Why Don't You Try
Leonard Cohen · Complete Studio Albums Collection [2011]
Why don't you try to live alone?
Do you really need his hands for your passion?
Do you really need his heart for your throne?
Do you need his labour for your baby?
Do you need his beast for the bone?
Do you need to hold a leash to be a lady?
I know you're going to make, make it on your own.
Why don't your try to forget him?
Just open up your dainty little hand.
You know this life is filled with many sweet companions,
Many satisfying one-night stands.
Do you want to be the ditch around a tower?
Do you want to be the moonlight in his cave?
Do you want to give your blessing to his power
As he goes whistling past his daddy, past his daddy's grave.
I'd like to take you take you to the ceremony,
Well, that is if I remember the way.
You see Jack and Jill they're going to join their misery,
I'm afraid it's time for everyone to pray.
You can see they've finally taken cover,
They're willing, yeah they're willing to obey.
Their vows are difficult, they're for each other,
So let nobody put a loophole, a loophole in their way.
Why Don't You Try
Leonard Cohen's 'Why Don't You Try' stands as a poignant example of his late-career vocal delivery, characterized by a hushed, intimate tone that contrasts with his earlier theatrical style. Recorded for the 2011 compilation 'Complete Studio Albums Collection,' the track exemplifies Cohen's mastery of blending folk, jazz, and art-rock elements into a cohesive, introspective narrative. The song reflects his enduring ability to explore themes of longing and spiritual questioning through sparse instrumentation and his distinctive baritone. As part of his extensive discography, this recording reinforces his status as a seminal figure in Canadian and international music, influencing generations of artists who prioritize lyrical depth and atmospheric texture over conventional pop structures.