The Man, The Music

Leonard Cohen is a Canadian icon, legend, hero…

If you’ve never heard of him (what!!??) you’ve certainly heard his music.  Everybody and their mother has done a cover of his song “Hallelujah”  and/or “Suzanne.”  (“Suzanne takes you down, to her place by the river…” - I’m singing as I type.)

Some of my personal favourites?  “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye,” “Lullaby,” “Dance Me to the End of Love”…  I could go on and on – I’ll stop.

Back to Mr. Cohen.  I would list his many awards and honours but they can be found by a simple Google search.  They are many – and his fans are legion. 

If this man were to call me on the phone (I wish) and ask me to marry him (added bonus), I’d say yes in a heartbeat.  I have loved him for many, many years.  How can you not love a man with such poetry in his soul?

His latest album Old Ideas was released in January 2012. 

At the age of 77, Leonard Cohen is still at the top of his game. 

For those of you who have yet to listen to the album, here’s one of the songs.  I chose “Crazy To Love You.”  (Of course, I did.  Not only do I love the song, I relate to the line, “…crazy has places to hide in…”)  

Enjoy.

Crazy To Love You

Had to go crazy to love you

Had to go down to the pit

Had to do time in the tower

Begging my crazy to quit

Had to go crazy to love you

You who were never the one

Whom I chased through the souvenir heartache

Her braids and her blouse all undone

Sometimes I’d head for the highway

I’m old and the mirrors don’t lie

But crazy has places to hide in

That are deeper than any goodbye

Had to go crazy to love you

Had to let everything fall

Had to be people I hated

Had to be no one at all

I’m tired of choosing desire

I’ve been saved by a blessed fatigue

The gates of commitment unwired

And nobody trying to leave

Sometimes I'd head for the highway

I'm old and the mirrors don't lie

But crazy has places to hide in

That are deeper than any goodbye

Had to go crazy to love you

You who were never the one

Whom I chased through the souvenir heartache

Her braids and her blouse all undone

Photo credit: http://www.leonardcohen.com/ca

Connection

This post is dedicated to all who own iPhones, Blackberrys, Smartphones, Dumbphones….and WHO ARE INCAPABLE of putting their thumbs to rest and these gadgets aside when in the company of someone who is visible – whose presence requires the use of all five senses.  Well, perhaps not always smell, touch and taste but definitely sight and hearing.

The list includes two of my sons.  The third is like his mother – doesn’t feel the necessity to be connected with the entire world (slight exaggeration) at all times.  We happen to enjoy the company of the people we’re with – like to give them our undivided attention and receive theirs.

Enjoy the song – and take note of the chorus.

Love the One You're With – Crosby, Stills & Nash

Lyrics

If you're down and confused

And you don't remember who you're talkin' to

Concentration slips away

Cause your baby is so far away.

Well, there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Don't be angry, don't be sad,

Don't sit cryin' over good things you've had,

There's a girl right next to you

And she's just waiting for something you do.

Well, there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Turn your heartache right into joy

She's a girl, you're a boy,

Get it together make it nice

Ain't gonna need anymore advice.

Well, there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

photo credit: http://www.lip-service.com/webzine/tag/texting-addiction/

Keeps Me Running

More legal stuff - and what I'm listening to while working on it.

Read, absorb, ponder, question, write, take a break…double-click the song (again) in my iTunes folder…

As for interpreting the lyrics? I take from them what I want – a desire for escape, gotta get out of here, gotta get this over with…

It’s the beat that keeps me pumped - has me be-boppin’ around the room during my breaks.

Thank God for music.

And for my dancing skills. ;)

One must strive to offset the serious with the silly.

If you give it a listen, play it loudly! I do.



Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire

Every night my dream’s the same.
Same old city with a different name.
Men are coming to take me away.
I don’t know why but I know I can’t stay.

There’s a weight that’s pressing down.
Late at night you can hear the sound.
Even the noise you make when you sleep.
Can’t swim across a river so deep.
They know my name 'cause I told it to them,
But they don’t know where and they don’t know
When…it’s coming, when it’s coming…

There’s this fear I keep so deep,
Knew its name since before I could speak
They know my name 'cause I told it to them,
But they don’t know where and they don’t know
When…it’s coming, oh, when it’s coming…

Keep the car running

If some night I don’t come home,
Please don’t think I’ve left you alone.
The same place animals go when they die,
You can’t climb across a mountain so high.
The same city where I go when I sleep,
You can’t swim across a river so deep.
They know my name 'cause I told it to them,
But they don’t know where and they don’t know
When…it’s coming, oh, when is it coming?

Keep the car running
Keep the car running
Keep the car running

Ode to Tom...

From an interview with Tom Waits:

Q: What’s the most curious record in your collection?

A: In the seventies a record company in LA issued a record called “The Best of Marcel Marceau.” It had forty minutes of silence followed by applause and it sold really well. I like to put it on for company. It really bothers me, though, when people talk through it.


This man’s unique gravelly whiskey and cigarette voice delights me. His music can break my heart or make it soar and his lyrics are, well…so lyrical… (That was so well put, Beth...)

