JUDY COLLINS & LEONARD COHEN - "Suzanne" 1976

Judy Collins welcomes Leonard Cohen to her PBS TV concert performance in this video clip from January 1976. They perform Cohen's song, "Suzanne," which Judy had recorded for her 1966 landmark album, In My Life.
This is a new copy of the footage, and replaces an older one on this channel that had over 630,000 viewings. This new one has better quality video and includes my new embedded ID tag. I have copied and carried over some of the comments from the previous posting. This footage is taken from a PBS TV program, broadcast over 30 years ago in monaural sound, and captured on a Sony SuperBeta hi-fi deck.
Phil Saviano, Boston, MA aka Beta hi-fi on KZbin

[@mistayu]

Judy Collins and Leonard Cohen...a part of the soundtrack of my angst filled youth while growing up in Boston and NYC....the moody sixties...a time of discovery, sadness, and growth...so many memories.

[@martinzitter4551]

They, Dylan, and a few more; also the refrain of my youth.

[@betahifi]

orme96 1 year ago I've heard people say Cohen's voice is lame, because he does not show off or belt or keep himself constrained to precise pitch. Music is about more than showmanship and superficiality, it is about soul, and feeling, and love. His voice is so revealing, and has an intimate beauty to it that should never be ignored. He is a poet, his lyrics and his guitar send his message forward.

[@williamdevlin5233]

Just a spiritual quality to whatever he wrote no matter what it was about.

[@sadie007able]

He interwove the spiritual and the sexual in such a poetic and unique way! No one else dares to walk his path.

[@gootesreid]

It's Closing Time, Leonard. Thank you for your presence in all my years. To the stars Sir......

[@magicalpossibilities]

I'm crying... :'( This is "my" song (my name is Suzanne) but mostly because my love who passed away 2 years ago cried when I played this song for him soon after we met.

[@shk2360]

magicalpossibilities

[@rosabfischer]

Thank you for your existence, Leonard

[@ryanmcburney2483]

Rest peacefully, genius sailor.

[@PoetMountain]

One of my favorite songs of old. Thank You Leonard Cohen for a lifetime of music, poetry, and song. RIP. 🌹

[@betahifi]

HippieJimi 3 years ago God Bless Judy....she was the one who talked Leonard into singing, when Leonard wasn't happy with his own voice....Judy....you go girl.... :-)

[@wf20pn]

Music was meaningful then. Beautiful collusion of two beautiful voices

[@peggydwyer8187]

Lennie, you changed my life in profound ways. Enjoy Eternity. You deserve it.

[@braddill5579]

I wasn't a fan, but I got curious today with his passing. Now I am a fan. RIP

[@valerietucker80]

I adore this song. Leonard and Judy together really make this song come alive.

[@GeorgeStar]

Their voices blend beautifully.

[@betahifi]

MyAlberto59 1 year ago I listened to this song first time in 1976.I was 16 and i was traveling through Spain with my cousin and some friends. We made camp on a hill in front of Toledo and there was this guy playing a guitar and singing this song to a girl. I'll never forget that. I'm 52 now and i remember that moment as though i lived it yesterday. "Suzanne" has been a friend of mine through the years.

[@sfwebber7007]

One of my all-Time favorite Leonard Cohen songs and Judy Collins sings it better than anyone else. Great to seem teaming up.

[@CincyDude5]

May his memory be for a blessing. Touched us with his mind...

[@whbclaire]

Z'l' zichronam livracha

[@betahifi]

Shiverrus 3 years ago God, I had forgotten how beautiful, how ethereal this song was when I heard it at 16 or 17. It still gives me chills.

[@mgrunsten]

Each time I've met someone named Suzanne I give them a copy of the lyrics and the link to this rendering. No one named Suzanne should not go on without knowing this song.

[@talbotsplace7316]

What a wonderful song. Those were wonderful days. These can be too.

[@uh-lee-sha5319]

Goodnight, sweet prince

[@betahifi]

lichtbroeder 1 year ago Cohen and Collins should be declared national Living Treasures! Both have been a part of the growing up, searching, and collective life experiences of so many.

