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.
Save the Last Dance for Me
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You can smile every smile for the man
Who held your hand 'neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Baby, don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch?
I will never, never let you go
I love you, oh so much
You can dance, go and carry on
'Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home, you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me
Oh, I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
And don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me
So don't forget who's taking you home
Or in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me
Oh baby, won't you save the last dance for me?
Oh baby, won't you promise that you'll save
The last dance for me>
Save the last dance, the very last dance for me
The song "Save the Last Dance for Me" is about a man who is asking his lover to enjoy her night at a dance party, but also to remember who she belongs to and to save one last dance for him. The song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and was first recorded by Ben E. King and the Drifters in 1960.
The lyrics of the song highlight the anxiety and possessiveness felt by the man, who is scared that his lover might forget him in the midst of the fun and excitement. He advises her to enjoy her night but not to give her heart to anyone, and reminds her that he is the one who will take her home. The song has a melancholic undertone of missing someone, and the need to hold on to love amidst the uncertainties of life.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, who were also behind songs like "A Teenager in Love" and "Viva Las Vegas". Pomus wrote the lyrics while he was at his own wedding, using crutches due to his polio. Interestingly, the song was inspired by Pomus watching his bride dance with their guests, and feeling a mix of happiness and sadness at the thought of someone else holding her close.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You have the freedom to dance with any boy who shows interest in you and hold him tight.
You can smile every smile for the man
Who held your hand 'neath the pale moon light
You can smile with any man who you held hand with in moonlight.
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Remember who is going to take you home and who you're going to be with in the end so save the last dance for me.
Oh, I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
I know the music's great, you can totally have fun, but don't give your heart to anyone while we're not together.
Baby, don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch?
I will never, never let you go
I love you, oh so much
My love for you is immense and I'll never let you go because I love you so much.
You can dance, go and carry on
'Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home, you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me
You can dance as much as you want until the night is over, but if a man asks you to walk home with you, you must say no because I'm taking you home and I'll be the one in your arms, so save the last dance for me.
Oh, I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
I know the music's great, you can totally have fun, but don't give your heart to anyone while we're not together.
And don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me
Remember that I'm taking you home and that you'll be in my arms, so save the last dance for me.
So don't forget who's taking you home
Or in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me
Don't ever forget who's taking you home or in whose arms you'll be, so please save the last dance for me.
Oh baby, won't you save the last dance for me?
Oh baby, won't you promise that you'll save
The last dance for me
Save the last dance, the very last dance for me
Oh darling, please save the last dance for me, promise me that you'll save the last dance for me, the very last dance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chelo Perales
You can dance-every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You can smile-every smile for the man
Who held your hand neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Oh I know that the musics fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never never let you go
I love you oh so much
You can dance, go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home, you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling, save the last dance for me
Oh I know that the musics fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
So don't forget who's taking you home
Or in who's arms you're gonna be
So darling save the last dance for me
So don't forget who's taking you home
Or in who's arms you're gonna be
So darling save the last dance for me
Oh baby, won't you save the last dance for me
Ooh, you make a promise
That you'll save the last dance for me
Save the last dance
The very last dance
For me
Elena Gerasimova
"Оставь последний танец для меня" Перевод:
Ты можешь танцевать все танцы с парнем
Кто делает тебе глазки, пусть он держит тебя крепко
Ты можешь улыбаться, каждая улыбка для мужчины
Кто держит твою руку под бледным лунным светом
Но не стоит забывать, кто возьмёт тебя домой
И в чьих руках ты собираешься быть
Так что, дорогая ..., сохрани последний танец для меня
Ох ... Я знаю, что музыка отлична
Как и игристое вино ,идёт в твоё удовольствие
Смеяться и петь, но пока мы отдельно друг от друга
Не отдай своё сердце кому-либо
И не забывай, кто возьмёт тебя домой
И в чьих руках ты собираешься быть
Так что, дорогая ..., сохрани последний танец для меня
Детка, ты не знаешь, что я люблю тебя так
Разве ты не чувствуешь, когда мы прикасаемся
Я никогда не позволю тебе уйти
Я люблю тебя, о, так сильно
Ты можешь танцевать, пойти и продолжить
До ночи ушла, и настало время идти
Если он спросит, ты одинока
Может ли он проводить тебя домой, ты должна сказать ему нет
Потому не забывай, кто берёт тебя домой
И в чьих руках ты собираешься быть
Так что, дорогая ..., сохрани последний танец для меня
Ох ... Я знаю, что музыка отлична
Как и игристое вино,идёт в твоё удовольствие
Смеяться и петь, но пока мы отдельно друг от друга
Не отдай своё сердце кому-либо
И не забывай, кто возьмёт тебя домой
И в чьих руках ты собираешься быть
Так что, дорогая ..., сохрани последний танец для меня
Так что, не забывай, кто берёт тебя домой
Или о том, в чьих руках ты собираешься быть
Так, дорогая, сохрани последний танец для меня
О, детка, ты не сохранишь последний танец для меня
О, ты даёшь обещание
Что ты сохранишь последний танец для меня
Сохранишь последний танец
Самый последний танец
Для меня
Norcamcan
Watching the smile on his face fills up my heart with happiness. I could watch this video every day of my life. Thank you Mr. Cohen for sharing your talent with the world. We miss you!. ♥️🇨🇦
allene211
When I saw this for the first time, I was laughing and crying. His reaction to the audience is so touching and it was making him so happy. I think it was just great that they were singing back to him. I love the Irish.
Sun Lion
I have the same reaction- when the audience first sing along in the chorus- and the smile on Leonard’s face! I love it. And when he finally bows, hand on heart- true gratitude from the poet songster to his fans. 💝
Lúthien Tinúviel
The pure joy and pride on his face when the audience start singing is priceless ❤️
Pamela Bergner
I love seeing Leonard happy. Tears of joy "So, Leonard, save the last dance for me," so touching!!
Petra van Heel
Pamela Bergner
Very touching. I wish i was there at that time.
The irish people showded their love to Leonard.
Heart breaking.Top.
Hal Nauman
The entire gig, the song, his posture, the audience, the hat, the suit, is beyond cool.
Zdenka Srbova
It was an honor to live in the same time period with you, Mr. Cohen. Thank you - no more one can say. You and your music is not dead. You were and will always remain a genius. We love you without end ...
Heather Kelly
I was lucky to be in the audience when Leonard performed all his songs for us. We never expected him to sing a song like "Save the last dance for me". A bit outside his usual numbers but we all loved it. Just listen to how the audience (I can't see myself, but I was there in the second row) responds to him. It really broke my heart to hear that he had died.
Dermot Dolan
An absolute gem, priceless and what a fitting tribute "Save the last dance for Him". Joyous and full of humour, just look at his facial expressions and that of the musicians. You have captured something very special here and a great fun filled Irish audience. Well done Albert.