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Leonard Cohen — Hallelujah
Album: Various Positions
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 253









Released: 1984
Length: 4:24
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Comments (51)add comment

R.I.P.Leonard after refusing to recognise his music most of my life and casting it aside as dirges I had just started to listen and admire a great poet this past 2 years. Truly a great lyrist and such and inspiration to other artist's. I have a lot of catching up to do.


Posted 7 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
RIP Leonard, and thank you
Posted 7 years ago by agkagk    [ Reply ]

The Atlantic just covered this song — check out How Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' Became Everybody's 'Hallelujah'.

And they mention there's a book on the way out: The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah".

Cover of book from Goodreads.com


Posted 11 years ago by MrRedwood    [ Reply ]

Amy Macdonald - Hallelujah, Live (2008) 


Leonard Cohen Cover - Live at AVO Session in Basel 17-11-2008.

"She did not copy any other musicians who sang this one before her...she put her own heart and soul into this one...and That Pays Off!...i agree 100%:-) "           Mariekesone


Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

Leonard Cohen - "Hallelujah" Live

"People... This isn't a version. This is THE original song... Leonard Cohen was born in 1934. He wrote the song and everyone else who was too lazy or creatively bored to write something of their own, ripped it off. Sorry, but no one will ever do this song better than the man who imagined it. Here's to a true poet and song-writer! "         rzimgd

 



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

K.D. Lang - "Hallelujah" Live (2005)
"She is an amazing talented artist... her bare feet show exactly how humble she is and how she interprets this song...and the emotion she feels when performing this song is clear in the different videos posted on the net.
People may have issues with how she looks or her chosen path through life..but it is her life and her path to follow.
She is true to herself, many cannot say the same. I am proud that she is a fellow Canadian-it is a song of peace... a perfect song for this ceremony "
Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 chasech5 wrote:
But this will get a 10, no matter what incarnation.
 
Agreed.

It's my opinion that this is the single greatest song in modern music written by one of the greatest poets of modern time.

Hm.  That sounds a little dramatic, but I stand by it.

There are many excellent covers, but this is Beethoven conducting his own symphony - perfection.

Posted 15 years ago by aaoaoo    [ Reply ]
it's a 10

there is a reason why Bono of U2 does background-singing for him, why Hallelujah is probably one of the most coverd songs in the world - and one of the best.

And yes, Cohens "Hallelujah" does not go down your ears easy, but hearing the words from the mind that actualy came up with it, gives them a depth that no one else can give.


