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Leonard Cohen — Waiting For A Miracle
Album: Wonder Boys Soundtrack
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1181









Released: 2000
Length: 7:32
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Baby, I've been waiting,
I've been waiting night and day.
I didn't see the time,
I waited half my life away.
There were many invitations
and I know you sent me some,
but I was waiting
for the miracle to come.

I know you really loved me.
but, you see, my hands were tied.
I know it must have hurt you,
it must have hurt your pride
to stand beneath my window
with your bugle and your drum,
while I was waiting
for the miracle to come.

You wouldn't like it baby.
You wouldn't like it here.
There's not much entertainment
and the critics are severe.
The maestro says it's Mozart
but it sounds like bubble gum
when you're waiting
for the miracle to come.

Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do.
I haven't been this happy
Since the end of World War II.
Nothing left to do
when you know that you've been taken.
Nothing left to do
when you're begging for a crumb.
Nothing left to do
when you've got to go on waiting
for the miracle to come.

I dreamed about you, baby.
It was just the other night.
Most of you was naked
but some of you was light.
The sands of time were falling
from your fingers and your thumb,
and you were waiting
for the miracle to come.

Baby, let's get married,
we've been alone too long.
Let's be alone together.
Let's see if we're that strong.
Let's do something crazy,
something absolutely wrong
while we're waiting
for the miracle to come.

When you've fallen on the highway
and you're lying in the rain,
and they ask you how you're feeling
of course you say you can't complain-
If you're squeezed for information,
that's when you've got to play it dumb:
You just say you're out there waiting
for the miracle to come.
Comments (157)add comment
This song was also in Natural Born Killers soundtrack. 
His best words are really great, but that's by no means all of his words. Overrated I think. Perhaps people don't read much poetry, so Dylan and Cohen benefit from that. Yes they're sometimes sublime, but they're just as often an overblown drag.
HURRY AND END THIS HORSE SHIT

guy is seriously boring, at his best
Average 6.8?? 😳😳 Folks, what’s goin on here? Shame... I give a 9!
Fecking love this song...I have to stop working now that it's come on. I can't even (not) work.  Leonard, poet and genuine good dude. 
Another great song from Leonard C.
Not sure why someone felt compelled to fill the page with Bruce Cockburn lyrics?  {#Drunk}
 Solanus wrote:

I guess it really depends on what you're trying to get out of music. If you want to be driven by the beat or a catchy structure, this song would be boring. If you're focusing on beautiful, soaring vocals or virtuoso performance, this is basically droning spoken word over muzak* (*not what I think, but I can imagine it). But if you're here for the lyrics, oh my you've come to the right place.

 


I can enjoy the heck outta songs in languages where I don't understand a single lyric (Hi Sigur Ros!) or where the lyrics are English but utterly devoid of anything remotely like deep meaning (Hi Beck!) because MUSIC is universal. If I wanted poetry I'd read poems. When I want music, I need more than just the lyrics to be good. Which is exactly why I'm ambivalent about Cohen.
Working and waiting in the hot sun
With all the rich saints, and the fallen ones
Working and waiting for the night to come
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a miracle

Somewhere out there is a land that's cool
Where peace and balance are the rule
Working for the future like some kind of mystic jewel
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a miracle

You rub the palm of your hand on the grimy pane
In the hopes that you can see (when you're waiting)
Stand up tall, pretend you're strong
In the hopes that you can be (when you're waiting)
Like the one's that cry, like the ones that die
Trying to set the angel in us free
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a miracle

You rub the palm of your hand on the grimy pane
In the hopes that you can see (when you're waiting)
Stand up tall, pretend you're strong
In the hopes that you can be (when you're waiting)
Like the one's that cry, like the ones that die
Trying to set the angel in us free
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a
And the waiting for a miracle

Scuffle for a nickel, struggle for a dime
Forget about the past, leave your worries behind
How come the future has to take such a long, long time
When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a miracle

When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a miracle

When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a
When you're waiting for a miracle
PRAYER FOR LEONARD COHEN:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFeAD_OzNWI
Loved that song in "Natural Born Killers.."

