HALLELUJAH BEST SONG EVER IN HISTORY OF SONGINESS

[david birkett]

Dear all -

The latest Q magazine carries a feature in which the 'ten most perfect' (or some such vapid formula) songs are announced. These were voted for by 50 (I think) card-carrying Sensitive Singer Songwriters and Hallelujah tops the bill. There is a reasonable discussion about the song, although it omits the 'many versions' issue.

Sadly there is no Godley and Creme included. I demand a recount. It's Florida all over again.

Speaking of which and in the time-honoured Forum tradition of tangentialism - I hear America may be getting another actor in the White House. Will they never learn?


David

[Partisan]

I must confess I have never seen any of Hillary's movies. Are they any good?

p.

[lizzytysh]

It's Florida all over again.

We get blamed for everything.

I hear America may be getting another actor in the White House. Will they never learn?

I say only if his first name is Chad. If, however, the 'count' should go that way... [Florida's already been threatened to lose its delegate votes... though, apparently, hefty cash remains available for visiting candidates] would you call it going from bad to worse? Or worse to bad?


~ Lizzy

[lizzytysh]

Now, to what's most important at the moment:

Hallelujah tops the bill. There is a reasonable discussion about the song, although it omits the 'many versions' issue.

As it should... perhaps, the many versions isn't included in that reasonable discussion because its excellence isn't contingent upon others being so inclined to cover it.


~ Lizzy

[blonde madonna]

Sadly there is no Godley and Creme included. I demand a recount.

Which song exactly? Did they write this one or just sing it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBuom7juPRg

[damellon]

BM - Hi
That 10cc fella'd annoy you - he's in denial.
And as an aside - Christine says you're Sahara bound with the rest of us. Is himself OK with that? You''ve to bring the soundtrack. No Bing and Bob 'Road to' songs please. Got to go .....ships passing and all that.

[blonde madonna]

OK David, what about this song? Or would it just get a groundbreaking video award?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9skEZHYxOo

[lizzytysh]

Or would it just get a groundbreaking video award?

Boy, I'll say, Madonna . The video wasn't made in 1985, though, was it ? I had to "Favorite" that one.

"I'm Not In Love" ~ back to my disco days .


~ Lizzy

[Red Poppy]

I wouldn't have thought "Halleluijah" was even Leonard Cohen's best song, not by a long chalk.

[cortez]

I wouldn't have thought "Halleluijah" was even Leonard Cohen's best song, not by a long chalk.

In my book "The man Whos Destroyed My Life. A book about Leonard Cohen." I do rate it as his masterpiece. It´s a song I belive will be with us for a long time. Masterpieces are trickie that way, maybe they are not always your favourite, but they linger on.

-cortez

[cortez]

I might add, that I think John Cales version really takes the song to even higher grounds. But I might be wrong.

-cortez

[cortez]

Then again, we have Anthony and the Johnsons.
Lovely stuff he does with Leonards lyrics.

-cortez

[blonde madonna]

I do rate it as his masterpiece. It´s a song I belive will be with us for a long time. Masterpieces are trickie that way, maybe they are not always your favourite, but they linger on.

I agree with you cortez. Red Poppy, don't you think you are sometimes red just for the sake of it? It has amazed me how this song has taken off (in no small part due to John Cale and one of the Buckleys, I can never remember which one) but I know so many people who are not Cohen fans but love this song. One day it will beat 'Suzanne' as his most covered song. Or has it already?

[Red Poppy]

I may be red for the sake of it Madonna but are you Blonde for the sake of it or even truly so?
I take the point on Halleluijah being covered (it's Jeff of te Buckley clan) but I would have thought lyrically and musically there are better songs in the Cohen canon but, of course, this is all subjective.
I'd have put a number ahead of it, not for instant appeal, but for quality.
Take this longing; If it be your will come to mind immediately.
But, hey Cortez, if it's in your book then it's in your book!

[david birkett]

Speaking as someone who is most definitely vaguely mousy-brown for the sake of it, I am very fond of Godley & Creme's "Cry" but my favourite would have to be "Under Your Thumb" or "Englishman in New York", unless it were "Art School Canteen" or one of several others, including "I Pity Inanimate Objects" ('Is a tree as a rocking horse / An ambition fulfilled / And is the sawdust jealous?')

"Hallelujah" is definitely Cohen's masterpiece - it's just one of those self-evident truths that constitute the bedrock of the universe.

KD Laing does a neat version.


David