What songs does he play on his 2012 tour?

[LeonardWhoHelpMe]

I have only barely heard of this guy, and i'm being taken as a guest to a concert of his soon. I don't want to sit there like a lemon, clearly unfamiliar with his songs. That would make me an awful companion for the concert. If I'm not enjoying it I think it will spoil my companion's enjoyment of the concert a bit, so can you give me a bit of headsup here. List off what he's played that you can remember? Then I can play them on youtube and at least be familiar with the songs. Songs always grown on me, and if I haven't heard them before I go, I know I will feel quite wooden sitting there. Thank you in advance to anybody on this forum who takes the time to help a poster is not really a fan, and who only wants to make another LC fan's experience of concert more enjoyable.

[its4inthemorning]

I suggest that you make a small investment and purchase the DVD "Live in London" and view it a few times. Songs in 2012 concerts may change (certainly there will be some additions from the new "Old Ideas" album), but "Live in London" should give you a good idea of what you can expect to see, and many of the songs therein will undoubtedly be played in this year's concerts. Enjoy your concert!

[Paul Zagreb]

This work of love by Maarten Massa lists all the songs played on the 2008-9 and 2010 tours. http://www.maartenmassa.be/LCdocs/setli ... tlists.pdf
Treat yourself to the new cd 'Old Ideas' (it is called the Old Ideas tour after all!) in addition and you will be covered on nearly all bases I would say. And you will be in for a treat!!!
Paul

[Goldin]

Some stats based on Maarten's setlist collection
(numbers indicate how many times the song was performed).

Songs of Leonard Cohen
Suzanne 245
So Long, Marianne 235
Sisters of Mercy 162
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye 104

Songs from a Room
Bird on the Wire 247
The Partisan 184

Songs of Love and Hate
Famous Blue Raincoat 193
Avalanche 33

New Skin for the Old Ceremony
Who by Fire 246
I Tried to Leave You 230
Chelsea Hotel #2 134
Lover Lover Lover 20
A Singer Must Die 15

Recent Songs
The Gypsy's Wife 194

Various Positions
Dance Me to the End of Love 247
Hallelujah 246
If It Be Your Will 220
Heart with No Companion 63
Night Comes On 1

I'm Your Man
I'm Your Man 246
First We Take Manhattan 246
Everybody Knows 245
Tower of Song 243
Take This Waltz 241
Ain't No Cure for Love 236

The Future
The Future 247
Anthem 244
Closing Time 210
Waiting for the Miracle 145
Democracy 130

Ten New Songs
In My Secret Life 218
Boogie Street 214
That Don't Make It Junk 41

First released on Live in London
Whither Thou Goest 145
A Thousand Kisses Deep (poem) 131

New songs
Darkness 53
Feels So Good 41
Born in Chains 41
Lullaby 5

[bridger15]

I don't want to sit there like a lemon, clearly unfamiliar with his songs. That would make me an awful companion for the concert... I know I will feel quite wooden sitting there.

Frankly, I think you should just go to the concert without any preconceived ideas and absorb the incredible experience you are about to have.
I don't recommend any preparation because no preparation is needed. Every Leonard Cohen concert is unique in its own way.
I assure you, you will be mesmerized and changed forever.

I look forward to your report after attending the concert.

---Arlene

[LeonardWhoHelpMe]

Thank you both I will check out those two cds and I will look at the list as well.

[LeonardWhoHelpMe]

@ bridger15, thanks for your reply, I know I need to hear songs a couple of times before I realise like them! Looking forward to the experience though!

[annmarie]

Believe me, you will be hooked from the first song, whatever it might be
I look forward to hearing of your first experience of the magic.
Enjoy!!!

[catswhiskers]

You will be in for a wonderful surprise!!
A MUST--and he ALWAYS sings this---Is So long,Marianne.I say he sings it-but he generally points the mic to us,and we do all the singing!!Listen to the words--it will give you goosebumps.Enjoy!!!

[musicmania]

You will be in for a wonderful surprise!!
A MUST--and he ALWAYS sings this---Is So long,Marianne.I say he sings it-but he generally points the mic to us,and we do all the singing!!Listen to the words--it will give you goosebumps.Enjoy!!!

There was actually 10 concerts (excluding Valencia) where he didn't sing this song It is my second favourite after Hallelujah so I hope it isn't one of the songs that makes way for Old Ideas but I know I'll love whatever Leonard sings so roll on Ghent LeonardWhoHelpMe enjoy your first concert and be prepared to be entranced by the magic of Leonard & co

[Goldin]

There was actually 10 concerts (excluding Valencia) where he didn't sing this song

Eleven
Mostly in the beginning of the Tour. After the start of the European Leg Fall '08 it was missed only twice, at the festival (Coachella) and, surprisingly, in Florence.

[musicmania]

There was actually 10 concerts (excluding Valencia) where he didn't sing this song

Eleven
Mostly in the beginning of the Tour. After the start of the European Leg Fall '08 it was missed only twice, at the festival (Coachella) and, surprisingly, in Florence.

Yeah 11, I can't count today I wonder why it was missed in Florence.

[Goldin]

I wonder why it was missed in Florence.

I guess it's an organisation condition (as it was in the Moscow Kremlin) - a shorter setlist. 22 songs, only two encores. He choosed Raincoat / If It Be Your Will / Manhattan / I Tried to Leave You. And missed Marianne, Closing Time and Heart with No Companion. In other words, it was a bobtail second encore with "signature" Manhattan to let him leave the scene skipping

[catswhiskers]

Oh,dear--humble apologies I stand corrected.
BUT he really did sing it at all the concerts I attended in Lisbon!!!!
I guess it must be almost my favourite song---but the bestest for me is "Joan of Arc"--and he never sings this now--but he did the time I saw him at the Royal Albert Hall---many moons ago.
I remember hearing Joan of Arc for the first time on my little "tranny" in bedsit land--either on radio Caroline or Luxemburg---I was totally blown away--I fell in love that night.God,that was some 40 odd years ago now---and i´m still here having goosebumps at the same man!!!
I´m having that same song played at my funeral---well,you have to be prepared

[Paul Zagreb]

Re: So Long Marianne ... if I remember rightly, the early concerts had a completely different arrangement which was then changed. This might also account for some of the early shows - apart from the festivals requiring a shorter set - where it was not sung as the band would need some time to work out the re-aaranged version, no?