# The “Hallelujah” Thread: Cohen and Covers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [September 17, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734 "2022-09-17T19:22:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/41 "2022-09-19T14:40:32Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > What are the cover versions you like most? Cale’s obviously. But there’s an instrumental (save for the chorus) version used at the climax of the gorgeous Canadian film “When Night Is Falling” that I highly recommend. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > How do you interpret the lyrics of your favourite version, if at all? The dying of a very sex-oriented relationship. The most explicit lyrics being “I remember when I moved in you/And the holy dove was moving, too/And every breath we drew was Halleluia” and it doesn’t get more blunt than that. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Are there other songs you like which are now considered classics which languished until featured in a movie? Cohen songs? Wim Wenders named one of his films “Land of Plenty” and played said song over the end. Nobody saw the film (despite it starring Michelle Williams) but I think it’s quite beautiful. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Are there foreign versions of this song you like? Can’t say I’ve heard any, maybe I’ll look later. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > What is the best Leonard Cohen song? Once again, too many to pick. I’ve always wanted to karaoke “The Future.” I’d add “Diamonds in the Mine,” “Song of Bernadette,” and “Death of a Ladies’ Man” which comes from a notoriously ill-conceived album (the one produced by Phil WTF Spector) but the lyrics are quite epic. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > You don’t really care for music, do ya? My tastes are pretty small-c catholic. Everything from jazz to shiny accessible pop to clattery noise (as I’ve often said, a lot of my CD collection sounds like someone pushed the china cabinet down the stairs). I’ve seen the Beach Boys in concert, but I’ve also seen Laibach. I eschew Wal-Mart country music, and while I love classic hip-hop (80s-90s), most of what I hear these days sails right past my understanding. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/42 "2022-09-19T14:59:19Z")
The absolute best cover of Hallelujah is one a friend of mine did years ago. I had stopped by to visit. We were sitting around smoking in his studio (he’s a musician and producer) and he started playing the song. It was amazing. When he finished I had tears in my eyes. He’s never done the song in public because it isn’t “his type of song”. I felt so very honored he shared it with me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/43 "2022-09-19T15:05:29Z")
I enjoyed Kate McKinnon on (I’m pretty sure) the first ep of SNL after the 2016 election. Not the best vocals or anything, just an emotional moment. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BG-_ZDrypec/maxresdefault.jpg "Election Week Cold Open - SNL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-_ZDrypec) In general I think it’s a very pretty song that I can almost always enjoy, except when the singer over pronounces the lines that are supposed to rhyme with “hallelujah” “…but you don’t really care for music **do you** ”. Also, I think it’s pretty dark, cynical and sexual and %100 inappropriate for church. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/44 "2022-09-19T17:10:05Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > Cohen mixes elements of two biblical stories (David and Bathsheeba, Sampson and Delilah) in a single verse. He draws on lots of religious imagery, but it isn’t coherent or consistent. It doesn’t qualify as a religious song in that sense. ⁢ When I decided to look up interpretations to see what @Chronos was talking about, I found that some people do seem to interpret the song as religious, with the speaker talking to God. This usually is the version that doesn’t have the part about taking the Lord’s name in vain or saying he doesn’t know the Lord. Having two different version is a bit confusing. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/45 "2022-09-19T20:19:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This usually is the version that doesn’t have the part about taking the Lord’s name in vain or saying he doesn’t know the Lord. Having two different version is a bit confusing. There are plenty more than two versions, if only because he claims to have written something like 150 verses and pared it down for the record. His 1994 live album uses different verses than the studio take. And I gather that artists covering it choose their four or so favorites for their take on it. Sometimes lyrics within an established verse can change as well. I’ve heard both “All I’ve ever learned from love/Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you” as well as “…how to live with someone who outgrew you.” ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/46 "2022-09-19T22:26:02Z")
> [@veryfrank](#): > > The most explicit lyrics being “I remember when I moved in you/And the holy dove was moving, too/And every breath we drew was Halleluia” and it doesn’t get more blunt than that. Looking at the full verse, I always took that as God saying that humanity doesn’t really open their hearts to him anymore. > Well, there was a time when you let me know > What’s really going on below > But now you never show that to me, do you? > But remember, when I moved in you > And the holy dove was moving too > And every breath, we drew was Hallelujah ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/47 "2022-09-19T22:45:32Z")
I do wonder how many people hear “_words words words words_ HAAAAAAAAAAAAALLELUUUUUUJAAAAAHH” and decide that it must be a deeply religious song…sort of in the same vein as people who think that _Born in the USA_ is a rah-rah patriotic song because of its chorus. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/48 "2022-09-19T23:42:27Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > and decide that it must be a deeply religious song I’ve thought that as well. Which is why it’s probably performed at funerals and in religious settings. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/49 "2022-09-20T00:21:16Z")
