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Artist: Leonard Cohen
Track: First We Take Manhattan

Lyrics
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens (guided, guided)
I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin (guided, guided by)
I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons (guided)
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

(I'd really like to live beside you, baby)
(I love your body and your spirit and your clothes)
(But you see that line there moving through the station?)
(I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those)

Ah, you loved me as a loser
But now you're worried that I just might win
You know the way to stop me, but you don't have the discipline
How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

I don't like your fashion business, mister
And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

(I'd really like to live beside you, baby)
(I love your body and your spirit and your clothes)
(But you see that line there moving through the station?)
(I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those)

And I thank you for those items that you sent me, ha ha ha
The monkey and the plywood violin
I practiced every night, now I'm ready
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin (I am guided)

Ah remember me, I used to live for music (baby)
Remember me, I brought your groceries in (ooh, baby, yeah)
Well, it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded (baby)
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
Full Lyrics and Meaning
SongMeanings Interpretations
Leonard Cohen - First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
"First We Take Manhattan" might be understood as an examination of the mind of the extremist. In a way it's a better song now () than it was before and I would ...
Jennifer Warnes - First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom. For trying to change the system from within. I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them. First we take ...
R.E.M. - First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
... First We Take Manhattan Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen. Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics powered by ...
Joe Cocker - First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
... First We Take Manhattan Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen. Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics powered by ...
Sirenia - First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
... First We Take Manhattan Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen. Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics powered by ...
Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip - Stake a Claim Lyrics
... Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan." I believe the opening beat is an ... Lyrics. SongMeanings. Who We Are · Contact · Advertising · Terms & Conditions ...
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I studied the same history when I first fell in love with the song. Leonard took a fallen leader's love for his city and made subtle changes in the original ...
Leonard Cohen - Everybody Knows Lyrics
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I think there are levels of meaning behind these lines ... More Leonard Cohen Lyrics · Hallelujah Lyrics · Famous Blue Raincoat Lyrics · First We Take Manhattan ...
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Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man Lyrics
If you want a lover. I'll do anything you ask me to. And if you want another kind of love. I'll wear a mask for you. If you want a partner, take my hand, or
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SongFacts
First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen - Songfacts
First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
Lyrics for First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen - Songfacts
Lyrics and video for the song First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen - Songfacts
SongTell Meaning
Meaning of "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen
The song "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen is about an individual aspiring for political and social change. The narrator of the song talks about b...
Meaning of "First We Take Manhattan" by Jennifer Warnes
"First We Take Manhattan" by Jennifer Warnes is a song originally written by Leonard Cohen, but sung here by Warnes. The lyrics explore themes of rebellion...
Meaning of "First We Take Manhattan (Live in London)" by Leonard Cohen
"First We Take Manhattan (Live in London)" by Leonard Cohen is a powerful and politically charged song that delves into themes of rebellion, revolution, an...
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The song "Joan of Arc (Live in Concert)" by Jennifer Warnes, featuring Leonard Cohen, conveys a deep and complex meaning through its poetic lyrics. The son...
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Genius Meanings
Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan
Initially written for and recorded in 1987 by his ex backup singer Jennifer Warnes. The song became a staple in Leonard Cohen’s concerts, and a major source of discussion among
Cookies n Beans – First We Take Manhattan
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / Im coming now Im coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan then we take Ber-lin
Joe Cocker – First We Take Manhattan
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / I'm coming now / I'm coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan / Then we take
Jennifer Warnes – First We Take Manhattan
