This performance of “The Future” by Leonard Cohen with backup singers Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla from the May 12, 1993 “Later With Jools Holland†show is the companion piece to the video featured in Leonard Cohen Sings “Dance Me To The End Of Love” On Later With Jools Holland – 1993.
Perla Batalla
And as was true for that previously posted video, an excerpt from An Interview with Jools Holland is informative:
Holland mentions that Cohen will be performing again later, and after a few more (excellent) numbers from the other artists, Holland reintroduces Cohen and the band: “So now with the title song from his latest album, The Future, please welcome Leonard Cohen.” Cohen begins the song by saying unaccompanied, “I’ve seen the future, brother; it is murder.” It’s a very understated, cool and funky version. In the song he replaces the line “Give me crack and anal sex” with “Give me crack and careless sex”,1 presumably at the behest of the BBC. When he sings the line “Love’s the only engine of survival”, Perla Batalla gives him a very slinky look.
Julie Christensen
Leonard Cohen – The Future – Jools Holland Show
Video from BoltimoreAvec
- For a consideration of the change of lyrics from “Give me crack and anal sex” to “Give me crack and careless sex,” see What Has Happened To Anal Sex In The Future?↩
I love 1:05, when he turns and says “a little louder, Billy!”