First we take Manhattan by R.E.M.

Rem
First We Take Manhattan lyrics
Songwriters: COHEN, LEONARD
Leonard Cohen)
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station
I told you I told you I told you I was one of those
You loved me as a loser but now your worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this: to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I don't like your fashion business, mister
I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to your sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin (chorus)
And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night and now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
Remember me, I used to live for music
Remember me, I brought your groceries in
It's Father's Day and everybody's wounded
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[@LeonParadis-vc3sc]

What a beautiful performance, sung with so much passion!

[@jeverington]

First encountered this as the B-side to Drive, was hooked from the Mills bass line. Fantastic version!

[@Anthony-wp7tz]

Check out “I’m Your Fan”, a cover album tribute to Cohen. This and James’ So Long Marianne are stellar

[@Normalisperverse]

Mike Stipe and Leonard Cohen were formidable as a united front!

[@littlelumber]

Moving to Canada in ‘91 and listening to CFNY 102.1 I was exposed to some incredible music - this one always stuck with me and might be my first introduction to Cohen. Funny how that works.

[@CphLink]

Mike Mills on the backing vocals are just perfection

[@peterbreen3039]

I have collected cover versions of so many so many songs all my like. Back when we ‘burned’ on to CD’s, I would make an album of one song covered by 8-14 people or bands. Obviously everyone’s comment is subjective, but for me, this is the best cover of any song done by anyone, ever.

[@Tranquil1962]

Hmmm.... I really like Johnny Cash's version of Hurt. But otherwise, I agree

[@Raggsocka]

You understand that you have to have to turn that idea into youtube videos now, right?

[@victorbevz9584]

When the organ keys kicked in, I became aware of my own heart beating. So beautiful.

[@TheEamoB]

What a cover! Completely different to the original. Rocked up. And those lines sung by Mills! Wow!

[@IndigoJo]

I've heard Leonard Cohen's live version and this sounds a lot like it. The actual original recording was by Jennifer Warnes and it sounds very different from this.

[@lilise3965]

Not that different after all. The (inner rock) spirit of the song has been completely preserved.

[@stefanadam5019]

Actually it's Michael singing in 2 tones. High and low. Than mixed together.

[@patcleasby6929]

Impressive cover! If anyone can do it, REM can. Brilliant, but Leonard Cohen still my favourite. Beautiful man.

[@neuralmute]

This is cover perfection. Raw and harsh and fantastic.

[@danberkman8227]

Couldn't agree more. This version really captures the menace portrayed in the lyrics.

[@neuralmute]

Dan Berkman I'd not have pegged early 90's REM to be the ones to do the definitive cover of this song, but goddamn, I'd forgotten how they used to rock!

[@danberkman8227]

neuralmute On paper this cover shouldn't have worked but I am oh so glad they took it on. This may take the place of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds cover of "Avalanche" as my favorite Cohen tribute.

[@neuralmute]

Dan Berkman Nick Cave can be pretty well counted on to cover anything and make it kick ass. That's another of my favourite Cohen covers too, along with the immortal John Cale cover of "Hallelujah", and that Concrete Blonde cover of "Everybody Knows". It's seriously hard to choose a favourite. Leonard Cohen was just such a goddamn good songwriter, there must be near infinite ways to interpret his works well.

[@tutenvanman2715]

Sirenia do the best version

[@joebagadonuts7908]

This may be the best cover.... Walking through the metro in Prague at the Namesti Miru station in the 90's - the acoustics were perfect. Leonard Cohen......damn.

[@kubuspuchatek3609]

elaborate, please ?

[@searing7549]

Check out their cover of The Wall Of Death

[@joebagadonuts7908]

@@searing7549 Very nice! I cannot believe I haven't heard this before.

[@ninasazonova2511]

Greetings from Czech Republic !!!

[@stoneybass5981]

I love finding covers of this Leonard Cohen gem!

[@Aldog105]

Lamentable perder un gran escritor y canta autor como Leonard Cohen, que descanse en paz.

[@squishalish0221]

A great interpretation of the song.

[@joseanfdz4600]

Beautiful version of R.E.M

[@robopecha]

it is so r.e.m. and you instantly recognize bill's drum playing. miss seeing them play.

[@davejohn3600]

I love Leonard Cohen....I Love REM....This is just perfection. Odin be praised!

[@reverendrider]

Yes, Odin be praised.

[@moondancer9066]

@@reverendrider Ya'll are fucking crazy. Odin my ass. I don't care much what you say about R.E.M. but leave Cohen out of it.

[@va3hry]

Let us also praise Thor god of thunder and son of Odin

[@Heretbg]

yes let's all switch a mainstream, made up god, for another

[@aclark903]

Cohen is Jewish bro. Not scandi.

[@franciscocastillo1702]

Me gustó mucho esta versión, ya la guardé en mi galería de favoritos :)

[@joycehall4866]

Fantastic Performance! What a voice!

