Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is one of the most widely covered songs with over 300 versions recorded in various languages. Leonard Cohen wrote “Hallelujah” over the course of several years, with the lyrics undergoing multiple revisions before reaching their final form. In interviews, Cohen has discussed the song’s origins, noting that it was inspired in part by his own struggles with love and faith. “Hallelujah” was originally released on Cohen’s 1984 album “Various Positions.”
Despite its current popularity, the song had a rocky start when it was first released. Hallelujah” was initially rejected by Columbia Records and received little attention until John Cale recorded it in 1991. It didn’t reach the Billboard charts until Cohen’s death in 2016.
The song has been covered by countless artists over the years. One of the most well-known covers is by Jeff Buckley, who released his version on his 1994 album “Grace.” Other notable covers are Rufus Wainwright’s, which was featured on the soundtrack of the movie “Shrek,” and k.d. lang’s rendition at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
In interviews, Cohen has expressed his amazement at the song’s enduring popularity, noting that he never expected it to become such a cultural touchstone.
Here's the original 1994 release by Leonard Cohen:
Hallelujah has been covered hundreds of times by artists around the world. We’ve included some of the best covers below. Listen to them and let us know which one is best.
Also, if there’s a good cover version that we should add, tell us! Leave us a comment in the comment section with the name of the artist and a link to their performance.
Bon Jovi
Which is your favorite? Is there another cover song that we should add? Let us know in the comments.