cohen
just
don't
cut it

Bill, nice segue from Madeleine Peyroux's cover of the LC song "Dance me to the end of love".  
 davesbuster wrote:
I'm amazed at the anger in the comments from the Leonard Haters.  I'll admit that he's not for everybody, but he is a unique talent, one of the most brilliant lyricists in the history of popular music, and he is enshrined in the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland.  This is one of my favorites of his songs.  The listeners who have to vent their ignorance for his music is sad, far sadder than anything in his lyrics!  What do those same people think  of the Madeleine Peyroux version of Dance Me To The End Of Love - that's a Leonard Cohen song too.  Meanwhile, they're now playing Edie Brickell "I'm not aware of too many things, I know what I know if you know what I mean" - and THAT was a huge hit.  Not exactly a landmark in songwriting, and certainly not one of her best songs.

 
I guess it really depends on what you're trying to get out of music. If you want to be driven by the beat or a catchy structure, this song would be boring. If you're focusing on beautiful, soaring vocals or virtuoso performance, this is basically droning spoken word over muzak* (*not what I think, but I can imagine it). But if you're here for the lyrics, oh my you've come to the right place.

I like Cohen's music, sometimes with him performing it. His work requires that you pay attention to it and rewards you for it; the other stuff I mentioned works hard to grab your attention, even if it occasionally comes off as simplistic. Depending on the artist, what is to someone else quirky & interesting might be disharmonious & off-putting to you, what is angelic & majestic might be shrill & pretentious. Never mind the emotional attachment that you might have towards a particular piece.

Anybody can complain about poor playing, shoddy songwriting, and inane lyrics & singing, but it might be just what somebody needs. Maybe they are tone deaf and enjoy music on a completely different level than you do. Maybe they have a deep appreciation for banjos & traditional instruments. Maybe they just want to dance to something superficial & bouncy. Both your opinion & somebody else's can be completely valid at the same time.
I'm amazed at the anger in the comments from the Leonard Haters.  I'll admit that he's not for everybody, but he is a unique talent, one of the most brilliant lyricists in the history of popular music, and he is enshrined in the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland.  This is one of my favorites of his songs.  The listeners who have to vent their ignorance for his music is sad, far sadder than anything in his lyrics!  What do those same people think  of the Madeleine Peyroux version of Dance Me To The End Of Love - that's a Leonard Cohen song too.  Meanwhile, they're now playing Edie Brickell "I'm not aware of too many things, I know what I know if you know what I mean" - and THAT was a huge hit.  Not exactly a landmark in songwriting, and certainly not one of her best songs.
Brilliance!
 Stingray wrote:
I dislike Cohen as much as the story that 9/11 was done by OSAMA!

 
there is a fair amount of mental illness behind this comment
Love Leonard Cohen, but apparently not all of his songs. This one is ... unremarkable
RIP Mr. Cohen
Oh goody. More Downer Cohen.
 
RIP Curtis Hanson {#Cry}
Brings me back to Natural Born Killers. Love it.
 kcar wrote:
Woody Harrelson on True Detective:

As Khrushchev once said of Castro, "This man is going to drag us into the grave with him!"

 

Khrushchev is gone for many years, and Fidel is alive and kicking!



Not for me I'm afraid. Have a measly 1 on me.
{#Daisy}      aaahhhhh! the miracle has come
Groan!  I can't bear to listen to Laughing Lenny
 Dog_Ear wrote:
"I haven't been this happy since the end of WWII" -!


And This is Leonard Happy!!  lol    Love LC.

Not so sure Lin Thizzy cares for him much though. double lol

Enough Leonard Cohen already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  One song a week would be more than enough.  Seriously, I have been listening and supporting you guys for years, but if you don't quit playing this guy every freakin hour I am going to quit you.  Please!
I wish this guy would take his anti-depressants before he writes a song.
This brilliant is no song, but torture for those with actual ears.  
 
This song is brilliant.
Woody Harrelson on True Detective:

As Khrushchev once said of Castro, "This man is going to drag us into the grave with him!"
Others have asked and I shall too, how long is this?!?!?
I muted it and came back when I thought it was safe and it's still on. 
 silby wrote:

I agree 100%.   1 Leonard Cohen song would be sufficient - he's a one trick pony, and I guess you either like it or you dont...  

PSD for me every time...

 
I'd rather hear a disproportionate amount of Leonard than TH/DB.

