'That’s about it for me': Hallelujah singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, 82, says he's 'ready to die' in candid interview
Leonard Cohen has never been one to mince words.
The deep-voiced singer/poet, speaking with New Yorker, said that he's 'ready to die' at 82, amid ongoing health woes.
The Everybody Knows singer said he wouldn't likely ever hit the road again or finish many of the artistic words he's began.
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Straight shooter: Music icon Leonard Cohen, 82, told the New Yorker he's 'ready to die' at 82 amid failing health
No looking back: Cohen said that he's never been one to wax nostalgic on his accomplishments
Accomplished: The Waiting For The Miracle singer is on the verge of releasing a new album called You Want It Darker
'Maybe I’ll get a second wind, I don’t know. But I don’t dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don’t dare do that,' the I'm Your Man singer told the magazine. 'I’ve got some work to do. Take care of business.
'I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.'
The Hallelujah singer, who's about to release his 14th studio album, You Want It Darker, said that he's not one for nostalgia in what he expects to be his final days.
Enshrined: Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a 2008 ceremony in New York City
Fingerprint: Cohen, seen here in 1987, is hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of his era, mentioned in the same class as Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Joni Mitchell
Inspiration: Cohen, in the profile, shared a poignant letter he sent to on-again, off-again love Marianne Ihlen, who died at 81 in her native Norway this past summer
'As I approach the end of my life, I have even less and less interest in examining what have got to be very superficial evaluations or opinions about the significance of one’s life or one’s work,' the Suzanne singer told the publication. 'I was never given to it when I was healthy, and I am less given to it now.'
The grim profile also alludes to the July 28 death of Cohen's on-again, off-again love Marianne Ihlen at 81 in her native Norway. Ihlen was hailed as the muse who creatively inspired much of Cohen's work, most famously the songs Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye and So Long, Marianne.
Cohen shared with the magazine a note he penned to his longtime paramour shortly before her passing, illustrating his acceptance of his fate, as well.
Through the years: Cohen, seen here taking the stage at a 1970 show in Hamburg, Germany, has been producing his art for more than 50 years
It read, 'Well Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart, and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine.'
He continued, ‘And you know that I’ve always loved you for your beauty and for your wisdom, but I don’t need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey.
'Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.’
Big fan: Bob Dylan, 75, hailed his contemporary's music-making abilities as 'genuis'
The New Yorker piece, written by Pulitzer prize winner David Remnick, also featured commentary from legendary peer Bob Dylan, who lauded his colleague's creative abilities.
'When people talk about Leonard, they fail to mention his melodies, which to me, along with his lyrics, are his greatest genius,' Dylan said. 'Even the counterpoint lines—they give a celestial character and melodic lift to every one of his songs. As far as I know, no one else comes close to this in modern music. His gift or genius is in his connection to the music of the spheres.'
You Want It Darker is set to be released October 21.
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