Songfacts®:

• Cohen really wanted to sing this personal song about a longstanding conflict with his brother but his bullfrog voice range was not up to the task. He called his discovery of singer Jimmy Swan, "One of those things that make you believe in God's guiding hand."
• Inspired by the Benny Mardones song "Into the Night," Cohen asked Swan to scream-sing the ending of the song, as an expression of the anguish Cohen felt over the schism with his brother.
• The original song ended with the renowned refrain, "But the load doesn't weigh me down at all, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother;" however, after months of effort, Cohen could not get rights clearance from The Hollies estate, so he was compelled to bring Swan back into the studio and re-record new end lyrics.
• James Lum spent 15 minutes agonizing over which one of his 40 guitars he should use for the soaring guitar solo then promised his performance would "Leave them in tears."
• This metaphorical song has become a favorite among gay men who have been ostracized by family members for their choice of sexual preference, although Cohen has stated for the record that the rift with his brother centered around a financial dispute. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Arnie - Los Angeles, CA, for all above