Category Archives: Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen’s Perpetuated Tennessee Williams-Truman Capote Quotation Misattribution

The Leonard Cohen Corrections Agency

The Leonard Cohen Corrections Agency is a privately-funded organization dedicated to the rectification of inaccuracies promulgated by Leonard Cohen, no small task given the Canadian singer-songwriter’s admission that “I don’t want to let the facts get in the way of the truth.”1

Cases already completed have ranged from cleaning up simple verbal typos such as Cohen’s misidentification of the decade in which he met the young Spaniard who taught him guitar lessons (it was the 50s, not the 60s)2 to setting right mistaken references such as the name of the fast food chain that ran the 1984 “Where’s The Beef?” advertising campaign (it was a promotion for Wendy’s not Burger King or McDonald’s as Mr. Cohen stated)3 to spotlighting inconsistencies such as Mr. Cohen taking both sides in a debate about the relationship of his songs and his poems:

… I regard everything I write as being set to music, almost as if I hear a giant guitar accompanying me!4

I never did set poetry to music. … I got stuck with that. It was a bum rap. I never set a poem to music. I’m not that hopeless. I know the difference between a poem and a song!5

Life, Death, Art, & Misattributed Quotes

The problem begins in a 2001 interview ‘I never discuss my mistresses or my tailors’ by Nick Paton Walsh in the 13 October 2001 edition of The Observer, in which Leonard Cohen is quoted:

‘I don’t think much about [death], but in a certain stage in your life it becomes very clear that your time is not unlimited. Tennessee Williams said: “Life is a fairly well-written play, except for the third act.” I’m maybe at the third act, where you have the benefit of the experience of the first two acts. But how it ends is nobody’s business and is generally accompanied by some disagreeable circumstances.’

I thought this an appropriately pithy expression to warrant its publication as a “Words By Leonard Cohen” post, and as I am wont to do,  checked the source of Tennessee Williams quote.

And I indeed found several references to  that Tennessee Williams quote, but, oddly, every example save one mentioned not only the epigram itself and Tennessee Williams, but also Leonard Cohen offering the quote.

It turns out that the quote is actually worded a bit differently:

Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.

It also turns out that the source of the quote is significantly different; it was produced by Truman Capote rather than Tennessee Williams.

But pointing out a  mistake made by Leonard Cohen – while great fun – is not my primary mission.

Even at my most pedantic, I find it difficult to view attributing a clever remark made by Truman Capote to Tennessee Williams a signal of the end of civilization as we know it. 6

The remarkable thing, it seems to me, is that none of the interviewers or their publications checked the source of the quote.

Cohen, who is known for repeating successful phrases and anecdotes in interviews, has, true to form, used the third act line with other interviewers:

A Happy Man by Mireille Silcott. Saturday Night, Canada: September 15, 2001

“Tennessee Williams had this famous quote: ‘Life is a fairly well-written play except for the third act,’” says Cohen, flicking an ash off the table. “And I’m at the beginning of the third act. The end of the third act — nobody has a handle on that one. But the beginning — there is a certain relief for me here. It is palpable.”

Leonard Cohen returns to music by Robert Hilburn. Chicago Tribune: October 18, 2001

I remember something Tennessee Williams said about life being a fairly well-written play except for the third act. By this point in my life, we have the experience of the first two acts, but we haven’t really encountered what is in store in the third.

Even worse, this has become a popular quote writers have recycled, misattribution intact, into articles about the Canadian singer-songwriter.

The godfather of gloom lightens up for third act by Barry Egan. Independent.ie: March 23, 2008

Asked about death a few years old, Bono’s favourite poet answered with a wisdom that suggested that perhaps he was descended from the Kohanim after all. “I don’t think much about [death],” Laughing Lenny said, ” but, in a certain stage in your life, it becomes very clear that your time is not unlimited. Tennessee Williams said: ‘Life is a fairly well-written play, except for the third act.’ I’m maybe at the third act, where you have the benefit of the experience of the first two acts. But how it ends is nobody’s business and is generally accompanied by some disagreeable circumstances.”

‘I’m blessed with a certain amnesia’ by Jian Ghomeshi. The Guardian: 9 July 2009

In 2001, you said to the Observer that you were at a stage of your life you refer to as the third act. You quoted Tennessee Williams saying: “Life is a fairly well-written play except for the third act.” You were 67 when you said that, you’re 74 now – does that ring more or less true for you still?

