that keep you thin
I dont like what happened to my sister
First we take manhattan then we take berlin
Id really like to live beside you baby
And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night now Im ready
First we take manhattan then we take berlin
I am guided
Ah remember me I used to live for music
Remember me I brought your groceries in
Well its fathers day and everybodys wounded
First we take manhattan then we take berlin
The lyrics to Cookies n Beans' song "First We Take Manhattan" describe an individual who has been sentenced to 20 years of boredom for trying to change the system from within. Guided by a signal in the heavens, a birthmark on their skin, and the beauty of their weapons, they plan to take Manhattan and then Berlin. The singer is also comforted by the fact that they will have someone they love by their side. However, they are also aware that there is a line moving through the station and they are one of the people who will cross it. The singer feels that they were once loved as a loser but now the person who loves them may be worried that they will win. Despite this, the singer asserts that the way to stop them is to let their work begin.
The song could be interpreted as a call to action for those who wish to effect change in the world. The singer is determined to impose their will on the world and is willing to use whatever means necessary to do so. The reference to the birthmark on the singer's skin could suggest that they see themselves as chosen or destined, which may lend them the courage they need to take the risks they do. The song also touches on relationships and the fear of change. The singer's loved one may have initially loved them as they were, but as the singer has become more powerful or successful, their love may now be tinged with fear.
Line by Line Meaning
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
I was punished with twenty years of monotony
For trying to change the system from within
Because I attempted to reform the establishment from the inside
Im coming now Im coming to reward them
I am arriving to compensate them
First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
Im guided by a signal in the heavens
I am directed by a celestial sign
Im guided by this birthmark on my skin
My birthmark serves as my compass
Im guided by the beauty of our weapons
The splendor of our arms directs me
First we take manhattanthen we take berlin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
Id really like to live beside you baby
I would love to reside with you, my love
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
I adore your physique, your soul, and your attire
But you see that line there moving through the station?
Do you notice the line traveling through the depot?
I told you I told you told you
I warned you repeatedly
I was one of those
I was one of those individuals
Ah you loved me as a loser
You adored me as a failure
but now youre worried that I just might win
But now you are concerned I might be victorious
You know the way to stop me to let my work begin.
You understand that the only method to prevent me is to allow me to start my mission.
First we take manhattan then we take berlin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
I dont like your fashion business mister
I am not fond of your clothing enterprise, sir
And I dont like these drugs that keep you thin
And I am not fond of the drugs that maintain your slimness
I dont like what happened to my sister
I am not pleased with what happened to my sibling
First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
Id really like to live beside you baby
I would love to reside with you, my love
And I thank you for those items that you sent me
And I appreciate the gifts you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
The primate and the stringed instrument made of thin layers of wood
I practiced every night now Im ready
I rehearsed every evening, and now I am prepared
First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
I am guided
I am directed
Ah remember me I used to live for music
Oh, recall that I used to exist solely for music
Remember me I brought your groceries in
Recall that I was the one who brought in your groceries
Well its fathers day and everybodys wounded
Today is Father's Day, and everyone is hurting
First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
We must first conquer Manhattan before conquering Berlin
Writer(s): Leonard Cohen
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.