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Has anyone read the piece in Mojo magazine that Sylvie Simmons wrote about Leonard? She states that "Darkness appears to be about Cunnilingus." I know that Leonard incorporates a lot of sexual imagery in his work, but I didn't get that vibe at all from this particular song. To me it seems more about a person (woman)that lead him into a darkness...depression perhaps. The line "I thought the past would last me but the darkness got that too" made me think of she who I prefer not to name...the manager that stole his retirement money. Of course it may not be about one particular woman.

I am interested in thoughts others have...

New to the forum, enjoying everyones perspectives on things!

Chaplainmom (Mary)

intersting perspective...
It definitly sheds a new light on "I said, "Is this contagious?" You said, "Just drink it up."
it would even top the "giving me head" sentence in terms of vulgarity.

cheers
(just joking btw)

"I have to take a dive"?

I also never had that meaning in my head until it spread over the net and Facebook comments, so I guess it was after S. Simmons' article. I guess there's that layer as well, if you follow the song (many lines can be read in that way). But it is not only about that, of course.

Btw, I don't know for "giving me head", what's rather explicit, but the cunnilingus song Numero Uno is of course Leonard's Light As the Breeze from The Future.

My twenty cents: viewtopic.php?f=55&t=31423&p=297020#p297020

Leonard loves to talk about oral sex, in poems and songs, so it is certainly possible that Darkness has that element, and it had occurred to me when I first heard the song. Don't forget "Never Any Good" for another example of oral sex imagery. One could even make a case for similar imagery in Show Me The Place. Of course, most of these lyrics could have multiple meanings, which Leonard also loves to do...

(I've never cared for the word "cunnilingus." It sounds like a disease.)

LisaLCFan wrote:(I've never cared for the word "cunnilingus." It sounds like a disease.)

It does, doesn't it. "Ain't No Cure For Love'. Best example is 'Light As the Breeze' , but I think we take every opportunity to turn his words to our 'preferences'

I have always liked Darkness. Now that I know what it's about, I like it even more!

Am giving the album a complete listen nearly every day. Not a bad song anywhere, and most just keep getting better and better.
I personally think Leonard is a true genius!

Previous post by who?!

Dang. I thought "Banjo" was about oral sex.

Gosh no.

Show Me the Place is about oral sex. Among other things.

Amen.

chaplainmom wrote:Has anyone read the piece in Mojo magazine that Sylvie Simmons wrote about Leonard? She states that "Darkness appears to be about Cunnilingus."

plakor wrote:Dang. I thought "Banjo" was about oral sex.

rmorgan wrote:Show Me the Place is about oral sex. Among other things.

Just to summarize.
Leonard Cohen is all about oral sex.

Even "Don't Go Home with your Hard-on"?. Are you SURE??

Even "Chelsea Hotel #2", but I may be wrong

Okay, I will give you that one!!! Salutations!!

Tomsakic...you are probably right. Many layers here, as there are in most of Leonard's songs.

Mary