Different Sides

Album: Old Ideas (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Leonard Cohen closes his twelfth studio album Old Ideas with an argument. The Hammond organ-fuelled soft-shoe shuffle is a witty examination of a lovers' tiff. "C'mon baby give me a kiss, stop writing everything down," he croons.
  • Cohen is supported by some angelic female voices supplied by Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters. Longtime collaborator Sharon Robinson first started working with Cohen on his 1979 Field Commander Cohen tour. An established songwriter in her own right, Robinson won a Grammy Award in 1985 for co-writing "New Attitude" with Patti LaBelle for the movie Beverly Hills Cop. She has also written with Cohen, and for 2001's Ten New Songs she wrote all the music, performed virtually all the parts and produced the album.

    Charley and Hattie Webb hail from Kent in England. In addition to their gorgeous harmony singing, Hattie plays harp and mandolin while Charley performs on the guitar, piano, clarinet and saxophone. The sisters were part of Cohen's 2008-10 world tour and are featured on the Leonard Cohen Live in London backing Cohen on the song "If It Be Your Will."
  • Old Ideas is actually an old idea as it was the original name for 2004's Dear Heather. Cohen was persuaded to drop it as it was feared people would assume it was a retrospective.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.