Friday, February 1, 2019

Battle of the Bands: Cohen vs Cohen vs Cohen


Greetings, friends and co-horts...this is the BATTLE OF THE BANDS for February, 2019! 

The BATTLE OF THE BANDS and was started by FAR AWAY EYES and is currently commandeered by dear STEPHEN T. McCARTHY (O Captain, my Captian!). If you're new to this, a Battle gets posted on the 1st and 15th of each month and results appear magically six days later, on the 7th and 21st. You comment below and tell me which tune your favorite and why (if you want to elaborate). If it's absolutely necessary, I add my own humble vote to break a tie and announce the winner. 
As I pondered possibilities for February battles, it occurred to me that some very interesting talents need to have their own hits battle each other. As of late, I've been mezmerized by a few Leonard Cohen "hits" and I think they're worthy of this experiment. 

Cohen (1934-2016) had a prolific career and was truly an interesting character and you can check out his bio online if you want the full scoop. His speak-song style rubbed me the wrong way for a long time, though I truly was a fan of his compositions. He grew on me. 

Let's look at three hits and vote for your favorite. One thing I appreciate about Leonard Cohen is his lyrics; they're smart and evocative...they make you think and frequently, I'm unsure of his meaning. Even better. I love a good debate. And, as he has passed, we can't ask him to clarify...

CONTENDER #1: "EVERYBODY KNOWS"




CONTENDER #2: "HALLELUJAH"



CONTENDER #3: "YOU WANT IT DARKER"



Your thoughts? Which one did you like best? Do you like Cohen's style of writing...or his delivery? Both? Come one, spill your guts. Vote below in the comments. Then check out all of the other battles that are happening today by clicking on the links below. 

Toddle on back here mid-day on the 7th and we'll see how the votes tallied up.  See you then!

ANGELS BARK
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35 comments:

  1. Stephen T. McCarthyFebruary 1, 2019 at 1:47 AM

    What I want to know is: Did anyone ever see [Link> Leonard Cohen, Dustin Hoffman, and Al Pacino in the same place at the same time?

    I've sometimes thought of Leonard Cohen as the poor man's Tom Waits. Or maybe it's the other way around. No. That's right. The poor man's Tom Waits. ...And vice versa.

    >>... (O Captain, my Captain!)

    That's one of my all-time Top Ten favorite movies. How'd you know?!
    ("Thanks for the stroll down Amnesia Lane.")

    I'm voting for 'You Want It Darker'. I'm not sure if it's blasphemy for me to vote for that one. But if so, I will (honestly) claim ignorance before the Throne of God and then claim the sinless Sacrifice of Jesus to absolve me of all blame. And I will be forgiven because... "It Is Written".

    (Did Lenny ever write a song titled 'It Is Written'?)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:36 PM

      No...I never did see them in the same place. WHHHHAAAAA?

      We need to discuss this song further, by the way...so many theories in my head. Expect a text. :-)

      Delete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 1, 2019 at 7:47 AM

    The second one is probably the most well known, but I'm going with the first, Everybody Knows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:36 PM

      Thanks, Alex! I still like Hallelujah, inspite of the fact it truly has been overdone.

      Delete
  3. Arlee BirdFebruary 1, 2019 at 10:02 AM

    Personally I've grown tired of "Hallelujah" since it's been recorded and performed to the extent of overkill. I've never heard that last song, but I'm not particularly enamored with it.

    My vote goes to "Everybody Knows" since it's a pretty cool song and there are a lot of good covers that I don't get tired of hearing. It's one of my wife's favorite songs and she doesn't like much pop music.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      I get it, brother...too much of a good think.

      Thanks for your vote, Lee!

      Delete
  4. holliFebruary 1, 2019 at 10:56 AM

    I really really do love hallelujah by him but I do agree with Arlee that's its been overdone lately. I like all of them but I am going to go with Everybody Knows.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      It's a common thought...too much Hallelujah!

      Thanks, Holli!

      Delete
  5. BirgitFebruary 1, 2019 at 12:49 PM

    I prefer Everybody Knows-I found that more soothing. the last one got on my nerves and i just wanted him to shut up. I like hallelujah but, I agree, it has been overdone and Everyone sings it with such reverence but this gal is not nice-she tied him to a kitchen chair and cut his hair..bad girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:38 PM

      His lyrics are great, though...ya gotta admit...

