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.
Explained simply
Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer-songwriter known for lyrics that often explored love, faith and loneliness in a restrained, literary style. “Bird on the Wire” appeared on his 1969 album Songs from a Room and later became one of his best-known songs.
Robert Plant was the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, whose forceful rock sound contrasted with Cohen’s quieter approach. Plant also drew on folk, blues and other songwriters, and later made records with American singer Alison Krauss. Their different musical paths help explain why Plant saw Cohen’s careful writing as a distinct achievement.
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