# In 1992, Leonard Cohen released a song that contained his entire philosophy in two lines

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1992-leonard-cohen-released-a-song-that-contained-his-entire-philosophy-in-two-lines/
- Published: 2026-10-23T21:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:14:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1992-leonard-cohen-released-a-song-that-contained-his-entire-philosophy-in-two-lines/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Cohen called “Anthem” his closest thing to a credo.
- He said imperfection lets light in.
- His songs grew from vulnerable self-examination.

## Summary

Leonard Cohen described “Anthem” as the closest thing he had to a personal credo, distilled in the line, “There’s a crack in everything / That’s how the light gets in.” The song matters because it expresses his view that imperfection and vulnerability can make room for insight.

Cohen’s writing drew on close examination of his own experiences, including attempts to find meaning through drugs, meditation and love. Biographer Sylvie Simmons said he wrote with an urgent sense that time was running out; Cohen also recalled fasting for ten days after writing intensely on the Greek island of Hydra and being hospitalised.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.