Leonard Cohen's Muse Suzanne Verdal
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ย. 2016
- Suzanne Verdal inspired Leonard Cohen's song "Suzanne". This is the story of the woman behind the song.
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I agree with her , Leonard's career was kick started by his song for her, a kind gesture would not have gone amiss, She comes across as a beautiful free spirit, no wonder Leonard was enchanted with her, I wish her lots of good things in the future ❤
Fuck off. He wrote the song.
And all of her bullshit about "it was so pure" 😂
@@thoughtcriminal5655 you really know how to fu..up a good thing where ever you go.
totally agree, the only defense I can give him is that his accountant took a lot of his money so I know he lost a lot but I'm not sure of the timeline. he still could have reached out even as a friend to keep her company
I met Suzanne Verdal in Barbados. She was teaching ballet to the local school children. We spent an afternoon at the beach and I still remember her beautiful smile and gentle soul to this day. She told me the story of her love affair with Leonard and the lyrics of his song describes something both amazing, yet sad. I think of Suzanne every time I hear this song and my heart goes out to her wherever she may be. She is a true angel.
What happens to women , as we age is a national shame. If our society doesn't protect us, it's harder to protect yourself . Suzanne is just one story of an idealistic woman who tried to be a dancer. Lack of health insurance made her homeless and this could happen to any American still. All l know is l am in the same situation Suzanne is, because our Health care system is messed up. This has been an issue for me most of my life too. Oh Suzanne, we your sisters feel for you. Glad to see you have a home again. Always loved your song.🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
"The Sisters @ Mercy", of the American health care system. But a free spirit can never be down.
"If a writer falls in love with you, you can never die."
Janis Joplin's fame would have done better without Cohen's "attention". Hard to think of her without thinking of his Chelsea Hotel song (... "Giving me head on the unmade bed"), and acknowledgement it was about her. Karma...
How did the manager get away with stealing his poignant ,lovely song?
@@dorinc6033
Yikes, he did??!
@@dorinc6033 what exactly is wrong with that?
yeah you just live a life where every day you wish you would do while he fucks around with a save ass. she could have an apartment if he would gove her just the half of the tantieme of the fucking song. these buddist sucker.
I'm certain we have all experienced a 'Suzanne' somewhere in our journey thru life. Leonard just had the gift to pack it into a tune - a brilliant piece lodged into millions of hearts.
Yabba I'm feelin that
As I recall, the poem came a lot earlier than the song.
Thank you for mentioning me in your comment. I am one of the millions who remember and love this brilliant tune.
Yes exactly.
I'm sure you're right. My own "Suzanne" was actually named Suzanne, and when I met her about 6 years after this song was written, the song's words became about her in my mind (she showed me where to look, and she still holds the mirrror). I didn't have the artistic talent to produce anything as profound as Cohen's beautiful work, but I at least had the good sense to reciprocate her advances, and we were married for 47 years before she passed away 4 months ago. Thank you, Mr. Cohen, for creating part of the soundtrack of our love affair.
I loved the photography and remember visiting Suzanne on Venice Beach in 2007. She looked beautiful in this video. I wish her only the very best. She and I have been friends since I met her at age 13 in Boulder City, Nevada. She is a very elegant lady and has continued to maintain her creative spark throughout the years. She is such an inspiration.
An inspiration she is, nothing can bring her down.
In 2009 I worked for a company that published the Guardian newspaper. One day I got a call from a woman named Suzanne who said that she was looking for an article that was written about her because Leonard Cohen wrote a song about her. I knew who Leonard Cohen was but never heard the song Suzanne. I read up on her after our phone call and I had tried unsuccessfully to get her a copy of the article. I had a few brief phone conversations with her. I really wanted to help her because I sensed a very sweet, yet very sad woman over those calls.
Didn't know about this lady at all. Always have been gripped by this song. Loved how his delivery of the lines ebbs and flows like gentle, moving water. Beautiful song and the lady on whom it is based is an enchanting person. She still has that charismatic charm that he must have found so magnetic. I hope she remains happy.
I appreciate this because it’s true to life. You build a tower out of someone in your mind, and here she is, just a normal person living in a truck. Kinda breaks my heart but this is how people are
That's one way to look at it though maybe those normal people living in a truck are far more interesting than you're giving them credit for.
@@SpaceCowboy1218 I think you can measure your life in any way you like. Bring interesting, having money, sex, love, adventure etc
But things shrink as we get older sometime. And I guess that’s what I mean. It’s a big song, and yet the person the song is dedicated to is in a very small abode
I got to watch Suzanne in a local play do many different dance scenes. She is absolutely amazing on stage! even at her age its like she hasn't lost anything!
so interesting!
