Famous Blue Raincoat
Leonard Cohen, Bob Geldof
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It's four in the morning, the end of December I'm writing you now just to see if you're better New York is cold, but I like where I'm living There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening. I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record. Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair She said that you gave it to her That night that you planned to go clear Did you ever go clear? Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder You'd been to the station to meet every train And you came home without Lili Marlene And you treated my woman to a flake of your life And when she came back she was nobody's wife. Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth One more thin gypsy thief Well I see Jane's awake She sends her regards. And what can I tell you my brother, my killer What can I possibly say? I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you I'm glad you stood in my way. If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me And your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free. Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes I thought it was there for good so I never tried. And Jane came by with a lock of your hair She said that you gave it to her That night that you planned to go clear Sincerely L Cohen
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Written by: LEONARD COHEN
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Artist Background"Famous Blue Raincoat" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, who was renowned for his poignant lyrics, distinctive voice, and blending of folk, pop, rock and classical music.
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Album DetailsThe song is part of Cohen's third studio album, "Songs of Love and Hate," which was released in 1971. The album topped the charts in multiple countries.
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Songwriting InspirationThe track was supposedly inspired by a real-life blue Burberry raincoat that Cohen owned, which was stolen. The song is written in the form of a letter to the man responsible.
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Musical GenreThe song falls into the folk-rock genre, a popular genre in the 1970s that Cohen was known for pioneering.
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Unique StructureUnlike most popular songs, "Famous Blue Raincoat" has an unconventional structure and lyrical storyline, annotated with a time "It's four in the morning, the end of December".
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Involvement of Famous MusiciansThe famous English guitarist Ron Cornelius played the acoustic guitar in this song.
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SymbolismThe song is often noted for its profound use of symbol and metaphor, a characteristic typical of Cohen's work. The blue raincoat itself is often seen as a symbol of loss and longing.
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Positive Recognition"Famous Blue Raincoat" is widely regarded as one of Cohen's best songs. It's been covered by numerous artists and bands since its release.
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Up for InterpretationDespite being one of Cohen's most famous songs, its narrative and meaning remain somewhat ambiguous even to Cohen himself, who is quoted as saying, "I don't really understand a song like 'Famous Blue Raincoat,' you know?"
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Notable CoversHis song has been covered by numerous artists, including Jennifer Warnes, whose 1987 album, "Famous Blue Raincoat," focused heavily on Cohen's compositions, and Tori Amos on her 2001 album "Strange Little Girls."
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Use in MediaThe song was featured prominently in the 2005 Irish film "Short Order."
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Citation
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"Famous Blue Raincoat Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7078321/Leonard+Cohen/Famous+Blue+Raincoat>.
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