November 7, 2026, marks the 10th anniversary of Leonard Cohen’s passing. He was a Canadian artist from Montreal, and his music is timeless. In 2017, I wrote an article on the first anniversary of his passing. At the time, I didn’t know what to say about the artist. That changed after I heard his classic hits, including the song I know best: Hallelujah. Many renditions and remakes exist, including one by Swiss pop star Bastian Baker.
Leonard Cohen was a phenomenal singer-songwriter. He had a way with words, creating profound, soulful meaning and, at other times, more serious content (i.e. politics), such as Everybody Knows. He knew how to make an impression with great musical poetry. He had a remarkable, husky, raspy voice that distinguished him from many artists of his time. His vocal style had an incredible rhythm and an impressive range.
His music career spanned from 1954 until his passing in 2016, and his work ranged from ballads to edgy songs. Ballads, however, seemed to be his main style. He had a great impact on the music scene. One song where Leonard Cohen sang in English and French was The Partisan.
I have a few favourite songs by Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah, Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye,
The Partisan, and Famous Blue Raincoat. There are others, but those are my top few.
Leonard Cohen left behind a remarkable legacy with his music and humanity.
Rest in Peace, Leonard Cohen.
Flora Youssef
