First Time Hearing Leonard Cohen You Want it Darker (Reaction!!)

[@poloreacts27]

Just want to say thanks for watching my crazy reactions! If you enjoy what I do on this channel consider supporting me. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio daily, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family, you guys motivate me to put out content daily. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts PEACE!!

[@josiplilic3384]

Just wanna say that I'm apricot you reacting to greatest poet among musicians & vice versa! Shout out from Adriatic Coast, Croatia, EU 🙌🎵

[@mikemaas9944]

There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. Love Leonard Cohen.

[@hlawrencepowell]

There are so many Cohen songs that are killer. Anthem, Tower of Song, Everybody Knows, Dance Me To The End of Love, The Future, Suzanne, Closing Time, and on and on.

[@joyceharkin3641]

Gives me chills. RIP Leonard, you are sorely missed.

[@Sados1967]

Leonard Cohen recorded this song 19 days before he left this mortal world. He wrote his own requiem and it is one of the best songs I ever had the honor to hear in my life! R.i.P Mr. Cohen

[@jonathanb1406]

The album itself was released 17 days before he died, and the songs were apparently recorded between April 2015 and July 2016.

[@DavidBrown-wh1ix]

The translation of hineini is correct. What wasn't mentioned is that the words "magnified, sanctified be Thy Holy Name" is a translation of the first line of the Jewish mourners prayer.

[@tinakinzett8479]

I have been a Leonard Cohen follower for all my adult life. He started out as a poet. His lyrics are on so many levels, full of symbolism. Non political but observant of human shortcomings and injustice. I'm so pleased that you 'get him' because many don't. He's No. 1 in my book!

[@TallinnCity2410]

He's one of the best poets in the entire world. Straight to the heart, no tear jerking, raw truth and emotion.

[@emilyarmstrong5706]

Rock solid truth.

[@ElizabethRMNS]

I love Leonard Cohen!

[@peaceleader7315]

I am ready, my lord.... let us kill the flame...

[@uncommonman]

Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free

[@fiorellafenati5395]

me too

[@voidmstr]

That "magnified and sanctified" lyric is a straight up translation of the Hebrew/Aramaic prayer for the dead. Cohen - from a Jewish priestly family (Cohen means priest in Hebrew) - was praying for his (soon to be) dead self.

[@russ9839]

"Everybody knows" is my favorite song of his.

[@allauricia1985]

Leonard is Bad Ass no doubt! The deeper you get into his history and libraries of art You will get hooked on him because no one does it like him A Master Listen to The Future

[@kimferrell6511]

Leonard and Marianne

[@slaveriotgaming1814]

Much respect to you for having an open mind. Leonard Cohen was a rare talent

[@Gems-of-Hope-Rocks]

I absolutely LOVE Leonard Conan! You Want it Darker is just one of several awesome songs where he sings from inside the depths of my soul.

[@Cifer77]

Dang man you got this out quick! Thank you so much and I'm glad you liked it! I love how Leonard simultaneously questions his religion while saying "Either way, I'm ready, take me Lord" * He calls out the unanswered prayers of those who light candles in churches * He thought his own demons were severe, but after seeing an executioner murder and maim, he realized his own demons were middle class & tame. It's a hypocrisy, executioners, it's like they're allowed to murder & maim because it's "just" to the laws of man. * The whole ordeal is a lullaby for suffering, and a paradox to blame. * Are these questions pointed at God? At organized religion? At Sinners dressed in "catholic clothing"? Whoever they're pointed at, he's not saying he doesn't believe, he's still ready to die. He just can't go without asking these questions first. I'm not even religious, but damn this song has some powerful vibes.

