Released 24 years ago this October
The Essential Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen · 2002
156 min · 31 tracks · blues
A haunting blend of poetic lyrics and melancholic melodies that traverse love, loss, and existential reflection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hallelujah — This track encapsulates Cohen's signature blend of spiritual longing and heartache, making it one of his most covered songs. Its emotional depth and lyrical complexity continue to resonate with listeners across generations.
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Suzanne Start here — Often regarded as one of Cohen's defining songs, it paints a vivid picture of longing and beauty through its evocative imagery. The song's gentle melody complements its poignant storytelling, establishing a template for future singer-songwriters.
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Bird on a Wire — This track reflects themes of vulnerability and resilience, capturing the essence of Cohen's introspective songwriting style. Its haunting melody coupled with reflective lyrics offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the artist's psyche.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation effectively showcases Cohen's lyrical depth and musical evolution but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- The album features a chronological selection of tracks, starting with early folk songs and progressing to later works that incorporate more contemporary sounds.
- Many tracks are characterized by sparse instrumentation, allowing Cohen's deep voice and lyrical content to take center stage.
- Several songs include recurring themes of love and loss, often employing vivid imagery and metaphorical language in the lyrics.
- The compilation includes both studio recordings and a live performance, providing a contrast between polished production and raw emotional delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments of solitude
- melancholic melodies for introspection
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- long listening sessions by candlelight
- poetic storytelling through song
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — Offers a comprehensive overview of Cohen's impactful career for new listeners.
- Themes
- spiritual longing· vivid storytelling· poignant farewells
- Career context
- Released in 2002, The Essential Leonard Cohen serves as a comprehensive overview of Cohen's extensive career, spanning from his folk beginnings in the 1960s to his later works that embraced more contemporary sounds. This compilation arrives just before a resurgence in his popularity, highlighted by renewed interest following the success of 'Hallelujah' in various media and covers by other artists.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Suzanne Start here 3:48
- 2 The Stranger Song 5:00
- 3 Sisters of Mercy 3:33
- 4 Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye 2:54
- 5 So Long, Marianne 5:39
- 6 Bird on a Wire 3:25
- 7 The Partisan 3:25
- 8 Famous Blue Raincoat 5:09
- 9 Chelsea Hotel #2 3:06
- 10 Take This Longing 4:06
- 11 Who by Fire 2:34
- 12 The Guests 6:40
- 13 Hallelujah 4:38
- 14 If It Be Your Will 3:42
- 15 Night Comes On 4:40
- 16 I'm Your Man 4:25
- 17 Everybody Knows 5:37
- 18 Tower of Song 5:37
Disc 2
- 1 Ain't No Cure for Love 4:51
- 2 Take This Waltz 5:59
- 3 First We Take Manhattan 5:51
- 4 Dance Me to the End of Love (live) 6:06
- 5 The Future 6:41
- 6 Democracy 7:05
- 7 Waiting for the Miracle 7:42
- 8 Closing Time 5:59
- 9 Anthem 6:00
- 10 In My Secret Life 4:54
- 11 Alexandra Leaving 5:24
- 12 A Thousand Kisses Deep 6:28
- 13 Love Itself 5:22
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Explores themes of love and longing with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Shares a similar emotional depth and personal storytelling, wrapped in folk-infused arrangements.
Heathen
David Bowie
Combines reflective themes and rich sonic textures that evoke introspection and spiritual inquiry.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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