Hallelujah

Jeff Buckley

About Hallelujah

"Hallelujah" is a song written by Canadian singer Leonard Cohen, originally released on his album Various Positions (1984). Achieving little initial success, the song found greater popular acclaim through a recording by John Cale, which inspired a recording by Jeff Buckley. It has been viewed as a "baseline" for secular hymns. Following its increased popularity after being featured in the film Shrek (2001), many other arrangements have been performed in recordings and in concert, with over 300 versions known. The song has been used in film and television soundtracks and televised talent contests. "Hallelujah" experienced renewed interest following Cohen's death in November 2016 and appeared on many international singles charts, including entering the American Billboard Hot 100 for the first time. 


Year:
1994
6:53
257,432 
#447

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Well I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

But baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

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 ya
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya

And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Hallelujah

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Jeff Buckley

Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley (November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997), raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician. After a decade as a session guitarist in Los Angeles, Buckley amassed a following in the early 1990s by playing cover songs at venues in Manhattan's East Village, such as Sin-é, gradually focusing more on his own material. After rebuffing much interest from record labels and his father's manager Herb Cohen, he signed with Columbia, recruited a band, and recorded what would be his only studio album, Grace. more »

9 fans

Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


3 facts about this song

Leonard Cohen Version
1. Origin: Leonard Cohen wrote "Hallelujah," which was first released on his 1984 album "Various Positions." 2. Lyrics: Cohen reportedly wrote around 80 draft verses for "Hallelujah," with a writing process that took several years. 3. Reception: Initially, the song received little attention and Cohen's album was rejected by his label, Columbia Records. 4. Popularity: The song gained popularity after being covered by various artists, years after its original release.
John Cale Version
1. Interpretation: John Cale covered "Hallelujah" in 1991 on a Leonard Cohen tribute album. His version is more stripped down compared to Cohen's original. 2. Lyrics: Cale's version includes a combination of Cohen's original verses and some rarely heard verses, providing a distinct interpretation. 3. Influence: His cover inspired numerous other artists, including Jeff Buckley, to cover the song.
Jeff Buckley Version
1. Cover: Jeff Buckley covered "Hallelujah" in 1994 on his album "Grace". He based his version on John Cale's interpretation. 2. Impression: Buckley's version is often considered the most definitive interpretation of the song, earning widespread critical acclaim. 3. Posthumous Recognition: The song failed to chart when it was initially released, but after Buckley's untimely death in 1997, the track gained significant recognition. 4. Highest Ranking: In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" as #259 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 5. Legacy: It has since become a staple in popular culture, often featured in television shows, movies, and performed on singing competition shows.

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