You Know Who I Am

Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]

I cannot follow you, my love,

You cannot follow me.

I am the distance you put between

All of the moments that we will be.

You know who I am,

You've stared at the sun,

Well I am the one who loves

Changing from nothing to one.

Sometimes I need you naked,

Sometimes I need you wild,

I need you to carry my children in

And I need you to kill a child.

You know who I am...

If you should ever track me down

I will surrender there

And I will leave with you one broken man

Whom I will teach you to repair.

You know who I am...

I cannot follow you, my love,

You cannot follow me.

I am the distance you put between

All of the moments that we will be.

You know who I am...

You Know Who I Am - Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen's 'You Know Who I Am' stands as a haunting testament to his mastery of the confessional style, blending poetic introspection with a brooding, baritone delivery. Recorded for the comprehensive 'Complete Studio Albums Collection,' the track exemplifies Cohen's ability to weave personal vulnerability with universal themes of identity and recognition. The song's sparse arrangement highlights the raw emotional weight of the lyrics, characteristic of his work across decades. As a staple of his discography, it captures the essence of his late-career output, where spiritual inquiry and human frailty intersect. The recording serves as a profound meditation on self-awareness, resonating deeply within the broader canon of his influential body of work and cementing his status as a unique voice in art song and folk music.