People either immediately love Waits’ music, reject it (for shame!) or it eventually grows on them. He had me with “Picture in a Frame” – the first song of his I heard.

While I believe I’m catching glimpses into his world and soul while listening to his music, I’m actually catching glimpses into my own as well. Some of his songs are like lullabies.

The latest lullaby I’ve been listening to is “If I Have To Go.” (And aren’t there times we all feel we have to - or would like to - go away? We’re just not always sure why or where.)

(Lyrics below.)







And if I have to go, will you remember me?
Will you find someone else, while I'm away?
There's nothing for me in this world full of strangers
It's all someone else's idea
I don't belong here, and you can't go with me
You'll only slow me down

Until I send for you, don't wear your hair that way
If you cannot be true, I'll understand
Tell all the others you'll hold in your arms
That I said I'd come back for you
I'll leave my jacket to keep you warm
That's all that I can do

And if I have to go, will you remember me?
Will you find someone else, while I'm away?



Hey, Sam – please learn this piece – play it on the piano and sing it for me.
Love ya. No pressure. ;)

EliSabeth

If no one listens to this video I’ve posted, I won’t really care. (Well, maybe I might care a bit but I’ll never know if anyone actually listens, will I?) I still want to share this song - this find of mine discovered ages ago but forgotten until last weekend. Bless you, iPod Shuffle.

The song is one by Counting Crows and…drum roll please…the title is:

Goodnight Elisabeth.

Yes, that is Elisabeth spelt with an “s” and not a “z.” A song with my name and spelt correctly! Such a (double) rare occurrence.

I have spent a lifetime correcting the misspelling of my name. It’s a given that people use a “z” when copying it from some form I’ve completed but it just slays me when it’s also misspelled when I’m standing right there stating, “That’s Elisabeth with an “s” not a “z.” Oops, you got it wrong!”

So, just try to imagine my thrill when I came across this song. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows calls it a lullaby and although he doesn’t know me from Adam (groan – I know, that was so bad – couldn’t resist) I like to think of this as my lullaby.

A beautiful lullaby – for me – Elisabeth.

I chose this particular video from the various YouTube selections not for the visuals but because it uses my favourite version of the song.

And it comes as no surprise to me that the person who created the video entitled it:

goodnite elizabeth

Enjoy? Or simply share in my pleasure at such a discovery.








Goodnight Elisabeth - Counting Crows

i was wasted in the afternoon
waitin’ on a train
i woke up in pieces and elisabeth had disappeared again
well i wish you were inside of me
i hope that you're ok
i hope you’re resting quietly
i just wanted to say

goodnight elisabeth,
goodnight elisabeth, goodnight
goodnight elisabeth
goodnight elisabeth, goodnight

we couldn't all be cowboys
some of us are clowns
some of us are dancers on the midway
we roam from town to town
i hope that everybody can find a little flame
me, i say my prayers
then i just light myself on fire
and walk out on the wire once again
and i say

goodnight elisabeth,
goodnight elisabeth, goodnight
goodnight elisabeth
goodnight elisabeth, goodnight

i will wait for you in Baton Rouge
miss you down in New Orleans
wait for you while she slips in something comfortable
i'll miss you when i'm slipping in between
if you wrap yourself in daffodils
i will wrap myself in pain
and if you're the queen of California
baby i am the king of the rain
and i say

good, goodnight elisabeth,
goodnight elisabeth, goodnight
good, goodnight elisabeth
goodnight

the moon's a satellite yeah
now won’t you fall down
on me now
won’t you fall down on me
come come fall down
on me now
won’t you fall down on me
cause i’m all alone
you ain’t coming home
we just settle down down down into bones
i said i’m all alone
you ain’t coming home
we just settle down down down into bones

Joy

So…

Say you have a son you adore (or three) who happens to play the piano and one day you hear him playing such a beautiful piece you pause and stop what you’re doing.

And, then, you hear a voice singing along with the music – and you haven’t heard this son of yours sing solo with such gusto and abandonment since he was a child. Momentarily, you wonder where this deep, rich voice is coming from.

If you’re me, you are blown away, amazed and enthralled. And so you sneak into the living room to listen – very, very quietly.

And you don’t ask the meaning of these particular lyrics…

is that alright, yeah?
give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright, yeah?
if you don't shoot it how am I supposed to hold it?
is that alright, yeah?
give my gun away when it's loaded
is that alright yeah, with you?

…because you’re not sure you really want to know and the song and the singing are just so damn beautiful…

You simply listen to his voice, watch his hands on the keys and his body swaying to the music - and you marvel.

Sing it loud, sweetheart.

And sing it again.

He did. By request.


9 Crimes – Damien Rice


(This video scared me silly – I had to close my eyes. But I love the song. And if you’re still with me and watch the video, listen for the crescendo. Wow, my kid belted that out…)

Hate Me

When you feel you’ve let others down, disappointed them with your words, actions (or inaction) you tend to react in one of two ways.

You either feel regret, remorse and guilt OR you become defensive, angry and frustrated with the unrealistic expectations that were placed upon you. (And I will begrudgingly admit that at times I bring on the disappointment of others by having unwittingly given them a false impression of who and what I am.)

