Good morning, and happy Monday people! Today's song is actually a Leonard Cohen (he died in November of this year) song, but covered by Lana Del Rey. It's called "Chelsea Hotel No. 2". Keep reading for the story behind this song. It's a great song, and it's done really really well (duh, it's Lana! of course it's done well!).
Okay, so this song was written by Leonard Cohen in 1971. It's about his very brief affair with Janis Joplin in the 60s, that took place in the Chelsea Hotel in NY. He wrote it after she died in 1970. If you would like to read about their meeting and the story behind the song (including why it's called Chelsea Hotel No. 2, you can read the Rolling Stone article about it by clicking here. It's a quick but interesting article.
The version below is Lana's cover of the song. The lyrics are below the video. Enjoy!
Chelsea Hotel No. 2 Lyrics:
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were talking so brave and so sweet
Giving me head on the unmade bed
While the limousines wait in the street
Those were the reasons and that was New York
We were running for the money and the flesh
And that was called love for the workers in song
Probably still is for those of them left
Ah, but you got away, didn't you babe?
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away, I never once heard you say
I need you, I don't need you
I need you, I don't need you
And all of that jiving around
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous, your heart was a legend
You told me again you preferred handsome men
But for me you would make an exception
And clenching your fist for the ones like us
Who are…
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous, your heart was a legend
You told me again you preferred handsome men
But for me you would make an exception
And clenching your fist for the ones like us
Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty
You fixed yourself, you said, "Well never mind
We are ugly but we have the music"
And then you got away, didn't you babe?
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away, I never once heard you say
I need you, I don't need you
I need you, I don't need you
And all of that jiving around
I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best
I can't keep track of each fallen robin
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
That's all, I don't even think of you that often