She deserves royalties. The song is about her!
Right. But, in fact, Leonard sold the song for a pittance in the sixties. He needed the money.
I'm surprised that he didn't help, her, I'm currently reading a Cohen biography and one of the things that emerges is how generous, he was in terms of money, he paid his musicians well, and was always footing the bill for food and drink, and even offering to help people out financially.
This is her side of the story
I did not know that Suzanne is such a wonderfull person. I heard the song for the first time when I was 16, now I am 68. I love this song ...
RIP. One of the greatest songwriters of our time.
If she´s stunning now, her beauty must have been surreal in her younger years ♥
Juanita On the go you missed all the pictures?
@@dewilew2137 No, but I wrote my comment before watching the whole video, lol, sorry. I should probably delete my previous comment.
@@juanitaonthego7745,
Peepl do that. Ha! Most were just curious to see this mysterious special woman I that haunting song .
She wants to capitalize on her fame she could bcome a fortune teller with a really want gypsy wagon. 🌞
She's such a beautiful person. Sorry to hear that last bit at the end. I can't pass judgement, it was what it was, and everyone will have to live with their shortcomings. Thank you so much for this video.
In the documentary Marianne and Leonard Suzanne doesn't sound like she was a very nice a person. I also wonder if this lady is really "the" Suzanne in the song. Just wondering anyway.
I felt the same way. A little disappointed, but we don't know everything about the situation and it's wrong to judge. She seems like a wonderful person. Too bad that she had to struggle so much.
This is her side of the story
I don't know what she looked like when she was younger, but she's beautiful now.
Greg Williams Did you watch the video? 2:43 minutes.
Agreed
When she said Leonard could of helped me, did you think that she might have been entitled to something as it was about her? I didn't know what to thinK!
See I am just that kind of person even now when I see Brigitte Bardot even though she is 82, to me she is still beautiful! I say this to people and they think I am weird. Guess we are all just different, but I defo agree Suzanne is so beautiful as is the song about her!
+C CM Funny that you mention Bridgette Bardot. L.C had a brief tryst with her. He heard she was at the Chelsea Hotel & went looking for her. He met Janis 1st. Google it. It's quite interesting.
What a beautiful soul. I hope that she is safe and well.
this made me cry for some reason.
Nick Falletta Me too 🧡
It was Cohen's experience and interpretation of what was happening within himself. The song says more about him than it does about her.
Leonard Cohen was like an eremit on a mountain observing and describing what he saw in great poetry.
Yeah well that's what a muse does.
What a lovely woman. Too Beautiful for words
So, now go and live like her.
Oh Suzanne; because of that song I will always think your name is gorgeous. May God bless you and keep you close, and heal your back, sweet girl. Thank you for being the inspiration for such a lovely song, my favorite. Wishing you love and remember: men are just men, they aren't always all they can be or should be; women are just women, we don't always live up to what we might wish we could. You have made it through on your own, so strong, and wishing you GREAT success with your book. :)
She's exactly the same as I imagined.❤️
I've listened to the song a million times, and each time I tried to visualise her, her surroundings and the whole story between them. Lovely video! I'm so glad I can look behind the scenes at last! Thank you!👍❤️🎼🎵🎶
Good to have finally met you, Suzanne! I have been a fan of your song for so long
I met Suzanne and her daughter in Montreal in 1989 and the early 1990s in the Carre St. Louis, a place I used to go to sing and play guitar, sometimes all night in these wonderful jam sessions. The song, "Suzanne" was one of the many songs I would play. I didn't realise there was a video about her on TH-cam. Wow.
Since the 60's I’ve wondered who Suzanne is. Now I know
What is it like knowing only now?
@@Sam-qc6sz enlightening.
same here, finally we know 😉
Bless you Suzanne, I have wondered for decades who you were.
I first saw and heard Leonard Cohen on TV late one night approximately 40 plus years ago in Australia in Adelaide where I live, I think it was a out door concert in Canada, he mesmerised me in the songs and tone of his music, over many years since I feel the same way, I'm 71 now and still llisten to his music.
Luckily I went to one of his concerts when he toured Australia, I felt very privileged to see him and listen to him, not long after he passed away.
His music will be around for ever.
🥰😍🥰😍🥰💟♥️💌💕❣️RIP.
I went to Leonard's last ever concert in Auckland, New Zealand. He did 3 encores at 80-something. Amazing.
