Tower Of Song

A surprising and unexpected collaboration: that between U2 and Leonard Cohen, which took place at a New York nightclub in May 2005. The Canadian songwriter joined Bono and co. for an intense rendition of “Tower Of Song”, one of his classics, included on the 1988 album “I’m Your Man”.

The legendary Canadian songwriter had not performed live since his previous tour, which had wrapped up roughly twelve years earlier, in 1993. The period leading up to his return to the stage was a fascinating time of transition in Cohen's life, much of which he spent at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Baldy, California.

Director Lian Lunson decided to document a couple of shows produced by Hal Willner, featuring artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave and Jarvis Cocker, for the documentary titled “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man”. Cohen himself did not actually take part in any of the tribute concerts, but he did agree to perform with U2 at the Slipper Room in New York. The Irish band backs him, showcasing The Edge's distinctive guitar work and Bono's passionate delivery.

Below is the footage of U2 and Leonard Cohen sharing a stage in 2005.

The performance was not open to the public, but it lit a spark in Cohen that would gradually bring him back to the stage. Two years later, the Canadian musician finally announced his comeback tour, which would go on for over two years, travelling the world and steadily growing in scale, from intimate theatres in Canada to enormous arenas.

Speaking of “Tower Of Song”, in his memoir “Various Positions”, Cohen explained: “I wanted to make a definitive statement about the extraordinary work of songwriting. In the early Eighties I even thought about calling it 'Raise My Voice In Song'. My concern was the aging of the songwriter and the need to transcend one's failures by manifesting oneself as a singer, as a writer.” Although he initially abandoned the song, Cohen finished it one night in Montreal, recording it in a single take with a small synthesizer.

Three years after his death, U2 paid tribute to Leonard Cohen twice during their concert at Toronto's stadium, in front of 50,000 fans. “Tonight we hold on to certain things, while letting go of others,” said Bono, adding: “I'm not entirely sure how to let it go, but I know that tonight I'm holding on to Leonard Cohen's music, thinking about him today. He's been on my mind. It's an addiction I'm not ready to give up, so I'll sing this for Leonard Cohen. He used to call us friends. Really, we were just fans. And I was fine with that. For Leonard Cohen. Stay with me.” The sky was then lit up by 50,000 smartphone lights in his honour.

The song has become one of Cohen's most emblematic works, performed during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and later covered by artists such as Nick Cave and U2 themselves.

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29/01/2026