Everybody Knows by Sigrid (Originally by Leonard Cohen): Musical Inspiration
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Originally written by singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (lyrics) and Sharon Robinson (music), Everybody Knows is a moving, poetic song that touches on prevalent world problems at the time it was written in 1988, but it’s just as relevant today.
The song brings issues to light that many would rather keep hidden or deny altogether and is a prophecy about the end of the world that includes references to AIDS, racism, classism and our unhealthy obsession with materialism and money, poverty, social and relationship problems, and religion. What I love so much about it though, besides the beauty of its poetry and music, is that (like all great art), it can mean something different to each listener.
The original version is amazing… I chose the recent cover by Sigrid partly because I’m a DC/Marvel/really all-comics geek and loved it as part of the soundtrack in Justice League, and partly because I can sing to it.
What do you hear in this song?
Lyrics
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Oh, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still picking cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
Everybody knows
