The Future

Leonard Cohen's song 'The Future' presents a bleak and dystopian vision of the world, filled with dark satire and prophetic undertones. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment with the modern world, touching on themes of political power, societal decay, and the loss of moral compass. Cohen's invocation of 'absolute control over every living soul' and the demand for crack and anal sex serve as hyperbolic examples of the extremes of human desires and the depths to which society has sunk. The reference to the Berlin Wall and historical figures like Stalin and St. Paul suggests a nostalgia for a time when the evils of the world were more identifiable and perhaps easier to confront.

The chorus, with its repeated lines 'Things are going to slide, slide in all directions,' captures the chaos and unpredictability of the future. The 'blizzard of the world' has upset the natural order, making repentance and redemption seem unclear or even meaningless. Cohen's use of religious imagery, particularly the questioning of the call to 'repent,' reflects his complex relationship with faith and his exploration of the human condition in the face of an uncertain future. The song's apocalyptic tone is further emphasized by the imagery of a world where privacy is invaded, and societal norms are upended, leading to a cultural and spiritual collapse.

Cohen's personal identity as 'the little jew who wrote the bible' adds another layer to the song, as he positions himself as both an observer and a participant in the narrative of human history. The song's conclusion, with its grim acceptance of the future as 'murder,' suggests that humanity is on a path to self-destruction, and Cohen's role as a poet and prophet is to bear witness to this decline. The song, with its haunting melody and Cohen's deep, resonant voice, serves as a powerful commentary on the state of the world, challenging listeners to confront the uncomfortable realities of the present and the ominous possibilities of the future.