The same line is also quoted in, among many others, the following pieces:

Still worse, the exact line as misquoted by Leonard Cohen and credited to Tennessee Williams, has almost certainly been lifted from a Cohen interview and been used in an article about Michael Jackson.7

So, now you know Truman Capote is responsible for “Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act,”  that, as far as I can determine, Tennessee Williams did not come up with his famous quote “Life is a fairly well-written play except for the third act,’” that Leonard Cohen makes the occasional error, and, that, apparently, one can’t rely on interviewers and publcations to check the information they receive before presenting it to the reader.


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  1. See Leonard Cohen Tells Sexologist About His Dog, His Mother, His Impermanence, Seduction, Men As Cocker Spaniels, and Rules Between Men & Women []
  2. Leonard Cohen: The Prince Of Asturias Awards Speech With Annotations & Commentary []
  3. Rarely Viewed Video – Leonard Cohen On His Atrocious Voice, Dylan, Lead Belly, Ice-T, Songwriting, Love, & Where’s The Beef []
  4. Leonard Cohen Seventeen. March 1968 []
  5. “Porridge? Lozenge? Syringe?” by Adrian Deevoy, Q Magazine, 1991 []
  6. For one thing, the two are easy to confuse. Capote and Williams not only shared many qualities but also knew each other and occasionally hung out together. []
  7. The boy in the bubble, the man in the mirror by Peter Murphy. Hot Press: July 3, 2009 []

Want To Check Out Leonard Cohen’s Novel, “Indian Rockets,” His 1986 Genie Award Plaque, Or His TV Play,”The New Step?”

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The Leonard Cohen Collection At The University Of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Ever wonder what’s in the University Of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library Leonard Cohen manuscript collection – and how much that institution paid for those papers? Well, here are a few items acquired by 1966, …1

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Then, as we learn from He’s Our Man by Stacey Gibson (U of T Magazine: Autumn 2006),

Almost half-a-century later, Canada’s most revered poet has contributed more of his literary past to U of T: a staggering 140 banker’s boxes that trace his life from bohemian writer to iconic singer-songwriter to Buddhist monk. “U of T’s been very kind to me over the years – and when I really needed it. They bought manuscripts when I was about 25 years old – and they did that twice – so I feel very grateful to the university and to the library,” says Cohen, 71. U of T archivist Richard Landon and his wife, Massey College librarian Marie Korey, packed the first 99 boxes during a visit to Los Angeles in 2005. Cohen and his partner and musical collaborator, Anjani Thomas, also sifted through the papers, which were housed at his daughter’s antique store.

The day before Passover, Cohen sang part of the Seder service to the U of T couple and regaled them with stories over dinner. (Cohen, who lived for many years at Mount Baldy Zen Center in L.A., said his teacher, Joshu Sasaki Roshi, taught him the art of contemplation. He, in turn, taught Roshi how to drink single malt scotch.) The newly acquired literary treasures include manuscripts of Death of a Lady’s Man and Stranger Music, and a handbound copy of The Spice-Box of Earth (inscribed “For Mother with love, Leonard. December 1965, Montreal”).

There is correspondence with poets Irving Layton and Allen Ginsberg, and photos taken at a studio session with Phil Spector and Joni Mitchell in the 1970s. There is also an abundance of fan mail that ranges “from the serious to the seriously disturbed,” jokes Landon.

For those interested in (modestly) more detail, a brief description of the contents of the boxes of his material can be downloaded in PDF format at Leonard Cohen Papers 1953-ongoing.

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Leonard Cohen Archive pictured here at the University Of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Photo tweeted by mkirschenbaum

Bucks For Books

To discover We now turn to Build a literary legacy for yourself: Smart aspiring writers have their archives ready by Robert Fulford (The National Post: 24 May 2005):

The US$2.5-million [Norman Mailer received from the University Of Texas for his papers] will no doubt be welcome in the Mailer household, where the word “alimony” retains its terrifying power, but it’s probably no more heartening than the US$3,000 Leonard Cohen received from the University of Toronto 45 years ago. Cohen was not yet a singer or novelist, just a good poet with no money and a flair for titles, such as Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956). But he delivered. He sent poetry manuscripts, galley proofs, letters from McClelland and Stewart, a CBC contract for a 30-minute program and anything else he could find. The $3,000 he received covered his expenses for a year on Hydra, his favourite Greek island.

