"Suzanne" is one of Leonard Cohen’s most celebrated and enduring songs. First published as a poem in 1966 and recorded for his 1967 debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen, it has become a classic of modern songwriting, covered by dozens of artists and ranked among the greatest songs of all time12.
Inspiration and Background
The song was inspired by Cohen’s platonic relationship with Suzanne Verdal, a dancer and the wife of artist Armand Vaillancourt, whom Cohen knew in Montreal during the early 1960s123. The lyrics recount the rituals of their friendship: Verdal would invite Cohen to her waterfront apartment by the St. Lawrence River, serve him tea (specifically Constant Comment, flavored with orange rind), and together they would walk around Old Montreal123. Despite the song’s romantic and sensual imagery, both Cohen and Verdal have confirmed that their relationship was not sexual, though it was deeply intimate and emotionally charged12.
Lyrics and Meaning
"Suzanne" is rich in symbolism and spiritual allusion. The song weaves together scenes of sensuality, longing, and transcendence:
- First verse: Cohen describes Suzanne’s eccentric beauty, her generosity, and the magical quality she brings to everyday rituals—“she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China”43.
- Chorus: The refrain “you want to travel with her / and you want to travel blind” expresses a yearning to surrender to Suzanne’s world, trusting her guidance and vision42.
- Second verse: The song shifts to religious imagery, referencing Jesus as a “sailor” who “spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower.” This intertwines the spiritual and the earthly, suggesting that Suzanne’s love and wisdom have a redemptive, almost divine power4.
- Final lines: The song closes with the realization that the connection with Suzanne is both deeply fulfilling and ultimately unattainable—“for you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind”2.
Interpretation
"Suzanne" is often seen as a meditation on platonic love, spiritual longing, and the beauty found in fleeting connections42. The song’s gentle, melancholic tone captures the bittersweet nature of unfulfilled desire and the longing for transcendence through another person. Cohen’s poetic imagery elevates everyday moments into something mystical, blurring the lines between the sacred and the mundane43.
Legacy
"Suzanne" has become one of Cohen’s most recorded and beloved songs, praised for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance1. It remains a touchstone of modern songwriting, celebrated for its ability to capture the complexities of love, longing, and spiritual searching.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer | Leonard Cohen |
| First Published | 1966 (as a poem), 1967 (as a song) |
| Inspiration | Suzanne Verdal, Montreal dancer and friend |
| Notable Imagery | Tea and oranges, St. Lawrence River, spiritual longing |
| Themes | Platonic love, longing, spirituality, beauty in the everyday |
| Legacy | Cohen classic, widely covered, ranked among greatest songs |
Summary
"Suzanne" is Leonard Cohen’s poetic ode to a platonic muse, blending sensuality, spirituality, and longing. Inspired by real-life moments with Suzanne Verdal in Montreal, the song transforms ordinary rituals into mystical experiences, exploring the intersection of love, faith, and the search for meaning1423.
