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Preliminary Syllabus MUS 20: the Poetry and Songs of Leonard Cohen Instructor, T Preliminary Syllabus MUS 20: The Poetry and Songs of Leonard Cohen Instructor, T. Hampton Recommended book: Cohen, Stranger Music. First Meeting, Oct 11: “Remember me, I used to live for music.” The poet as songwriter. Montréal. The Canadian Scene. Irving Layton. Cohen in Greece: Let Us Compare Mythologies, Songs of Leonard Cohen, Songs from a Room. Key Songs: “Suzanne,” “Sisters of Mercy,” “Stranger Song,” “Bird on the Wire,” “Story of Isaac,” “Seems So Long Ago, Nancy,” “So Long, Marianne.” Themes: flesh and spirit, the identity of the singing voice, abjection and humiliation. Second Meeting, Oct 18: “It’s four in the morning, the end of December.” Cohen in the spotlight. The Chelsea Hotel. Isle of Wight. Cohen on the move. Songs of Love and Hate, New Skin for the Old Ceremony. Key Songs: “Famous Blue Raincoat,” “Joan of Arc,” “Who by Fire,” “A Singer Must Die,” “Take This Longing,” “Dress Rehearsal Rag.” Themes: limits of power, self-doubt, drugs, self-purification, betrayal. Third Meeting, Oct 25: “I will speak no more, till I am spoken for.” Cohen as “The Prince of Bummers.” Death of a Lady’s Man. Death of a Ladies Man. Recent Songs. Various Positions. Key Songs: “If It Be Your Will,” “Hallelujah,” “Coming Back to You.” “The Guests.” “The Smoky Life,” “Dance Me to the End of Love.” Jennifer Warnes, Famous Blue Raincoat. Themes: Humility, divinity, Impotence. Fourth Meeting, Nov. 1: “I was born like this, I had no choice.” Cohen Returns. The importance of the keyboard. New production values. Book of Mercy. Book of Longing. I’m Your Man. The Future. Key Songs: “I’m your man,” “First we take Manhattan,” “Take this Waltz,” “Tower of Song,” “The Future,” “Democracy,” “Waiting for the Miracle,” “Closing Time,” “Anthem.” Themes: Political commentary, prophecy, exoticism. Fifth Meeting, Nov. 8: “So, we'll go no more a-roving.” Cohen expands his formal range: poetry and song, collaboration, song as poetry. Ten New Songs. Dear Heather. Old Ideas. The Flame Key Songs: “Alexandra Leaving,” “A Thousand Kisses Deep.” Themes: Impotence. Limits of the self. Irony. Humor. Romance. Sixth Meeting, Nov. 15: “I want it slow.” Cohen develops wisdom. Popular Problems. You Want it Darker. Thanks for the Dance. Themes: Aging. Lastness. Finality. Note About Live Attendance and Recording: Live attendance is encouraged. The instructor will present the material, illustrating points with samples of sound and, where needed, images. The syllabus will offer a general template, but we will feel free to roam about, as the discussion evolves. At the same time, classes will be recorded and made available for enrolled students to watch or re-watch what they have missed live. Grade Options and Requirements: ● No Grade Requested (NGR) ○ This is the default option. No work will be required; No credit shall be received; no proof of attendance can be provided. ● Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) o Students must attend at least 5 out of 6 live class meetings. *Please Note: If you require proof that you completed a Continuing Studies course for any reason (for example, employer reimbursement), you must choose either the Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit option. Courses taken for NGR will not appear on official transcripts or grade reports. .
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