[@betahifi]

elcamman50 1 year ago I first heard Both sides Now when I was in Vietnam, and it made my time there a little less stressful. Eventually, I got to hear the whole album (it was sent to me in cassette form from home). I listened to it day in and day out till it finally broke. By then I was ready to rotate back home. Judy Collins helped me keep my sanity in an insane place. I will thank her for that for the rest of my life. Suzanne is just the icing on the cake...

[@gordonrosenberg]

exquisite song, wonderful man, travel gently and well !!

[@pauletteboverod9054]

Leonard n'est plus! On m'empeche de le voir? C'est terrible! Un homme si humble!!amen.

[@boisebluessociety5264]

total gorgeous, wonderful man, travel well !!

[@markthompson3162]

nothing better hearing judy and Leonard singing together

[@DeborahDupre]

Thank you for the best. RIP

[@betahifi]

Greg Hood-Morris 2 years ago I'm getting really sick of this Cohen / Dylan comparision. Both are brilliant poets and song-writers. Both are highly successful. Neither one sounds at all like the other and I love 'em both, a lot. Hmph.

[@betahifi]

stellabloo 10 months ago Beautiful yet hauntingly sad, as are all memories from a time when we still believed the world could be changed with a simple folk song.

[@SusanneHetty]

r.i.p. thank you

[@betahifi]

bsk20007 11 months ago My girlfriend in high school used to sing this song to me. Unfortunately I was such an immature ass at the time, I didn't realize how special she was.

[@InekeHeinen]

good memories of a very good song in good times. Altijd weer mooi om naar te luisteren!

[@betahifi]

Jane Willow 4 months ago I always go back to this video when i'm having a hard time. great music, great performers, amazing song.

[@betahifi]

M Hayman 11 months ago I am so glad I stumbled upon this video. This is the best version of 'Suzanne' I have ever heard. And I'm a Cohen/Collins junkie; I've been listening to them (separately, of course) since the sixties. P.S. E-mail the Nobel Prize commitee asking them to give Cohen the Nobel for poetry. Hopefully before he dies (he ain't getting any younger).

[@felipeeduardofonsescrihuel8041]

You did all you came to do. thanks a lot

[@blowininthewind6964]

Addio grande poeta

[@homeyginomolly]

No one ever sang like Leonard. Wonderful to see this and hear him, and Judy

[@MsRafab1]

Would you believe I'd never heard Cohen sing?

[@homeyginomolly]

Oh he is such a beautiful man. A Buddhist monk I believe.

[@ozgurertan7047]

Zen Master

[@Raymantico]

reminds me of another TV special... it was Leonard, Lou Reed, and Bob Dylan, The Three Jewish Tenors

[@SimonRobeyns]

+Raymantico true i think Dylan played some Desire songs on that stage.. i can remember Hey Sister and a few other songs with the violin girl, you can find it on youtube i think

[@betahifi]

FROM abnkk1: My late husband who died in '96 turned me onto this song. It was one of our songs. It makes me miss him so much more, even after all these years. He was not quite 30. FROM wells23456: Saw Leonard Cohen at the Opera House two weeks ago and cried for two of the three hours he was so great. I too was introduced to him by my husband and I am so sorry for your sad and early loss.

[@renatageorgeff2839]

Farewell Leonard. RIP

[@betahifi]

andysocial61 8 months ago I sat outside of a Leonard Cohen concert when my world had fallen apart, reading Summer With Monica...... not to sound grim or anything. A few years later I bought a ticket and saw his Various Positions Tour and it was fantastic!! A joyous celebration of Life!! Leonard Cohen is STILL a vibrant and relevant poet who will live forever, like Mozart & those dudes!! This song is brilliant, no more, no less.......

[@betahifi]

herys11 2 years ago Piękna, uduchowiona ballada. Jedna z najpiękniejszych w historii muzyki rozrywkowej. Dziękuję za wstawienie w You Tube. Obecnie nikt już takich nie tworzy. Skaczą przed kamerą wygimnastykowane rozebrane dziewczyny, skoczni faceci, ale to prowokujaca gimnastyka, a nie śpiew duszy.

