4 of the Best Covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”

Leonard Cohen‘s song “Suzanne” was released in 1967 on his debut album after first being published as a poem in 1966. It was based on Cohen’s platonic relationship with dancer Suzanne Verdal, who would invite Cohen over to her apartment in Montreal where the two would drink tea then walk around the old city. Through the years, many artists have covered the song, interpreting it in different ways and imbuing it with their own emotions. However one decides to interpret “Suzanne,” the two never had a physical relationship. Still, it’s a beautifully romantic song that speaks to a deep connection between two people.

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[RELATED: 3 of the Best Opening Lines in Leonard Cohen Songs]

These Covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne” Demonstrate the Song’s Effective Writing and Versatility

Judy Collins

Initially, before Leonard Cohen released his own recorded version of “Suzanne,” Judy Collins put his poem to music. She released it on her 1966 album In My Life, and her crystalline vocals encase the lyrics in a fragile bell jar which waits to be shattered but never is. Collins’ voice works well for the tender lyrics, setting them against a folksy backdrop of simple acoustic guitar.

Nick Cave

Nick Cave performed “Suzanne” along with Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen in the film Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man. This live recording from a tribute concert included in the film features less of the folk influence of Judy Collins and the original, instead utilizing a piano and light percussion. It takes the song in a slightly different direction—while it remains tender lyrically, the music roots it somewhere slickly urban even as Cave sings about a “place near the river” where “you can hear the boats go by.”

Françoise Hardy

Hearing “Suzanne” in French puts a much different spin on it; Leonard Cohen was from Montreal, but allegedly didn’t speak French. However, Françoise Hardy covered the song in French and gave it new life in what could have been its mother tongue if Cohen hadn’t been raised an English speaker. Backed by acoustic guitar, Hardy’s version falls somewhere between Judy Collins’ and Nick Cave’s on the “how much is this a folk song” scale.

Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack’s 1973 version of “Suzanne” relies on a jazzy backdrop of piano and percussion while Flack utilizes her powerful vocal control to move expertly among the lyrics. She most likely pulled from jazz and gospel for her version, even a little bit of disco, and those influences are felt in both her vocals and the instrumentation. Flack also freestyles at the end of her rendition, creating a crescendo that fades into a tender conclusion.

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