The greatest singer ever who can't sing. I heard in an interview he had to go on tour because he had no money. But later he loved it and wanted to give the people back, he said.
Saw him in London live at O2, amazing evening audience singing along and showing much enjoyment and respect. Seemed many oncores that evening, almost as if he didn't want to go, and the audience encouraged him back, and back again, they didn't want to loose that magical special moment either...
A musical connoisseur shirt tail relative told me that the Leonard Cohen show he went to in Dublin was the most powerful one he ever attended. Just him alone on stage with a guitar singing songs and reciting poetry....
Leonard Cohen music is more popular in England and Ireland than he is in the States.
@@krollpeter His manager ripped him off while he was in a Zen monastery.
He was on the road because his manager pilfered $5million from him and he was broke.
This is the irony of it all, who knows why things happen, but he certainly didn't bail out Suzanne when he could have.
Oh !!! Bukowski had said " The free soul is rare , but you know it ,when you see it .basically because you feel good ,very good ,when you are near or with them ." !! Cohen has been a gentle man of English literature more than Shakespeare and also emotional singer who can overwhelm people all over the world by his wonderful songs for the life time ❤ Thanks for the post👌👌🌹🙏🙏🙏
Yes, they are rare and hard to find, but it's good to see and know, I'm not alone.
Beautiful Suzanne, God bless you and your daughter!
Mya, regards to you. I am a very fond fan of Leonard but not sure of the “true” story for the Suzanne song.
I live in Australia and have been to 3 LC concerts. I was very sad when he passed away and quite often play his songs. All the very Best wishes -Peter
"Suzanne" is the song that belongs to my wife & I, it is our love song for life. Thank you Leonard. RIP!
Re: ""Suzanne" is the song that belongs to my wife & I," That's "my wife and ME", you idiot. The pronoun "me" is the OBJECT of the preposition "to" and thus takes the object FORM. Would you say "belongs to I"? If not, why do you say "belongs to my wife and I"? Do you think grammatically it makes the slightest difference that the object is compound? It doesn't. Bear in mind that you're not just being idiotically ungrammatical here; you're also being unbearably affected.
dancers don't stop moving...she speaks volumes...so true.
Thank you very much for this post. This song was one of two Leonard Cohen songs that my little sister and I loved singing together accompanied by our guitars. The other was "No Way to Say Goodbye". As she has now passed, these songs have extra special meaning for me. Suzanne, you are very lovely and I am so glad to finally know the history behind this song. Thank you for the story and I will be looking for your memoirs! Continued love and peace to you in your recovery! I wish there could have been some help for you. I'm sorry there wasn't.
The real Susan seems to be as fascinating, beautiful and lovely human being as the one in Leonard Cohen's poem and song that has put the thoughts of her in the mind and harts of many millions of human family around the world. Great documentary. Thanks for sharing.
Leonard Cohen changed his life knowing Suzanne, I changed my life knowing his work. It's more voluntary and creative this way--like Suzanne lighting her candles for the spirit of art. I visited Montreal in 1977 and standing on Mont Royal, thinking about Cohen and his song about her, I thought it would be good to live in Montreal. A couple of years later I was living in Old Montreal, still wondering about what the song meant. One day working on a movie I was driving around the screenwriter who'd known both Leonard and Suzanne. He laughed at my nonsense speculations and ran down the list of places they'd been and the places in the song--for almost two years I was living right in the middle of 'Suzanne'. It wasn't the same but it was just as wonderful. Because of that I started paying more attention--it's all poetry if you make the effort to see it.
The years have been very good to Suzanne; like old wine, she has aged beautifully. I eagerly await the publication of her book that she mentions here - the 1960s were an amazing time and it would a privilege to live those years through her book. Incidentally, Leonard Cohen made it public that the copyright to the song was stolen by a friend of his, which is very sad.
wow, what a beautiful woman. so great to finally meet you. I totally imagined you to look like this. I hope your book is a success. you have a beautiful spirit, and now I know how the song was so flavourful and textured.
She brought us the most wonderful moments in music. Perhaps there is a fond to benefit her ?
If everybody who experienced this moment of music in life just would benefit just a single $, she would have no financial problems anymore.
Sad story of the real Suzanne. So glad to know she is no longer homeless. I have to say that her pickup truck is quite amazingly well outfitted.
One can see how Cohen was captivated by Suzanne.
I'm captivated now!
For a very SHORT TIME, eh? Those were the days.............
Absolutely! I met her once briefly in a co-op cafe in Montreal some 30 years ago. Her smile was radiant and when she spoke to you, you felt like you were her world.. 2 minutes I will never forget..
