3 Songs You Didn’t Know Leonard Cohen Wrote for Other Artists

Recognized as one of the greatest songwriters and lyricists of all time, Leonard Cohen was born in Westmount, Quebec, on September 21, 1934. Known particularly for his song, “Hallelujah”, Cohen sang about the paradoxes of the human experience and the pains of love. Using his deep, woodgrain voice, he lamented and celebrated life until he passed away in 2016.

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But he didn’t always keep his melodic musings to himself. While he wrote many great songs and released 15 studio albums, Cohen also found the time to help others. Below, we wanted to explore three songs the artist penned for other big-name performers. Indeed, these are three songs you didn’t know Cohen wrote for other artists.

“Summertime” by Diana Ross from ‘Red Hot Rhythm & Blues’ (1987)

It’s a miracle that the world didn’t explode when Leonard Cohen and Diana Ross got together. Indeed, one of the greatest songwriters ever, meeting one of the greatest performers ever, what a treat. The two collaborated on Ross’ 1987 song “Summertime” from her LP, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues. The reflective track has Ross singing Cohen’s lyrics about seasons, light, and desire. Lush with strings, the song is a lovely example of two all-timers melding their talents.

“Come Spend The Morning” by Lee Hazlewood from ‘Poet, Fool Or Bum’ (1973)

Leonard Cohen and record producer Bob Johnston composed this tune, and it was performed by Lee Hazlewood for the latter’s 1973 LP, Poet, Fool Or Bum. You can easily imagine Cohen sitting at his desk penning this song, scratching each word into the paper with his ink pen. And then Hazlewood takes those lyrics and offers his molasses voice to those heavy words, singing about war, love, and returning home only to discover a new world. Epic stuff.

“You Know Who I Am” by Mama Cass from ‘Dream A Little Dream’ (1968)

When the group the Mamas & the Papas disbanded in the late 1960s, band member Mama Cass decided to release her debut solo studio album shortly after. Mama Cass released Dream a Little Dream in 1968, and with it came the Cohen-penned tune, “You Know Who I Am”, a swelling, rising, and falling number that reads like a love letter from distant romantic partners. It’s big and epic and lovely and very Cohen.

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