# I have come to a near-heretical realization re: Leonard Cohen **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326 "2006-10-21T04:11:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/1 "2006-10-21T04:11:19Z")
I remember seeing various posts in various threads making much of how badly Rufus Wainwright ruined Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on the _Shrek II_ soundtrack. The Wainwright version is on an MP3 CD I was listening to at work today, and it made me wonder what the Cohen version sounds like. Yes, I know it’s shocking, but I’ve never actually heard Leonard Cohen. So I acquire a copy of Cohen’s original “Hallelujah” and listen to it tonight. I hate it. _poised to run_ I know that’s grounds for an angry mob scene with pitchforks and torches for some folks, but I can’t help it. The song itself is genius. I _LOVE_ the song! But Cohen’s voice and phrasing sucks. He sounds like he’s some random person doing a karaoke version of his own song, unfamiliar with the pitch or the phrasing. Am I missing something about Cohen? Can anyone recommend anything better as a “starter set”? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/2 "2006-10-21T04:20:13Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I remember seeing various posts in various threads making much of how badly Rufus Wainwright ruined Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on the _Shrek II_ soundtrack. The Wainwright version is on an MP3 CD I was listening to at work today, and it made me wonder what the Cohen version sounds like. Yes, I know it’s shocking, but I’ve never actually heard Leonard Cohen. So I acquire a copy of Cohen’s original “Hallelujah” and listen to it tonight. I hate it. _poised to run_ I know that’s grounds for an angry mob scene with pitchforks and torches for some folks, but I can’t help it. The song itself is genius. I _LOVE_ the song! But Cohen’s voice and phrasing sucks. He sounds like he’s some random person doing a karaoke version of his own song, unfamiliar with the pitch or the phrasing. Am I missing something about Cohen? Can anyone recommend anything better as a “starter set”? [/QUOTE] When you say ‘starter set’ are you referring to Cohen’s work or the song? If the song, you must hear Jeff Buckley’s version. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/3 "2006-10-21T04:19:58Z")
Actually, that’s quite a bit BETTER than his usual, classic arrangements. I know it’s counterintuitive but you have to force your way past how god-awful his songs SOUND and…for get about it. Spend time listening to better singers and better arrangements and you might find yourself going back to a the painfully flawed originals. And if you don’t, no problem. Accept the words and the tunes in the manner that speaks to you best. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/4 "2006-10-21T04:23:52Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] When you say ‘starter set’ are you referring to Cohen’s work or the song? If the song, you must hear Jeff Buckley’s version. [/QUOTE] I meant Cohen’s work, though I am currently acquiring several different versions of “Hallelujah”, including the Buckley one. And Rammstein, though I don’t necessarily know if it’s the same song or a different one with the same name… ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/5 "2006-10-21T04:24:40Z")
Or Jakob Dylan’s. Not that I know he did one, but since we’re naming the kids of 60s folkies… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/6 "2006-10-21T04:32:40Z")
Well, as far as I can tell, the Rammstein song is NOT the Cohen song…although it sure would have been neat if it were! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/7 "2006-10-21T04:34:56Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] When you say ‘starter set’ are you referring to Cohen’s work or the song? If the song, you must hear Jeff Buckley’s version. [/QUOTE] And then, once you’ve subjected yourself to THAT piece of crap, you will gain a real appriciation of how good Cohen’s original is. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/8 "2006-10-21T04:35:03Z")
Fine, we can cite random versions. Listen to Buckley’s and get back to us. It is for real. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/9 "2006-10-21T04:36:05Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] And then, once you’ve subjected yourself to THAT piece of crap, you will gain a real appriciation of how good Cohen’s original is. [/QUOTE] Okay - we disagree. Thanks so much. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/10 "2006-10-21T04:38:50Z")
Actually, I liked Buckley’s version. And kd lang’s. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/11 "2006-10-21T04:51:51Z")