@@MegaDavyk Most men are. Or at least they used to be. Now it's not politically correct to be a real man. 😥
He was captivated for a while, just like he must have been by a thousand others he banged. Suzanne gets all the attention because of the megahit song combined with her being identified as the inspirational source.
She is an artistic spirit, and her little home on wheels is lovely inside.
But I would prefer, she cooks on that open stove outside, because this is an accident waiting to happen.
Very intersting ! So this woman was Leonard's muse for the song Suzane. She was surely a quite beautiful an interesting being : Typical '68 style and mentallity
I have mixed feelings about this. I loved it, up until the end.
I don't know. He really took off with the recording of that song about her. She inspired him. Just think how much money he made from that one song, then he became a monk and when he got out someone had ripped him off for all his money. I think he should have gotten her an apartment.
Leonard Made a hell of a lot of money off the song, and in a sense he capitalized later with his eulogy for Janis Joplin. He very appropriately assimilated women into his songs. I'm not to insulted that she feels that Leonard should have reached out to her, out of respect for this deeply abiding friendship that they had in their past. He was in fact a man who took advantage of women, when those moments arrived. Not to take away from him as a very nice guy, as he expresses himself in his songs and poetry. She is doing better now with her book, in part about their friendship. " All is well..., all is well ".
@@rodneycaupp5962
That was very well said. I was about to make a similar comment but you expressed it very well.
We seem to expect our celebrity personalities to be saints more so than real people living real lives. Then, more because of our flawed expectations than any defect in our heroes, we become disappointed.
Mr. Cohens' work stands on its own....very well.
Are you sure he made a lot of money from Suzanne song? There's a famous video were he complains that someone tricked him into signing a copyright and didn't make any profit out of it...
@@moshebronner4292 That song, on that Album, made him a shit load of money. Maybe by itself, some con man kept him from profiting..., but the album sold millions and made Cohen millions. Later after the matter was settled, Cohen made residuals from the song "Susanne", directly.
It’s one thing to reminisce about a past love, even to enjoy the memory of it, some have built their success on it, but it’s another thing to give love and feel it in the only moment we have it, right now.
I once had a Suzanne in my life. All be it brief our love produced a daughter who I've never met. She's still in my heart after 32 years.
How sad
I didn't know the story until I just found this on you tube. Bless you for putting her story here.
Only if it was not about money. Shame on her. archive.macleans.ca/article/1978/9/18/leonard-cohen-says-that-to-all-the-girls
One of the most amazing songs ever written. And now I see it was inspired by a most amazing woman.
Wunderschönes Lied für eine Wunderschöne Frau von einem Wunderbaren Künstler..
Was für eine tolle Frau..
I always thought Suzanne must have been a special woman to inspire Leonard to write such a beautiful song.
Sometimes the deepest loves are non sexual . Such a beautiful story , not disappointing at all, in fact it’s even better than I thought because now I know Suzanne
Agree.
Like in : "The Sisters Of Mercy".
Magnifique Suzanne... Il est bien regrettable que Leonard Cohen ne l'ait jamais aidé : c'eût été si facile pour lui et tellement essentiel pour elle.
so adorable having Suzanne share those memories I so need to learn some French and Spanish bless you Leonard Cohen god speed on your journey
She must have been a stunningly beautiful woman.................. still is
Dermo OK 2:43 minutes
Suzanne still has it.
yes she is still very beautiful
cizia69 Yep she does!
Pity about the harsh black hair, brows and lashes. As more natural greying would have been more flattering I think....
@@geoffbuck6865 not everyone gets gray hair as they get older. You must know that?
*Her eyes are exceptional ~ greenish like a old lake I saw that combination once only ... But the more I learn LC the more frustrated I become ... Some kind of superficiality is simmering behind the scenes ... On his heyday he some how sold the flavour of the month or the zeitgeist ... I think money was the main problem in his life ... Which explains his general meanness & the world tour as a frail geriatric stretching to ugly northern town of Leeds to fill up the coffers @ £75 a ticket .... not sure it was playback ... Did he give some of his money to these poverty stricken old flames ??? Not sure he gave any to his children ~ let alone forgotten females.*
I can see why this woman is a muse. I love the song which I heard performed by Fairport Convention the first time with Sandy Denny singing the lead. Suzanne is inspirational and she's beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this video. My visual impression of Suzanne, other than recognizing her beauty, was that she reminded me of Anais Nin. In addition to a certain facial resemblance one can see a comparable allure and mystique. Nin, whose insight into the essence of femininity is unsurpassed, needed and gave herself freely to men, whereas Verdal conveys that she is blithely happy doing her own thing. Her memoir, if and when she writes or has written it, should be a very good read.
