MOG

My vote's for Jeff, (but you knew that;)

Here's the deal ;) ....

I am still baffled & expect I will ALWAYS be with the talent of Jeff Buckley. Sadly though, I never got to see him live. Tried, stood outside the venue for half the show in the hopes that someone would have a ticket to sell & finally threw the tapestry in & went home without getting my bit of Grace.

I have seen Damo perform Hallelujah at each of the shows of his I've attended & for me, it's the closest I will ever get to seeing Buckley so I treasure each & every time :)

Cohen, the genius that he is wrote one of the most beautiful songs (in this humble greeneyedgirl's opinion) & for me it's evidenced by the sheer volume of people who cover the song on a regular basis.

Still, it's Jeff who took the song from its original heights out past the stratosphere to where it now resides.

GREAT POST !!!

love that song. i remember when it was used on two different occasions my favorite show, the OC. the first time it was the original jeff buckley version, and the second time imogen heap did a version of it.

honestly, one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs, ever.

here's imogen's version, not the original, but still. an interesting take.

The Jeff Buckley version is such a wonderful rendition.

The k.d. lang version is amazing.
It's my favorite.

But, All versions of Hallelujah seem to be amazing.

I went to see a Canadian singer/songwriter last night and she did a version of hallelujah, then this morning I look at your post and while shes singing that song I open Leonard.
Freaky man, Hallelujah

Not a knock on Jeff Buckley, but next to Cohen's, John Cale's is the one....

Thank you for gracing my day with Mr. Buckley

I don't know how many times I've heard that song, it still gives me shivers every time. Thank you--great post. Such a beautiful song.

i 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...

well 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 her kitchen chair
she broke your throne and she cut your hair
and from your lips she drew the hallelujah

hallelujah...

baby i've been here before
i've seen this room and i've walked this floor
i used to live alone before i knew you
i've seen your flag on the marble arch
but love is not a victory march
it's a cold and it's a broken 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 you
but remember when i moved in you
and the holy dove was moving too
and every breath we drew was hallelujah

well, maybe there's a god above
but all i've ever learned from love
was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
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...

Thanks for the comments on this - guess I'm not the only one who loves seeking out other versions of Hallelujah. Imogen Heap, kd Lang are 2 versions I hadn't been graced with until now.

Can't believe I forgot about John Cale's version - I only have 2 in my tunes - Buckley and Cale's - both are classics.

Another beautiful rendition by Rufus Wainwright

I was just reading somewhere that Jon Bon Jovi has covered this song as well. Is nothing sacred?

If you get a chance, check out Famous Blue Raincoat at my place
Another Cohen piece of great song writing that gives one a chill

May I first say that I'm sorry I missed this post? Not that an introduction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame is something commendable in my book but I'm sorry I missed the praises for Leonard Cohen.

Just to make it up to you, here's Jens Lekman singing "The Opposite of Hallejah"