You know the words to “Suzanne” and “Hallelujah,” but did you know that Leonard Cohen was often as poetic in interviews as he was with his music? The legend’s best conversations have been collected into one illuminating new book, Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen. Editor Jeff Burger has selected interviews and quotes, many of them which haven’t yet been published in English, that will prove as fascinating to Cohen newcomers to his most diehard fans.
Burger has culled twelve of the book’s revealing quotes from across Cohen’s career; they’re listed in chronological order below. If you love these, pick up a copy of Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen, which is on shelves now.
On marriage.
“I think marriage is the hottest furnace of the spirit today. Much more difficult than solitude, much more challenging for people who want to work on themselves. It’s a situation in which there are no alibis, excruciating most of the time … but it’s only in this situation that any kind of work can be done.”
—to Paul Williams, 1975
On his simple lifestyle.
“I have always been attracted to the voluptuousness of austerity. I never chose the style of my life because it hurt. It was on the contrary. I feel most comfortable and most abundant when things are very simple and I know where everything is and there’s nothing around that I don’t need.”
—to Vicki Gabereau, 1984
On stage nerves.
“When you walk on the stage and five thousand people have paid good money to hear you, there’s definitely a sense that you can blow it. The possibilities for disgrace are enormous.”
—to Robert Sward, 1984
On the value of popular music.
“The basic function of popular music is to create an environment for courting, lovemaking, and doing the dishes. It’s useful because it addresses the heart in the midst of all these activities, and it will always be useful in this very important way.”
—to Kristine McKenna, 1985
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