Leonard Cohen "Everybody Knows"

Here's a song that is closely connected to the topic we have seen in class (global economy). Please post your answers to questions B and C as a comment.


Leonard Cohen biography


Leonard Norman Cohen, born 21 September 1934, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often deals with the exploration of religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships. Famously reclusive, having once spent several years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, and possessing a persona frequently associated with mystique, he is extremely well-regarded by critics for his literary accomplishments, for the richness of his lyrics, and for producing an output of work of high artistic quality over a five-decade career.

“Everybody Knows”

Five minutes, thirty-seven seconds in duration, Everybody Knows is known for its sombre tone and repetition of the title at the beginning of most verses. Featuring phrases such as "Everybody knows that the dice are loaded" and "Everybody knows that the good guys lost", Everybody Knows has been variously described by critics as "bitterly pessimistic" yet funny, or, more strongly, a "bleak prophecy about the end of the world as we know it." The lyrics include references to politics, social problems, and relationship issues, among others.

A Listen to the song and fill in the gaps by writing down the words on a sheet of paper. Then, check your answers here.

Everybody knows that the __________ are loaded 

Everybody rolls with their __________ crossed 
Everybody knows the war is __________
Everybody knows the good guys __________ 
Everybody knows the __________ is fixed 
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich 
That's how it goes 
Everybody knows 

Everybody knows that the boat is __________
Everybody knows  the captain __________
Everybody got this broken __________ 
Like their father or their dog just __________

Everybody talking to their __________
Everybody wants a box of __________
And a long stem __________
Everybody knows 
Everybody knows that you __________ me, baby 
Everybody knows that you __________ do 
Everybody knows that you've been __________
Ah,  give or take a night or two 
Everybody knows you've been __________
But there were so many people you just had to meet 
Without  your __________
And everybody knows 

Everybody knows, everybody knows 
That's how it __________ , everybody knows (2x)

And everybody knows that it's now or never 

Everybody knows that it's me or __________

And everybody knows that you live __________ 

When you've done a line or __________ 

Everybody knows the deal is __________

Old Black Joe's still pickin' __________

For your ribbons and bows 

And everybody knows 

And everybody knows that the plague is coming 

Everybody knows that it's moving __________

Everybody knows that the naked man and woman 

Are just a shining artefact of the __________

Everybody knows the scene is __________

But there's gonna be a meter on your __________

That will disclose 

What everybody knows 

And everybody knows that you're in __________

Everybody knows what you've been through 

From the bloody __________ on top of  Calvary 

To the __________ of Malibu 

Everybody knows it's coming apart 

Take one __________ look at this sacred heart 

Before it blows 

And everybody knows 

Everybody knows, everybody knows 

That's how it goes, everybody knows (2x)

B In your own words: What’s the song about? How does the singer feel? What actors would you choose for the video making? What place? Post your answers in the comment section.

C Find out the meaning of the underlined words in the biography. Post your answers in the comment section.