So Long, Marianne
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"So Long, Marianne" | |
---|---|
Song by Leonard Cohen | |
from the album Songs of Leonard Cohen | |
Released | 1967 |
Genre | Folk rock |
Length | 5:38 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Leonard Cohen |
"So Long, Marianne" is a song written by Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen. It was featured on his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen.
Background
The song was inspired by Marianne Jensen, born
To quote Leonard Cohen (backcover of “Greatest Hits”, 1976):
I began this on Aylmer Street in Montreal and finished it a year or so later at the Chelsea Hotel in New York. I didn’t think I was saying goodbye but I guess I was. She gave me many songs, and she has given songs to others too. She is a Muse. A lot of people I know think that there is nothing more important than making a song. Fortunately, this belief arises infrequently in their conversation.
Marianne Ihlen herself, however, said that the original words were not "So long, Marianne", but "Come on, Marianne", indicating that in an early version of the song, it was not meant as a goodbye.[3]
Cohen dedicated his third volume of poetry, Flowers for Hitler, to her, and she directly inspired many of his other songs and poems. A photo of her appears on the back cover of his second album, Songs from a Room.
Marianne Ihlen died in hospital in Oslo on July 28, 2016, aged 81.[4][5] Cohen wrote to her shortly before her death, saying: "I'm just a little behind you, close enough to take your hand. [...] I've never forgotten your love and your beauty. But you know that. [...] Safe travels old friend. See you down the road. Love and gratitude."[6] He died just over three months later, on November 7.
Recording
The song was originally recorded by Cohen in Columbia Studios, New York, as part of his debut album in 1967. Other musicians on the track were backing singer
Reception
Cover versions
The song has been covered by Beck, Noel Harrison, John Cale with Suzanne Vega, Straitjacket Fits, Brian Hyland, James, Bill Callahan, Russian Red, Courtney Barnett, and others, including Cohen's own son, Adam Cohen. In 1984 it became a hit in the Dutch Top 40 sung by José Hoebee, ex-singer of Luv', and TV host Ron Brandsteder.
Adam Cohen and The Webb Sisters performed the song at the 2017 Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen concert.[11] Courtney Barnett performed the song in her 2019 MTV Unplugged performance.[12]
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
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France ( SNEP)[13]
|
28 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[14] | 38 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] | 50 |
References
- ^ a b "So Long Marianne – A Love Story by Kari Hesthamar". Retrieved April 13, 2010.
- ^ "Marianne and Leonard: Interview with Marianne Ihlen by Kari Hesthamar, Norway, 2005", LeonardCohenFiles.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016
- ^ Nick Broomfield, quoting Marianne Ihlen, in Broomfield's documentary about her and Cohen's relationship, Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love, 2019. This is also confirmed in Mejlænder, Petter (24 June 2006). "Mariannes greske drama" [Marianne's Greek drama] (in Norwegian). Aftenposten. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ Leonard Cohen official Facebook page. Retrieved July 29, 2016
- ^ Octavio Lopes, "Marianne Ihlen (1935-2016)", Correio de Manha, 6 August 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016
- ^ Dalziell, Tanya; Genoni, Paul (December 5, 2018). "Mythmaking, social media and the truth about Leonard Cohen's last letter to Marianne Ihlen". The Conversation. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ISBN 978-1480386280.
- Pitchfork. August 14, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
- Far Out. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Patton, Alli (March 8, 2023). "Top 10 Songs by Leonard Cohen". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Watch Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen on Wednesday, January 3 on CBC". CBC Arts. December 29, 2017.
- ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (December 9, 2019). "Courtney Barnett's Unplugged Leonard Cohen Cover is an Understated Gem". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "Leonard Cohen – So Long, Marianne". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2016.