Leonard Cohen, Bird on the Wire
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Like A Bird On The Wire
The lyrics to the song, “Bird On The Wire” by Leonard Cohen, have a spiritual quality in their directness. They speak directly to the listener, revealing truths about the writer. Admissions of the writer’s profound failings, yet shameless in the telling.
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The simile and descriptions within the lyric connects the listener to lonesome, sad, even tragic scenes that are immediately familiar. Dark, while being somehow inviting.
I have had an awareness of Leonard Cohen for as long as I can remember. His music and presence is almost like a cultural consciousness; thoughts and feelings carried in our DNA or shared through stories from each generation. The writer, Brian D. Johnson, who had interviewed Cohen many times, was quoted in a CTVnews.ca article stating, “Leonard had an influence that extended like an underground stream throughout the entire culture, especially among other artists,…” * His song “Bird on the Wire” is like that for me, a song I knew before I gave it any attention. *(https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/music-experts-reflect-on-legacy-of-leonard-cohen-a-national-treasure-1.3156352, 11/16/2018) The writing of Bird On The Wire was said to have been inspired, in part, by bouts of depression that plagued Cohen, even as he enjoyed life on the Greek island of Hydra. The song was finished after he left his island home and took up residence in Hollywood. It was released on his “Songs From a Room” album produced by Bob Johnson in 1969, on the Columbia label. Johnston, also produced artists, such as, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Simon and Garfunkel for Columbia. There was an early version of the song produced by David Crosby, at the request of Joni Mitchell, that was included as a bonus track, on the digital remaster of the album in 2007. The song has been covered by many great artists. It was first released in 1968 by Judy Collins. It has also been recorded by Joe Cocker, Jackie DeShannon, Dave Van Ronk, Tim Hardin, k. d. Lang, and recently, the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Find a more complete list check here. I was more familiar with Joe Cocker’s recording of the song although I’d certainly heard Judy Collins’ version. Cocker’s voice lends an intensity to the song that has always inspired me to want to sing it. Cohen comes from a suburb of Montreal, Canada and grew up with educated parents. He was encouraged by his mother, to write poetry, when he was young. He played guitar as a teenager, continuing to play music as he matriculated into McGill University where he won the McNaughton Prize in creative writing. After university he became a published poet. His second book of poetry, “The Spice Box of Earth”, received critical and commercial success which gave him the means to travel and maintain a comfortable living. He eventually moved to the Greek island of Hydra. It was there that he was inspired to begin writing Bird On the Wire. The lyrics of the song continue to evolve as Cohen has been known to sing different versions of the song at his performances. I played this version in the Key of G. It’s basically in compound time meaning I’m playing, in this case, 6 notes per measure with a strong feeling of 2 beats per measure. The chords on the guitar are played as single notes in succession or one after the other, which is called an arpeggio. This creates a steady accompaniment that continues through the song. I am performing this song at a generally softer dynamic level. An important part of any performance is how the dynamics change throughout the song. It’s hard to get overly loud and keep the intimate setting of this performance, so it is important to play the quieter sections really softly, giving the piece room to move dynamically. For you gear heads, I’ll just say I recorded the vocal with an Electro-Voice RE-20 mic and the guitar with an older, Rode NT-1. The guitar is a Larrivee OM-03. (notice it has a clear pickguard) Now, go give Joe Cockers version a listen. Then come back and maybe listen to Judy Collins or Fairport Convention. And certainly listen to one of Leonard Cohen’s versions. Check out the list above, of people who have covered this song. Be inspired by Leonard Cohen’s art and… Enjoy the music. Leave a comment below… I am a musician living on the coast of Maine. I have been playing gigs since the 1970’s and have played extensively throughout the United States and parts of Canada. I have contributed to many other musician’s projects as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer. I have a Master of Music Education degree and I have taught music at all levels, in private lessons, public schools, and in Maine Colleges. I am here to here to help you be a better listener, answer your questions about music, and make musical ideas a positive part of your week. I encourage you to play…Leonard Cohen: A Part of Our Cultural DNA
“…all my ribbons, for thee…”
Cohen: Poet to Songwriter to Performer
A Little Information for Music Geeks and Gear Heads
Now Give “Bird On The Wire” a Listen
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