Wednesday, February 15, 2023

HALLELUJAH

 SKIP TO MAIN CONTENTl¡Pi



Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays home

TRENDING NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

FOOD & DRINK

PETS

SHOPPING

HEALTHY NOW

COVID-19 INFO

NEWSLETTER

HOME

ENTERTAINMENT

Leonard Cohen

Paul Butterfield/Getty Images


Holyi one of the most enduring songs ever—and it almost was never released.


Columbia Records initially refused to release "Hallelujah," and it received minimal promotion when it finally came out on his album Various Positions. It was through cover songs from the likes of John Cale and Jeff Buckley that made "Hallelujah" Cohen's magnum opus.


The documentary Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song, now on video, examines the history of the iconic track and how it entered ubiquity after being way ahead of its time.


Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira Make Major

Announcement Following Wedding


Read More


Learn the basics of "Hallelujah" and its ageless allure.


Related: Remembering Leonard Cohen: 12 of Cohen’s Most Fascinating Quotes


Was Leonard Cohen religious?

Cohen was ordained as a Zen Buddhist monk in 1996 and spent years at the Mt. Baldy Zen Center in seclusion. All the while, he remained observant to his Jewish faith. He explained to The New York Times, “Allen Ginsberg asked me the same question many years ago. Well, for one thing, in the tradition of Zen that I’ve practiced, there is no prayerful worship and there is no affirmation of a deity. So theologically there is no challenge to any Jewish belief.”



What are the words to "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen?

The full lyrics to "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen are:


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


Related: 150 Music Quotes That Celebrate the Inspirational and Magical Power of Song


How can I play "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen?

"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen is available on most streaming services. If you want to play it yourself, there is an assortment of sheet music available online for various instruments and arrangements of the iconic song.


When did Leonard Cohen write "Hallelujah?"

Cohen wrote "Hallelujah" in 1983, reportedly using "an old Casio keyboard." Cohen said in an interview, "To find that song, that urgent song, takes a lot of versions and a lot of work and a lot of sweat." He recalled being in his underwear banging his head on the floor of New York City's Royalton Hotel until he finally thought the song was up to snuff.


Who wrote "Hallelujah?"

Leonard Cohen wrote "Hallelujah."


Did Leonard Cohen change the lyrics to "Hallelujah?"

Cohen changed the lyrics to "Hallelujah" after its original release. Cohen changed up the verses and made the song longer and, some would argue, significantly darker than its original version from Various Positions.


Producer John Lissauer explained in Alan Light's book The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of ‘Hallelujah‘  (via Rolling Stone) that Cohen had settled on what was, at the time, the lyrics to the 1983 version before he entered the studio to record the track.


“I think it was as it was. There was no ‘Should we do this verse?’—I don’t think there was even a question of the order of verses, any ‘Which should come first?’ And had he had a question about it, I think he would’ve resolved it himself," Lissauer recalled. “He’s not one to share his struggles. If he wasn’t up to recording, if he was still working on something, then we just wouldn’t go in. But he’d never go in and act out the tormented, struggling artist.”


You can see an evolution of Cohen's versions of "Hallelujah" here.


Related: The 20 Best Joni Mitchell Songs Written About Her Famous Friends and Ex-Lovers


Who has the biggest hit with the song "Hallelujah?"

There are a slew of covers of "Hallelujah" in almost every imaginable genre, and picking the best version would feel like Sophie's Choice for most music lovers. That said, Jeff Buckley's rendition is likely the best known and most widely referenced (especially in other covers). Buckley's version was released on his only full-length album, Grace, in 1994 and as a single in 2007. Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah" was entered into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.


In terms of use in other media, John Cale of The Velvet Underground has a popular version of the song, released in 1991. His version is the one you've likely heard used in Shrek and Scrubs.


How many different versions of the song "Hallelujah" are there?

Aside from the original and renditions by Buckley and Cale, there are several other popular versions of "Hallelujah," and hundreds of recorded versions of the song overall.


