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darkstar

(5,819 posts) Mon Dec 22, 2025, 06:14 PM Dec 2025

Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne"

I don’t know why, but I always thinks of this song around the holidays. Maybe because of the Jesus centered second verse. But it’s the third verse that gets me: There a re children in the morning / they are leaning out for love / they will lean that way forever.

As side note, has anyone seen the rather experimental 70s indie film “The Second Coming of Suzanne” that uses the song as a loose jumping off point? It stars Sondra Locke and Richard Dreyfuss. It’s a film within a film about a hippie director who casts Locke as a female Christ figure. A confusing mess, but it was some lovely, memorable moments. Anyway, would love to find someone else besides me who’s seen it.

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9 replies

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Highlight:

Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (Original Post) darkstar Dec 2025 OP

Every bit the equal of "Hallelujah" nikatnyte Dec 2025 #1

Well, the film is a feature, not a short. darkstar Dec 2025 #2

I heard it for the first time on the first Women's Rights day Conjuay Dec 2025 #5

I teared up my first time too darkstar Dec 2025 #8

Same song in his 2008 concert was far superior to his younger versions. Norrrm Dec 2025 #3

I find it extremely difficult to name Leonard Cohen's best song. Morbius Dec 2025 #4

"not that that's a huge deal" Conjuay Dec 2025 #6

I did not know Joni Mitchell was from Canada. Morbius Dec 2025 #7

Judy Collins' version is ethereal Zorro Dec 2025 #9

nikatnyte

(346 posts)

1. Every bit the equal of "Hallelujah"

Reply to darkstar (Original post)

Mon Dec 22, 2025, 06:48 PM

Dec 2025

I wasn't too aware of Leonard Cohen when I first heard "Suzanne" in 1967. It was recorded by Noel Harrison, actor Rex Harrison's son, and was a minor hit on the local radio station KRLA here in Los Angeles. I was immediately captivated by the song and its lyrics; Harrison wasn't a great singer but his thin voice was perfect for the song. It remains one of my all-time favorites. "Hallelujah" has become Cohen's most famous song, perhaps deservedly so, but to me it's "Suzanne" that comes to mind when I l
hear his name. (No, I've never heard of that short film. I'm a bit hesitant about seeking it out, but I will!)

darkstar

(5,819 posts)

2. Well, the film is a feature, not a short.

Reply to nikatnyte (Reply #1)

Mon Dec 22, 2025, 06:56 PM

Dec 2025

I bought it on vhs for 2 bucks in one of those circular bargain bins at a Walgreens knowing nothing about it except the box description and cast. I really can’t recommend it, but on the other hand I’ve probably watched it 3 times, hahaha.

And I agree with you that it’s every bit the equal of his most famous song.

Conjuay

(3,108 posts)

5. I heard it for the first time on the first Women's Rights day

Reply to nikatnyte (Reply #1)

Mon Dec 22, 2025, 11:55 PM

Dec 2025

It brought me to tears-
and only three songs have ever done that.

darkstar

(5,819 posts)

8. I teared up my first time too

Reply to Conjuay (Reply #5)

Tue Dec 23, 2025, 02:59 PM

Dec 2025

And even if no tears, it puts a lump in my throat, that’s for sure. Like I said in OP, it’s those lines about children leaning out for love forever that slay me.

Norrrm

(5,593 posts)

3. Same song in his 2008 concert was far superior to his younger versions.

Reply to darkstar (Original post)

Mon Dec 22, 2025, 07:33 PM

Dec 2025

Same for his other songs in that 2008 concert.

(Just my opinion)

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Morbius

(1,113 posts)

4. I find it extremely difficult to name Leonard Cohen's best song.

Reply to darkstar (Original post)

Mon Dec 22, 2025, 11:36 PM

Dec 2025

He is hands down the best composer in Canadian history, not that that's a huge deal. He wrote quite a few memorable songs, some of which come to me at the oddest times. I've seen the future, and it's murder.

Conjuay

(3,108 posts)

6. "not that that's a huge deal"

Reply to Morbius (Reply #4)

Tue Dec 23, 2025, 12:08 AM

Dec 2025

Joni?
Gordon Lightfoot?
Neil Young?
Sorry, but I would have to disagree.

Morbius

(1,113 posts)

7. I did not know Joni Mitchell was from Canada.

Reply to Conjuay (Reply #6)

Tue Dec 23, 2025, 01:13 AM

Dec 2025

And Neil Young is special, too. I apologize; you have a point.

Zorro

(18,883 posts)

9. Judy Collins' version is ethereal

Reply to darkstar (Original post)

Tue Dec 23, 2025, 04:17 PM

Dec 2025

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