And clenching your fist for the ones like us

New York City, Day 2

I’d like to introduce you to one of my very favorite poets. In spite of the fact that he released fifteen albums in a musical career spanning more than 50 years, I consider Leonard Cohen to be a poet first & a musical artist second. Indeed he was as a writer & poet for about a decade before he found his way to music & released his first album in 1967. If you’re interested in checking out his poetry (I strongly suggest you do), I’d recommend 1984’s Book of Mercy &, my favorite, Book of Longing, published in 2006. The latter includes a version of “A Thousand Kisses Deep,” one his most famous poems which he also later adapted into song.

Today’s track is from Cohen’s fourth studio album, New Skin for the Old Ceremony, which was released in 1974. I think most would say it’s musically sparse, which is definitely his style, but it does include more instrumentation that his previous work. The song itself is about an encounter between Cohen & Janis Joplin at the Chelsea Hotel – now infamous for the long list of writers, artists, & musicians who lived there in the ‘60s & ‘70s.¹

As to whether or not this was the entirety of their affair, we can’t be sure, but we do know it was brief thanks to the chorus. They weren’t together long enough for Cohen to hear her say, “I need you” or even “I don’t need you” – each a part of the “jivin’ around” you might expect in longer, but ill-fated romance.

I think what I like most is that we get such a sharply focused vignette of this single moment in time, which acts to humanize these two iconic figures – including an interesting look at how Joplin viewed herself. It does, however, feel a bit like we shouldn’t be privy to this information & Cohen later expressed regret about naming Joplin as the subject of this song.

Leonard Cohen – “Chelsea Hotel #2”
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This cover is impossible to omit given the familial connection between Cohen & Wainwright. For those unaware, Wainwright has been friends with Lorca Cohen, Leonard’s daughter, since he moved to L.A. at 18 years of age. Back in 2011, they welcomed a daughter Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen, who is being raised by Lorca, Rufus, & his husband Jorn. This live recording comes from the concert film Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, released in 2005 which celebrated Cohen’s life & career.

Rufus Wainwright – “Chelsea Hotel No. 2”
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Thanks for being here.
☵ SK

1. Chelsea Hotel - Notable residents, Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Chelsea#Notable_residents