Lyrics for Chelsea Hotel #2 (Leonard Cohen cover) as interpreted by clarkmac

Chelsea Hotel #2 (Leonard Cohen cover) Lyrics
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.


Interaction
Mail to a friend Send Lyrics to a Friend
Share on Facebook

Stumble It
Add to Del.icio.us Add to Del.icio.us




  • 17 Comments
  • Printer Friendly Lyrics
oldest first     Expand All
stop jaywalking
12-07-2006

Rated 0 
I believe she sings it much better than Leo Cohen.

Log in to reply
Elenaia
12-27-2006

Rated 0 
I personally don't think it can be anybody's song but Leonard's. But she does it well.

Log in to reply
HibbingismyHolyLand
02-12-2007

Rated 0 
What album is this on?

Log in to reply
dejavula
03-23-2007

Rated 0 
Yeah where is this?

Log in to reply
sugarmagnolias72
05-10-2007

Rated 0 
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.

Log in to reply
PickPocket Chaz
05-23-2007

Rated 0 
This recording was for BBC Radio back in 2006.
Really fantastic piece; I'm going to have to find the original by Leonard Cohen.

Log in to reply
Sarahluvsu182
06-21-2007

Rated 0 
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.

Log in to reply
Sarahluvsu182
06-21-2007

Rated 0 
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.

Log in to reply
Sarahluvsu182
06-21-2007

Rated 0 
oops

Log in to reply
BAMsays
10-30-2007

Rated 0 
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.

Log in to reply
BAMsays
10-30-2007

Rated 0 
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.

Log in to reply
heartshoelaces
11-03-2007

Rated 0 
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."


if you ask me personally,
i think that part is about perfection -
like saying they're ugly, but they have talent,
and that's all that matters.

this song's simply beautiful.

Log in to reply
quelbeastt
12-13-2007

Rated 0 
does anyone know where to get this song from?
i understand its a demo.
but really i need this.

leonard cohen=best poet ever.
chelsea hotel no. 2=one of my favorite songs
AND REGINA SPEKTOR?
this is necessary.


well this is about janis joplin.
says leonard cohen on im your man.

Log in to reply
chelswildflower
12-28-2007

Rated 0 
sorry if i'm wrong, but isn't it "all of that driving around?"

Log in to reply
lucy92
01-03-2008

Rated 0 
I love these lyrics. Leonard Cohen is a beautful poet. And with Reginas voice, and unmistakable style, it makes this song, for me, perfect.

The song to me, is remembering a past fling, possibly love, that was unforgettable. Lenoard talks of a girl (Janis Joplin) who, maybe, didnt know where to be, or how to feel, possibly scared of commitment. "never once heard you say I need you , i dont need you." So she left him, "turned her back on the croud". And the memories of her contrast with the lifestyles they both lead " giving me head on the unmade bed,
while the limousines wait in the street." saying to me, that these "stars" are really, just norms. I think he misses her, and is possibly jelous of her "getting away". But he is putting up, walls, almost, this just suggests to me, that this girl hes remebering, got to him. Her words stayed with him"Well never mind,
we are ugly but we have the music."-(absoultly love that quote). To say "I can't keep track of each fallen robin"- to me, only suggetsts, that, this love, he has kept track of. And, maybe, does think of, often.

Log in to reply
ampedup45
05-02-2008

Rated 0 
the song is about leonard's affair with janis joplin, in case anyone didn't know. i personally like the rufus wainwright version the most. there are soo many, though. regina does a spectacular job. :)

Log in to reply
bareknucklepro
12-23-2008

Rated 0 
I like the version by Laura Burhenn the most, you can hear it on her myspace music page

Log in to reply




  • Add Your Comments
What does this song mean to you?

You must be logged in to post your comments.

Feel free to create an account with us, or log in with your existing account, to start adding your comments to songs.





Popular
Top:   Lyrics, Artists, Albums
Random:   Lyric, Artist, Album

Your Ad Here