It’s probably a different song, same tune, but a popular Spanish version is, unsurprisingly, much more religious. **“Hallelujah (Aleluya)”** _[Sebastièn:]_ Un soldado a casa hoy regreso y un niño enfermo se curó y hoy no hay trabajo en el bosque que la lluvia el desamparado se salvo por causa de una buena acción y hoy nadie lo repudia Hallelujah _[Chorus:]_ Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah _[Carlos:]_ Un ateo que consiguió creer y un hambriento hoy tiene de comer y hoy donaron a una iglesia una fortuna _[David:]_ Que la guerra pronto se acabará y en el mundo al fin reinará la paz que no habrá miseria alguna Hallelujah _[Chorus:]_ Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah _[Urs:]_ Por que el amor no hace al amor y no gorbierne la cruzion si no lo bueno y lo mejor del alma pura por que Dios nos proteja de un mal final por que un dia podamos escarmentar por que acaban con tanta furia Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/50 "2022-09-26T21:07:09Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > Pentatonix nails it: I have listened to almost every version on this thread and I have to agree. I watched these folks win “The Sing-Off” and thought they were pretty good but a close match to the competition, but since then their brilliance in composition and artistry have continued to awe me and I realized that they are staggeringly brilliant. I was sad when Avi left, his depth (heh) added dimensions to their music that I feel have lacked a little since, but they are still amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2022, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/51 "2022-09-27T04:57:48Z")
Not a vote for any particular version, but as much as I love these lyrics, there’s a major problem I have with the second verse. Going from, “Your faith was strong but you needed proof, you saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya” (David & Bathsheba); to, “ She tied you to a kitchen chair, She broke your throne, and she cut your hair, And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah” (Samson & Delilah) makes David appear as the victim. David is the sinful rapist/murderer in this story. He orders Bathsheeba brought to his quarters, and then orders her husband killed in battle to hide her pregnancy. Hiding his actions behind the Samson betrayal at Delilah’s hands (and Samson being no great role model either) just puts me off. Still an incredible song though. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2022, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/52 "2022-09-27T05:59:03Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > The original is my favorite, but I do enjoy k.d. Lang’s 2010 version. I’d say K.D. Lang’s version at the Juno Awards in 2005 wins (she has such a stellar voice). Knocked it out of the park in that performance. Cohen’s original version is a close second. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P_NpxTWbovE/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AG-AoAC8AGKAgwIABABGEMgRih_MA8=&rs=AOn4CLAg4KQ7Jfgipi2l7J0fjs5JilkOjA "K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE) I’ve also really like these four Nordic guys singing it (in English): [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e1K-c3RSX0c/hqdefault.jpg "hallelujah Kurt Nilsen(World Idol) 4 norwegian great singers.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1K-c3RSX0c) ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/53 "2022-09-29T22:48:41Z")
Haven’t seen anyone mention the Puddles Pity Party cover yet. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GcI09AWQbZA/maxresdefault.jpg "Puddles Pity Party - Hallelujah - Joe's Pub (8.5.14)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcI09AWQbZA) ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/54 "2022-09-30T12:02:30Z")
I liked this version, except unfortunately the harmony around 2:30 onwards was out of tune. A common pitfall of live performance - my guess is the singers couldn’t hear each that well. It got better towards the end. My favourite (having listened to most of the options) is the one posted by @Lancia - just the right combination for me of perfectly in tune and passionate, without being overproduced. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/55 "2022-09-30T18:36:54Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I like the original, but my favorite version is John Cale’s (which I’m surprised no one mentioned). His version IMHO really influenced many of the later covers, a bit slower, a bit more melancholic than the original. I’ve got about 10 different versions of _Hallelujah_ kicking around my music library, but the Cale cover is my favorite, which I first encountered on the soundtrack to the film _Basquiat_ (which also included Tom Waits’ _Tom Traubert’s Blues_ - talk about an incredible soundtrack!) I’m never been a fan of the Buckley version, though I know many many people are. It’s too insubstantial for me and kind of peters out at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/56 "2022-10-01T07:48:24Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I’m never been a fan of the Buckley version, though I know many many people are. It’s too insubstantial for me and kind of peters out at the end. I agree. I never understood why so many think that is the best version. At best…meh. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/57 "2022-10-08T19:23:18Z")
Anyway, I put up my favorite cover a while back (Cale), but was going through one of my playlists, and another awesome cover came through that I had nearly forgotten about (I have 4-5 covers in my rotation plus the original, what can I say?) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3AMDL8OSF5Y/maxresdefault.jpg "Hallelujah - Violet Orlandi (Cover) ft... YOU!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AMDL8OSF5Y) This is Violet Orlandi, whom I enjoy for their Heavy Metal / Gothic inspired covers of a number of pop and video game songs, and think is great fun if you like such things. ---
**Author:** ![notadoctorshh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/notadoctorshh/32/9286_2.png) [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/58 "2022-10-11T08:33:22Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > What are the cover versions you like most? That guy, [Josh Krajcik](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uNgSaUe06g), from X factor, ages ago. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > What is the best Leonard Cohen song? This is a tough one, but I would say “A thousand kisses deep”. \*Needless to say I’ll be listening to Cohen all day long now. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/59 "2022-11-03T03:51:01Z")
I just saw Postmodern Jukebox live tonight, and their cover was an absolute showstopper. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AwWCOoREFJw/hqdefault.jpg "Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) - Postmodern Jukebox Cover ft. Effie Passero") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwWCOoREFJw) ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734/60 "2022-11-03T15:31:17Z")
Thanks for posting that - it is indeed a cracking cover. Loved it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hallelujah-thread-cohen-and-covers/971734.md?page=2)