[@andreasballe7470]

The interesting knowledge is that Cohen "converted" to Buddhism and studied under a Buddhist monk for several years, retiring from music and the world in its entirety, and it's as though he's saying that he is both a Buddhist and he is also Jewish. He also does indeed call out the unanswered prayers that G-d leaves behind, and to me, the comment that "my demons were middle-class and tame" refers to the Nazis in Germany, who were often just the small fry, anyone could be a Nazi, and he's kind of saying "anyone can be evil." and by calling them tame, he says they are just "a follower." It is most certaintly pointed towards G-d, he is questioning him and simultaneously telling him "I'm ready to go. My time is up now." He's saying that he's finished, and like the Travelling Light song, he's saying goodbye. You Want it Darker is Leonard's personal goodbye to his faith, to his fans, to everything. It's his goodbye. Travelling Light was a much more personal song, I think it's a goodbye song to Marianne Ihlen, the woman whom he almost married and lived on the island of Hydra with for a long time, the two were both devastated when they broke up, and Cohen wrote to her a few days before she died. Although Marianne was unable to read it herself, it seems that someone close to her read it out to her. "Well Marianne it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine, And you know that I’ve always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don’t need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.'” I think Cohen was saying goodbye in many ways to everyone he loved dearly, his fans and his G-d, and also Marianne with Travelling Light. If you check the album, and you've been a recurring fan of his like I have (and happen to know his 'lore', so to speak) you might catch other little references to his own life and faith. One such example is Treaty, which is very obviously gestured towards Jesus. "I've seen you change the water into wine I've seen you change it back to water, too I sit at your table every night I try but I just don't get by with you I wish there was a treaty we could sign I do not care who takes this bloody hill I'm angry and I'm tired all the time I wish there was a treaty, I wish there was a treaty Between your love and mine Ah, they're dancing in the street it's jubilee We sold ourselves for love but now we're free I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be Only one of us was real and that was me" It's definite that it's about Christ, and Judaism. I think On the Level is about Mette Fugl, a danish reporter whom had a long-time affair with Cohen, roughly spanning 10 years, classic Cohen was a womanizer back then and the two were most definitely a pair, until they started having relationship problems (Cohen never really stuck well with a woman in his days.) and he called her one day before a concert and told her that he didn't wanna see her anymore, and that he'd "found someone else." The reason I say it's about her is that after their relationship, he became a Buddhist ("I turned my back on the devil, and on the angel too.") and he told her when they first met, after she wanted an interview, that she should "keep it on the level." so to speak. Cohen also sings about this in a post-mortem album called Thanks for the Dance, which seems to refer to "Dance Me To The End of Love" which was a song Cohen wrote and sang, deeply about romance. So long, hope you enjoy the read!

[@Paul_Bond.]

@@andreasballe7470 This is a wonderful comment thank you so much for thoughtful and well thought out insights. To be Honest, you've made my day.

[@paulnathan2123]

Yearly Jews light a candle on the deathday of their loved ones. A read of 'a million candles burning' can signify the Shoah and those left, remembering.

[@Aasveig]

We sadly lost Leonard just a few years ago. He was a true poet and man of insight. I only discovered him about 10 years ago and was able to go through his entire life of music from the beginning. Listen to him from the beginning if you can. If you only listen to one more of his, listen to Hallelujah. It's one of the top rock songs of all time. The brilliant version by Jeff Buckley is 259 on the Rolling Stones top 500 of all time -- and that's a version not to miss. It's one of those "play it 50 times in a row" songs.

[@mamade3970]

Leonard Cohen, one of the greats

[@doesntgiveaflock2725]

Leonard Cohen is a whole mood. I love him.

[@cccsssish]

Badass is a good word to describe Leonard Cohen. My favorite song of his is Who's by Fire. Gives me chills every single time. If you're into this kind of darkness you should listen to it.

[@moonkraab]

"A million candles burning for the light that never came." Genius soul power who has carried me through my darkest times since I first heard him sing in 1979. Everlasting soul power🕉

[@ElizabethRMNS]

The soft hypnotic music is so different from the words to this piece of poetry.

[@ideasmatter4737]

Another brilliant Leonard Cohen song is The Future, from his 1992 album of the same name. Prophetic and dark.

[@denbotrexwell]

Also "The Miracle"

[@maskedman1337]

@@denbotrexwell That and "The Future" were on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack...a major reason a lot of folks my age care about Leonard Cohen.

