'Tower Of Song' by Leonard Cohen


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey

I ache in the places where I used to play

And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on

I'm just paying my rent every day

Oh in the Tower of Song


I said to Hank Williams: how lonely does it get?

Hank Williams hasn't answered yet

But I hear him coughing all night long

A hundred floors above me

In the Tower of Song


I was born like this, I had no choice

I was born with the gift of a golden voice

And twenty-seven angels from the Great Beyond

They tied me to this table right here

In the Tower of Song


So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll

I'm very sorry, baby, doesn't look like me at all

I'm standing by the window where the light is strong

Ah they don't let a woman kill you

Not in the Tower of Song


Now you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may
be sure

The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor

And there's a mighty judgement coming, but I may be wrong

You see, you hear these funny voices

In the Tower of Song


I see you standing on the other side

I don't know how the river got so wide

I loved you baby, way back when

And all the bridges are burning that we might have crossed

But I feel so close to everything that we lost

We'll never have to lose it again


Now I bid you farewell, I don't know when I'll be back

There moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track

But you'll be hearing from me baby, long after I'm gone

I'll be speaking to you sweetly

From a window in the Tower of Song


Yeah my friends are gone and my hair is grey

I ache in the places where I used to play

And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on

I'm just paying my rent every day

Oh in the Tower of Song

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tower Of Song by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen's Tower of Song is a classic poem that delves into the nature of creative expression and the role that music plays in our lives. This poem speaks to us on many levels; it is a meditation on the power of art, a reflection on the human condition, and a commentary on the struggle for self-discovery.

At its core, Tower of Song is a song about the creative process. It speaks to the artist's desire to create something that will endure beyond their own lifetime. It is about the struggle to find the right words, the right melody, and the right voice to express something that is true and real.

The poem is structured around the metaphor of a tower. The tower represents the artist's inner world, his or her creative space. It is the place where the artist goes to find inspiration, to connect with the muse. The tower is also a symbol of the creative process itself, the slow and often painful journey from idea to finished work.

The poem begins with the speaker's declaration that he is a "tower of song." He is not just any song, but a tower, a grand, imposing edifice that rises above everything else. The tower is a symbol of the artist's ambition, his desire to create something great.

But the tower is also a lonely place. The speaker is isolated from the world, cut off from the people and experiences that might have inspired him. He is, in a sense, imprisoned by his own ambition.

"I was born like this, I had no choice I was born with the gift of a golden voice"

The speaker's gift is both a blessing and a curse. It is a gift because it allows him to create music that touches people's souls. But it is also a curse because it isolates him from the world. He is like a prisoner in his own tower, unable to break free from the chains of his own creativity.

The tower is also a place of darkness. The speaker refers to the tower as a "darkness" that he has built up around himself. This darkness is not just the absence of light, but the absence of life. The speaker's creativity has cut him off from the world, and he is left alone with his thoughts and his music.

"I said to Hank Williams: how lonely does it get? Hank Williams hasn't answered yet But I hear him coughing all night long A hundred floors above me, in the tower of song"

The speaker reaches out to other artists, seeking connection and understanding. But even here, he is alone. Hank Williams is a symbol of the artist who has gone before, someone who has experienced the same pain and isolation. But even Hank is unreachable, a hundred floors above the speaker in the tower of song.

The poem's central metaphor is the tower, but it is also a poem about the power of music. Leonard Cohen's Tower of Song is a celebration of the transformative power of music, the way it can touch our souls and change our lives.

"I was born like this, I had no choice I was born with the gift of a golden voice And twenty-seven angels from the Great Beyond They tied me to this table right here in the tower of song"

The speaker's gift is not just his voice, but the angels that inspire him. The angels are a symbol of the divine, the power that flows through all creative expression. The speaker is tied to the table of his own creativity, a prisoner of his own inspiration.

But even in this state of captivity, the speaker finds joy in the music. He sings of the "sweet perfume" that fills the air, a symbol of the beauty and power of music.

Tower of Song is a poem that speaks to the artist in all of us. It is a meditation on the power of creativity, the struggle to find our own voice, and the isolation that comes with the pursuit of our dreams.

