I heard this song for the first time today. I was driving back into the city (as a Navigator actually) with my friend HS – who incidentally had taken me for an R&R break – when he finally had it with my ‘beat-y’ music and told me he was switching the tone.
I don’t really blame him – we’d quite literally heard at least 2 albums of St Germain – and he told me to put on some Leonard Cohen.
Until earlier today, I had absolutely no clue who Leonard Cohen was. A little research on Google tells me that he is a very well known Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, novelist and artist ! He has also been in the music industry for four decades !
He was also inducted into the ‘Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’ (2006) and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2008). He also has a few Juno Awards for Vocalist and Songwriter of the year. That’s a pretty hefty list of credentials !!
The very start of the music makes you instantly relax …. and then … THAT VOICE … the deep husky baritone and bass voice … it can make you melt ! The simple drum beats soothe every muscle in your body. I found myself settling into the car seat and closing my eyes – and just letting Leonards’ voice take over.
I loved this song simply because not only does it have a lounge feel with a soothing melody; there is also the enough time between each line of the song allowing the listener to fully grasp and acknowledge each instrument playing and at the same time being able to ‘hear’ the lyrics word-for-word.
With most songs, even slow songs – there are some verses of the songs that one isn’t able to grasp all the words being sung. With this track – it’s impossible not to hear all the words. Cohen and collaborator Sharon Robinson's vocals are absolutely gorgeous throughout. Not to mention the perfect harmony of the various instrument – take it up another notch !
The unusual combination of music and lyrics is perfect. The lyrics are sheer poetry !! and just transports you to another world … It really does feel like a secret life ….
Can you picture a memory to each word you hear … doesn’t it create a warm fuzzy feeling inside ? Sometimes it also causes a pull in the pit of your stomach … .. slowly releasing itself into your insides … doesn’t it increase your heart beat .. just a little bit … do you feel the tightening of your heart ….
Do you hear the hum of a wind instrument against the bass and drums ? Can you picture the fingertips gracefully moving on the keyboard … or the ones strumming the guitar ?
Do you know which verse I’m referring to with all my thoughts above ? I closed my eyes and wrote whatever I was feeling …. I think you should try it … You never know what you come out with hehe
It’s 2:40 a.m and once I was finally settled in bed – I had already found the relevant links on youtube to find the video of the song … and have heard it at least 4-5 times at this point including whilst writing this post.
Do you have a secret life ? I think we all do … Do you find yourself drifting off … someplace … away from where you currently are … when you ‘finally’ find a few minutes to yourself .. away from your busy schedule ?
That zone .. that someplace … it’s ‘your’ time to reflect back for a little bit …on anything … and everything … to shut out the noise and daily communication … I’d been needing to do that for a while now and didn’t even realise just how much my entire system was begging to be shut down !
Now that I think about it – earlier today I found myself allowing myself to get into the pool and just ‘float’ around … I put my sunnies on, stepped into the pool neck deep (I’m 5’7” in height) and slowly dipped my head back to get my hair wet and get over the initial cold shock – propped my toes and let my entire body lie horizontally – with arms above my head and toes peeking out of the water surface – closed eyes and submerged face aside from the edge following the outline of the sunnies.
I must have floated for 5-7 minutes at a time for close to 30 minutes – and it felt just amazing. This song would have been perfect to listen to whilst I lay there floating in a gorgeous pool and catching the suns rays on my face (and yes I have panda eyes now ! stop giggling now !! ).
On that happy note – I’m going to go to bed now - and leave you all to hear this wonderful piece of music – and visit your secret life =)
Special Thanks to HS for introducing this amazing musician to me (and to the rest of you who didn’t know about him too)
In My Secret Life
I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can't seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
There's no one in sight.
And we're still making love
In My Secret Life.
I smile when I'm angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I'd die for the truth
In My Secret Life.
Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I'll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.
Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it's either black or white.
Thank G-d it's not that simple
In My Secret Life.
I bite my lip.
I buy what I'm told:
From the latest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I'm always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it's crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.
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