Is This What You Wanted

Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]

You were the promise at dawn,

I was the morning after.

You were Jesus Christ my Lord,

I was the money lender.

You were the sensitive woman,

I was the very reverend Freud.

You were the manual orgasm,

I was the dirty little boy.



And is this what you wanted

To live in a house that is haunted

By the ghost of you and me?



Is this what you wanted...



You were Marlon Brando,

I was Steve McQueen.

You were K.Y. Jelly,

I was Vaseline.

You were the father of modern medicine,

I was Mr. Clean.

You where the whore and the beast of Babylon,

I was Rin Tin Tin.



And is this what you wanted...



And is this what you wanted...



You got old and wrinkled,

I stayed seventeen.

You lusted after so many,

I lay here with one.

You defied your solitude,

I came through alone.

You said you could never love me,

I undid your gown.



And is this what you wanted...



And is this what you wanted...



I mean is this what you wanted...



That's right, is this what you wanted...

Is This What You Wanted

Leonard Cohen's 'Is This What You Wanted' stands as a poignant exploration of disillusionment and spiritual longing within his later catalog. Recorded for the 2011 compilation 'Complete Studio Albums Collection,' the track exemplifies Cohen's signature blend of baritone vocals, acoustic instrumentation, and philosophical lyricism. The song reflects themes prevalent in his final years, questioning the nature of desire and the gap between expectation and reality. With its minimalist arrangement and introspective tone, the recording captures the quiet intensity characteristic of Cohen's work, offering listeners a glimpse into the complex emotional landscape of his mature artistic period.