A 1984 Leonard Cohen song, drawn from a long writing process and made widely famous through later interpretations by Jeff Buckley and others.
Composition
Leonard Cohen worked on Hallelujah for years and reportedly drafted dozens of verses. The original recording on “Various Positions” features a small ensemble arrangement with Cohen’s spoken-singing style and a wordless choral response.
Cover Versions
John Cale recorded a stripped piano version in 1991 that selected verses from Cohen’s larger body of writing. Jeff Buckley’s 1994 recording, derived from Cale’s arrangement, became one of the most widely played versions and a touchstone of the song’s revival.
Legacy
Hallelujah has been recorded by hundreds of artists across genres and used in films, television, and memorial events. Cohen later said in interviews that he was both pleased and bemused by the song’s enduring popularity.
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