[@gregormiller4037]

May god be with you always Leonard Cohen, you will be missed. As his music will live an eternity...Listen to Nick Caves version,Nick Cave - Leonard Cohen's Suzanne (live). GB

[@betahifi]

tokenannie 3 years ago Oh my goodness, which means Oh My God...Thank you Judy and Leonard..I am 55 yrs. old and I am just now finding this diamond. When I was young, many years ago, a beautiful teacher, who I don't remember what her class was, BUT I she turned me onto Leonard singing Suzanne, and now all these years later, I find this gift, Judy, Leonard and these words ...Oh my, thank you, whoever posted this..Thank you very much...

[@betahifi]

cmloveland 3 months ago I remember hearing this in the car, in high school, in 1967 -- just Leonard, not Judy. I knew he would be a big name in music, but my friends thought the song was "stupid." I was right. This is a pretty version, and in doing some research I found that Judy actually recorded it the year before he did! Cool.

[@betahifi]

Sharoncat2008 1 year ago Two of my most favorite singers of all times. What a rare treat. Thank you for sharing. I still treasure two of their very first vinyl albums and their words and melodies are soothing to today's troubled souls.

[@hans-w.rathmann1654]

Thank you for your music Rest in peace.

[@MegaBenzahra]

Beautiful song!!!!!!

[@betahifi]

Sweet Gypsy Wife 2 years ago Wonderful to see this.. Leonard, with the lady who gave him the confidence to share his songs and begin his long journey. A deep and haunting melody which leaves me quite emotional.

[@viktorkhazan8106]

R.I.P. Дякуємо. Світла пам’ять!

[@MrWesley1504]

very good. have seen leonard in amsterdam last year and he is still the most favorit singer song writer for me. Thaks for this video

[@betahifi]

JG Magoo 1 year ago More Talent-Per-Square-Inch on that small stage than anywhere else on the planet at that point in time!

[@betahifi]

lichtbroeder 4 months ago I first heard it in high school in1967 or 68. Found it to be totally spiritual, sensual, and full of rich imagery. Wanted to sing it at a school function and was told "no" by the principal. He had a problem with the line, "You can spend the night beside her." Such narrow minded fools are still will us. Thankfully, Leonard Cohen and Judy Collins' music is, too.

[@betahifi]

toeknee1965 2 years ago One of my all time favorite songs ever ever. it makes me shed happy tears. for me it is about pure love that we have and how that can connect us and that alone. as jesus and his words can do. So nice to see it with judy. who i don't really know. i think this is the first time me hearing her. and she is lovelee. thanks for posting this

[@betahifi]

FROM taketheleftone: She has the voice of an angel when she comes in. I used to listen to this religiously on Vinyl. (for all you young youtubers, that was pre-CD and even pre-tape!) FROM azzenstudent: There's something almost precious about Leonard Cohen. His poetry has a sort of rapturous and ancient quality. Wedded to the modern idiom, it nearly makes our own lives seem redeemable. I wish this zen-like and ecstatic art wasn't the stuff of KZbin and cover versions, but what can you do.

[@SaphirSouenEstherG]

Thank you. Shared on G+ September 21, 2016.

[@betahifi]

FROM firehorserider 6 years ago: i just spent most of the day with her listening to her stories on into the evening. she's absolutely enchanting. "homelessness as art" is how she so courageously describes her present circumstances that she's trying desperately to emerge from. even so, she lives with dignity and a quiet grace that almost makes living in a parking lot by the water where surfers pass seem romantic.

[@betahifi]

FROM waddleduckie1: Nice pairing! She's fabulous along with Leonard! They complimented each other with their incredible duet! Pure perfection! FROM atlantaminuteman: You can never make any others like them. I wish we could have that feeling again from the music and the performers. The new great artists in music must be hiding. I buy all older records . The people were not poisoned then. Inocence has now been lost at such an early age.

[@betahifi]

FROM modelerjimg: One of my all time favorite Leonard Cohen songs. My first exposure to the song was Judy Collins' version, and her performance played in my head during some of my hardest times while in the Army and other difficult experiences; it was my mantra. Thanks for posting this classic, and congratulations to Leonard Cohen for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@betahifi]

gilboagilboa 1 month ago Simple folk songs don't contain phrases such as "he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone"

[@C6H12B26]

The explanations given by Leonard Cohen (found on the internet easily) concerning the words, the meaning of the song could not be guessed. Wonderful ! Great thanks ! Best wishes

[@betahifi]

FROM hermungus: First time I heard this was when I was sixteen years old and away at a summer 'leadership camp'... needless to say, I can think of nothing but my "suzanne" (my first love) every time I hear it. FROM bishopmofo: this song is about longing, about the sea, about death, about seeing beauty in unusual places, it's about suffering...like all his song, it's multilayered, spiritual...

[@betahifi]

FROM lastchancers: Leonard is in rare form. Stunning performace. Judy is great as well and I liked some her phrasings during her solo vocal. But it's Leonard who just floors you with his authenticity. What a legend. FROM emilybronte2005: Thank you so much....it's like looking in a treasure box...how grateful I am for you posting this video...x

[@betahifi]

FROM palabra2666: depuis le temps que je cherche cette chanson, c'est un repère léonard cohen,merci best léonard, merci judit collins, je vous oublie pas, mon favori du jour, good bye my friend. FROM 17pdr: I heard once that when Lennie sang in Paris way back, he did this as an encore, and had to do it five times before the crowd would let him go! Well, so I was told anyway....

[@betahifi]

Henry Szymkiewicz 2 weeks ago I miss you my Brother MAX EVERY DAY.....

[@musashi557]

Fabulos!

[@betahifi]

FROM mariellecharmaine: Thank You! Its great to hear a female and male perspective of this beautiful song from these two good friends. Judy and Leonard give an intense performance. FROM victhpooh: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful vid. FROM juliesboy: Oh yes, my day is complete finding this video here. Thanks so much, Mitch

[@betahifi]

tee bizz 1 year ago MAN I COULD NOT STAND ALL THE PEOPLE I GREW UP WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT LOVED LEONARD BECAUSE OF PUMP UP THE VOLUME . but now i love him and his music . really great tunes , and i'm a death metal drummer. go figure.

[@betahifi]

FROM eweleavemebreathless: Leonard's brilliance shines again!!!! This man is so full of wisdom!!! Now he is singing Suzanne with Judy....Bloody Awesome!!! FROM mawergio: Mawhergio: serían tanttas las palabras para definir ésta maravillosa interpretacion, que sólo me queda, darle las gracias a BETAHIFI, por el magnífico regalo que nos hace. FROM mzthisuseristaken: I have the same kind of guitar that Leonard is playing! (i'm sooo happy), he's soo cool!

[@betahifi]

IExposeMormonism 3 years ago I spent 25 yrs in the Santa Cruz Ca area. In Capitola, where I lived,too, was "Suzanne's" store. It was on the Capitola river, near the ocean and the boats. There were antiques inside. I never once went in. But I would think of the song when I drove by. . . And I should have gone in.

[@betahifi]

Lizzie Godden 2 years ago A lovely video of their soft singing and Leonard's fantastic lyrics. It's great to see this, thank you x sichamurray57 2 years ago Judy Collins' version was the first I heard, before I fell in love with Leonard Cohen. The two of them singing this is priceless. Ted Morgan 2 years ago I cannot say how much this song meant to me decades ago. It was and is an emotional and spiritual touchstone. “. . . they will lean that way forever….”

[@betahifi]

FROM louiseduvee: I'm already depressed, so 'Suzanne' makes me happy. Thanks for posting this: I had not seen it before. It's great! One of the best live performances ever. FROM jmccoy1976: Nothing beats the original recording, but if you're interested in a really, really nice cover version, try the Czech singer Vaslav Neksar's 1972 version. It can be found on the album Vaslav Neskar, which was released under the old 'Supraphone' label - serial number 1 13 9856.

