Leonard Cohen: Chelsea Hotel Meaning

Chelsea Hotel 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...

1. anonymous

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   Feb 12th 2017 report

   In a television film late in life LC regrets having revealed the name of the woman. He felt that it was ungentlemanly and unlike him...
2. anonymous

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   Aug 9th 2016 report

   LC said in live performances that this was a tribute to janis Jopplin who died of alcohol and drug overdose aged 27.'You got away' The lyrics refer to the nature of their relationship 'none of that I need you I don't need you and non of that jibing around' there is much humour and affection in the lyrics combined with sadness. The Chealsea hotel was much used by musicians and artists in the 60's.
3. anonymous

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   Aug 13th 2014 report

   He sings "giving me head on an unmade bed" she is definitely down on him
4. anonymous

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   Jan 24th 2011 report

   Chelsea Hotel is a commentary on Cohen's affair with and sentimentality over Janis Joplin. They both stayed at the famed Chelsea Hotel when in New York as many artists and Musicians did. Cohen acknowledges this in the "sleeve notes" of his Greatest Hits album. Sheepishly telling off the affair Cohen said, "She wouldn't mind", he declares, "but my mother would be appalled".