Different Sides

Leonard Cohen · Old Ideas [1974]

We find ourselves on different sides

Of a line nobody drew

Though it all may be one in the higher eye

Down here where we live it is two



I to my side call the meek and the mild

You to your side call the Word

By virtue of suffering I claim to have won

You claim to have never been heard



Both of us say there are laws to obey

But frankly I don't like your tone

You want to change the way I make love

I want to leave it alone



The pull of the moon, the thrust of the sun

And thus the ocean is crossed

The waters are blessed while a shadowy guest

Kindles a light for the lost



Both of us say there are laws to obey

But frankly I don't like your tone

You want to change the way I make love

I want to leave it alone



Down in the valley the famine goes on

The famine up on the hill

I say that you shouldn't, you couldn't, you can't

You say that you must and you will



Both of us say there are laws to obey

But frankly I don't like your tone

You want to change the way I make love

I want to leave it alone



You want to live where the suffering is

I want to get out of town

C'mon baby give me a kiss

Stop writing everything down



Both of us say there are laws to obey

Yeah, but frankly I don't like your tone

You want to change the way I make love

I want to leave it alone



Both of us say there are laws to obey

But frankly I don't like your tone

You want to change the way I make love

I want to leave it alone

Different Sides

Leonard Cohen's "Different Sides" stands as a haunting centerpiece on his 1974 album *Old Ideas*. Released during a period of profound spiritual and artistic exploration, the track exemplifies Cohen's signature style, blending poetic lyricism with a somber, atmospheric musical arrangement. The song reflects the introspective nature of his work from the mid-1970s, where he frequently delved into themes of faith, doubt, and the human condition. With its distinctive vocal delivery and minimalist instrumentation, "Different Sides" captures the melancholic beauty characteristic of Cohen's discography, offering a listening experience that remains deeply resonant within the realm of art rock and folk. It serves as a testament to his ability to transform personal reflection into universal musical expression.