[@betahifi]

strawberrygirlie76 1 year ago I can't thank you enough for uploading this gorgeous performance. LordGroundhog 1 year ago This is one of my favourite performances of this song. Cohen AND Collins together -- can it get any better than that? (Hint: the correct answer is "No".)

[@betahifi]

FROM kimmyransom: The monotone of Leonard Cohen "singing" is the window into his mind--we all are monotone in our minds and this is just what we love about Leonard Cohen-making you want to go with Suzanne in his memory and discover her magic that only she possesses and can see. Loved this poem since the mid 1960s.

[@betahifi]

FROM theophano: Judy has a magnificent voice to be sure, but I do like Leonard's more restrained singing because it makes one take note more of his beautiful lyrics. FROM wombchakra: Judy covered Leonard's song, for all you too young to remember, and made it a popular AM/FM hit, and raised his visibility at the time, so that's why they are dueting..

[@myripeter8031]

R.I.P.

[@betahifi]

FROM decadentdavid: fantastique. parfait!! merci bien xxx FROM randybullcow: Sure some of Leonard Cohen's music is a bit depressing,but there's no denying that he's a musical and poetic genius. FROM professionalcynic: Ah, the 70's...I kinda miss 'em. These two so-different voices blend surprisingly beautifully. A lovely rendition. FROM ob1can: It was Judy Collins who first introduced Leonard Cohen's music to the world. Thanks for posting

[@betahifi]

FROM dadlakla: wonderful duet - Judy is fabulous on her verse - her voice is a perfect match for the song. FROM jacobsimon: Judy had the first hit version, and made Suzanne famous. But Leonard and Judy. Wow. FROM teleboy500: and great f*king cheekbones, too! FROM coffeescup: This is divinely beautiful. made my headache go away for a few minutes. FROM unicornixi: Always loved this song but what the hell's it mean?

[@betahifi]

misspearltaylor 1 year ago I love the "gin and razor blades" quote. I get it. But to me it's not a suicidal feeling evoked by L's music. It's surrendering to his images of both the exquisite beauty and horrific darkness within the the experience of "life" to the point where you are left open and raw. Then you realize that there is no difference in the two extremes, just an overlap: no sin, no redemption. No pain, no salvation. No agony, no ecstasy. All is pathos, and pathos is beautiful.

[@betahifi]

ianinfrance 1 year ago Wonderful. As I read elsewhere, why ever don't the TV companies rebroadcast stuff like this instead of the mindless voyeuristic crap that daily pollutes our screen? I'm lucky to be more or less their contemporary and to have known their music since it was first performed, But I never knew so much was on video. Thanks again Beta Hifi

[@betahifi]

FROM huckhue: Wow Judy was hot. FROM lancebaron2002: So wonderful how his seemingly monotone vocals become inconspicously melodious when her perfect harmony chimes in. He always did like singing with pretty vocals backing him. The contrast seems to give him an even stronger identity. They make a beautiful duet. It's almost too much soul on one stage. FROM annafrancesca1: Solo una parola: BRAVISSIMI! I am stunned!

[@betahifi]

FROM firehorserider: suzanne is trying to write her life story right now, but her immediate hardships of living in a tiny crawl space with four cats makes it hard going. she's a very eloquent writer and has a lot to say. a deep thinker and a brilliant artist in her own right, she's had a life filled with beauty and riddled with tragedy. wouldn't it be wonderful to see her complete a draft of her book against all odds? poetic justice for the muse!

[@betahifi]

FROM olderloverxx: my god -- best video i have seen on youtube EVER, i love, and Judy just works really well with him. FROM gomer9000: Watching two titans of folk singing a beautiful song that one of them wrote. I'm not worthy . FROM christelg14: I never fully understood the meaning of the line "for he's touched your perfect body with his mind" until today. holy f*ck.