Very good observation, I really can see the resemblance.
I also think that Anais Nin became even more ravishing when she grew older.
You deserve your platform in life, after all you was the inspiration for the song. We look forward to reading the book.
I was homeless also..Long time.I would sleep in my truck parked in The Home Depot..I loved it when it rained.
cnniz fakenewz me too
merveilleuse chanson Suzanne chanté par Leonard Cohen
Beautiful, no other words! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video.
🎶Suzanne missed the chance
When she didn't sleep with Leonard
Now she lives alone in her truck
And drink her tea with oranges
All alooone🎶
This is wild! I first heard Suzanne on Venice Beach when I lived in Venice, CA. during the mid to late 60's. Hearing and seeing the real deal from people who have been apart of this kind of immortal influence, is a real wake-up call, that what seems like boring old life can inspire creative venues that stand the test of time, while all the ingredients move on through time only benefiting from the remembered experience.
Joni Mitchells bio she said Leonard would sometimes go for days without speaking and often sit and stare for hours when they lived together. Theres always 2 sides to every story
Leonard Cohen was very unhappy with JM because she was so absorbed with her creativity!
The relationship lasted about a year which is pretty good going really.
Left unsaid is the involvement of drugs, he was probably stoned on cannabis with the staring thing and at that time men expected women to make themselves useful and if they went silent, expected women to be very accommodating and try to find out what was wrong, or just tiptoe around it. That is, they expected women to do all the emotional work. Plus being that creative is difficult anyway, it can make people moody and hard to live with, he was very depressed in his early years and he used creativity to break out of the depression. When he saw how gifted Joni was he felt a bit emasculated.
That drug also makes people think everything is profound.
LC tapped into this profundity and expressed it fully in his poetry.
He a great lyricist and her an absolute gem - Sure if I could write there would be one about her now. But having tried to stop falling down 32 stairs trying to grab a bannister on the start of the fall ended up going head over heelsand damaging my spine - move a bit more now and somedays with a spring in my step - but how many survive that happening at 70? Bought the White Room album before he and is music became aware in the UK. Just looked at the cover and thought would try it. magic.
This is so great. I've listened to "Suzanne" for at least 46 years. Yeah, I'm an old west coast hippy. I get it. I also am walking around on injuries. Pulling stitches out of my knee on Turkey Day. I;m vegan. Best wishes Suzanne! Much love!
Thank you Suzan for being the inspiration for such a beautiful and gentle song, I guess you are a gentle beautiful soul after all.
Except for the touch of self-serving pettiness at the end
@@patrickrussell2626 lol just a little.
Just beautiful. Love this Song since my childhood. Spititual love....beautiful woman behind this Song ✌️❤️🙏🏻
One of his best songs.No wonder.Susan is special.When you need help,you must apply.A beautiful woman also from the inside.
ONE LAST COMMENT FOR TODAY To those of you who are becoming disenchanted by knowing some truth about SUZANNE Just remember that ARISTOTLE said in his POETICS. ART IS NOT LIFE. IT'S AN IMITATION OF LIFE So for us who love the song SUZANNE It has a life beyond that of SUZANNE VERDAL. AND LEONARD COHEN AND REALITY. It is alive for all listeners dreamers and interpreters
You're right of course, but still it must have been weird for Suzanne Verdal.
Why would anyone be disenchanted with her from this video? She clearly remains a sweet, if rather tragic person. And she is still beautiful, in spite of the nasty comments some have made here.
Your comment is a worthy addition to this video; it allows us to go beyond these specifics and weave the song into our own musings.
I would love the opportunity to know her.
Janet Wolfman
unbelievable woman , Thanks for just tell this story
I was a close friend of Suzanne when she lived in Venice Beach. That, in fact, is my purple folder beside her on the bumper of her truck. I had just delivered to her a copy of my film script. Suzanne was and is an extraordinarily beautiful woman both physically and spiritually. She was the archetypal creative artist, and her temperament was therefore very unworldly. For the record, she also told me the same story, at several different times--that Leonard was all about her, but she wanted the relationship to be pure, even though she felt his passionate energy. I tried to get her into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony when Leonard was inducted, but they could not give her the free entrance she probably deserved. Think of what a great thing that would have been! But Suzanne had some serious physical problems from some years before that. She fell from the roof of her truck and hurt her back badly. She was a dancer and that was especially hard on her. She did not have the temperament to deal with all the adversity alone. She was all heart, all feeling, as well as being highly intelligent and an excellent writer. At the time I knew her she was beginning to write her memoirs. She remains the artist any artist should aspire to be--seeing beauty everywhere, even in the midst of the mundane. I am very glad to have known her.
