A Broken Hallelujah

[John K.]

On Tuesday night I'm at open mike, relaxing and listening to the performers since my own performance was done. A young lady gets up with a guitar and performs her first song, I forget what it was but that's not the point. She had a fantastic, soulful voice, really great, very talented, I loved it.

She strums a few chords to start her second song and, you guessed it, it's Hallelujah. A really, really, slow version. Her voice was still magnificent, but I found myself tired of it before the first line was completed.

I just feel like there's been way too much Hallelujah lately. I LOVED Hallelujah when it first came out, I loved it even more when John Cale did his version (which for me is the definitive cover version of it), and I was happy for Leonard when he got some attention because back in the Shrek days. It was an honor to perform it for all of you in NYC. But right now it seems like every singer does Hallelujah, and I would be happier to only hear Leonard perform it from this point on.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

[MaryB]

I'm with you aaaaall the way John (k.d. lang's is my favorite next to LC of course). Even LC has said something to that effect about giving it a rest. Let the master perform it only ! Although people have found LC through this song .

Warmest regards,
Mary

[seadove]

I can never get tired of Hallelujah.

[Womanfromaroom]

I can never get tired of Hallelujah.

Oh, I can't, either - it is just that it will have to be one of Leonard's own versions (or maybe, just maybe Jeff Buckley sometimes), but that's it!

[tomsakic]

"I was just reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it and the reviewer said - 'Can we please have a moratorium on Hallelujah in movies and television shows?' And I kind of feel the same way."

Leonard Cohen, Q TV interview, 2009 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugh8Xe6hX7U

[John K.]

"I was just reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it and the reviewer said - 'Can we please have a moratorium on Hallelujah in movies and television shows?' And I kind of feel the same way."

Leonard Cohen, Q TV interview, 2009 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugh8Xe6hX7U

Isn't that funny, when the writer asks for a break from one of his own songs!

[Womanfromaroom]

Yes - I even seem to remember Leonard saying in the same interview something like "I like the song, but too many people are singing it. They should give it a rest for a while..." Well, yes, exactly!

[somewhat_nifty]

I agree - I love the song, but for me it's such a 'Cohen' song that I have never really enjoyed it when anyone else sings it. The song was unavoidable in the UK about 6 months ago due to the X Factor, it was horrible hearing it turned into a showcase for vocal gynamstics. I'd be extremely happy if only Leonard sang it from now on

[Darling]

I agree too. Only Leonard Cohen (and maybe K.D. Lang once in a while)...

It's especially irritating for me to hear Hallelujah blaring on the radio (sung by ???) while at the supermarket or other similar place, it's a song that deserves full attention and respect .

[AdinaCohen29]

I also watched the interview in which LC said, that the artist should 'Hallelujah' rest for a while.

Some days ago, I stood at the busstation and 2 young girls were hearing music with an I-Pod... at a time I hear the beginning of 'Hallelujah', but some kind of different then the original. I didn't knew who the singer was, but it was a female. The girls after the song ends ..'WoW, Leona (Lewis) is such a good songwriter - this song might be the greatest I've ever heard'

In this moment - I didn't know if I should laugh or cry! I wasn't able to enlighten the girls.

Adina

P.S.: Leona and songwriter in one sentence may be blood-curdling! She is maybe a good singer, but that's it.

[musicmania]

I never ever tire of Leonard singing this or Jeff Buckley but I draw the line at anyone else. I'm not a fan of covers in general anyway as most are an insult to the original & I'd gladly never hear a cover version of any song ever again!!!

[Womanfromaroom]

At least in this case, I fully and totally agree! If anyone is still in doubt about how it should be - has to be! - performed, and wants to see how really (as at least I am firmly convinced) no one can really do it the same intense way as Leonard himself - just take a look at the absolutely breathtaking Dublin version that IrishAl has recorded and just kindly shared with us on Youtube and on the forum: Left me absolutely spellbound...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLiVE1vK ... re=channel

[musicmania]

I know. I was there & it was amazing. He came alive during that song & I feel so privileged to have been there. I wish some one had recorded So long Marianne last night too as that was also a mind blowing performance. There is a video on you tube of one of the other nights but having been there last nights rendition was way better.

[MaryB]

I'm pretty sure you are referring to the video posted by IrishAl. I thought that rendition of So Long Marianne was the best I had seen to date. Not only was the audience participation spot on, but the band was having so much fun with it! If you say last night's was even better, I so hope, like you say, someone did get it on video! Having this would be like opening up a gift.

[Lilifyre]

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels that this song has been way over done. I am at the point where I literally cringe when I hear someone other than Leonard attempt to sing it. K. D. Lang does a good version, but I really can't stand the others. I really detest Rufus (and Martha) Wainwright's (did I spell their last name correctly?) versions. Neither of them have the voices or talent of their parents, IMHO.

I certainly agree with those who would propose this song off limits to any more covers.