This is so horrible, it's not even lauging material... Wow, such drivel...

 

-4


Lenny sounds like he needs some sleep
 humbled wrote:

Every one of this guy's tunes sound the same. 

Bill must really like Cohen as his stuff is overplayed.

 

Arghhhhh . . .



 
I agree 100%.   1 Leonard Cohen song would be sufficient - he's a one trick pony, and I guess you either like it or you dont...  

PSD for me every time...
"I haven't been this happy since the end of WWII" -!
Arrrgh how long is this song?  PSD isn't working on my end and it seems to just keep going.  Waiting for a miracle indeed... {#Wall}
That song could stand to be about 20 minutes shorter.
 humbled wrote:
You may not like him but I'm willing to bet that your girlfriend /wife loves him 😀. 


 

 otis_of_moab wrote:

Every one of this guy's tunes sound the same. 

Bill must really like Cohen as his stuff is overplayed.

 

Arghhhhh . . .



 

SUBLIME.
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
And the new album certainly deserves a listen.... not bad for an octogenarian!!

 
Octo say what?? Please, a little consideration for my fantasies, which look like the album cover of "songs from a room"
Small doses with this guy.  On a day like today, Monday, one song is too many.
And the new album certainly deserves a listen.... not bad for an octogenarian!!
I dislike Cohen as much as the story that 9/11 was done by OSAMA!
 Kasimausi wrote:
Know this from a tarantino movie. Where else but here would you ever hear this??
Very nice! {#Yes}
 
Are you sure it was Tarantino, and not Oliver Stone?
 otis_of_moab wrote:

Every one of this guy's tunes sound the same. 

Bill must really like Cohen as his stuff is overplayed.

 

Arghhhhh . . .



 
+1
+1
+1!!!!!!!!!!

 
Wlliam Shatner. Hahaha. But seriously, that's one of the most generic orchestrations of music ever. The rhythm parts are a second class drum machine, there are second glass midi-module guitar, flute and strings, just cheap. 'Yes but the poetry' I hear you cry. Well write a book then. And stop making crap music.

Every one of this guy's tunes sound the same. 

Bill must really like Cohen as his stuff is overplayed.

 

Arghhhhh . . .


Classic Cohen - love it!
Subsitute this "artist" for William Shatner and you would have the same effect.
I just don't get the love by the critics for this dude.

This song sucks azz.

 TravelRat wrote:
Cohen's voice reminds me of when I was in 6th grade (1980) and my math teacher, Mr. Grady (big black guy) used to boom out, "don't just sit there lookin' fat, dumb, and happy—solve the problem!"  Wiser words have rarely been spoken... {#Cool}
   

toterola wrote:

Man, he must have been related to my 5th grade Math teacher, Mrs. Purcell. Meaner than a rattlesnake with a toothache, but she would make level-damned sure you knew the work before she let you go. Good old girl, sure enough.


 
Amazing how many stories about sadistic/hard case math teachers exist. Adults talk about these people and you hear the pain and fear of a child still trapped inside their minds. You wonder what is what like for the teachers; some of them probably got worn down over time from the sullenness of the students and their helplessness at math. Is is really that hard and joyless to inspire kids on how to think about math, beyond the rote solution of math problems? 

I do wish Leonard would cheer up and stop muttering about despair, loss and death all the time. You're still alive Leonard: you might want to occasionally sing about the pluses underlying that state of existence. Lighten up, Lenny baby. 
I'm with scraig.  This guy singing (if you can call it that) makes me want to hurl myself off of the nearest bridge.  Luckily, the nearest bridge is not within walking distance.  Lyrics yeah OK he has a way with words.  But I can't get past the agony of his droning to appreciate any lofty ideas of his.
Just love it.  I remember this more from Natural Born Killers than Wonder Boys however. 
 
I'm sorry. I just don't get this guy. I understand he is a brilliant song writer, but this makes my ears bleed.
Please, make it stop. {#Rolleyes}
 Frater_Kork wrote:
Diggable Cohen and all that, but.

I want that damn seabird killed and eaten!

 
That's what The Ancient Mariner thought, and look where it got him.
This song is insane!
love it
 

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
It's that creepy uncle you don't want to be in the same room with.


