Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is the subject of a new documentary by Dayna Goldfine and Daniel Geller. Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song opens in theaters exclusively in July and August, 2022. Read the review by Gaetano Kazuo Maida.
We think you will enjoy seeing a selection from the dozens of musical stars and hundreds of amateurs (often on TV talent search shows), professional and community choirs, symphony orchestras, TikTok sensations, and many others who have found satisfaction with this beautiful music and its many verses to interpret.
Leonard Cohen‘s seven-minute live performance of “Hallelujah” in Spain (1988)
More Leonard Cohen videos and audio.
The Leonard Cohen Files, collecting articles, interviews and more since 1995.
Speaking Cohen explores the language of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen Talks About the Poetic Mind(1966)
Don’t watch these all at once. Bookmark this page and return whenever you want to be lifted by the music.
Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright and Joan Wasser
Students at the Berkelee School of Music
Dancers talk about making Leonard Cohen: Dance Me with Ballets Jazz de Montréal
If you are a member of PBS you came watch the full hour program here.
“At the Superstorm Sandy relief concert held at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12, 2012, Adam Sandler rewrote Cohen’s lyrics and turned the song into a hilarious gesture of comedic defiance. Sample lines: “Hallelujah/Sandy, screw ya/We’ll get through ya/’Cause we’re New Yorkers” and “Cause we believe this too shall pass/Like when Sanchez fumbled into an ass” and “Trump’s combover always making us sick/The congressman who tweeted his d - - k/The mayor’s ban on 32-ounce Mountain Dew-ya.” – Kyle Smith, NY Post
Kate McKinnon cold open on Saturday Night Live four days after Hillary Clinton lost the Presidential election.
A popular favorite of choirs who have recorded multi-screen versions for virtual concerts such as the UUCSR
Bob Dylan on Tour (1988) (Listen to audio with photos)
Klezmer musician Daniel Kahn sings in Yiddish
Leonard Cohen Interviewed on PBS NewsHour
Cinematic Pop Orchestra and Choir featuring 16-year-old McKenna Breinholt
There are hundreds of versions online from the famous to amateur home recordings, TV talent contests, TikTok and more. This compilation is an easy way to see just a bit of the many styles.
David Whitwell interviews Cohen for CBC (2009) (Complete Interview here)
A collection of versions on America’s and Britain’s Got Talent, American Idol and other shows
And there is even a hand fart accompaniment! (Sorry but we couldn’t resist)
If you haven’t had enough just do an Internet search and you will find much more.
Photos courtesy of Leonard Cohen Family Trust
Curated by Gary Meyer, July 1, 2022
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