Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah

We want to give a big thank you to Marion for recommending this song to us in SPD On The Street Part 2 (podcast episode here).

This is an extremely famous song that most people are probably familiar with. But if you’re like me, you probably think of the Jeff Buckley version first. That’s why I was happy to be re-introduced to the original version by Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen.

The song was first released on Cohen’s 1984 album “Various Positions.” It started with a religious slant, reflecting Cohen’s Jewish heritage, but has since been covered by various artists and touches on themes of spirituality and sexuality.

Cohen had a degree in English Literature, and in addition to being a talented musician was a brilliant poet. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.