Anatomy of a Song: "Famous Blue Raincoat" Quiz

Answer: Four in the morning

"It's four in the morning, the end of December
I'm writing you now just to see if you're better"

Four in the morning must be a time that inspires song - look at the wonderful song by Faron Young. Did you know that in the Charles M Schultz quiz 'Peanuts', Frieda's cat Faron was named after Faron Young?

Answer: Clinton Street

"New York is cold, but I like where I'm living
There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening.

Clinton Street runs between Newark Street and 2nd Street, if anyone would like to check it out and tell me if there's still music right through the evening, I'd be grateful! It is advertised as 'Downtown's main drag for a food and drink adventure'. It was named for George Clinton, a general in the Revolutionary War, who was the first governor of New York State (1777-1795), and has no relation to Bill.

Answer: Deep in the desert

"I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert"

Researching this quiz I discovered that Tori Amos and Jennifer Warnes have also recorded this song. Tori Amos did not change the lyrics at all but Jennifer Warnes finished it 'Sincerely a friend'. I can't see that singing this as a woman makes any sense, with apologies to fans of the two ladies.

Answer: Some kind of record

"You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record."

This is an intriguing line (I say nothing about the rhyme with the last couplet!) What does 'living for nothing' mean? And why would 'keeping some kind of record' be important? Perhaps the recipient is some kind of author?

Answer: Jane

"Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear
Did you ever go clear?"

Do guys give women locks of their hair? It seems a bit Victorian to me. Does she keep it in a locket? Or just wander round holding it in her hand? Once again there are many, many pages from people explaining just what this song means (none of them written by Leonard Cohen) and some people claim that 'Jane' was Janis Joplin. I shall refrain from comment.

Answer: So much older

"Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older"

Apparently it is claimed that Leonard Cohen considers this song a failure. Well, sorry Mr. Cohen, I think it is wonderful, poignant and excellent.

Answer: Yes

"Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder"

Many songs do not include their title in the lyrics. "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Unchained Melody", "Maggie May", and "Sympathy for the Devil" are just a few of them.

Answer: Lili Marlene

"You'd been to the station to meet every train
And you came home without Lili Marlene"

"Lili Marlene" was based on a World War I German marching song, from a poem written in 1915 by Hans Leip, a German soldier, which was picked up by the allies and became beloved by both sides in WWII. It was sung by British forces sweetheart Vera Lynn, but one of the most popular versions was sung by Marlene Dietrich.

Answer: Nobody's

"And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was nobody's wife."

And all the pain of the song is there in that couplet. The recipient has just casually broken the writer's life.

Answer: rose

"Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth
One more thin gypsy thief
Well I see Jane's awake "

Very flamenco dancer! This gives you not only a physical description of the recipient (thin, dark) but also portrays his swashbuckling nature.

Answer: Her regards

"She sends her regards."

Not her love, which is interesting - but she still feels warm towards him. It relates to politeness and to esteem.

Answer: 'my killer'

"And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
What can I possibly say?"

There is a lot of speculation out there as to whether the recipient is the writer's actual brother or if he just means it in a friend sense. Well, he obviously wasn't the writer's actual killer (unless it's being written by a ghost - now there's a theory!)

Answer: Yes

"I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
I'm glad you stood in my way"

Whatever happened between the three of them, it looks as if they have come through it. I love the ambiguity of the 'I guess'. 'Famous Blue Raincoat' came out on Leonard Cohen's third album, "Songs of Love and Hate", which was released in 1971. It's also on his 'Greatest Hits' album.

Answer: Sleeping

"If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free."

I guess he must have got over the hating, brooding and plotting he may have done at first. This song is apparently written in amphibrachs, which consist of a long syllable between two short syllables, and are metrical feet more usually used in Latin and Greek prosody. Aren't you glad I told you that?

Answer: He thought it was there for good

"Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
I thought it was there for good so I never tried."

So the writer's relationship can't have been that idyllic even before the recipient's intervention. I hope you've enjoyed this close look at possibly the best song ever written about a love triangle.