“That section of the song, the ending of the song, to me is sort of like the clincher. If you didn't like the song at first, you should like it by that time.” »read more
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"Marianne" in this song is Marianne Jensen (now Ihlen) who met and lived together with Leonard Cohen and her son on the Greek Island Hydra. Later they all 3 moved to Montreal. Marianne's son was from a former marriage with the Norwegian novelist Axel Jensen who also lived on Hydra at that time.
Norwegian Broadcasting aired the first interview with Marianne Jensen on January 22, 2006.
On the backside of the cover of Songs From A Room there is a picture of Marianne sitting in front of Cohen's typewriter. (thanks, Thomas - Oslo, Norway, for all above)
More songs with girls' names in the title
More songs written for a girl
Comments:
This song was written in Montreal, Canada...always thought there might be some connection between the title and Marianne Street on Montreal.
- Robert Campion, Galway, Ireland
this song is so beautiful. i got it from my girl friend. and i been listening to it for past 2 month have 100o tmes n over n over,
craig you wrote it so precise
- LEO, NY , NY
For those who understand Norwegian can go to www.nrk.no and search for it in the archive, it is freely available for everybody. Next saturday they broadcast an interview with Leonard Cohen where he will tell his story, and I really looking forward to it.
- Thomas Gabrielsen, Oslo, Norway
A NewZealand band called the "Straitjacket Fits" did a really cool interpretation in the late '80s . The result was that my friends and i checked out the Cohen catalogue. Well into the millenium and continue to listen and be intrigued!
- Craig, Dunedin, New Zealand
"She held on to me like I was a crucifix." Absolutely amazing. No lyricist has such a clear and precise sense of metaphor--song length or one-line.
- craig, madison, WI