Hallelujah

John Cale

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:
1991
4:05
55 

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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?
It goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth.
The minor fall, the major lift.
The baffled king composing Hallelujah.

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.

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

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.

Maybe I've been here before.
I know this room, I've walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch.
Love is not a victory march,
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.

There was a time you'd let me know
What's real and going on below.
But now you never show it to me, do you?
Remember when I moved in you?
The Holy Dove was moving too.
And every breath we drew was hallelujah.

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.

Maybe there's a God above.
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.
It's not a cry you can hear at night.
It's not somebody who's seen the light.
It's a cold and its a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelu...

Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.

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John Cale

John Davies Cale, OBE (born 9 March 1942) is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground. more »

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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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