In 1983, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen met in Paris to discuss music.
They both went on to sell millions of records.
Their conversation perfectly captures two ends of a spectrum: the spectrum of how creators produce work.
Did Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan ever meet?
Adam Cohen (Leonard’s son) recalls the conversation his father told him.
This is a reenactment of how I imagine the conversation went:
Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are sitting in a cafe in Paris, the morning after a Dylan concert that Cohen attended.
Leonard Cohen: “Great show yesterday, Bob.”
Bob Dylan: “Thank you! Btw I loved your song ‘Hallelujah.’”
Leonard Cohen: “Thanks man.”
Bob Dylan: “How long did it take you to write?”
Leonard Cohen: “Hmm about 2 years. I loved your song ‘I and I.’ How long did it take to write?”
Bob Dylan: “15 minutes.”
Leonard Cohen: “…Nice.”
Actually Leonard Cohen lied.
It took him FIVE YEARS to write ‘Hallelujah.’
