What is the best Leonard Cohen album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Songs of Leonard Cohen" (1967). It's the most representative of what makes Leonard Cohen worth hearing.

What are the best Leonard Cohen albums?

The essential Leonard Cohen albums include "Songs of Leonard Cohen" (1967), "Songs from a Room" (1969), "Songs of Love and Hate" (1971), "Live Songs" (1973) and "The Best of Leonard Cohen" (1975).

How many albums does Leonard Cohen have?

Leonard Cohen has 34 releases in their discography, including 29 albums.

Photo: Rama · CC BY-SA 2.0 fr

Leonard Cohen

Q: Who is Leonard Cohen for?

If you're into blues and folk rock, Leonard Cohen is worth your time. Driven by a steady pulse and layered textures, Cohen's music emerges from moments of quiet intensity where each word hangs in the air, challenging the listener to linger on its weight.

Driven by a steady pulse and layered textures, Cohen's music emerges from moments of quiet intensity where each word hangs in the air, challenging the listener to linger on its weight.

blues · folk rock · pop rock · soft rock

Canada

Read about Leonard Cohen on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Songs of Leonard Cohen album by Leonard Cohen

Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)

This debut album introduces Cohen's signature poetic style and sound, providing a solid foundation for new listeners to explore his music.

The song

“Suzanne”

This track is engaging and showcases Cohen's lyrical depth and melodic simplicity, making it an ideal entry point into his artistic world.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Cement Shoes" — from Lone Ranger (1992)

accessible entry with immediate hook
2

"So Long, Marianne" — from So Long, Marianne (1989)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"You Want It Darker" — from You Want It Darker (2016)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"Suzanne" — from The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)

accessible entry with immediate hook
5

"Dance Me to the End of Love" — from Live in London (2009)

accessible entry with immediate hook
6

"Suzanne" — from The Best of Leonard Cohen (1975)

accessible entry with immediate hook

About Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen matters as a cornerstone of contemporary songwriting.

His work has profoundly influenced the landscape of lyrical depth, shifting how audiences engage with themes of love, loss, and spirituality.

His work has profoundly influenced the landscape of lyrical depth, shifting how audiences engage with themes of love, loss, and spirituality. Cohen’s introspective verses resonate with listeners seeking authenticity, creating a lasting impact on both poets and musicians who strive to weave profound narratives into their art. Cohen's approach to music fused poetic storytelling with sparse instrumentation, allowing for an intimate connection between his voice and the listener. His use of haunting melodies and minimalistic arrangements invites audiences into a contemplative space where every note feels deliberate. This creates an atmosphere that emphasizes mood over spectacle, encouraging deep reflection rather than mere entertainment. In his songwriting, Cohen often explores existential themes such as longing, faith, and the human condition, employing a tone that balances irony with sincerity. His lyrical style combines vivid imagery with a conversational voice, making complex emotions accessible while maintaining a sense of mystery. This blend of narrative and impressionistic elements allows listeners to find personal meaning within his songs.

29 studio albums· 34 total releases· 5 decades· Canada

Full discography

Leonard Cohen's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

34 releases • 29 albums • 1967–2019

Type:

Singles (5)

Continue your journey

If you liked Leonard Cohen, start with Bob Dylan

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata Discogs

Leonard Cohen

Start here

Songs to start with

About Leonard Cohen

Full discography

Studio albums (19)

Thanks for the Dance

You Want It Darker

Can't Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour

Popular Problems

Old Ideas

Songs from the Road

Dear Heather

Ten New Songs

Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979

The Future

Lone Ranger

So Long, Marianne

I'm Your Man

Various Positions

Recent Songs

Death of a Ladies' Man

Live Songs

Because of You

Songs from a Room

Live (5)

Live in Dublin

Live at the Isle of Wight 1970

Live in London

Cohen Live

Live in Fredericton

Compilations (5)

The Essential Leonard Cohen

More Best of Leonard Cohen

The Best of Leonard Cohen

Songs of Love and Hate

Songs of Leonard Cohen

Singles (5)

Darkness

In My Secret Life

Lover Lover Lover

Suzanne / Bird On The Wire

Suzanne / So Long, Marianne