Was/is Leonard Cohen Popular in the USA?
In a country as large as the US, asking if a thing is popular is complex. There are millions of people in the US who enjoy Leonard Cohen. If American Leonard Cohen fans were their own country, they’d be among the top 50 countries in the world based on population.
However, at the same time, Leonard Cohen has almost no impact in the broader US culture. I drove around all day yesterday with my car windows rolled down and saw that nowhere, not even once, did I hear Hallelujah or Suzanne blaring from anyone’s portable speaker. It was as if all those people were living their day-to-day lives without even a single thought of Leonard Cohen.
It is almost impossible to conceive how unimportant Leonard Cohen is to Americans in various daily scenarios, such as when they are hitting a softball, fighting a house fire, making a business case presentation to their bosses, or even prepping for surgery. Realistically, Leonard Cohen only comes to mind when some Americans want to listen to a 70s and 80s throwback folk singer with a sophisticated New York edge.
Impact and Influence
He had a small, highly appreciative audience, but never had a hit. There’s a stark contrast between his cult status among those who appreciate his work and his complete absence in mainstream culture. The fact that you can’t swing a dead cat without hearing “Hallelujah” on any of those singing competition shows (including the millions of views on YouTube and other platforms) highlights just how significant his influence is in a niche, cultural context, despite not being a household name.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to this discrepancy. First, Leonard Cohen’s unique style and slower, more contemplative songs weren't typical of the energetic and upbeat music that dominated the US charts in the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, his later work, particularly the song Hallelujah, only gained massive popularity posthumously, long after his prime years.
The cultural landscape of the US is vast and diverse, and while there’s a dedicated fan base for artists like Cohen, the mainstream media and popular culture often overlook or understate their importance. This is not unique to Cohen but is a reality for many artists who have a profound impact in niche markets but are unknown to the broader public.
Conclusion
Leonard Cohen’s story highlights the complex nature of popularity in a large and dynamic country like the US. While he has a passionate and enduring fan base, his less mainstream appeal has kept him largely out of the public eye in broader cultural contexts. This duality is both a reflection of his artistry and the broader socio-cultural landscape of the United States.