This song is soooo good for the ears...

 
 palad1 wrote:

Oh shit! You're Mallory Knox!

 

This (Natural Born Killers) is what I think of when I hear this song. Glad it's long, so I have the chance to catch it and turn it up.
Same here.  There are so many accolades for Leonard Cohen but he just doesn't do it for me.   He has some great songs but they are always better when done by someone else.   Just my opinion of course.
Sounds like Halloween music.
It's 40+ years since I saw LC in a great Miami Beach concert and, well, Leonard and I fell out of touch. This song suggests I've missed a lot worth hearing.
When I was young............I thought i would like Leonard Cohen when I'm old.................Na sorry still doesn't do it for me.
I just don't understand why we have to hear this....
His most recent marathon tour showed him amazing voice, imo.
Well, this is a '92 song...........his voice is worse (!) now, but I don't begrudge anybody trying to replace their stolen pension. 
 TravelRat wrote:
Cohen's voice reminds me of when I was in 6th grade (1980) and my math teacher, Mr. Grady (big black guy) used to boom out, "don't just sit there lookin' fat, dumb, and happy—solve the problem!"  Wiser words have rarely been spoken... {#Cool}
 
Man, he must have been related to my 5th grade Math teacher, Mrs. Purcell. Meaner than a rattlesnake with a toothache, but she would make level-damned sure you knew the work before she let you go. Good old girl, sure enough.

When this ends, the Miracle will have come {#Frustrated}
Dang. That is one long song. 
Diggable Cohen and all that, but.

I want that damn seabird killed and eaten!
Cohen's voice reminds me of when I was in 6th grade (1980) and my math teacher, Mr. Grady (big black guy) used to boom out, "don't just sit there lookin' fat, dumb, and happy—solve the problem!"  Wiser words have rarely been spoken... {#Cool}
Who came first, Leonard Cohen or Lee Marvin - IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII was born under a......................
He has a wonderful sexy voice and the contrast with the women singing in falsetto is fantastic, but I just don't enjoy it when he sings his own songs.  He turns the timeless into timeless tedium.  Just sayin'.
It would be an interesting world that saw the creation of a piece of art for every instance where a human felt compelled to criticize. Especially where the critique is leveled at someone elses art.

 elvisfrog wrote:
Love this song everytime played.  Fell in love when it was on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack.

 
Oh shit! You're Mallory Knox!

Love this song everytime played.  Fell in love when it was on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack.