[@betahifi]

FROM firehorserider, 6 years ago: if you want to meet suzanne, go down by the water in santa monica and pay her a visit. she's still as haunting and as beautiful and as mysterious as when leonard knew her. too bad she never received a dime for this song that's been covered hundreds of times by countless artists. She lives with her four rescued cats in her truck in a parking lot. it's not like leonard doesn't know how to find her if he ever wanted to acknowledge the magic she gave him.

[@betahifi]

FROM rosoblues: God! Judy Collins looks and sings like an angel. FROM debartzen: La poesía,es mas antigüa quel hombre.Bella actuación FROM alecnroll16: Wonderful duet ! Judy Collins & Leonard Cohen go very well together and the song Suzanne is my favorite of Leonard Cohen...thanks to them. FROM jpb4: Have to admit.. never heard of her before; her voice is mesmerizing! FROM razorman15: You've never heard of Judy Collins? Ive heard of her before and I'm only 15.

[@betahifi]

FROM kimmyransom: I read about the real Suzanne shortly after I found this video on KZbin and I agree-it made me sad that Leonard hasn't gone out of his way to acknowlege her magic that basically made him famous. Thanks for responding to my comment. Besides Kipling-finding Cohen's poems in the 1960's has intrigued and inspired me ever since. Have you actually met Suzanne?

[@rmm1774]

Yes amazing chemistry both the voices and physically. Hope they had an affair

[@gootesreid]

I have always thought the same. He'll be missed......

[@rheola55]

LOVE IT :-) XXX

[@kerryg100]

This briñg back some wonderful vipe found in the70ties......them poor kids have not a clue

[@betahifi]

FROM lombrica: Leonard Cohen in The Poetic Genius of our time. FROM monraet: Thank you very much for posting this video, My wife and I were watching this show when we, well should I say "first met" Thanks you from the bottom of my heart. FROM betahifi: Great story . . . but most people just fell in love with Judy. Does your wife have blue eyes by any chance? FROM monraet: As a matter of fact she does! Thanks again - your video brought back years of memories.

[@betahifi]

FROM grastog1313: Judy Collins deserves credit for bringing Leonard Cohen much of his early prominence. Cohen is a superb talent - an accomplished novelist and poet before a songwriter. I don't think his lyrics always hit their mark, but they are genuine poetry, unlike the pseudopoetry of say a Bob Dylan. FROM baddpuppytat: judy collins is magnificent on her solo verse--i'd forgotten what a gorgeous, fragile voice she had.

[@betahifi]

FROM jettbruce: Judy Collins may a better singer than L. Cohen, but she sure as hell has never written a song of this calibre. FROM wldbwriter: Oh, she's written brilliant songs, too. This is a unique piece of work, though. He isn't a "good singer", certainly not here, but that doesn't matter: he manages to communicate his poem, and it's deeply moving, as is Judy's performance. What a superb combination, these two!

[@betahifi]

Jason99942 1 year ago I never was a fan of Leonard Cohen. His songs are great for story telling but his music doesn't sound like singing to me. Judy Collins though....ahhhh, enough said. She's a piece of work.

[@percyeichenauer4032]

Für meine Tochter u Natascha...

[@betahifi]

Canadianeh100 6 months ago My god they were young. Getting older is a bitch. NOT getting older is a bitch.

[@igalflint]

Well, I am 57 years of age now and started listening to Leonard in 1972. I was 13 by then living in Israel. There couldn't be a righter place to discover Cohen, Dylan and Shawn Phillips. I feel I'm still very young as this is quite a recent photo of myself

[@betahifi]

FROM procyoncmi: This is probably Cohen's worst vocal performance. He's really a great singer. Songs of Leonard Cohen is such a great album, I dare anybody to listen to it and say Cohen isn't extremely effective in his vocal delivery. Perhaps Cohen didn't like the microphone, mix, monitors... or he was sick, or simply had a bad night. He's a great vocalist who had a bad night. Judy Collins is fabulous on this song, though.

[@betahifi]

etoussier 1 year ago There is more talent per square inch on that small stage... true... but they didn't sing well together... it is either Leonard Cohen, who sings beautifully, or Judy Collins, who sings beautifully, but I didn't like them singing together!