First We Take Manhattan
Leonard Cohen * Track #1 On I’m Your Man
Download "First We Take Manhattan"
Album I’m Your Man
First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen
Release Date
Performed by
Leonard CohenWrited by
Leonard CohenAbout
Initially written for and recorded in 1987 by his ex backup singer Jennifer Warnes.
The song became a staple in Leonard Cohen’s concerts, and a major source of discussion among those trying to decipher his poetry.
It was included in the I’m Your Man album.
Some insight into the lyrics by Leonard...
First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For tryin' to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I'm guided by a signal in the heavens
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those
Ah you loved me as a loser, but now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
I'd really like to live beside you, baby
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes
But you see that line there moving through the station?
I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those
And I thank you for those items that you sent me
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
(I am guided)
Ah remember me, I used to live for music (baby)
Remember me, I brought your groceries in (ooh baby yeah)
Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded (baby)
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
First We Take Manhattan Q&A
Who wrote First We Take Manhattan's ?
First We Take Manhattan was written by Leonard Cohen.
Who produced First We Take Manhattan's ?
First We Take Manhattan was produced by Roscoe Beck & Leonard Cohen.
When did Leonard Cohen release First We Take Manhattan?
Leonard Cohen released First We Take Manhattan on Tue Feb 02 1988.
What did Leonard Cohen say about "First We Take Manhattan"?
Cohen’s prologue to the song on Hamburg, 14th April, 1988:
Yeah, these are new songs, huh? Maybe lots of people think I didn’t write anything after “Suzanne.” But I wrote one or two songs after “Suzanne.” Here’s a song I wrote 20 years after “Suzanne.” I had been driven over the edge and I had de...