Gong!
The miracle has come Lenny: It is your recording contract! Ack, my ears!
Candela wrote:
aah .. give me a man with dark voice!
Me too! I find this particular song a bit schmaltzy, but I still had to give it an 8. Man, I love his voice! Couldn't disagree more with all those who're saying how terrible his voice is. I guess it's kinda like Bob Dylan's voice: either you love it as part of the package, or hate it.
Leonard Cohen as a young man: "Hey, I think I'm a pretty good songwriter". The World, in general: "Yes, Leonard, we agree and think you are an excellent writer of songs:. Leonard Cohen: "I think I should record these songs and sing them myself". The World, in general: "Uh, Leonard, there was a book, very popular in the 60's, called 'The Peter Principle. We think you should read it".
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Still waiting...
If that miracle is the song ending it cant come soon enough.
A poet without a voice
Still waiting...
jayvee2 wrote:
You know, once I thought the exact same thing. But one of the things I use RP for is to EXPAND my musical horizons outside the mainstream of Clear Channel's bland programming. Go out and buy a Leonard Cohen CD. His voice, delivery, and the ever-present chorus may take a bit getting used to but the man is truly a poet. He cant help it he sounds like this. (By comparison, I can't stand Dylan or Neil Young singing their own songs, but I still admire their talent and respect their right to perform their own work.) Thanks, RP.
Here, here! Personally I find the delivery and the synth a little, well, cheesy, but his wit and lyrics shine through. One of many artists for whom I tend to find the covers tend surpass the original. A musical enabler; not a bad thing to be. What was it that was said about Velvet Underground? They only sold a handful of records, but everyone who bought one started a band (I know that's not the exact quote, help out someone!)
I like the sHorter version from Natural Born Killers better. But this is stilll GREAT.
phillips wrote:
are you JOKING? leonard cohen has a horrible voice and all of his music sounds the same. just my opinion, but he is the worst "artist" i have ever heard.
You poor,poor thing.
phillips wrote:
are you JOKING? leonard cohen has a horrible voice and all of his music sounds the same. just my opinion, but he is the worst "artist" i have ever heard.
You poor, poor thing.
drtjdel wrote:
Which is more creepy? This guy's voice of the 'Wonder Boys" album cover?
LOL
aah .. give me a man with dark voice!
Mmm, this is why it sounded so familiar - "Wonder boys". Good-good.
Tom Waits IS in the library...But Leonard Cohen IS the man... Randyl wrote:
I'd rather be listening to Tom Waits. Love to see some Tom Waits added to the library.
jadewahoo wrote:
Leonard Cohen is deep, dark and immense in his poetic scope. His music feeds the churnings within that Soul that most will do anything to avoid. Honest and powerful, if you hang with Cohen's work, let go and move with it, slip into the unconscious realms revealed, a bright light of spiritual upliftment is released... like a righteous man, innocent, but convicted to life in prison... released into freedom.
Randyl wrote:
I'd rather be listening to Tom Waits. Love to see some Tom Waits added to the library.
Waits's impersonation doesn't hold a candle to the original.
jayvee2 wrote:
He cant help it he sounds like this.
"I was born like this, I had no choice, I was born with the gift of a golden voice" as he puts it in 'Tower of Song'.
Leonard Cohen is deep, dark and immense in his poetic scope. His music feeds the churnings within that Soul that most will do anything to avoid. Honest and powerful, if you hang with Cohen's work, let go and move with it, slip into the unconscious realms revealed, a bright light of spiritual upliftment is released... like a righteous man, innocent, but convicted to life in prison... released into freedom.
... ...
Leonard is just so poetic... creates visual stories in my mind... I just can't help liking his unique stuff. Somehow, I find his stuff to be sad & humorous... just too on his sleeve romantic.
AphidA wrote:
I'm wondering why the hell people have decided this guy has such tremendous artistic talent.
You know, once I thought the exact same thing. But one of the things I use RP for is to EXPAND my musical horizons outside the mainstream of Clear Channel's bland programming. Go out and buy a Leonard Cohen CD. His voice, delivery, and the ever-present chorus may take a bit getting used to but the man is truly a poet. He cant help it he sounds like this. (By comparison, I can't stand Dylan or Neil Young singing their own songs, but I still admire their talent and respect their right to perform their own work.) Thanks, RP.
I dig it man
drtjdel wrote:
Which is more creepy? This guy's voice of the 'Wonder Boys" album cover?
Yeah. Don't you just want to slap that smug look right off Michael Douglas's face. HARD
This song's plodding and about 10 minutes longer than it needs to be. I'm sure there are other ways to be bored stiff, but none better than this song come to mind right now. I obviously don't "get" Leonard Cohen. But that's fine with me. Really, it is. My life will still be complete without his music.
I'm wondering why the hell people have decided this guy has such tremendous artistic talent.
Which is more creepy? This guy's voice of the 'Wonder Boys" album cover?
i like this song. it always bugs me though when the album displayed is not the original source. The Future Original Release Date: November 24, 1992 Label: Sony
netsrik wrote:
How fitting this song was right after Chris Rea. Nice transition.
Agreed. This song actually came in my head while Chris Rea was playing. Premonition?
Didnt realize he was so polarizing. I like him, and this song.
Gloomy, but in a way I like. Still waiting...
michaelc wrote:
Such an upbeat guy and he has so many upbeat songs.
are you JOKING? leonard cohen has a horrible voice and all of his music sounds the same. just my opinion, but he is the worst "artist" i have ever heard.
WICKED COOL!
I'd rather be listening to Tom Waits. Love to see some Tom Waits added to the library.
He's dead Jim
There's just something mystical about Leonard... He has some 5 ***** star lyrics.
I like Leonard Cohen, but for some reason I feel like someone was holding their finger on the reel-to-reel tape s l o w i n g t h i n g s d o w n when this was mastered. Never seems to end either.
Such an upbeat guy and he has so many upbeat songs.
Not something I really enjoy but it's perfect mood music for Natural Born Killers. Fits right in.