"Now you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may be sure The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor And there's a mighty judgement coming, but I may be wrong"

The poem ends with a note of uncertainty. The speaker is not sure what the future holds, but he knows that there is a "mighty judgement" coming. This judgement is not just about the speaker's own life, but about the power of music itself. It is a reminder that music has the power to change the world, for better or for worse.

In the end, Tower of Song is a powerful meditation on the nature of creativity and the power of music. It is a poem that celebrates the artist's struggle, the beauty and the pain that comes with the pursuit of our dreams. Leonard Cohen's Tower of Song is a classic poem that will continue to inspire us for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Tower of Song: A Masterpiece by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen is a name that needs no introduction. The Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist has left an indelible mark on the world of music and literature. His songs are known for their poetic lyrics, haunting melodies, and deep philosophical themes. One such song that stands out in his repertoire is "Tower of Song." Released in 1988, the song is a masterpiece that showcases Cohen's genius as a songwriter and poet.

The song begins with the lines, "Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play." These lines set the tone for the rest of the song, which is a reflection on the aging process and the toll it takes on the body and mind. Cohen, who was in his mid-fifties when he wrote the song, was no stranger to the effects of aging. He had already experienced a lot of success in his career, but he was also aware of the limitations that come with age.

The title of the song, "Tower of Song," is a metaphor for the creative process. The tower represents the artist's mind, which is a place where ideas are born and transformed into works of art. The tower is also a symbol of the artist's isolation, as creating art can be a solitary pursuit. Cohen sings, "I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get? Hank Williams hasn't answered yet." This line is a reference to the country music legend who died at the age of 29. Williams was known for his melancholic songs that spoke of loneliness and heartbreak. Cohen, who was a fan of Williams, is asking him how lonely it gets in the tower of song. The fact that Williams hasn't answered yet suggests that the tower can be a lonely place.

The song is also a tribute to the art of songwriting. Cohen sings, "I was born like this, I had no choice, I was born with the gift of a golden voice." These lines suggest that songwriting is not just a profession, but a calling. It is something that comes naturally to some people, and they have no choice but to pursue it. The golden voice is a metaphor for the gift of songwriting, which is a rare and precious talent.

The song is also a reflection on the nature of fame and success. Cohen sings, "I was famous long before I knew it." These lines suggest that fame is not something that can be predicted or controlled. It is something that happens to some people, whether they want it or not. Cohen, who had achieved a lot of success in his career, was aware of the pitfalls of fame. He knew that it could be a double-edged sword, bringing both adulation and scrutiny.

The song is also a meditation on mortality. Cohen sings, "I ache in the places where I used to play, and I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on." These lines suggest that the aging process can be painful, both physically and emotionally. The desire for love and companionship is still there, but the body and mind are not as willing as they used to be. The line, "I'm not coming on," suggests that Cohen is aware of his own mortality and is not willing to take unnecessary risks.

The song is also a celebration of the creative process. Cohen sings, "I'm just paying my rent every day in the tower of song." These lines suggest that creating art is not just a hobby or a pastime, but a way of life. The tower of song is a place where the artist can find solace and meaning in the midst of a chaotic world. It is a place where the artist can express themselves freely and honestly.

In conclusion, "Tower of Song" is a masterpiece that showcases Leonard Cohen's genius as a songwriter and poet. The song is a meditation on the aging process, the creative process, fame, success, and mortality. It is a tribute to the art of songwriting and a celebration of the creative spirit. The song is a reminder that even in the midst of pain and suffering, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in the world. Leonard Cohen may be gone, but his music and poetry will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

Build Quiz - Dev Flashcards & Dev Memorization: Learn a programming language, framework, or study for the next Cloud Certification
Learn Javascript: Learn to program in the javascript programming language, typescript, learn react
Learn Beam: Learn data streaming with apache beam and dataflow on GCP and AWS cloud
Crypto Advisor - Crypto stats and data & Best crypto meme coins: Find the safest coins to invest in for this next alt season, AI curated
Low Code Place: Low code and no code best practice, tooling and recommendations

Recommended Similar Analysis

There 's been a death in the opposite house by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Eagle (A Fragment ) by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
To Sleep by John Keats analysis
Rights of Women, The by Anna Lætitia Barbauld analysis
Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Anactoria by Sappho analysis
The Retreat by Henry Vaughan analysis
Sonnet 127: In the old age black was not counted fair by William Shakespeare analysis
Day is Done, The by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
It Is the Hour by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis