Cohen pursued a career as a poet and novelist during the 1950s and early 1960s; he did not launch a music career until 1967, at the age of 33. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), was followed by three more albums of folk music: Songs from a Room (1969), Songs of Love and Hate (1971) and New Skin for the Old Ceremony (1974). His 1977 record Death of a Ladies' Man, co-written and produced by Phil Spector, was a move away from Cohen's previous minimalist sound. In 1979, Cohen returned with the more traditional Recent Songs, which blended his acoustic style with jazz, Oriental, and Mediterranean influences. Perhaps Cohen's most famous song, "Hallelujah", was first released on his studio album Various Positions in 1984. I'm Your Man in 1988 marked Cohen's turn to synthesized productions and remains his most popular album. In 1992, Cohen released its follow-up, The Future, which had dark lyrics and references to political and social unrest.
Cohen returned to music in 2001 with the release of Ten New Songs, which was a major hit in Canada and Europe. His 11th album, Dear Heather, followed in 2004. Following a successful string of tours between 2008 and 2013, Cohen released three albums in the final four years of his life: Old Ideas (2012), Popular Problems (2014) and You Want It Darker (2016), the last of which was released three weeks before his death.
Leonard Cohen was born into a middle-class Jewish family in Westmount, Quebec, on September 21, 1934. His Lithuanian mother, Marsha Klonitsky ("Masha"; 1905–1978), was the daughter of a Talmudic writer, Rabbi Solomon Klonitsky-Kline, and emigrated to Canada in 1927. His paternal grandfather, whose family had moved from Poland to Canada, was Lyon Cohen, the founding president of the Canadian Jewish Congress. His father, Nathan Bernard Cohen (1891–1943), who owned a substantial clothing store, died when Cohen was nine years old. The family observed Orthodox Judaism, and belonged to Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, to which Cohen retained connections for the rest of his life. On the topic of being a Kohen, Cohen told Richard Goldstein in 1967, "I had a very Messianic childhood. I was told I was a descendant of Aaron, the high priest."
Cohen attended Roslyn Elementary School and completed grades seven through nine at Herzliah High School, where his literary mentor Irving Layton taught, then transferred in 1948 to Westmount High School, where he studied music and poetry. He became especially interested in the poetry of Federico García Lorca. Cohen involved himself actively beyond Westmount's curriculum, in photography, on the yearbook staff, as a cheerleader, in the arts and current events clubs, and even served in the position of president of the Students' Council while "heavily involved in the school's theater program". During that time, Cohen taught himself to play the acoustic guitar, and formed a country–folk group that he called the Buckskin Boys. After a young Spanish guitar player taught him "a few chords and some flamenco", Cohen switched to a classical guitar. He has attributed his love of music to his mother, who sang songs around the house: "I know that those changes, those melodies, touched me very much. She would sing with us when I took my guitar to a restaurant with some friends; my mother would come, and we'd often sing all night.
Cohen frequented Saint Laurent Boulevard for fun and ate at such places as the Main Deli Steak House. According to journalist David Sax, Cohen and one of his cousins would go to the Main Deli to "watch the gangsters, pimps, and wrestlers dance around the night". Cohen enjoyed the formerly raucous bars of Old Montreal as well as Saint Joseph's Oratory, which had the restaurant nearest to Westmount, for him and his friend Mort Rosengarten to share coffee and cigarettes. When Cohen left Westmount, he purchased a place on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, in the previously working-class neighbourhood of Little Portugal. He would read his poetry at assorted nearby clubs. In that period and that place, Cohen wrote the lyrics to some of his most famous songs.
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver, climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please (please)
I'm your man
And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
I'm your man
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
In "I'm Your Man," Leonard Cohen presents himself as a willing and adaptable partner to a lover, offering to mold himself to meet their wants and needs. He asserts that he is willing to do almost anything to please the object of his affection, whether it be taking on different personas or fulfilling specific roles. The singer shows his dedication by offering to fight (as a boxer), heal (as a doctor), drive (as a chauffeur), or provide comfort in any other way his lover may need.
The lyrics express Cohen's realization of the importance of giving oneself entirely to another. He is willing to play any role his lover needs him to play and is willing to adapt his personality and emotions to match their own. The song is Cohen's affirmation of his readiness to give himself to his lover entirely and wear any mask to please them.