Posted 15 years ago by thediceareloaded    [ Reply ]
ksb wrote:
I'll rate the song a 4 and your opinion a 1. :)
nice! there's a vast nebulous of bic lighters waving in my head everytime i hear this version. :?
Posted 19 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
bluedot wrote:
jeff and rufus and john did great stuff with it and all, but hey, leonard WROTE it.
Carol King wrote Natural Woman but I wouldn't give her version a 10. Aretha on the other hand...
Posted 19 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
The song is a 10. Period. The song alone gets the 10. My personal preference is for the live John Cale version on "Fragments of a Rainy Season." But this will get a 10, no matter what incarnation.
Posted 19 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
version in Shrek was better
Posted 19 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
oh, please, y'all. leonard gets a "10." jeff and rufus and john did great stuff with it and all, but hey, leonard WROTE it. right now i'm seeing a rating of "5.9." i bet jeff's rating for this is much higher. jeff sings it great, and yes he died a tragic death, but hey, leonard WROTE it (sorry for saying the same thing twice). amyway, my "10" raised it to a "6." i feel better.
Posted 19 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
"And even though it went all wrong, I'll stand before the lord of song, with nothing on my lips but 'Hallelujah'" I'd never heard that verse before! Bill should play this version more often! :goodvibes.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
traveyes wrote:
Shrek soundtrack has it. I like it better than Cohen's. .
Holy Bait and Switch, Batman, skip 'em both and go for the version that was really in the movie - done by John Cale.
Posted 19 years ago by dpjag    [ Reply ]
Konrad wrote:
It's just beyond my understanding how a technically perfect song can be rated "1" even by a person who doesn't like it. Admitted, Leonard Cohen has a voice which is not beyond questioning. I like it but I understand that others don't. I also prefer this version before Buckley's but only very closely so. However, downrating a genious songwriter with a technically near-perfect rendition of a song to "1" is showing lack of competence. In my opinion.
Wow, there's a competency test I have to pass before I know what I like? DAMN, Konrad! Of course, given the number of people who disagree with you, I have to wonder whose, if anybody's, competence is lacking. And by the way, the word for Cohen is "genius". But then, I suppose by saying that, I am downrating your technically near-perfect post.
Posted 19 years ago by AugieK    [ Reply ]
How many '80s novelty instruments can you cram into one song?
Posted 19 years ago by Hob    [ Reply ]
Quite funny how when he sings "the 4th, the 5th" and doesn't actually change notes...
Posted 19 years ago by ksb    [ Reply ]
ill give is a 3 coz if it he hadn't written it then jeff buckely wld never have done the cover .. however, if their wasnt any sublime cover it wld get a 1-no question abt that
Posted 19 years ago by 1984    [ Reply ]
slidegroove wrote:
I'm sorry... but neither John Cale or Rufus aret even close on this song. Jeff Buckey does it perfectly and owns this song. Listening to this version (even though it's the original) is just painful having heard Jeff sing it. No one will ever sing this as well as he did, he's simply amazing. The aching in his voice, it sounds like God himself is singing through Jeff.
Stated far better than I could. I give Leonard a 6 for his effort since he wrote it.
Posted 20 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
Konrad wrote:
It's just beyond my understanding how a technically perfect song can be rated "1"
A LOT of "technically perfect" things are nowhere near aestheticly pleasing. Take chemical formulae. No matter how technically correct they may be, I sure don't want to sit through a reading of them and I'd never want to hear them sung with the lethargic pendacity that L. Cohn exhibits in this song. Konrad wrote:
However, downrating a genious songwriter with a technically near-perfect rendition of a song to "1" is showing lack of competence. In my opinion.
Not everyone is going to be a genius at every moment and expecting praise of a genius during a decidedly horrendous performance simply because he's considered to be a genius is unrealistic. If Einstein tripped on his untied shoelace and fell flat on his face, would you be the one standing clapping for how gracelessly he did a belly-flop into the pavement and how shrill his girlie scream was as he went down? Can I PLEASE give this song ANOTHER 1, Bill? Pretty please? It's painful to listen to!
Posted 20 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
manbirdexperiment wrote:
I much prefer k d lang's version
it's the Jeff Buckley for me, although Rufus Wainwright does a respectable cover too.
Posted 20 years ago by Bodhisattva    [ Reply ]
Konrad wrote:
It's just beyond my understanding how a technically perfect song can be rated "1" even by a person who doesn't like it. Admitted, Leonard Cohen has a voice which is not beyond questioning. I like it but I understand that others don't. I also prefer this version before Buckley's but only very closely so. However, downrating a genious songwriter with a technically near-perfect rendition of a song to "1" is showing lack of competence. In my opinion.
I'll rate the song a 4 and your opinion a 1. :)
Posted 20 years ago by ksb    [ Reply ]
Please never play this garbage again. Whether Wainright, Buckley, or Cohen. Thanks a million.
Posted 20 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
I much prefer k d lang's version
Posted 20 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
