I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
you were talking so brave and so sweet,
giving me head on the unmade bed,
while the limousines wait in the street.
Those were the reasons and that was New York,
we were running for the money and the flesh.
And that was called love for the workers in song
probably still is for those of them left.

Ah but you got away, didn't you babe,
you just turned your back on the crowd,
you got away, I never once heard you say,
I need you, I don't need you,
I need you, I don't need you
and all of that jiving around.

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
you were famous, your heart was a legend.
You told me again you preferred handsome men
but for me you would make an exception.
And clenching your fist for the ones like us
who are oppressed by the figures of beauty,
you fixed yourself, you said, "Well never mind,
we are ugly but we have the music."

And then you got away, didn't you babe,
you just turned your back on the crowd
you got away, I never once heard you say,
I need you, I don't need you,
I need you, I don't need you
and all of that jiving around.

I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best,
I can't keep track of each fallen robin.
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
that's all, I don't even think of you that often.



Lyrics submitted by clarkmac

Chelsea Hotel #2 (Leonard Cohen cover) song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe she sings it much better than Leo Cohen.

    stop jaywalkingon December 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I personally don't think it can be anybody's song but Leonard's. But she does it well.

    Elenaiaon December 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What album is this on?

    HibbingismyHolyLandon February 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah where is this?

    dejavulaon March 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think it might just be a demo, i couldn't find it anywhere else i've heard so many covers of this song, i agree that leonard's is the best, but i really love the piano solo towards the end, right before she sings the last verse it's an interesting variation i haven't heard in any of the other covers, like rufus wainwright's. it doesn't even sound like the same song, but i really like that about her version.

    sugarmagnolias72on May 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This recording was for BBC Radio back in 2006. Really fantastic piece; I'm going to have to find the original by Leonard Cohen.

    PickPocket Chazon May 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Chelsea Hotel No. 2 was on Leonard's New Skin for the Old Ceremony. It's funny because I got one of her cd as a gift and I mocked it because she seemed so perky, but her stuff has really grown on me.

    Sarahluvsu182on June 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Chelsea Hotel No. 2 was on Leonard's New Skin for the Old Ceremony. It's funny because I got one of her cds as a gift and I mocked it because she seemed so perky, but her stuff has really grown on me.

    Sarahluvsu182on June 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    oops

    Sarahluvsu182on June 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    im not sure if i like it better than leonard's. they're both pretty different, but eequally beautiful. its more the words than how it sounds.

    BAMsayson October 30, 2007   Link

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