I like Leonard Cohen’s version a lot. As for other Leonard Cohen stuff, I think his first album is said to be his best. It’s a good album but you may not like it. The best song off of it is probably Suzanne, but I also really like One of Us Cannot Be Wrong. Bird on a Wire is a good song of his, and it’s one of the more well-known ones. It was covered by Johnny Cash. I like both versions. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/12 "2006-10-21T14:19:02Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] And then, once you’ve subjected yourself to THAT piece of crap, you will gain a real appriciation of how good Cohen’s original is. [/QUOTE] :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/13 "2006-10-21T14:20:55Z")
I heard kd Lang’s version first. It’s hard to accept anything else after that! For Cohen’s works - “[Famous Blue Raincoat](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Blue_Raincoat_%28album%29)” by Jennifer Warnes is famously good. You could try “[Tower Of Song](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Song)”, another tribute album. ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mycroft\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_H)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/14 "2006-10-21T14:21:18Z")
I had an album of his back in high school and of course my mom overheard me listening to is a lot. A while later the subject of Leonard Cohen came up and she said “Is that the guy whose songs all sound the same?” I have thought about her comment almost every time I’ve heard his songs since then. He writes incredible lyrics and he has had a major influence on the music world but he really does sing in a droning monotone. As for your original question, [The Best of Leonard Cohen](http://www.amazon.com/Best-Leonard-Cohen/dp/B00000256G/sr=1-4/qid=1161439460/ref=sr_1_4/104-8216585-1919100?ie=UTF8&s=music) was the album. It is still very good (hey, I like Gregorian chants in small doses as well) and for the price, I would recommend it to get some of his mainstay songs. They are still his best and it surprises me how often they crop up, either by him or covered by others. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/15 "2006-10-21T14:44:05Z")
Buckley took that song to the grave with him. There are no other versions. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/16 "2006-10-21T14:56:41Z")
[The Essential Leonard Cohen](http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Leonard-Cohen/dp/B00006NSH8) contains a good summary of his best work. (I don’t agree that his best work was generally his earliest - he learned to make good use of his backup singers later.) I happen to dig on Leonard Cohen – and Bob Dylan and Tom Waits and all those “can’t sing” kinda singers – but I guess, like anything, its not for everyone. If I had to name my 5 favorite songs they’d be Suzanne Famous Blue Raincoat First We Take Manhattan Alexandra Leaving and Hallelujah. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/17 "2006-10-21T15:06:23Z")
[QUOTE=K364] I heard kd Lang’s version first. It’s hard to accept anything else after that! For Cohen’s works - “[Famous Blue Raincoat](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Blue_Raincoat_%28album%29)” by Jennifer Warnes is famously good. You could try “[Tower Of Song](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Song)”, another tribute album. [/QUOTE] Jeez, I forgot! If you think Rufus did a number on “Hallelijah”, wait till you hear what Bono did! You can listen [here](http://www.amazon.com/Tower-Song-Songs-Leonard-Cohen/dp/B000001EZK/sr=8-1/qid=1161442915/ref=sr_1_1/102-3131106-4560933?ie=UTF8&s=music). ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/18 "2006-10-21T15:20:04Z")
I don’t think Cohen can hold a tune at all, and he has lounge-singer phrasing. But close covers by other singers all soumnd good to me. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/19 "2006-10-21T15:27:57Z")
the John Cale version of Hallelujah on the Basquiat soundtrack is the definitive one, IMO. I have a very old cassette of Leonard Cohen’s greatest hits that would be a good introduction- nothing too difficult- Suzanne, Bird on a Wire, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326/20 "2006-10-21T15:30:54Z")
I like Leonard Cohen 'cause unlike 95% of singers out there, you can actually tell what he’s saying. And what he’s saying is actually _good_. I really like ‘First we take Manhattan’ and ‘Closing Time’ myself. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-come-to-a-near-heretical-realization-re-leonard-cohen/377326.md?page=2)