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.
You Got Me Singing
Leonard Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even tho' the news is bad
You got me singing
The only song I ever had
You got me singing
Ever since the river died
You got me thinking
You got me singing
Even though the world is gone
You got me thinking
I'd like to carry on
You got me singing
Even tho' it all looks grim
You got me singing
The Hallelujah hymn
You got me singing
Like a prisoner in a jail
You got me singing
Like my pardon's in the mail
You got me wishing
Our little love would last
You got me thinking
Like those people of the past
You got me singing
Even though the world is gone
You got me thinking
I'd like to carry on
You got me singing
Even tho' it all went wrong
You got me singing
The Hallelujah song
The song ‘You Got Me Singing’ is a delicate and poignant track from Leonard Cohen’s final album, ‘You Want It Darker’. The song uses an implicit metaphorical language to describe the presence of a loved one who keeps the singer on hope and resilience during times of crisis or despair. The song conveys that despite all the troubles, the singer’s lover is continuously a constant source of strength, and the only constant factor in his life.
The beginning of the song portrays an initial reaction to the dismal state of the world, describing the hardships and challenges of life. The river's death, symbolizes a loss of meaning or purpose, and the singer thinks of places they could hide from the turmoil. But as the song progresses, the tone uplifts, with the singer acknowledging his love's ability to keep him singing, even when the world seems bleak. The Hallelujah hymn, a common phrase associated with elation and praise, is particularly striking.
The song concludes with the singer contemplating the fragility of life and wanting to preserve the love that he has. He ruminates that perhaps just like people in the past, he might continue to sing even if the worst of things happen, and he hopes that his love will last. Overall, the song is an ultimate testament to the strength that love can provide during times of darkness and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
You got me singing
You have inspired me to start singing.
Even tho' the news is bad
Even though the news is negative or depressing.
The only song I ever had
The only song I know or can remember.
Ever since the river died
Since the river stopped flowing.
Of the places we could hide
Thinking of safe places where we could escape.
Even though the world is gone
Even though the world around us has completely changed in a negative way.
I'd like to carry on
I still want to continue living.
Even tho' it all looks grim
Even though everything seems hopeless or bleak.
The Hallelujah hymn
Referring to a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Like a prisoner in a jail
Feeling trapped or confined.
Like my pardon's in the mail
Feeling hopeful or optimistic about being pardoned or forgiven.
Our little love would last
Hoping that our relationship will endure.
Like those people of the past
Thinking of those in the past who have experienced similar situations.
Even tho' it all went wrong
Even though everything has turned out bad.
The Hallelujah song
Repeating the same phrase from earlier, emphasizing the need for hope and gratitude.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEONARD COHEN, PATRICK LEONARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariamerkle5800
lyrics
You got me singing
Even tho’ the news is bad
You got me singing
The only song I ever had
You got me singing
Ever since the river died
You got me thinking
Of the places we could hide
You got me singing
Even though the world is gone
You got me thinking
I’d like to carry on
You got me singing
Even tho’ it all looks grim
You got me singing
The Hallelujah hymn
You got me singing
Like a prisoner in a jail
You got me singing
Like my pardon’s in the mail
You got me wishing
Our little love would last
You got me thinking
Like those people of the past
You got me singing
Even though the world is gone
You got me thinking
I’d like to carry on
You got me singing
Even tho’ it all went wrong
You got me singing
The Hallelujah song
@suzushiEitan
"You got me thinking that I'd like to carry on." This line actually saved my life
@moonkraab
Beautiful. Glad you're still here xo
@monotrious
@ kaze 159 - Hope You Are Alright My Friend . Please Carry On Always , It Really Is Worth It . People Do Care About You . I Want You To Have A Happy Life And Leonard Would Say The Same Thing Too . Please Carry On Living Your Life To The Full . Hope Everything Works Out For You . Best Wishes Always .
@lauramiller7502
I was so frantically dazed about how utterly alone I was/am,until I walked about in the green spaces of London and that calmed me down so then I was able to think for myself and realised my isolation was not exclusively of my doing.So I phoned the Samaritans and sometimes it helps a little Never feel responsible for suicidal feelings.You have a right to feel as you do.There is no authority above you.If the expert health care person had experienced what you have experienced, they would also have become suicidal.Its not a sign of failure on the contrary its a sign that you can see through the ritualistic style of conversations without any feeling, any sincerity
@lauramiller7502
Only one like you
@AdLm83n66
Please stay! ❤❤❤
@marciatester7476
A grest song writer and director will be missed
@user-ze9nk5eb9j
Can't stop listening to this song. One of the most beautiful Leonard 's masterpieces. Unforgettable beauty. Really touches your heart. Thanks dear Leonard for everything you did, and specially for gems like this one and many other great songs. Best wishes for everyone.
@carolinesmith5297
Absolutely Stunningly RELAXING.🙏🙏🙏
@Passance
You got me singing, even though the Artist's gone. You got me thinking, that I wish that you'd lived on. You got me singing, even though the music died... You got me thinking, of the empty world you left behind.