Ra Rishikavi Raghudas I am JANET WOLFMAN. friend of Suzanne Verdahl in 1967 to 68. I am on Facebook. as JANET WOLFMAN. please contact me through messenger for info. I also do events in ASSAM INDIA. my TH-cam channel is DURGA MOM GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Has anyone ever had the desire for another without the other knowing it? I had this feeling for my best friend's sister. She looked like a young Linda Ronstadt, wonderful smile, wonderful laugh and absolutely beautiful. She had plans to split with her boyfriend and I let her know that I had a huge crush on her. Didn't think I had a chance. I was also involved with someone at the time and was actually engaged, sort of. We never did get together, inside I was ripped apart. I should have never told her how I felt unless I planned on pursuing a relationship. She wanted to give it a try, I wanted time to think about it. I ended up getting married to the person I was engaged to.
It's kind of like Leonard's song/poem, you can feel his desire for her in this song; it's deep. For me, I just wanted her too badly and felt if I got involved it would never fulfill my desire and imagination. She was hurt before and I didn't want to be responsible for any pain I might cause her in the future. I would feel too much guilt and responsibility if it didn't work out.
It is alway nice to hear someone talking who thinks he is the center of the world. >Me too, I am like ... < etc
Whay not ? I loved his story too.
Thank you for sharing this video and the whole story about this song
The mystical nature of this story of muse and artist is interesting to see in this video for me, personally. I grew up here, in Santa Monica, and spent some time on the streets dancing and playing with travelling hippie folk most recently a couple years ago, after returning from many years away. Living in my car by then. Van Morrison is a nostalgic sound, my dad played a lot of him, along with peter, paul, and mary. I'm 30 now and currently building a bus home, which is looking a lot like this one in the video. Something about this resonates a familiar feeling.
Suzanne has always been one of my favorite songs. I am so sorry that Leonard did not reach out to help her when she needed it. He certainly had the means to do so, and now his memory, at least for me is somewhat tarnished.
IF ANY SONG SUMS UP THE MAGIC OF THE LATE 60's AND 70s IT IS THIS WONDERFUL TIMELESS SONG.
This is wonderful. Thank you.
On an early performance that Jan Hammer uploaded here on youtube Cohen introduces this song saying that he loves it and adds: "...fortunately, the rights of it were stolen from me. So, I felt that was perfectly justified 'cause it would be wrong to write this song and get rich from it, too (audience applause). So, I'm happy for that friend who put that piece of paper in front of me and said Sign This; so I said well, what is it? Oh, just a standard writers contract. So I signed it and it was gone."
Jan Hammer tells us that the "lyrics first appeared as the poem "Suzanne Takes You Down" in Cohen's 1966 book of poetry Parasites of Heaven, admittedly because of lack of new material (lyrics to a few other songs from his subsequent 1967 debut album were also printed in the book)."
There is so much more to beauty than just good looks!
Beautiful story ...beautiful poem & song ...beautiful woman. I enjoyed this bit of history. I wish Suzanne well & await her book. ...peace
Might as well tell you some more In 1967 I was gogo dancing at a club called CASA DEL SOL in Montreal. a seedy club run by the mob. They were sending girls out as call girls but I refused to go. I was from New York on a contract for about 2 weeks because I needed money. Suzanne put an ad in the paper for a dance class so I went. She told me I didn't have to pay and asked me about the dancing I did in New York. We had a lot in common and became friends So she invited me to visit. She made Jasmine tea not Constant comment and it was kind of bitter but trendy in fancy tea cups and she took me for a walk near the river. It was rainy so we splashed in the puddles. Kind of ordinary behavior for hippy girls but maybe odd for Montreal in the 60s
Suzanne lives in Yreka Ca. I saw her here in a play about 5 years ago here. And she was a show stopper! I don't know what it is but when she comes on stage she really grabs your attention.I am amazed that at her age she is still so amazing and captivating on stage! she must be getting close to 80 years old? She is a very talented and unique person. I see her around town in her gypsy wagon.
@@Kate-jh1yp L A is just to dam expensive..
Cool, where u now?
YOU ARE A PRECIOUS BEAUTIFUL LADY, TRULY AN INSPIRATION...WOULD BE A BLESSING TO SPEND TIME SPEAKING WITH YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL! NAMASTE,BLESSED BE🌸
Thanks for posting this, I didn't know how Leonard Cohen composed this song! RIP!!