      Delete
    2. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:38 PM

      Oops, I forgot: Thanks, Birgit!

      Delete
  6. Debra She Who SeeksFebruary 1, 2019 at 1:08 PM

    I adore Leonard Cohen! I've been a fan of his since I was a teenager in the 1970s. I love all the songs you've selected, so it's hard to pick a favourite. But I'll go with "You Want It Darker?" off his final album before he died. I think of it as his truth-telling indictment of God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:41 PM

      I'm not so sure it is an indictment...Cohen is said to have "never met a religion he didn't like." He was at an age where he was near the end of life. The argument "why does God let this happen?" is as old as...God!

      But you know what? You have to acknowledge God to argue with God. And if you recognize there is a God...well, you won't push His buttons much unless you're truly foolish.

      Thank you for your vote...and Praise the Lord!

      Delete
  7. fishduckyFebruary 1, 2019 at 2:01 PM

    #2 does it for me!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mary BurrisFebruary 1, 2019 at 2:52 PM

    While everyone thinks that Hallelujah is overdone, it's still a good song. I also enjoyed Everybody Knows, but ultimately my vote goes to Hallelujah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:41 PM

      It is a great song, that's why it's overdone!

      Thanks, Mary!

      Delete
  9. MikeFebruary 1, 2019 at 4:11 PM

    "You Want It Darker?" Just because it has more music in it. If someone gave me a Leonard Cohen album I would give it away. Don't like the talky style at all.
    He must have had gonads the size of tennis balls that hung down to his knees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:42 PM

      Mike, Mike, Mike...this is why I love ya.

      Thanks for the vote!

      Delete
  10. Mirka BreenFebruary 2, 2019 at 7:34 PM

    In an atypical choice (for me) i will choose YOU WANT IT DARKER. So personal.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:42 PM

      Yes, I think so, too! There's a whole discussion that can go on about that tune.

      Thanks, Mirka!

      Delete
  11. Yaqub NipuFebruary 3, 2019 at 12:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. CWMartinFebruary 4, 2019 at 8:05 PM

    I was trying to figure out which of the many covers of Hallelujah was the one I knew the song from (never did figure it out), But then I put on You Want It Darker... and the contest was over. Number three for me!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:43 PM

      It's a radically cool song...thanks, Chris!

      Delete
  13. cdianeFebruary 5, 2019 at 1:23 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:43 PM

      Of course, you didn't, robo-scam...deleting soon.

      Delete
  14. mike spainFebruary 5, 2019 at 11:32 PM

    Hallelujah is my favorite but all three are great songs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. aisasamiFebruary 6, 2019 at 7:27 AM

    Cohen isn't my cup of tea. Maybe I craving something else musically. But, I like "You Like It Darker". I can imagine Batman singing this one. I don't know which Batman, but I imagine some Batman singing it.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:44 PM

      He grew on me...I used to despise the talky stuff or growling lyrics of Tom Waits...I changed over time.

      Thanks, aisasami!

      Delete
  16. John HoltonFebruary 6, 2019 at 9:37 AM

    Right off the bat I eliminated "Halleliujah" because it seems that everybody and their siblings has done it. Of the two remaining songs, "Everybody Knows" moved a little better, so I'll go with that. As several others have said, I'm not much of a fan.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:44 PM

      A lot of folks eliminated "Hallelujah!"

      Thanks for your vote, John!

      Delete
  17. Cathy KennedyFebruary 7, 2019 at 6:49 AM

    Cherdo,

    First off, I'm so glad you came by my place to vote. I came by earlier with the intent to vote but got side tracked and all this time I thought I DID it. So, here I am ready to give your battle my full attention. :)

    Cohen's speaking-singing style never appealed to me. His deep vocals almost sound creepy at times. That's why I can't go with 'Hallelujah'. I prefer Michael Bolton's cover. The other two songs are new-to-me. The last one seemed too dark sounding but the first song feature satisfied my ear enough to steal my vote. I'm going with Everybody Knows!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CherdoFebruary 8, 2019 at 1:45 PM

      I'm late to the party! My guys surprised me with dinner and birthday frolicing. So, you're in!

      Thanks, Cathy!

      Delete

Thanks for your personal yada, yada, yada,
Love, Cherdo

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