Famous Blue Hoodie: An SF Version of a Classic Leonard Cohen Song
photo by Warren Wong
Over the weekend I got to read at the SF Leonard Cohen Festival. I recited a few different things including my poem Italian Girl in Dublin. But I also put together something new for it!
If you’re a Leonard Cohen fan, then you know the song “Famous Blue Raincoat” but if not here it is:
I’ve taken the lyrics from this song, which is about a love triangle, and changed them to being about someone finally getting sick of all all the bullshit in San Francisco and leaving. Listen to the song first then read my version of it right here:
Famous Blue Hoodie
It’s four in the morning, the end of December
I’m emailing now just to see if you’re better
SF is cold, but it’s always been like this
The new neighbors below seem to keep rather tight lipped
I hear that you’re building your little house outside of Portland
You’re living for nothing now, I hope you’re keeping your heart open
Yes, and Jane came by with a box of your stuff
The contents looked kinda rough
She said that you’d had enough
Did you have enough?
Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older
Your famous blue hoody was torn at the shoulder
You’d been to the airport to leave on a plane, and
You said you’d never live in Frisco again.
And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was sick of this strife
Well I see you there with the deed in your hand
One more fuck you San Fran
Well, I see Jane’s awake
She sends her regards
And what can I tell you my brother, my neighbor
What can I possibly say?
I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
I’m glad you moved away
If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Well, the city is dying, it’s not longer free
Yes, and thanks, for the love that you gave to this town
I thought it was there for good it’s no longer around
And Jane came by with a box of your stuff
The contents looked kinda rough
She said that you’d had enough
Sincerely, S. Schuffman
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