Are Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen's Songs Suitable for Easy Listening?
Introduction
Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen are renowned for their beautiful and profound music. Van's works include albums like "Tupelo Honey" and "Have I Told You Lately," while Leonard is celebrated for hit songs such as "Hallelujah" and "Song of Bernadette." Despite their contributions to music, it's often debated whether their genres can be classified as easy listening. This article explores the nuances of their music in the context of easy listening, offering insights based on popular interpretations and fan perspectives.
Van Morrison: A Reflective and Melodic Journey
Van Morrison's music is often described as reflective and melodic, blending elements of soul, folk, and jazz. Songs such as “Moondance,” “Bright Side of the Road,” and “Wild Night” are well-regarded for their mellow tones and intricate production. In many ways, these tracks can be fitted into the easy listening genre, even if they are not typically considered so.
Truly Easy Listening?
When discussing easy listening, one must consider what it truly means. Typically, songs classified as easy listening are characterized by their soothing and gentle melodies, without being overly complex or energetic. With this in mind, many of Van Morrison's songs align with this description. Tracks like "Tupelo Honey" and "Have I Told You Lately" are often played on mellow FM radio stations, which could be considered a niche form of easy listening.
However, fans of Van Morrison argue that some of his spoken-word pieces or jazz-infused tracks do not fit into the easy listening category. They might be more suited for jazz enthusiasts or those who appreciate folk rock with a more robust, less mellow sound. Nonetheless, navigating through his extensive discography reveals several songs that do satisfy the easy listening criteria.
Leonard Cohen: A Musing and Intellectual Journey
In contrast, Leonard Cohen's music is celebrated for its dark and cerebral nature. Songs like "Hallelujah" and "Song of Bernadette" are profound and introspective, often requiring careful listening to fully appreciate their poetic depth. While vibrant and meaningful, Leonard Cohen's works are typically not considered easy listening due to their complexity and emotional weight.
It's noteworthy that not all of Cohen's songs fit into this category. Some, like "Suzanne," exhibit a gentler, more accessible tone. In fact, it could be played on an elevator music station without eliciting complaints, as it strikes a balance between profound and soothing. However, this does not entirely define his body of work, as much of it remains too dark and intellectual for easy listening.
Why “Easy Listening” Matters to Fans
Many listeners are not satisfied with the notion of classifying Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen as solely easy listening artists. Fans appreciate the complexity and depth of both artists' music, which goes beyond mellow and soothing tones. Mixes of styles and thematic explorations make their music thought-provoking and emotionally resonant for both new and longtime fans.
Moreover, labels such as easy listening can be seen as dismissive, as it implies that the music is not sophisticated or engaging. These classifications can sometimes lead to a misunderstanding of the artists' true worth and contributions to the music industry.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen represent unique and valuable contributions to music. While some of their works align with the traditional definition of easy listening, most admirers view their music as thoughtfully crafted, often soulful, adult-oriented pop. Their complexity and depth make them suitable for a wide range of listening environments, from quiet evenings to reflective moments, and their enduring popularity over five decades speaks to the universal appeal of their talent.