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

There's a certain kind of perfection to everything they do. It just works so well.

[@kevinfrancis6033]

Brilliant cover of a brilliant song 🎵

[@guillermofernandezboan2598]

the way all covers should be... touching, emotional, perfect. Not a copy at all, a cover!

[@katiecannon8186]

One of the best covers of Cohen. This is good too: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/a53HpWuaot5geck

[@stevenevans6577]

I prefer this I don't dare underestimate Leonard Cohen ⭐👌 but I love the upbeat sound of this version the words are undeniably the hook 🪝 though you can't argue with that song writing 🙏☮️✌️🙌

[@Anthony-wp7tz]

Agreed but this is also one of the best bands ever

[@oritwolf77]

Absolutely

[@hcoh9582]

Quand REM interprète du Leonard Cohen c'est très très beau ...

[@katherine_rd2sx4k]

wow dat bass 🔥

[@hsamek4946]

a wonderful Cohen song and an even greater remake. This is how "covers" should be. Love this one

[@antoniomonteiro6210]

Normally L. Cohen covers are not so good as the original (except Aurora's and Antony"s). This one os. Great band REM!

[@stevenevoevans7749]

What an amazing song that is and how proud would you be to write a song like that what a band to preform this amazing cover ,Lenord and rem 👌💯

[@primaverahamilton1231]

yeah! fabulous.....I am addicted

[@sumitgenzyme]

Excellent cover..

[@yolernlimn3574]

The Rockwiz cover brought me here. Very different both beautiful.

[@stavroskourtalischannel3334]

What a band!

[@robinhocezar738]

I'm your Fan was such a brilliant album

[@dartanghaneluard2263]

Perfect! R.E.M., the Best one!

[@jovbra]

Best cover I ever heard.

[@gman9847]

Same

[@Alan-gi2ku]

Ditto.

[@searing7549]

Second only to their cover of The Wall Of Death.

[@Alan-gi2ku]

@@searing7549That’s a great one also.

[@AntonioNeto-on6yz]

Best version ever, with all due respect to Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cocker and Mrs. Warnes.

[@FMHammyJ]

+Antonio Neto I like it, but I like how Mr. Cocker's version rocks....they all have their merits.....

[@AdrianLeeMagill]

Sorry guys, but I gotta say the original is still my favourite. However each artist brings their own flavour to the piece.

[@greenmanwl]

Antonio Neto i like warren zevon s and joes too. all different. i remember seeing warren in phoenix and he did it which impressively surprised me, so that might be my fav due to my personal affections for wz. joes is so good, most heart....

[@JTW3159]

rubbish

[@Stringman1950]

Joe Cocker does a good cover too. Must be a great song.

[@renebernier1504]

Rest in Peace Leonard Cohen.

[@rw8733]

A fitting tribute.

[@kevinnix4458]

Not only my facvourite cover this...but my favourite r.e.m song...

[@markg2885]

Best Cohn cover!

[@yaldadelvar]

What a cover!

[@GodInTheMachine]

always loved this song, they do the best cover by far

[@patricia382]

Brilliant

[@SMSimas-yz4yo]

RIP Cohn ...you sure made your make in music

[@LarryBees]

best cover..yes.

[@KayhanDemirci-z4k]

Perfect...

[@drstevie]

superb :)

[@לויקושמרו]

It is a great song!

[@guillermoortega4119]

AWESOME

[@Jeremiy2]

Revelant. Very...to a point it is scary.

[@peterbreen3039]

I think it is my favourite cover of a Cohen song. Stripe’s voice was still great when they covered it and the extra layers of guitar add something. I am trying to remember Stripe singing with an all Girl Band. I know it was the 3rd track on the CD, anyone remember?

[@adamredmer]

It's not "Your Ghost" by Kristen Hersh, is it? 1st song on the album, but...

[@declancummins5321]

Indigo girls I’ll give you my skin? Terrific song

[@declancummins5321]

Kid Fears feat. Michael Stipe by Indigo Girls

[@laurabeane8862]

This is as brilliant as the Hindu Love Gods where Warren Zevon was Lead Singer 🤟😄

[@m4tiste]

I m listen for fist , i love Rem , super super

[@terjeweum3677]

First time hearing and I love it missing doing this jewel of a song/ Did it in a acoustic band / miss those days but still have 2 electric bands to play in and that is fun to / But I like the naked acoustic style where it is nothing to hide behind🥇🏅🥇🏅🥇🏅

[@MichaelBennett1]

Amazing that this wasn’t the b-side to the American single, luckily I’m in the UK and it came on the Drive CD single.

[@johnmccormick9303]

very very good.

[@beingagainstfascismisagood104]

Excellent interpretation

[@mfyy]

Really good ❤

[@deadletteroffice-atributet3261]

So good!