Adam cohen
You can see why Leonard was enchanted in a kind of spiritual love
I believe Marianne was Leonard’s muse for many songs while Suzanne was muse for one.
Marie-Anne was also the street he lived on in “le plateau Mont-Royal” neighborhood in Montreal.
@@yeahbaby8715 🤣😂🤣😂 ok, if you say so...
th-cam.com/video/YoGE-TZftbw/w-d-xo.html
@@pm3577 I was raised two blocks away from his house, he lived in front of parc du Portugal on Marie-Anne street.
You are just the person I always imagined Suzanne was. Leonard Cohen always had the ability to sense and put into words the essence of beauty that certain people posses.
Suzanne, to put a face to what was my most inspirational song EVER, has been the fulfillment of a life time. I lived in South Africa during the 60's and music was our muse. I wish you all the best for your book, you so deserve the accolades. I have visited Santa Monica many times over the last 10 years, and have many very good friends in Santa Monica/Venice/Marina. Del Rey. I now live in Sydney Australia, and am at this stage not sure when I will visit again. Charles.
I m listening this song whole my life, and now I actually see her . Suzane. Its such heavy sadness in my heart seeing this. I dont know why, but it s pressing my heart like there is not enought days to cry it out.
Because the real Suzanne is a greedy, entitled disappointment?
@@TheAtl198 actually I m not sure are you serious with this question or you trying to make fun of me
@@marijan1808 I'm not making fun of you at all, I promise. I just had a terrible feeling from this video and how Suzanne seemed bitter and greedy, saying that Leonard could have given her something. It just ruined the fairy tale for me. Nothing bad directed at you whatsoever!
@@TheAtl198 aha. the only disapointment for me is that I expected someone who cares more for Cohen, and someone who seems a little more wise and enlightend
@@marijan1808 you said it better and more kindly than I ever could.
I was so inspired by this song, and now my inspiration goes even deeper.
What a story. I will say in this video her clothing looks to be from very expensive boutiques. Her nails arent cheap. The home she pulled up in front of wasnt cheap if in the la area. Maybe beautiful Suzanne had costly things and wasnt very good w money. She looks so young still-good skin care
The great thing about this song it cannot be explained away that's the beauty of it this chick takes way to much credit totally unfounded at that.
Very nice lady! I noticed many books in the room. I think, she is good company
ONE LAST THING FOR NOW SO GLAD TO FIND MY OLD FRIEND HERE ON TH-cam So many peeps here concerned with the money. Well Leonard certainly knew what happened to Suzanne He could have helped her out but he didn't. Suzanne was also really irresponsible and Selfish. WELL FOLKS IT WAS A DUFFERENT WORLD IN THE 60S WE'RE OLD TIME TO FORGET THE OLD SHIT AND JUST MOVE ON
Janet Wolfman
How a person can become legendary.....without even trying. To have a song written about you that becomes inspiring to millions -- the ultimate compliment that never subsides. And she still has that magic and I understand better why he wrote what he did. Let's get down to business Cohen estate: this woman could use some of the residuals from that song's publishing. She is the subject of the song -- her name is mentioned. She deserves it.
John LaStrada Legendary? Did you know her before this video? Can even one in one hundred random people even know she exists?
I have known for decades that Leonard Cohen's classic song "Suzanne," was about a real woman. I never saw her, never knew what she looked like, or what kind of a person she was except for how she was described in the song. She certainly made a big impression on Leonard. But, in serious music circles we always speculated as to who it might have been. Much the same as others always wondered what was thrown off that bridge in the Bobbie Gentry song "Ode to Billie Joe." I use the word "legendary" not the same way as I would referencing an Elvis, Beatles, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, or James Dean. It's strictly a reference to someone some have wondered about for decades and had a song named after her. Having a song named & sung about you places you in a "legendary" category especially if that song is known world wide and covered by many artists Cool One. I accept the fact that maybe you would use a different word. But, this is someone who has a myth surrounding her and she is the real thing. And some people do talk about her and there's always been a lot of wonder about who she really is. That's all.
Thus, she is not "legendary".
leg·end·ar·y
ˈlejənˌderē/Submit
adjective
1.
of, described in, or based on legends.
"a legendary British king of the 4th century"
synonyms:
2.
remarkable enough to be famous; very well known.
Not #1, not #2.
