Jazz Police
Leonard Cohen * Track #6 On I’m Your Man
Download "Jazz Police"
Album I’m Your Man
Jazz Police by Leonard Cohen
Release Date
Performed by
Leonard CohenProduced by
Roscoe BeckAbout
Though recorded for the 1988 album I’m Your Man, “Jazz Police” had its origins well before then. An incredible account of the song’s genesis can be found in Jason Murray’s essay “Fragmented Absurdity: An analysis of Leonard Cohen’s Jazz Police”:
It began during the making of the record Recent Songs...
Jazz Police Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Can you tell me why the bells are ringing?
Nothing's happened in a million years
I've been sitting here since Wednesday morning
Wednesday morning can't believe my ears
[Chorus]
Jazz police are looking through my folders
Jazz police are talking to my niece
Jazz police have got their final orders
Jazzer, drop your axe, it's Jazz police!
[Verse 2]
Jesus taken serious by the many
Jesus taken joyous by a few
Jazz police are paid by J. Paul Getty
Jazzers paid by J. Paul Getty II
[Bridge]
Jazz police I hear you calling
Jazz police I feel so blue
Jazz police I think I'm falling
I'm falling for you
[Verse 3]
Wild as any freedom loving racist
I applaud the actions of the chief
Tell me now oh beautiful and spacious
Am I in trouble with the Jazz police?
[Chorus]
Jazz police are looking through my folders
Jazz police are talking to my niece
Jazz police have got their final orders
Jazzer, drop your axe, it's Jazz police!
[Verse 4]
They will never understand our culture
They'll never understand the Jazz police
Jazz police are working for my mother
Blood is thicker margarine than grease
[Verse 5]
Let me be somebody I admire
Let me be that muscle down the street
Stick another turtle on the fire
Guys like me are mad for turtle meat
[Bridge]
Jazz police I hear you calling
Jazz police I feel so blue
Jazz police I think I'm falling
I'm falling for you
[Outro]
Jazz police are looking through my folders
Jazz police have got their final orders
Jazz Police Q&A
Who wrote Jazz Police's ?
Jazz Police was written by Leonard Cohen & Jeff Fisher.
Who produced Jazz Police's ?
Jazz Police was produced by Roscoe Beck.
When did Leonard Cohen release Jazz Police?
Leonard Cohen released Jazz Police on Tue Feb 02 1988.
What did Leonard Cohen say about "Jazz Police"?
On the unusual harmony of the song Portland, 1988:
This next song is a very curious song. I hope you will forgive me for indulging in some augmented fifths, and diminished ninths, I know that I am only supposed to use three chords, but sometimes the devil just gets a hold of me.