[@rydellgrimes]

When Mike comes in singing, my heart explodes

[@NotMarkKnopfler]

I'm glad everyone is enjoying this version of this classic song, but for me, the Jennifer Warnes rendition is the definitive version. Peace!

[@TheAtticradio]

True … probably best cover though

[@JTW3159]

bulls#it her version is 5/10 on a good day

[@reachlove6779]

Weapons of Love I Love it!

[@SerFloortje]

Im going through listening to all the covers out there... so far Sirenia's if my favorite

[@angusmacdonald7187]

I love Cohen's music ... but I usually prefer covers rather than his own version. This is a perfect example

[@carolfromhr9900]

He was a great lyricist, but synth pop isn’t for everyone.

[@IndigoJo]

@@carolfromhr9900 Try listening to his Live in London CDs (or any of the live recordings on KZbin). Full band, no synth, three female vocalists. Sounds much better than the 80s synth stuff or the very basic 60s recordings.

[@jonathanshiloni416]

ענקים

[@Stephenjason101]

The best version of this song....Incomparable

[@exquisiteoath]

Sorry for necroing this comment... this probably is the best cover but nothing is quite as good as Cohen himself.

[@mirathefirst149]

Leonard`s new wave like style fits the lyrics better

[@tinoble]

Best cover... the original stands on its own ...

[@fatal6849]

Je ne veux pas que des gens continuent de vivre sans savoir qu'il a existé !

[@andyking7621]

I prefer this to the otiginal. I am a huge fan of both artists. .... this just works better for me.

[@paleshelter4002]

good movies could use this soundtrack 🎶

[@carolfromhr9900]

Watchmen used the Cohen version in the end credits.

[@napoca01]

Genius.

[@TheNavolok]

Не знал, что есть кавер R.E.M. Клево

[@BlackCthulhu-my4ms]

Мне кажется, что самый четкий все-таки у Кокера)

[@maxs3347]

+Stephan Polonovsky пожалуй, да

[@joaomaia8207]

Fabuloso...

[@skipgap]

That look he's giving stipe. too funny. Like he's telling him to get off the sugar!

[@sharonpeled]

Couldn't find this version on Spotify. I wish they'd add it.

[@websurfer5772]

This song tells you what to do.

[@backyarddesertcam9386]

surprisingly good version

[@amypenn4486]

Strawberry 🍓🍓 1:00

[@amypenn4486]

I love you ❤️❤️

[@bettydagle17]

Wow

[@SuperCarlosdj]

brutal!!!

[@daniellebauer3678]

Who here is from Levan? This day is about as complicated as it gets today.

[@Erosgates]

Apparently they play the cohen version on repeat in a west Jerusalem prison. Sheesh.

[@mirelaivanova2267]

Its not like the original. Don't feel the passion, just some guitars.... Miss you, mr Cohen!

[@SecretCh0rd]

20 years of boredom are up. Geofu Neid, Geofu Wynn.

[@laurabeane8862]

This is as brilliant as when they toured with Radiohead. 😆😆😆😆

[@jonathanshiloni416]

giants .

[@daniellebauer3678]

Words given to Rem from a short-lived survivor. Grateful effort no work was done for vainglory; though some of the best children suffer. Let's make a change on behalf of the giants whose shoulders we stand upon.

[@daniellebauer3678]

Thank you for the personal protective equipment. Thank you for taking it all in.

[@whenethicsmatter2454]

oh yay, finally

[@e.p.-brohltal-eifel-rheinl9712]

Found this (2.2018)!

[@generaseven]

I wonder if Michael looked at this song when using his vocals for King of Comedy?

[@radiba007]

Not sure if this cover found something extra or new. Not my favourite one but still good.

[@marcmorlec3701]

Parfait

[@RichardGrat]

Why they never have added this song in their concerts ?

[@underthetornado]

Jennifer Warnes did my favorite Cover of this beautiful song.

[@JTW3159]

fail

[@YigitMerall]

Add spotify pls

[@PYSCOPOMP]

FUCK ME - REM Does Cohen? Had no clue. Knew you were on our side MS. :)

[@PYSCOPOMP]

Just like the man on moon video. Get it.

[@isabelarcher2924]

Magnifica

[@barryjohnson8352]

Dead Artists Syndrome also does s great job covering this.

[@oliverwalasek7672]

Wann kommt Paris!!!

[@jand80]

Does someone have the guitar tabs for this? The riff seems to be C-D-E- and a lower A power chord, but I don’t get it to sound like the song

[@pwmiles56]

It's the original lyric but hey, the Jennifer Warnes cover improved on it. Cohen loved her apparently. What a man! He lived for art. How many know this was by him? OK apart from Tanita Tikaram. Like I said, JW is better, this is ... plonky

[@phishpot]

Jennifer Warnes' version is the original; Cohen released his version later on 🙂

[@adripenelope]

Then we take Berlin ❤

[@chrismathers6822]

Father's Day. 2016.....