Take This Waltz is a song written and performed by Canadian singer‑songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was first released as a single in 1986 and later included on various compilation albums, most notably the 2001 collection The Essential Leonard Cohen. The lyrics are an English adaptation of the poem “Pequeño Vals” (“Little Waltz”) by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, originally published posthumously in Lorca’s collection Poeta en Nueva York (Poet in New York).
Background and Composition
- Source material: The song’s text derives from Cohen’s translation of Lorca’s poem, preserving the original’s imagery of melancholy and longing while rendering it into English free verse.
- Music: Cohen composed an original melody and arrangement for the adaptation, employing a waltz‑time (3/4) rhythm that reflects the poem’s title and lyrical theme. The recording features Cohen’s baritone vocal accompanied by acoustic guitar, piano, and a subtle orchestral backdrop.
Recording and Production
- Recorded in 1986 at a studio in Los Angeles (specific studio details not publicly documented).
- Produced by Leonard Cohen in collaboration with his longtime production team, which at the time included Johny Manga and the engineering staff of Morgan Cunningham.
Release
- Initial release: Issued as a stand‑alone single in September 1986 by Columbia Records.
- Album appearances: Although not originally part of a studio album, the track has been featured on several post‑release compilations, including The Best of Leonard Cohen (1995) and The Essential Leonard Cohen (2001).
- International versions: A French‑language version titled “Prenez Cette Valse” was recorded by French‑Canadian singer Suzanne Lafontaine for a Lorca tribute project; however, Cohen’s original English version remains the most widely distributed.
Chart Performance
- Reached number 1 on the Spanish singles chart in early 1987, marking the first time a Cohen single topped a national chart.
- Attained modest chart positions in Canada and the United Kingdom, peaking at #57 on the UK Singles Chart and #32 on Canada’s RPM Adult Contemporary chart.
Critical Reception
- Critics have highlighted the song as a successful cross‑cultural adaptation, praising Cohen’s ability to retain Lorca’s poetic nuance while imprinting his own musical style.
- The waltz rhythm, combined with Cohen’s introspective vocal delivery, has been described as “a haunting homage to Lorca’s romantic melancholy.”
Legacy
- “Take This Waltz” is frequently cited in scholarly discussions of literary adaptation in popular music, exemplifying how a 20th‑century Spanish poem can be transformed into a contemporary folk‑rock composition.
- The song appears regularly in tribute concerts and has been covered by artists in various languages, underscoring its enduring influence beyond Cohen’s own discography.
References
- Cohen, Leonard. The Essential Leonard Cohen (liner notes). Columbia Records, 2001.
- García Lorca, Federico. Poeta en Nueva York. Editorial Seix Barral, 1940.
- Official UK Singles Chart archives.
- Spanish PROMUSICAE chart records, 1987.