3 Track Single
This includes a cover of Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker, and a brand new song A Mandela Of Our Time which is The Cides’ founder, Paul Hayward’s, response to the sentiment in Cohen’s Song. And finally, a commentary track from Paul with his thoughts and interpretation of You Want It Darker and its relevance to current times.
You Want it Darker
This song is about Cohen's struggles and eventual reconciliation with faith as he faces death. He doesn't really doubt that God exists. Rather, he struggles with doubt that God is good.
Cohen struggled with the 'God Paradox'. One minute God is commanding "Thou shalt not kill" and next he's giving clear instructions to carry out Genocide.
Paul, also confused by the ‘God Paradox’ started researching and discovered there are two Gods - one of Love and one of Evil, and the Testaments, deliberately it seems, mix and match them so we’re confused about God's intentions.
Commentary
This commentary track contains Paul Hayward’s thoughts and interpretation of Cohen’s song You Want it Darker and its relevance to current times.
In Paul’s own words “You Want it Darker is solemn and chilling and the moment I heard it I knew I would do a cover one day”.
In the original days of punk, Paul’s band The Molesters were writing songs and performing to raise funds for and awareness of apartheid in South Africa. He believes songs and music are powerful ways to get into people's heads, hearts and feet and that’s the driving force behind him and The Cides.
A Mandela of Our Time
Mandela had no fear for his life in standing up to oppression.
Mandela had little time for religious dogma and the scare tactics of unelected leaders like the Pope but he was profoundly influenced by the spirit of Jesus whose revolutionary spirit he admired.
A Mandela Of Our Time is a direct response to You Want It Darker. Paul struggled with some of the same contradictions that Cohen sang about in You Want It Darker, and felt compelled to respond to the song, provoking listeners to make better choices in leaders and question those in power.
These tracks are free to download, but if you fancy supporting us you can buy us a beer – cheers!
CREDITS
Composer Lyricist – Leonard Cohen (Columbia Records)
Guitars: Perry Peredur ap Gwynedd, Yannick Tournier, Paul Hayward
Strings: Paul Hayward and Alain Hiot
Bass: Yannick Tournier
Drums: Brice Sansonetto
Piano: Paul Hayward and Alain Hiot
Lead Vocals: Paul Hayward
Backing Vocals: Sandra Bullet and Benz
Creative Support: Special thanks to Steve 'Shonkers' Shone and Fredo for Bass.
Recorded and Mixed: Yannick Tournier at WAITI Studios
Mastered: Christophe Chapelle at Sinetracks
Produced: Paul Hayward
Published: Cherry Red Songs London