A Thousand Kisses Deep
Leonard Cohen · Other Songs - Leonard Cohen
The odds are there to beat.
You win a while, and then it's done -
Your little winning streak.
And summoned now to deal
With your invincible defeat,
You live your life as if it's real,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
I'm turning tricks, I'm getting fixed,
I'm back on Boogie Street.
You lose your grip, and then you slip
Into the Masterpiece.
And maybe I had miles to drive,
And promises to keep:
You ditch it all to stay alive,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
And sometimes when the night is slow,
The wretched and the meek,
We gather up our hearts and go,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
Confined to sex, we pressed against
The limits of the sea:
I saw there were no oceans left
For scavengers like me.
I made it to the forward deck
I blessed our remnant fleet -
And then consented to be wrecked,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
I'm turning tricks, I'm getting fixed,
I'm back on Boogie Street.
I guess they won't exchange the gifts
That you were meant to keep.
And quiet is the thought of you
The file on you complete,
Except what we forgot to do,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
And sometimes when the night is slow,
The wretched and the meek,
We gather up our hearts and go,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
The ponies run, the girls are young,
The odds are there to beat...
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Leonard Cohen's "A Thousand Kisses Deep" stands as a quintessential example of his late-career poetic sensibility, blending folk and jazz influences into a hauntingly intimate recording. Released in 2011, the track exemplifies Cohen's mastery of vocal delivery and lyrical depth, often drawing upon themes of spiritual longing and human connection that permeated his extensive discography. The song's atmospheric production and Cohen's distinctive baritone voice create a meditative soundscape that resonates deeply with listeners, reflecting the introspective nature of his work during this period. It serves as a testament to his ability to transform personal reflection into universal art, maintaining the emotional gravity characteristic of his catalog while exploring new sonic textures.