Leonard Cohen - Everybody Knows (kashka Cover) [official Video] -
Though Cohen’s song has been covered by many—including Concrete Blonde and Rufus Wainwright—KASHKA’s Official Video remains a standout for its atmospheric, minimalist approach that highlights the "universal simplicity" of the lyrics. It captures the essence of Cohen’s work: that even when everything is falling apart, there is a strange beauty in facing the truth together.
In 2012, Toronto artist , performing under the moniker KASHKA , released a stark and ethereal cover of Leonard Cohen’s "Everybody Knows". Her rendition transformed the 1988 original from a synthy, cynical "gallows humor" anthem into a haunting piece of "folk-pop". The Story Behind the Song Though Cohen’s song has been covered by many—including
Leonard Cohen wrote "Everybody Knows" with Sharon Robinson as a biting social commentary during the peak of the AIDS crisis and rising global inequality. Cohen’s version was famous for its "deep, cigarette-infused snarl" and its bleak prophecy that "the good guys lost". Her rendition transformed the 1988 original from a
Known for blending "organic and synthetic instrumentation," KASHKA used her signature "crystal clear vocals" to give the lyrics a new, introspective vulnerability. Impact and Legacy
KASHKA’s version, featured on her 2012 album Vichada, stripped away the heavy 80s production.
While Cohen’s version felt like a prophet shouting from a mountain, KASHKA’s felt like a quiet confession in an empty room, emphasizing the personal toll of a world where "the dice are loaded". Impact and Legacy