Leonard Cohen's Gentle Breakup Message

July 04, 2026 00:03:29
Leonard Cohen's Gentle Breakup Message
Heart Banter/Music Covers & Acoustic Guitar
Leonard Cohen's Gentle Breakup Message

Jul 04 2026 | 00:03:29

/

Show Notes

The ending of a love relationship is often painful and dramatic. In “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye,” Leonard Cohen has penned a poetic plea for a graceful, respectful breakup that honors the beauty of a dying connection, rather than dwelling on the pain, anger, and lingering regret of the ending.

Cohen wrote the song in 1966 on a decrepit bed in the Penn Terminal Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. In 1967, Judy Collins, who became Cohen’s good friend, recorded the song for her album  Wildflowers. The following month, Cohen’s own version was released on his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen.

Cohen described the song as “a moment of clarity in the middle of a love affair’s end.” He also explained, “It’s about acknowledging that love changes but doesn’t truly die. The bodies may part, but the connection remains in the light and the words left behind.”

While introducing “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” during his 1976 Live at Montreux performance, Cohen memorably said: “As you eastern metaphysicians know, just as from the darkest mud blooms the whitest lotus, so from the brownest hotel room you occasionally get a good song.”

Playing heartfelt, beautiful songs like this one juices me up. Enjoy this enhanced cover version.

View Full Transcript

Episode Transcript

[00:00:06] I loved you in the morning. [00:00:10] Your kisses deep and warm. [00:00:13] Your hair upon the pillow. Like a sleepy golden stone. [00:00:20] Yes, many love before us. I know that we are not new. [00:00:27] In the city and in forest. They smile like me and you. [00:00:34] But now it's come to distances and both of us must try. [00:00:41] Your eyes are soft with sorrow. [00:00:46] That's no way to say goodbye. [00:00:55] I'm not looking for another. [00:00:58] As I wander in my time. [00:01:03] Walk me to my steps will always ride. [00:01:09] You know my love goes with you. As your love stays with me. [00:01:16] It's just the way it changes. Like the shoreline and the sea. [00:01:23] But let's not talk of love. Or chains and things we can't untie. [00:01:29] Arise us off with sorrow, eh. That snow to say goodbye. [00:01:46] Love you in the morning. [00:01:49] Our kisses deep and warm. [00:01:52] Your hair upon the pillow. Like a sleepy golden snow. [00:01:59] Many love before us. I know that we are not new. [00:02:06] In city and in force they smile like me and you. [00:02:13] But now it's come to distances. [00:02:16] And both of us must try with sorrow. [00:02:24] Hey. That's the way to say goodbye.

Other Episodes

Episode

August 21, 2023 00:03:03
Episode Cover

Teach Your Children

I often feel that art comes from somewhere else. Let’s call it “The Great Beyond.” To me, a serious artist is a channeler of...

Listen

Episode

June 20, 2021 00:00:58
Episode Cover

BELOVED

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/05/16/beloved/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/david-gittlin/message

Listen

Episode

December 29, 2021 00:04:52
Episode Cover

“American Pie” Gold Nuggets

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/12/28/american-pie-gold-nuggets/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/david-gittlin/message

Listen