You Want It Darker
This article is part of a personal project called LOVE AT FIRST TITLE, in which I make cover artwork to celebrate the wonderful songs whose compelling titles capture my imagination before any music begins.
You Want It Darker is a haunting piece by Canadian songwriter, singer, poet, and novelist Leonard Cohen.
It was created toward the end of his life when he was beyond the age of 80, but I could never guess that by listening to the song. He didn’t sound young, that’s for sure, but way more seductive than I expected of someone of his years. He had a grizzled baritone voice, and sang poetry in a whisper manner. An eerie hymn accompanied his morbid lyrics, cloaking this blues song in a nonchalantly cool yet romantically gothic fashion.
I had never heard anything like it! Not only was the music unusual, the lyrics also went far over my head. Every word was filled with contemplation and religious reference that to me, read like encrypted text.
Normally I preferred to come up with my own interpretations before googling the songs, but this one was an exception. Due to differences in age, religion and culture, I knew I couldn’t crack this puzzle alone and turned to the internet for help.
There, I found a Reddit post that thoroughly explained the meaning behind Cohen’s poetically brutal verses. Thanks to its insights, this song was no longer a riddle to me. In the new light, Cohen’s deep, smoky voice and his abstract yet graphic language sounded like a phlegmatic mafioso in the final hours recalling his gritty life; at first, raising accusations and showing discontentment with the way of the Lord, but eventually found solace as he rejoined God in that tranquil horizon.
What a profound song! And very humane, too!
Impressed by what I heard and learned, I decided to make cover artwork for it.
Since my vision of the late singer as a gangster boss was closely represented in the minimal and stark contrast style of the album’s original cover, I initially took the same approach. But while experimenting, I kept finding myself drawn toward Cohen’s serene envoi, where previous hatred and resentment gave way to total submission to what must come.
So I discarded the first idea and chased after what was calling me instead.
Eventually, I settled for a simple scene: shadow of a lone flower in the sunset, cast on a curtain that separated the darkroom from the brighter world outside.
An idyllic scene indeed – not much was going on, yet action was unnecessary! Because while the song narrated a complicated spiritual transformation, what resonated with me the most was the strong sense of assuredness and acceptance at the end.
Divinity wasn’t the only thing in You Want It Darker that fascinated me. As I mentioned before, Cohen’s voice had a seductive quality and, while unassuming, it was hard to pass over. So, I took my second artwork as an opportunity to give such charm its own appreciation!
There’s nothing carnal about this song, I know, I know! But if you listen to it again after seeing this image, you’ll begin to feel a subtle likeness between the two. Although the appeal was there, quite vividly, neither embodied explicit attractions. Instead, they invited you to a closer inspection, to spend more time with your thoughts and imagination, and who knew, maybe ended up forming a deeper connection with the work, and with yourself!
If you’re familiar with Leonard Cohen or his song You Want It Darker, you may have noticed that my perspective on it differs significantly from its intended theme of faith. While I appreciate the song’s spiritual depth, my limited understanding of worship makes it difficult for me to portray it in that way. If you have an interest in religion and want to explore spiritual analysis, I encourage you to check out the Reddit link above or, even better, conduct your own research!
As for me, I chose to express my admiration for the artistry behind the song. Like an apprentice examining a master’s work, I delved into individual aspects of the song, and paid tribute to the ones that left lasting impressions on me.