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan, then we take
Sirenia – First We Take Manhattan
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan, then we take
Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan (Live in Dublin)
They sentenced me to 20 years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin
R.E.M. – First We Take Manhattan
[Verse 1] / They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom / For trying to change the system from within / I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them / First we take Manhattan, then
Leonard Cohen (Ft. Sharon Robinson) – The Land of Plenty
Another criticism of capitalist America, but much gentler than in “First We Take Manhattan”.
Enrique Morente – Manhattan (First We Take Manhattan)
Me condenaron a veinte años de hastío / Por intentar cambiar el sistema desde dentro / Ahora vengo a desquitarme / Primero conquistaremos Manhattan / Después conquistaremos Berlín
Genius Traducciones al Español – Leonard Cohen - First We Take Manhattan (Traducción al Español)
Me sentenciaron a veinte años de aburrimiento / Por tratar de cambiar el sistema desde adentro / Ahora vengo, vengo a recompensarles / Primero tomamos Manhattan, luego tomamos
Leonard Cohen – Who by Fire (Live in Dublin)
And who by fire, who by water / Who in the sunshine, who in the night time / Who by high ordeal, who by common trial / Who in your merry merry month of May / Who by very slow decay
Leonard Cohen – Darkness (Live in Dublin)
I caught the darkness / It was drinking from your cup / I caught the darkness / Drinking from your cup / I said, "Is this contagious?" / You said, "Just drink it up." / I've got no
Leonard Cohen – I Tried to Leave You (Live in London)
I tried to leave you, I don't deny / I closed the book on us, at least a hundred times / I'd wake up every morning by your side / The years go by, you lose your pride / The baby's
Leonard Cohen – Come Healing (Live in Dublin)
O gather up the brokenness / And bring it to me now / The fragrance of those promises / You never dared to vow / The splinters that you carry / The cross you left behind / Come
Leonard Cohen – In My Secret Life (Live in Dublin)
I saw you this morning / You were moving so fast / Can’t seem to loosen my grip / On the past / And I miss you so much / There’s no one in sight / And we’re still making love / In
Leonard Cohen – Waiting for the Miracle (Live in Dublin)
Baby, I've been waiting / I've been waiting night and day / I didn't see the time / I waited half my life away / There were lots of invitations / And I know you sent me some / But
Leonard Cohen – I Tried to Leave You (Live in Dublin)
I tried to leave you, I don't deny / I closed the book on us, at least a hundred times / I'd wake up every morning by your side / The years go by, you lose your pride / The baby's
Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah (Live in Dublin)
Now I've heard there was a secret chord / That David played, and it pleased the Lord / But you don't really care for music, do you? / It goes like this / The fourth, the fifth
Leonard Cohen – The Partisan (Live in Dublin)
When they poured across the border / I was cautioned to surrender / This I could not do; / I took my gun and vanished / I have changed my name so often / I have lost my wife and
Leonard Cohen – If It Be Your Will (Live in Dublin)
If it be your will / That I speak no more / And my voice be still / As it was before / I will speak no more / I shall abide until / I am spoken for / If it be your will / If it be
Leonard Cohen – Introduction (Live in London)
Thank you so much friends / I was, I was having a drink with my old teacher / He is 102 now / And this was, he was just, about 97 at the time / And I poured him a drink and / He
Leonard Cohen – Bird on the Wire (Live in London)
Like a bird on a wire / Like a drunk in a midnight choir / I have tried in my way to be free / Like a worm on the hook / Like a knight from some old-fashioned book / I have saved
Leonard Cohen – Tower of Song (Live in Dublin)
Well, my friends are gone and my hair is grey / I ache in the places where I used to play / And I'm crazy for love but I'm not comin' on / I'm just payin' my rent every day in the
Leonard Cohen – I Can't Forget
[Verse 1] / I stumbled out of bed / I got ready for the struggle / I smoked a cigarette / And I tightened up my gut / I said this can't be me / Must be my double / [Chorus] / And I
The Lilac Time – Bird On The Wire
Like a bird on the wire / Like a drunk in a midnight choir / I have tried in my way to be free / Like a worm on a hook / Like a knight from some old-fashioned book / I have saved
Leonard Cohen – Anthem (Live in Dublin)
Ring the bells that still can ring / Forget your perfect offering / There is a crack, a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in / The birds they sang / At the break of
Leonard Cohen – Alexandra Leaving (Live in Dublin)
[Leonard Cohen] / Even though she sleeps upon your satin; / Even though she wakes you with a kiss / Do not say the moment was imagined; / Do not stoop to strategies like this / As
Leonard Cohen – Recitation w/ N.L. (Live in Dublin)
You came to me this morning and you handled me like meat. You'd have to be a man to know how good that feels, how sweet. My mirrored twin, my next of kin, I'd know you in my sleep
Leonard Cohen – Everybody Knows
From Leonard Cohen’s iconic I’m Your Man album. A “dark” song, which some perceive as his pessimistic view of the world, with multiple references to social issues. Written in
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Genius Albums
Live in London by Leonard Cohen
Get all the lyrics to songs on Live in London and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics.