Yesterday’s Tom Waits song led people to recommend Leonard Cohen, who, while not as raw or as raspy — at least not early in his career — is maybe the Canadian equivalent. Certainly, the man is a phenomenal songwriter, and I’ve long been a fan of his considerable talent.
As it happens, today is Canada Day, which seems like a perfect excuse to post this song from one of the country’s favorite sons. As with Waits, there’s a lot to choose from, but you really can’t go wrong with one of his biggest (and certainly earliest) hits, “Suzanne.”
I think I first heard the song — and I know I first really became aware of it — as an undergraduate at Penn State, listening to it in one of my Integrative Arts classes, Popular Music in America. So thanks, Professor Kelly!
Yay, Leonard Cohen!