While you're at Cool One -- define the word "literally...." Which more often than not, today, is used incorrectly almost every time and should be figuratively. In my sense -- I am taking -- poetic license with legendary. You are not wrong -- you just don't fully understand the manner in which I "mean" it. If you can come up with a better description for Suzanne -- and what she represents since the song written about her is a "classic" in a sense and she is the actual person -- I welcome it. (Thank you for being civil, as well.)
No she doesn't deserve it. She had 3 kids, each had a different father... come on. I like this comment: "WAIT A MINUTE! This old broad thinks a Poet who wrote a poem/song based on his meeting her, should support her financially?
First of all Leonard Cohen, the poet, has told the world that some underhanded SNAKE stole the piece/poem from him with a stroke of the mighty pen, so Cohen didn't receive 1 cent of money from his inspired work titles Suzanne.
But even if he did make money, why should he give her any of it? She feels entitled to money?"
I remember quite a different Suzanne… I had just moved to Los Angeles, after finishing Film school in Chicago, my home town. It was about 2003 or so. I rented a room from her in her home in West LA, I think I found the ad on Craigslist. My time with her was brief, but memorable. At the time, Suzanne was sporting a buzz cut, one time she wore a suit as I gave her a ride to her attorney’s office in Century City. I saw her as masculine and not the feminine doe eyed creature portrayed here. She was living with a man at her apartment, from I think Argentina. On Halloween that year, Suzanne went to great lengths to dress me up in a costume that made me look like Pocahontas. The clothes were hers from her closet. The boyfriend and I went out that evening to the celebrations in West Hollywood. When we returned to the apartment, Suzanne was angry. I think that is the night she slapped me. At the time I was in my late twenties, still innocent enough, and I remember her walking naked through her home. Not as a free spirit, but as if she had something to prove. I saw Suzanne as Narcissistic if you will, and LA hardened. She briefly did mention to me the song from Cohen that was written about her, and one Sunday we attended the drum circle in Venice. Unfortunately, I fell behind on my room payment, and she rented out the room to a French student, and she offered me the caravan to sleep in. I did for a few nights and moved on. I too, before moving from Los Angeles back home to Chicago, became homeless, living on LA’S skid row, undiagnosed with schizophrenia. Long story short, I received the much needed treatment I needed, moved back home, and went on to a successful career in management for a major airline, surrounded by family and friends. I am a writer as well, still with aspirations. We all have our LA stories, and this is one of mine. I have to chuckle however, after wondering whatever happened to Suzanne. I was a Hollywood hopeful in the city of big dreams, and I think Suzanne was too. I read an article from Guernica magazine, from a journalist who reached out to Suzanne because of her inspiration for the Cohen song. In the article, the author mentions Suzanne asked her for money , her affection towards young hopefuls, and her feminist influence on a young generation of female artists. That was not my experience however. I plan to return to LA one day, come full circle as an esteemed writer. If I should ever run into Suzanne, I won’t hold a grudge, I’d just be more than happy to lend a hand.
My father introduced me to that song some 35 years ago. This song taught me love. Or Love...
It's pretty clear that the song says far more about the poet that it does about the muse.
Perfectly stated.
What do you mean ?
@@devilofyournightmaree462 I don't know much about Suzanne, as a person and poem, but I guess he's referring to the fact that while it does give a portrait of this lady, through this it paints the sentiment of the poet
I don't know, that's my one penny
@@cupwithhandles she wasn't interested sexually in him so he moved on and didn't help her when she needed him later in life. great artists can be cold people
@@cupwithhandles is jewish
My daughter Suzanne is named for this very song. And oh, we used to drink Constant Comment, an now live on a river and, she's always in thrift stores. :-) RIP Leonard.
MandyOf Marymac Your daughter wouldn't happen to be Suzanne Birdseed, would she? I went to elementary school with her and heard rumor that she now lives in a GMCJimmy down by the Ware River. I have some fond memories of Suzi Birdseed (I've managed, through years of therapy, to repress the not-so-fond memories of her thumping my head with her flicked finger as one might thump a cantaloupe for freshness).
No, my Suzanne was raised "back east", as my Calif. cousins like to say. But thank you for responding, I feel quite special now. Many blessings.
Cool One day
Very interesting to see Suzanne that I grew up on and taught me to love Leonard! We even sang this at camp. One time I sang that song for a 13 hour drive. I had no radio and my sister had written down the words for me.
Suzanne you are a beautiful soul with a wandering spirit! Life sure isnt fair sometimes and remember you're never alone. There is a song called Phoenix by a young singer named Kora Feder that I just love. It's on TH-cam also for all you dancers! Thank you kindly for sharing your story...