About the song
“Suzanne,” a poignant ballad penned by the renowned Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen in the 1960s, remains a timeless testament to the power of poetic lyricism and emotional resonance in music. Originally conceived as a poem in 1966, it swiftly transitioned into a musical piece first popularized by Judy Collins in the same year. However, it was Cohen’s own rendition, featured on his 1967 album *Songs of Leonard Cohen*, that solidified its place in the annals of music history.
The song’s enduring appeal lies not only in its melodic simplicity but also in the evocative storytelling woven through its lyrics. At its heart is Cohen’s contemplative exploration of his platonic relationship with Suzanne Verdal, a dancer who inspired the song’s creation. Set against the backdrop of Montreal, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of their encounters: from Suzanne’s inviting him to her harbor-side apartment with Constant Comment tea, to their strolls through the historic streets of Old Montreal, passing by the church of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours.
Despite the song’s intimate portrayal, Suzanne Verdal herself clarified in various interviews that theirs was never a romantic relationship but rather a deep, platonic bond. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the song’s narrative, challenging interpretations that read it solely through a lens of romantic longing.
Over the decades, “Suzanne” has been interpreted and covered by numerous artists, each adding their own interpretive flair while preserving the essence of Cohen’s original work. Its enduring popularity is underscored by its recognition on lists such as Far Out and American Songwriter’s top Leonard Cohen songs, as well as its inclusion on Rolling Stone’s prestigious “Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Beyond its musical merits, “Suzanne” serves as a profound example of how poetry and music can converge to create enduring cultural artifacts. Cohen’s ability to capture the subtleties of human connection and urban nostalgia has cemented “Suzanne” not only as a song but as a lyrical meditation that transcends generations, inviting listeners into its world of introspection and bittersweet reflection.
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Lyrics
Suzanne takes you down to a place by the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
And you know that she’s half crazy, and that’s why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you want to tell her that you have no love to give her
She gets you on her wavelength, and 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 you think you’ll maybe trust her
For she’s touched your perfect body with her mind
And Jesus was a sailor when He walked upon the water
And He spent a long time watching from a lonely wooden tower
And when He knew for certain only drowning men could see Him
He said all men shall 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 you think you’ll maybe trust Him
For He’s touched your perfect body with His mind
Suzanne takes you down to a place by the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
And the sun pours down like honey on Our Lady of The Harbor
And she shows you where to look amid the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for lov, e 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 you think maybe you’ll trust her
For you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind