First We Take Manhattan: Difference between revisions

"First We Take Manhattan" is a song written by Leonard Cohen. It was originally recorded by Jennifer Warnes on her 1987 album Famous Blue Raincoat, which consisted entirely of songs written or co-written by Cohen.

The original recording is notable for the distinctive driving lead guitar played by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Producer Roscoe Beck was from Austin, Texas and friends with Vaughan. In late February 1986, at the annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Beck asked Vaughan to record the guitar for the song. In a 2007 interview, Beck recalls that Vaughan did not have his guitar or amp with him, and used one of Beck's old Strats instead. After working on a few technical issues, the finished recording was achieved after 2 or 3 takes.^[1] According to Jennifer Warnes' official site, Vaughan finished recording his takes at 4 AM.^[2]

The song refers to the "naivety and narcissism" of the West German Red Army Faction, "...designer terrorism by celebrity terrorists, as much about radical chic as about real politics."^[3]

The music video for Warnes' version of "First We Take Manhattan" was directed by Paula Walker. Filmed in New York City, the video features Stevie Ray Vaughan playing his weathered "Number One" guitar (with its distinctive "SRV" logo) on the Brooklyn Bridge. Cohen also appears with Warnes in the video.

The album version of the song is 3:47 in length, whereas the single is 3:32 long. A promotional 12" single version entitled "Jennifer Warnes - First We Take Manhattan, Radio Remix - featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan", contained extended and edited versions.

• Lead guitar - Stevie Ray Vaughn
• Guitar - Robben Ford
• Bass guitar - Roscoe Beck
• Drums - Vinnie Colaiuta
• Percussion - Lenny Castro
• Synthesizer - Russell Ferrante
• Synthesizer programmed by - Gary Chang

Leonard Cohen's own quasi-synthpop version of the song (with additional verses) was released in 1988 as the first track on his album I'm Your Man. Cohen's then girlfriend, Dominique Isserman, shot a black and white promotional video for Cohen's version of "First We Take Manhattan".

On his 1988 tour, instead of the original, Euro-disco-influenced arrangement of both his and Warnes' studio versions, Cohen introduced the new, funk-influenced arrangement, suggested by his backing singers Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen. He continued to perform song this way in 1993, 2008 and 2009 tours.

Cohen's studio recording plays over the closing credits of the 2009 film Watchmen.

• Jeff Fisher – arranger and performer
• Leonard Cohen – vocals and production
• Anjani – vocals

This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (September 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

R.E.M. contributed a cover for the Cohen tribute album I'm Your Fan. Their presence on the compilation led to a re-arranging of the I'm Your Fan tracklist. In the US release of the tribute, R.E.M.'s cover appeared as the first track, which was the House of Love's "Who by Fire" everywhere else. The song also appeared as a B-side on some versions of "Drive".

Joe Cocker covered "First We Take Manhattan" on his 1999 album No Ordinary World.

There is also a cover version by Phillip Boa and the Voodooclub, released on the CD Single "Eugene" in 2001.

The Swedish synthpop band Tyskarna från Lund covered "First We Take Manhattan" on their 2003 album Metamorphobia.

Electro artist and multimedia performer Maxx Klaxon covered "First We Take Manhattan" on his 2005 EP Paranoid Style.

Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia also covered the song on their album Sirenian Shores.

Spanish flamenco singer Enrique Morente made a new version of this song, titled "Manhattan", with new musical arrangements for Spanish and electric guitars and a rhythmic base with palms and drums. The lyrics were also translated into Spanish. It was included on his 1996 album Omega, performed with Lagartija Nick and other musicians.

Warren Zevon, citing Cohen as one of his favorite songwriters, performed the song on tour in support of the Mr. Bad Example album accompanied by Odds.

Kid Harpoon often plays a version of the song with his electric flange when he performs live.

Canberra blues and swing musician/ singer Jonno Zilber covers the song on his debut album 'Bigger Better Zilber' released in 2008.

Belgian singer [Yasmine] covered "First We Take Manhattan" on her album "Vandaag - Het Morgen van Gisteren", released in 2004.

Russian rock-singer and musician Vassily K. has also recorded and performed his translation of the song, both in electric and acoustic versions