Like most universities, Toronto can no longer pay for manuscripts. But Cohen and many others donate their files in return for a tax credit that can be spread, if desired, over several years. This means that collections at several big universities, notably McMaster, Calgary and Toronto, continue to grow.

Credit Due Department: Photo atop this post found at University Of Toronto Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library web site. No photographer given.


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  1. From A hot market for manuscripts by Robert Fulford. Toronto Daily Star: April 21, 1966. []

Leonard Cohen Adds Songwriter Of The Year Title To Artist Of The Year At 2013 Juno Awards

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Adam Cohen Accepts Award On Father’s Behalf

Veteran singer Cohen was given the honours for songwriter of the year Sunday, with the award citing three songs from his latest album Old Ideas Amen, Going Home and Show Me the Place. Cohen also was absent, but his son Adam Cohen accepted it on his behalf.

“I know he has a deep fondness for the love that Canada has always expressed toward him,” Adam Cohen said. “He refers to Canada as the beating heart of his career.”

On Saturday night, when the bulk of the prizes were handed out, Cohen scored another major prize — artist of the year.

From CBC News


Leonard Cohen Wins 2013 Juno Artist Of The Year

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Come Healing! – A Powerful Offering Of Solace & Succor Built On Leonard Cohen’s Mesmerizing Hymn Of Universal Mercy And Salvation

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A Hymn For Our Times

In posting previous Oana Cajal videos inspired by Leonard Cohen,1  I asked her about her calling and received this reply:

I am a poet, a playwright, a painter. I believe the poetry created the world. My hobby: Survival! My message is urgent: In the Spotlight of Death, Life shines in its brightest colors. Celebrate! This very second! Right Now!

Clearly that drive informs and compels this video published yesterday after a traumatic, terrifying week in this county.

Come Healing!
Oana Maria Cajal’s Picto-Healing, In Memoriam, April 2013, Graced By Leonard Cohen’s Mesmerizing Hymn Of Universal Mercy And Salvation.
Music: Come Healing by Leonard Cohen
Published: April 19, 2013
Video by oana maria cajal


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  1. Oana Cajal is an artist whose work is currently on exhibit at Centaur Theatre in Montreal, during the Danish theatre-dance production of  ”Dance Me To The End Of Love.” You can read more about her as well as view two other Cohen-inspired videos she has created at In The Moment – Right Now: The Cohen Upstairs Video & Exhibition and Video: Dreaming Suzanne – Dedicated To Leonard Cohen. []

Chelsea Hotel #1 Video – Leonard Cohen’s Elegy For Janis Joplin – Passes 90,000 Views

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On The Way To 100,000 Viewings

As of April 19, 2013, the Heck Of A Guy Chelsea Hotel #1 video, featuring the audio recording of the first version of Chelsea Hotel from Leonard Cohen’s 1972 concert in Tel Aviv complemented by images of Leonard Cohen, Janis Joplin (whose liaison with Cohen at the Chelsea Hotel led to the creation of the song), the Chelsea Hotel, and other people and places associated with the song, had accounted for 92,144 unique viewings.

In part, this video was offered in support of my contention that thematically Chelsea Hotel #1 is a much different song than Chelsea Hotel #2.

Chelsea Hotel #1 focuses on the death of the singer’s (i.e., Leonard Cohen’s) lover (i.e., Janis Joplin), with whom the singer identifies primarily as as an admired fellow artist and colleague and only secondarily as an object of affection or, at least, of reciprocated lust. In Chelsea Hotel #2, the situation is reversed with the key issue becoming the singer’s unambiguous examination of his own feelings for and perception of the woman at the Chelsea Hotel – even if doing so results in an ignoble self-characterization.

In the second version, the listener’s knowledge of the identity of Janis Joplin is decidedly less important to experiencing the full impact of he song, which could indeed be the reason Leonard Cohen revised Chelsea Hotel #1 – to make the music more universal and less a biographic tribute to a specific individual.

For more discussion of the significance of the differences between Chelsea Hotel #1 and Chelsea Hotel #2, including a video interview with Leonard Cohen addressing his relationship with Janis Joplin as portrayed in the songs, see How Often Did Leonard Cohen Think Of Janis Joplin’s Sweet Little Sound? – Chelsea Hotel #1 & 2