In 1969, a Leonard Cohen song barely made the charts. Robert Plant couldn’t imagine writing anything as good
Robert Plant has said that hearing Leonard Cohen’s lyrics made him question whether he could write at the same level. Cohen’s precise, emotionally subtle songwriting impressed Plant, despite Plant’s own reputation for powerful performances and memorable lyrics with Led Zeppelin.
The article focuses on Cohen’s song “Bird on the Wire”, which Plant singled out as an example of writing he could hardly imagine matching. It also places Plant’s admiration in the context of his varied musical influences, from Joni Mitchell and Tim Buckley to blues and folk, and his later work with Alison Krauss.
In short
- Plant admired Leonard Cohen’s ability to express delicate feelings.
- “Bird on the Wire” made Plant doubt he could match Cohen’s writing.
- Plant’s music drew on folk, blues and other songwriters.
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