[@tallspicy]

I saw his exhibit that he curated in montreal, he died in the middle... it was what opened me up to him, one of my faves ever since.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

Leonard left a foot print on this earth that is second to none !

[@mscarelann]

I have loved this mans poetry since I was 13 yrs old.......I am now 67........🎉

[@andruwxx]

Hineni is Hebrew for “here I am”. This song is so reminiscent of “if it be your will.”

[@tinaboksa3642]

I wasn't sure at first but the longer I listened the more I liked it. Thanks

[@danielmcbride2375]

He is the master at the epitome of...less is more.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

Oh Canada ! Peace and Love

[@dionbowen17]

This is awesome. Huge Cohen fan!

[@CaryOn11]

For anyone who might wonder the word "Hineni" he speaks is Hebrew for "Here I Am"

[@webymcduck]

Love Mr Cohen ! Listen to him daily.

[@kateadair3978]

I've been a huge fan of Leonard Cohen's for decades because of the poetry and class of his delivery. The man was the best of his generation

[@olivehigginson5068]

Leonard cohen is so wonderful - music and lyrics.

[@tomratcliff3755]

Just awesome. Thank you Leonard,RIP.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

You are so right and they also go together with DAVID BOWIE and his Lazarus video ...all around the same time .........YIKES ! Peace and Love

[@kentclark6420]

You've just entered the deepest folk rabbit hole, outside of Bob Dylan. You could say that Leonard is the Canadian Dylan. He is a poet and songwriter of unparalleled proportions. Try Famous Blue Raincoat, Dance to the end of Love, and Suzanne. He had so many amazing songs, and among the best musicians and backup singers to assist him. Besides being funny and an engaging personality.

[@moonkraab]

100% Dylan of Canada. Actually, IMHO, he was beyond Dylan for his soul power everlasting. I'm forever married to Leonard. Beyond space and time. He always spoke and sang for me in my darker days especially.

[@levoN2420]

Also, Leonard Cohen Anthem and A Thousand Kisses Deep

[@sgoslinga1]

He is a great poet! I loved him as a girl and I still do (70 +), especially in his later years! This is a beautiful song at the end if your life. Of course I love ' Hallelujah' and 'If it be your will' and many other songs. And I like your reactions, Polo.

[@johnlanham9057]

His voice just DEMANDS your attention. 💪🏻💙💙

[@olivehigginson5068]

Wonderful please try more of Leonard cohen you will love them

[@Uriel77200]

Every body knows. Thats his song you need.

[@GingerKittiSK]

Leonard Cohen is a great poet and songwriter. You might know of his most famous song, Hallelujah.

[@billacikalin8108]

You mentioned Hurt by Johnny Cash. And this one, from that same point of view of being near the end. Next, watch "Lazarus" by David Bowie. He made it and then released it just a few days before he died from cancer. The song is same-level good as the others.

[@ivanalaff5346]

He is looking into the Abyss and the Abyss is looking back!

[@JosephMan485]

Music guys: "How deep do you want your voice, Leonard??" Leonard Cohen: "Yes."

[@ivanalaff5346]

😮Wow, I needed this…thank you!

[@sherrytyrner8641]

I am very excited that you love this amazing Leonard Cohen song and his deep, resonant voice as much as I do! It would be great to see more of your reactions to other masterpieces by incomparable Mr. Leonard Cohen. As I watched you enjoying the beginning groove of the music and mentioned a similar vibe to "Woke Up This Morning" form The Sopranos, I was like, "hey yeah!" I like that song too! Haha!

[@christinageha7371]

Listen to him doing Hallelujah

[@JayAr709]

Tower Of Song, Don’t Pass Me By, Sisters Of Mercy, Dealers Song, Jazz Police.

[@claudedeschamps5196]

The bass line is your footstep toward the light on the end of the road

[@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH]

Gorgeous song, deep reaction…

[@tessasilberbauer6219]

Mr Cohen pulled no punches whether he wrote about love, politics or war.

[@edwardmeradith2419]

Beautiful

[@matthewgoodA1206]

As laidback and low-key as this song is, it’s still so heavy and weighty and powerful at the same time. I became a huge fan of Leonard just last year, and this is one of his top tracks for me.

[@denbotrexwell]

Dialed in, Leonard had it all figured out.

[@lynnborsa7201]

Mr Cohen has put out a body of work that is brilliant, strong and poetic. Leonard does not do fluff. I knew he was getting older and saw him live last time he played in Oakland CA. Truly an experience. Sometimes I’ll put his music on in the morning and play it all day. Thank you for reacting to him

[@horizonblack]

I really enjoy this song, "Everybody knows," and "The Future" by LC as well

[@willjohnson8446]

Keep Me in Your Heart by Warren Zevon is another farewell song, recorded after his diagnosis of terminal cancer.

[@gordondate7058]

what a brilliant reaction to one of my favourite artists - respect from South Africa Bro.

[@trevordawson2727]

Leonard Cohen is the original artist of Hallelujah and it’s my favorite version. Everybody Knows is another good one.

[@coyotech55]

What amazed me was that he put the Kaddish in there, too. It doesn't put me in a good mood. But not a bad one, either. It's something to think about.

[@lynette.]

One of my favourite artists what an incredible poet. Had a list of albums that would take me through moods I knew when I hit on Leonard Cohen the only way was up. His dark poetry always filled me with hope.

[@ardien.535]

leonard cohen is a treasure trove

[@DarthBiscuit12]

Dance me to the end of love is my favorite Cohen song, and he wrote Hallelujah, and the gravel in his voice makes it positively holy. Everybody Knows and democracy is coming are classics.

[@robschroeder5377]

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah haunts me

[@tallspicy]

This song is sick. And many others

[@garyporter1702]

Great poet. I read his books before he began his musical career. I turned all of my friends on to his first album, and learned how to just dig life and see it in my own way. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Just life.

[@violetblazes]

If you want a badass singer like Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen's last songs, then try David Bowie's Lazarus. Legends, all of these men. I miss them all.

[@bélalugrisi]

Love to see a deep soul recognize another! Thanks Polo! Best to you!

[@27thangel23]

"still puttin' out genius lyrics." Precisely correct, Polo. Yes, yes, yes. You will btw love 'First We take Manhattan', but do the Live in London version. Peace, love and bellbottoms from Leonard's home of Canada.

[@27thangel23]

@DM.MR_POLOREACTS I'm sorry, but I don't do ANY social media other than email and YT for fear that FB, IG, etc will have too much info on me (I'm in my 70s) and very fearful of big bznz. But I do love your channel. Peace, love and paisley.

[@deejayturtle]

@POLO REACTS, Did I request this and forget about it? This song has AMAZING lyrics. This is soooo dark. Cohen was a true poet, he would spend a year sometimes writing one song. Cypher sent this in, PROPS. If you like this I got one for ya. Cohen passed in 2016 along with David Bowie, Prince, and George Michael. I call 2016 "The year the music died."

[@SunnyBlue77]

yeah, Bowie, Cohen and George M. were some of my favorite artists, with Bowie as my No.1. It was a terrible year. 😭

[@CynthiaPrice79]

When I was in my teens, a (Canadian) boyfriend introduced me to Leonard Cohen, and I’ve loved him ever since.

[@jimcarlson6157]

we canadians taste good and have good taste. I've heard.

[@jayweaver4394]

The boyfriend or Leonard?

[@JessBecause77]

You're gonna love Leonard Cohen. I look forward to seeing more reactions because I know they're coming. Because he's amazing and you have amazing taste.

[@aquagrump]

It's a song about Mr Cohen's impending death.

[@lorihutcheon5363]

Love how you loved this Polo! Mr Cohen is worthy of much respect…dig into a good documentary of this legend you’ll fully appreciate his journey!!!

[@Alex-rn3br]

The thing to realize is that this guy was creating his whole life. He was making new stuff late late in life. Respect.

[@judymeeker2925]

One of my favorite singers! Thank you. He was actually on his death bed when he recorded this albumn. ❤ I respect you for your words and reaction to this. Yes it is powerful. . 🙏🙏🙏 I subscribed to your channel because you shared the song.

[@Zilla-1]

give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld so I can sigh eternally. Nirvana: Pennyroyal tea.

[@viceroyzh]

I'm always happy to see reactors discovering Leonard Cohen and liking his outstanding work.

[@benoitbastien1915]

Masterpiece from a great men. Very pround to be a montrealers. I didn't know that in a period of my life (his last) i was living about 15 min walk from his house...now we have a 10 stories picture of him on a building in downtown Montreal.

[@BobLewis-s1z]

Polo guy GETS this song

[@jorgenkarlsson7528]

My favorite song on this album is "Leaving the table". Thanks for the reaction

[@lucretialee3691]

Fell in love with Leonard Cohen's music as a young teen, and never fell back out. His voice changed so much over the years, that his earlier songs sounds like someone else sings them, yet his lyrics are what always stays with me. It's hard to pick a favourite but Take This Waltz is definitely up there for me. For pure poetry, A Thousand Kisses Deep.

[@LaturneDictum]

This is what I need from a reaction.

[@kjmorley]

You need to check out David Bowie’s Lazarus video, for the bad ass trifecta.

[@unfilthy]

The combination of Leonard Cohen's delivery with his poetry always gets to me. He was brilliant as a young artist, and he remained just as sharp til the end. Loved the reaction.

[@kc9nyy]

My introduction to Leonard Cohen was 'If it be your will', that song still haunts me somedays.

[@johnjohn37371]

Such an amazing poet and actually an excellent performer...he is missed. So glad you did this...and the fact he recorded this as he was dying, still gives me chills...

[@20th_century_Ghost]

Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Tool, to name a few; these are my favorites when it comes to writing amazingly profound lyrics.

[@Jeremy-hx7zj]

This song is more badass in its understated menace than most rock and hip hop

[@lalosblahblahblah7071]

I came across "Everybody knows" and it changed my life. It seems any mood that I need a song for he has a few for that mood. He does not have the album sales but musicians love him. I suggest for yourself you go down this rabbit hole.

[@BUweB]

I love his Song "Anthem".

[@chriskerins2383]

9:26 Such provocative lyrics and soulful, mood altering delivery. His music makes me think to the point where I attain my own personal understanding. I suppose that is what poetry is meant to do.

[@dianetucker8644]

Very pertinent in view of Gaza. Cohen understood humanity and its failures.

[@umbradens6129]

that whole album is fantastic

[@hrossaman]

As far as poets, who write pop music, go, Leonard Cohen is numbers 1 through 10 of the top 10.

[@rowaineboyd1536]

Mr Cohen has a huge catalogue to choose from! Hallelujah, of course, but "I'm Your Man", "Everybody Knows", and "First We Take Manhatten" are my favorites after this one. Jump into this rabbit hole - you won't regret a single note! His lyrics are deep (often referencing religion, politics, and sexuality, but without the crass language more often found in popular music genres), and the rhythms he uses will dig into your soul. One of my favorite artists of any generation :) Most of his recordings are awesome, but do check out the live version of "I'm Your Man" - he changed a tiny bit of the lyrics to suit his much older self, and it's even more powerful than the original!

[@realbser1956]

I never developed a feeling for Leonard, one way the other. I understand his importance, his sound was just not something I ever gravitated to. I feel the same way about Bob Dylan. Having watched your reaction, I can say that you are more open minded than me. Good for you Polo. 😄

[@CynthiaPrice79]

Bob Dylan isn’t even in the same orbit as Leonard Cohen.

[@realbser1956]

@@CynthiaPrice79 Fair enough, as I said I’m not a big fan but I respect those that are.

[@megwilcox2878]

I should have known that you would have already heard this. It stunned me the first ten times I listened to it. Now go back in time to the middle years, and check out First We Take Manhattan, and Anthem. Anthem is a nearly perfect song. I also love the Story of Isaac, which was covered beautifully by Suzanne Vega, another Canadian talent. So much talent in my country!

[@NocnaGlizda]

Adding to the excitement is the fact that this man died the same year as this album was released.