Bob Dylan was one of the first artists to ever cover the song, playing it live in 1988.


Rufus Wainwright is featured on the Shrek soundtrack performing "Hallelujah," even though Cale's version is used in the actual movie.


Singer k.d. lang has a popular cover of the tune.


American Idol contestant Jason Castro sent Buckley's version soaring to No. 1 on the digital charts after performing the song on the show in 2008. He later placed in fourth in the competition.


Alexandra Burke had a hit with "Hallelujah" during the 2008 holiday season after performing the song on The X Factor in the U.K.


Willie Nelson recorded a "Hallelujah" cover for his album Songbird.


Brandi Carlile delivers a powerful rendition of the song.


Regina Spektorcovers the song during some live performances.


Next, check out the most notable "Hallelujah" performances ever.




Trending Stories

TikTok influencer Laura Lee Watts, daughter

Internet Personality Laura Lee Watts' Daughter Dead at 15

MOLE_110_Unit_00845R

Here's Everything You Need to Know About Season 2 of Netflix's 'The Mole'

image001-2

Popeyes Is Bringing Back Two Menu Favorites Just In Time For Lent


AROUND THE WEB

Recommended by

Save Up To 90% Off

Shop at dailysale.com to pay one of the lowest prices, with a full 30-day return policy.

dailysale.com | Sponsored

This Is The Highest Rated Hearing Aid In The US

This Is The Highest Rated Hearing Aid In The US

hear.com | Sponsored

This "Botox In A Bottle" Sold Out At Target (In 2 Days)

This "Botox In A Bottle" Sold Out At Target (In 2 Days)

brunchescrunches.com | Sponsored

Seniors Born Between 1941 and 1979 Can Claim These 22 Senior Rebates Now!

Seniors Born Between 1941 and 1979 Can Claim These 22 Senior Rebates Now!

thewalletguru.com | Sponsored

Queen Elizabeth's Official Cause of Death

Queen Elizabeth's Official Cause of Death

'Outlast' Show Season 1: Cast, Premiere, Host, News

'Outlast' Show Season 1: Cast, Premiere, Host, News

Jennifer Lopez and Pal Leah Remini Hit by Drunk Driver

Jennifer Lopez and Pal Leah Remini Hit by Drunk Driver

Celebrity Deaths 2023: Remembering Stars Who Died Recently

Celebrity Deaths 2023: Remembering Stars Who Died Recently

Numbrix 9 - July 23

Numbrix 9 - July 23

‘The Bachelor’ Airs Viewer Discretion Warning Before Dramatic Bombshell Episode

‘The Bachelor’ Airs Viewer Discretion Warning Before Dramatic Bombshell Episode


This scarf is quickly becoming the must-have gift in 2023

This scarf is quickly becoming the must-have gift in 2023

It's so soft and warm...

Fashion In USA | Sponsored

Hands Down! The World's Healthiest Breakfast

Hands Down! The World's Healthiest Breakfast

Ka'Chava | Sponsored

New Mexico: Empty Storage Units Are Almost Being Given Away

New Mexico: Empty Storage Units Are Almost Being Given Away

Empty Storage Unit Deals | Search Ads | Sponsored

TV

Hannah Brown Says Competing on 'Special Forces' Left Part of Her Body 'Completely Destroyed'

TV

The Season 7 ‘Outlander’ Opening Title Sequence Reveals Major Spoilers

MAGAZINE

'Parade' Celebrates Valentine's Day With Our Favorite Magazine Covers, From 1943 to 2019

CELEBS

Chris Evans and Alba Baptista Are Instagram Official! Look Back at the 'Avengers' Star's Girlfriends

MOVIES

Steam Up Your Screen With the 50 Sexiest Movie Scenes of All Time

MOVIES

Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Rom-Com Coming To the Big Screen


SEE MORE

Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays

About Parade

Contact Us

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Privacy Settings

© 2023


CLOSE


No comments:

Post a Comment