Or perhaps you experience a mixture of all the emotions noted above – none of which are good for you.

I love the following song because it enables me to release those negative emotions. I will sing the chorus (my favourite part) loudly – with gusto and great emphasis.

I actually surprised one of my kids the other day when I came in the house laden with groceries and singing at the top of my lungs, “Hate me today!” And while not a proponent of hate, when I’m singing that chorus I’m like, “Hey, bring it on…”

Anyway, give it a try. Might help. Or listening to it will simply confirm the (false?) impression I’m giving of myself on this blog. That I’m crazy. I’m not. I don’t think. But I will grant you the possibility that I’m slightly eccentric and/or that my taste in music doesn’t jive with that “sweet, nice” Beth.

(Please note: I am not a recovering alcoholic or suicidal. Despite what a song might actually be about, I have a tendency to take what I want from lyrics.)

And to all those who faithfully leave comments, I suspect you may be perplexed as to commenting on this post/song. Not to worry. You’re off the hook.


Hate Me – Blue October

Love, Actually (Finally)

Last week I was finally able to see the movie Love, Actually via Video on Demand. (Alas, no tech support needed this time.)

And I don’t care if it was schmaltz. (Nod to Patricia…)

I love Happily Ever After endings!

Guess what my favourite part was? I know, I know, you can’t possibly guess and even if you could, you can’t actually answer.

But here’s a hint – the dancing part. (What a surprise.)

Hugh Grant as the British Prime Minister dancing around 10 Downing Street to “Jump” by The Pointer Sisters. If I were that housekeeper, I’d have joined him!

(Be still my heart.)

If you care to watch this very short video, you must (as always) - PUMP IT!








Enjoy your weekend.

No, I Haven't Lost My Mind

This is one of the songs Beth is dancing to these days.

Seriously. I will dance all by myself. Always have, always will.

I’ll dance at the drop of a hat (or a great beat).

Who the hell cares if anyone is watching? Occasionally, my kids will join me. The dog just moves out of the way.

Dancing is good for the soul, the spirit and the body. (And it’s a heck of a lot more fun than the treadmill.)

The song is an oldie. I heard it on the radio and found it on YouTube.






The kid in this video is a great. He cracks me up. Why this song? Why “Live at Station 13 in gorgeous Hamilton, Ontario?” (Sam – do you recognize this guy?)

Just imagine my head on his body, give the chest a little more oomph, decrease the shoe and leg size and you can SEE Beth dancing! Well, okay, our dance moves are not that similar and as a female I add in a little more hip action but our enthusiasm is a match.

If you (dare/bother) listening to it, YOU MUST PUMP IT!

And if you aren’t motivated to get off your chair and dance, at least nod your head and tap your toes! And smile at this kid!


(Re: my post title. I actually do wonder if at times my readers think I’ve “lost it” and find it difficult to come up with an appropriate comment in response to one of my crazy posts. I prefer to think of myself as a multi-faceted person – one who is capable of displaying fascinating (?) contradictions – serious/whacky, quiet/loud, shy/gregarious….)

Watch Over Me

Someone I love told me about this song. Each time I listen to it, I think of myself watching over that certain someone.

Because I do. Or try to as best I can.

As for me? For most of my life I believed I worked best without a safety net - preferred coping and handling things on my own. I realize now that a safety net has always existed beneath and around me.

I am blessed to have so many people in my life to watch over me.

You know who you are – know also that I am watching over you, too.

(And to everyone reading this, I hope you are equally blessed.)







Watch Over Me – Bernard Fanning

When trouble fills my world
You bring me peace
You calm me down
You're my relief
When walls come crashing down around my feet
You light my way
You're my release

So say you'll watch over me
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free

When the sun is beating down upon my brow
You are my shade
You cool me down
Every time I tried to turn away
You brought me 'round
Your humble way

So say you'll watch over me
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free
There to rescue me

For every time you sheltered me from harm
You showed me truth
Kept me warm
Every time you left me on the street
I found my way
I found my feet

So say you'll watch over me
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free
There to rescue me
There to pull me free
There to rescue me

Watch Me Now!

I played Guitar Hero* on the weekend.

I sucked.

I played it again last night.

I ROCKED! (The video game said so.)

I owned that guitar….

So I’m a little crazy. That’s not news to anyone.

(Thanks, Chris, for your patience…and the fun!)


*Songs I conquered:
Slow Ride – Foghat
Rock and Roll All Night - Kiss

Feeding the Soul

Dealing with legal matters for a bit.

Thought I’d leave you with a music video since nothing creative is emerging from my brain.

If you are not into YouTube videos, best move on…

If you don’t like the Dave Matthews Band, again, best move on…

If you care to listen to a song I’m obsessive about these days, hope you enjoy it.

No comments expected. Music tastes vary.





And, no, the song title “Digging A Ditch” does not mean I’m contemplating the digging of my own grave. I don’t find this song to be at all sad. I find it inspiring. I also happen to love Dave Matthews.

Books and music, people – they feed the soul.

(Will return ASAP.)