It's just beyond my understanding how a technically perfect song can be rated "1" even by a person who doesn't like it. Admitted, Leonard Cohen has a voice which is not beyond questioning. I like it but I understand that others don't. I also prefer this version before Buckley's but only very closely so. However, downrating a genious songwriter with a technically near-perfect rendition of a song to "1" is showing lack of competence. In my opinion.
Posted 20 years ago by Konrad    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
UGHHHHHHH
Correct!
Posted 20 years ago by MrBoyo    [ Reply ]
A quote from my wife:
I can't listen to Hallelujah and shop for sex toys at the same time
Posted 20 years ago by bubbanc    [ Reply ]
UGHHHHHHH This is the WORST version of this song I've heard so far!
Posted 20 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Spliff wrote:
I am getting so sick of hearing this song in all of its reincarnations.
Hallelujah! (had to be said)
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
MemphisBelle wrote:
I...Where can I find the Rufus cover?
Shrek soundtrack has it. I like it better than Cohen's. .
Posted 20 years ago by traveyes    [ Reply ]
Granted, Cohen wrote it, but gosh this is hard to listen to after Jeff Buckley's stunning performance of the same song.
Posted 20 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
It's Jeff Buckley or nothing with this oft-covered pain in the ear....
Posted 20 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
I've wondered for years what Cohen's version sounds like. What a disappointment. Of course, I should have known anything would be a disappointment compared to Jeff Buckley's take, which I think is probably the most painfully beautiful song ever recorded. Where can I find the Rufus cover?
Posted 20 years ago by MemphisBelle    [ Reply ]
I am getting so sick of hearing this song in all of its reincarnations.
Posted 20 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
I love this song. I have Buckley's version as well as Wainrights. Cohen is not as melodious a singer but adds his own unique charm to the song. They are all good in my book!
Posted 20 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
I don't know what it is about Leonard Cohen, but he draws you in and won't let you go, and this song is yet another example of that. The man has an entrancing effect.
Posted 20 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
I'll give it an 8 because it is a great song lyrically but you need to hear the Buckley version to really "feel" this song. It is a powerful song and Buckley is transcendant doing it.
Posted 20 years ago by red5_bc    [ Reply ]
It's a 10 because it's Cohen. But I definately liked the version Jeff Buckley did better. There's another version, other than the version on Shrek, done by someone else I can't remember, but it's on the "I'm your fan" cd with the pixies and Rem on it. Who sings that one? It's definately NOT U2, although that version is not terrible...it's just different (found on the Tower of Song CD). One thing about this version: way more lyrics. "I'll stand before the lord of song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah" is awesome. I wish more covers included these later lyrics.
Posted 20 years ago by cataloger    [ Reply ]
mread wrote:
Like Randy Newman and others, Cohen's a great songwriter, but other artists' covers are usually superior. My favorite cover is the one in Shrek (John Cale?), the movie , not the soundtrack CD (Rufus Wainwright, I think?). Anyway, this is a great song, and regardless of quality, it's always nice to hear the original writer sing their own stuff.
I'm sorry... but neither John Cale or Rufus aret even close on this song. Jeff Buckey does it perfectly and owns this song. Listening to this version (even though it's the original) is just painful having heard Jeff sing it. No one will ever sing this as well as he did, he's simply amazing. The aching in his voice, it sounds like God himself is singing through Jeff.
Posted 20 years ago by slidegroove    [ Reply ]
How ironic that this is the worst version of this song I've ever heard.
Posted 20 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Like Randy Newman and others, Cohen's a great songwriter, but other artists' covers are usually superior. My favorite cover is the one in Shrek (John Cale?), the movie , not the soundtrack CD (Rufus Wainwright, I think?). Anyway, this is a great song, and regardless of quality, it's always nice to hear the original writer sing their own stuff.
Posted 20 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
Lord save me from Leonard's 'singing' --- he's great when the choir's drowning him out.
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
I never seem to like LC's versions of his own songs. They are great songs though, since I like many of the covers..... :-k
Posted 20 years ago by marcel    [ Reply ]
IICCCCKKKKK! I thought.. no.. maybe its being played at 33 1/3rd but ... the GOOD version of this doesn't have background singers.. yuck.. horrible horrible version.. acoustic is awesome, this theatrically produced version.. horrid!!
Posted 20 years ago by TreborG2    [ Reply ]
Yes! I was wondering about the original... super! It's like hearing Dylan sing his own material. Too bad Johnny Cash didn't cover this one...
Posted 20 years ago by teadye    [ Reply ]
funny, I seem to like Leonard's original version best. Like the wailing vocals in the background... just something about it. Kinda raw but good.
Posted 20 years ago by killahfunkadelic    [ Reply ]
Hard to belive Buckley & Wainwright lifted such light & grace out of this gloom.
Posted 20 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Yes, there's something touching in the words and meldoy, but none of the three versions I've heard so far on RP manage to pull them together into a great song.
Posted 20 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite rendition, but I can't knock a terrific original.
Posted 20 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]