Moreover, "I'm Your Man" is an example of Cohen's growth as a songwriter as well. He departs from his typical somber, confessional tunes and shifts towards a more contemporary pop sound. The song’s electronic-heavy arrangement was completely new for the songwriter, and he utilizes it skillfully to transition towards a more upbeat and lighthearted sound.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want a lover
If you desire a romantic partner
I'll do anything you ask me to
I'll fulfill your every request
And if you want another kind of love
If you want a different type of affection or relationship
I'll wear a mask for you
I'll pretend to be someone else or conceal my true self if it's what you want
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want a companion, I'm here for you
If you want to strike me down in anger
If you feel the need to lash out at me
Here I stand
I'm not going anywhere, I'm committed to you
I'm your man
I'm here for you, I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy
If you want a boxer
If you want someone to fight for you
I will step into the ring for you
I'll take on any challenge or obstacle that comes our way to protect you
And if you want a doctor
If you need someone to take care of you
I'll examine every inch of you
I'll pay close attention to your needs and take care of you completely
If you want a driver, climb inside
If you need someone to take you places
Or if you want to take me for a ride
If you want to take charge and lead us on an adventure
You know you can
I'm open to your suggestions, I'm flexible and adaptable
Ah, the moon's too bright
An expression of his feelings, possibly indicating irony or sarcasm
The chain's too tight
An expression of feeling trapped or limited in some way
The beast won't go to sleep
Something is causing inner turmoil or conflict
I've been running through these promises to you
I've been considering or trying to keep my promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Even though I made promises, I wasn't able to follow through on them
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
An observation about the dynamics of relationships
Not by begging on his knees
Trying to win someone back through desperation or pleading isn't effective
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
A hypothetical scenario where he's willing to humble himself to win her back
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
An expression of his admiration or desire
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
He's willing to do whatever it takes to win her back
I'd say please (please)
He's begging for a chance to make things right
I'm your man
He's dedicated to her, he's committed to doing whatever it takes to win her over
And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
If you need to rest while we're traveling
I will steer for you
I'll take over and drive while you rest
And if you want to work the street alone
If you need to go out on your own
I'll disappear for you
I'll give you your space and let you do your own thing
If you want a father for your child
If you need someone to take care of your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
If you just want to spend time together, enjoying a simple activity
I'm your man
He's always there for her, no matter what she needs or wants
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dee_dee_place
I fell in love with Leonard Cohen the first time I heard "I'm Your Man".
It didn't surprise me at all when I found out that he had a degree in Literature.
My other favorites of Cohen's are:
Slow
Dance Me to the End of Love
If It Be Your Will
You Want It Darker
Hallelujah (his recorded version with 2 different stanzas at the end)
A little trivia- Cohen wrote ~80 stanzas for his song "Hallelujah".
@Draac
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner, take my hand, or
If you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver, climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man
Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby and I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart, and I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please (please)
I'm your man
And if you've got to sleep a moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while across the sand
I'm your man
If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
@mladybird7852
Another beautiful song from a man who was unable to love. A sad man.
@dee_dee_place
I fell in love with Leonard Cohen the first time I heard "I'm Your Man".
It didn't surprise me at all when I found out that he had a degree in Literature.
My other favorites of Cohen's are:
Slow
Dance Me to the End of Love
If It Be Your Will
You Want It Darker
Hallelujah (his recorded version with 2 different stanzas at the end)
A little trivia- Cohen wrote ~80 stanzas for his song "Hallelujah".
@conradspencer9437
How can anyone deny the rare essence of this unadulterated love song. If we were half as good at proclaiming love, we would achieve that full and fair, life long, unbreakable loving link with that person we truly love.
@nicolespenceley5779
Leonard Cohen is one of the few people who can soothe my very shattered brain
@bingm8109
I love what you wrote. He certainly untangles the cobwebs for me.
@anita_1135
He could take your soul,slice dice whip and puree it then hand it back with love and understanding...not many could do this but i.m convinced Mr. Cohen could.
@dolle3124
I felt this comment. Same.
@alainenglebert
Quel immense vide .. depuis votre départ rejoindre Marianne la-haut ... vous me manquez Monsieur Cohen ... respect, merci et jour et nuit dans ma pensée ... Je me souviens de votre concert en plein air à Gand, ville belge que vous appréciez et de votre tendresse lors d'un concert à Francfort auprès d'un jeune "handicapé" que vous avez salué à genoux en chantant pour lui ! Une sincérité hors norme ... le temps passer mais vous êtes toujours prés de vos "amoureux" ...
@crystalbelle2349
Thank you SO MUCH. I am 60, haven’t been well & had misplaced this YouTube page. It is so very nice to hear this again, as a missing best friend.GBU to whoever is caring for this page. It is impossible to explain my gratitude, so I can only thank you. Namaste’🙏 GBU from an old smiling face that was sad.😊
@danielahoti4109
Dear Leonard, I wish you were MY MAN! So beautiful inside out. Your music and your soul will stay with us for ever, R.I.P.