I never get tired of listening to Leonard Cohen's song 'Dancing to the end of Love', and viewing the various Youtube videos presenting it.
The song itself, Leonard's low voice and his warm smile, serve as a charming background to dancing couples, most of them approaching the end of love and...life. Sad, and yet so beautiful!
These couples dance "like there's nobody watching them" (famous quote), concentrated only in their dancing moves and partner. The physical dance is an outer expression of the inner feelings of love, kindness and sensitivity towards the partner.
Browsing through the video clips I came upon a pleasant surprise : my favorite male film actor, Al Pacino, in a scene from the movie that brought him the Oscar, 'Scent of a Woman'. Pacino, playing the role of a blind, medically retired army lieutenant, is dancing with the young woman of his choice, to the music of the above song. (By the way, I may be wrong, but as far as I remember, Dancing till the end of Love was not the original song in that movie).
Anyhow, both Leonard Cohen, the singer and song-writer, and Al Pacino the movie actor - are very charismatic, and a delight to our senses.
Nice song
ReplyDeleteI would say, it's more than just nice, it's moving, touching. All its elements: melody, lyrics, singer's voice are stirring emtions.
DeleteCompanionship, compatibility, mututal respect, these are the underpinings of solid relationships, oh and the song, a real delight. Al Pacino, too.
ReplyDeleteYou would certainly know about that ,Linda, given your fabulous relationship with your husnand Bill.
DeleteI've never heard that song but it's so good! And the video is so touching with the photos included. Glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you: good song, touching video, charismatic performer. Glad you like it.
DeleteIt's great that you remember him from this song. Many only think of his 'hallelujah'. Years ago I did have a cd of his that I listened for a while. He's so talented in his voice and with his lyrics. Thanks so much for the post!
ReplyDeleteWell, the 'Halleluya' isn't actually his, only the rather original performance. I must admit, however, I've heard better performances of this song.
DeleteDepending on how old we were when we first heard the Leonard Cohen words and music, so they will remain in our souls forever. A contemporary of Cohen's rightly called the Canadian's songs "prayers".
ReplyDeleteIndeed Hels, the songs performed in his low voice, sound like prayers to me.
DeleteI'll admit that I hadn't even heard of Leonard Cohen until a few years ago when I heard him singing his song, Hallelujah, so this is the first time I have heard this song. Whoever thought of having the older couples there with pictures from their youth was brilliant! Very nicely done, both song and video!
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm sure you'll listen to it again, if not fot the music, then for the dancing couples with the pictures from their youth - "brilliant" concept, as you put it.
DeleteWatched the videos, very nice and he had such a different voice but a lot of meaning in those words.
ReplyDeleteHe said in an interview that the lyrics were inspired by the Holocaust. He mentions in the song, a "burning violin" which reminded him that music was played in the ghettos while the horrors went on there.
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ReplyDeleteWhy censored, by whom? As far as I know he wasn't involved politically or was controversial.
DeleteLeonard Cohen. Al Pacino. You're talking my language. Thank you for sharing this one.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm glad these two 'giants' are both in our language, in our esteem.
DeleteIt's an intense song. Special for you in Jiddisch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-V2TRRnkYE
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Aritha. The sound was not good at all. I'll have to try it later. It should be interesting to hear the singer in Yeddish.
DeleteI've heard of this dance, but never seen it. Thanks for sharing it. ~ Inger at Desert Canyon
ReplyDeleteHi Inger,
DeleteYou mean you've heard about the song of dancing... Well, many couples of all ages love to dance to the charming music of this song.
Thank you for sharing. It is a beautiful song and I enjoyed the video.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the song and the video, Nancy. It's meant to bring some pleasure in our daily life.
DeleteStrange I have never heard this song. I loved to dance very much, but only alone nobody managed to lead me except Rick. Together we danced almost like professionnals ! Often people gathered around us to see us dancing ! Loooong time ago !
ReplyDeleteAs far as I could see from youtube videos, professional or almost professional dancers love this song. It enables them to show all their dancing skills.
DeleteEven as you dance alone, without the partner to lead you, it's still a pleasant experience.
It is a lovely song. Actually, I was going to watch "Scent of a Woman" again the other day...I must do that.
ReplyDeleteDo that! I say it despite the fact that I personally seldom watch a movie twice or more.
DeleteAnyway, that's a great movie with a great actor!
I haven't heard that song in so long. Thank you. I'm a big Leonard Cohen.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure glad my post gives you the chance to hear the song again, and enjoy Leonard Cohen's performance.
DeleteGood songs are one of our best friends beyond time.
ReplyDeleteHow right you are! Very true and wise opinion! Good songs are indeed among our best friends.
DeleteMany thanks for sharing both videos.
ReplyDelete"Scent of a Woman" is such a good film,
All the best Jan
You're more than welcome, Jan. I totally agree with you about "Scent of a Woman". After all, it brought Al Pacino the Oscar in 1993.
DeleteThank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. You have a lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteYou've got the very right blog name.
DeleteBlessings to you, Bless!
Love that song and Leonard generally.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog!
Visiting your blog - entirely my pleasure.
DeleteI'm glad you love the song. Leonard Cohen was canadian, and his songs and performances brought a lot of honour to Canada.
Wasn't familiar with him. Lovely video
ReplyDeleteHopefully, my post is a step towards becoming familiar with his music. Glad you like the video.
DeleteBoa tarde Duta. Música boa e de qualidade maravilhosa.
ReplyDeleteEven without translation, I understood your comment. Leonard Cohen's music is indeed of a wonderful quality!
DeleteI remember the movie.
ReplyDeleteThis song is fabulous. Leonard Cohen and his unforgettable voice...
'unforgetable' is the right word for all three: the song, the voice, and the movie.
DeleteGracias, amiga, por tan exquisito regalo, donde homenajeas a dos grandes estrellas de la música y del cine, y narrado con cierto aire de nostalgia y romanticismo. Me ha encantado tu entrada.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo, Duta.
With the Heat, and all the daily problems surrounding us, we find a kind and enjoyable refuge in the music and performance of the two stars.
DeleteThanks for loving my post.
This is incredible beautiful and touching. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Carola. Thanks for visiting and leaving your kind comment.
DeleteScent of a Woman was a wonderful movie.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. A movie that one remembers after years, mainly due to Al Pacino and his acting as a blind veteran, still charismatic who fascinates women and others.
DeleteI actually hadn't heard that song but I like it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's considered a 'classic' song , liked also by the younger generation, it so happens that many of the younger ones haven't even heard of it.
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