Tonight Will Be Fine (2005) – Leonard Cohen (Ft. Teddy Thompson)

One of my first proper forays into the life and music of Leonard Cohen was the tribute concert documentary I’m Your Man (2005), which I’ve mentioned here on many occasions. One of the first performances from the concert that made an indelible impression on me was Teddy Thompson’s rendition of Tonight Will Be Fine. I remember playing it over and over; such was its impact. I still love hearing it, and to this day I consider it one of the best cover versions of a Leonard Cohen song I’ve come across.

Teddy is not the first from his musical family to appear here. His father, Richard Thompson – whose music has long enjoyed a cult-like folk-rock following – was introduced to me by a work colleague when I was based at Creswell (kookaburra territory) on Australia’s south coast. He lent me Richard’s album Mock Tudor, and the track I really took to, just as much as today’s featured song from his son (which came later), was Cooksferry Queen. In fact, you can see Teddy playing alongside his father in that live performance.

Tonight Will Be Fine is one of the more straightforward songs in Cohen’s catalogue. Its unadorned lyrics speak of a sad and ascetic existence, gently softened by the comfort of coming together at night. I’ll include Cohen’s high-spirited, folky original – unusually upbeat for his early period – at the end of this post, below Teddy’s more sensitive Country version from I’m Your Man (please excuse the poor video and sound quality from the concert, though it does include Spanish subtitles for my local guests).

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Teddy Thompson, the son of British folk-rock legend Richard Thompson, has built a solid career by blending classic pop songwriting with folk and country influences. Born in 1976, he grew up surrounded by music and began performing early, later touring with his father before striking out on his own.

[Verse 1]
Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past
We swore to each other then our love would surely last
You kept right on loving, I went on a fast
Now I am too thin and your love is too vast

[Chorus]
But I know from your eyes
And I know from your smile
That tonight will be fine, will be fine
Will be fine, will be fine
For a while

[Verse 2]
I choose the rooms that I live in with care
The windows are small and the walls almost bare
There’s only one bed and there’s only one prayer
I listen all night for your step on the stair

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Oh sometimes I see her undressing for me
She’s the soft naked lady love meant her to be
And she’s moving her body so brave and so free
If I’ve got to remember, that’s a fine memory

[Chorus]

References:
1. Teddy Thompson – Wikipedia