About the song
“Suzanne” by Leonard Cohen is a timeless classic that weaves together poetry and melody to create a mesmerizing experience for listeners. Released in 1967 as part of Cohen’s debut album, “Songs of Leonard Cohen,” this song has left an indelible mark on the music landscape.
Cohen, both a poet and a songwriter, penned the lyrics to “Suzanne,” drawing inspiration from his real-life encounters and experiences. The song tells the story of a deep and enigmatic connection between the narrator and a woman named Suzanne, whose presence evokes a sense of mystery and transcendence.
“Suzanne” has been praised for its evocative imagery and Cohen’s distinctive baritone voice, which adds depth and richness to the song’s narrative. While it didn’t achieve significant commercial success upon its release, “Suzanne” garnered critical acclaim and quickly became a fan favorite.
Over the years, “Suzanne” has attained cult status, earning recognition as one of Cohen’s signature songs. Its enduring popularity has been reaffirmed through its inclusion in various films, television shows, and cover versions by other artists.
Although “Suzanne” didn’t chart as high as some of Cohen’s later hits, its impact on popular culture and its lasting resonance with audiences cannot be overstated. Its themes of love, longing, and spiritual yearning continue to captivate listeners of all ages, making “Suzanne” a timeless masterpiece in the singer-songwriter genre.
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Lyrics
Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night beside her
And you know that she’s half-crazy but that’s why you wanna to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer that you’ve always been her lover
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And then you know that she will trust you
For you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind
And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
And then you think maybe you’ll trust him
For he’s touched your perfect body with his mind
Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
She’s wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey on our Lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And then you know that you can trust her
For she’s touched your perfect body with her mind