haunting song on Numbers (Hallelujah?)

[desprateseagull]

i have heard this song on several shows now- just recently on Numbers (stolen painting episode), and I think CSI too- usually played over sad or emotional scenes, and i must say it gets your eyes misty up!


any idea who wrote it, and where's best (ie, free- but legal mind!) to download the track?

 

[Box of Frogs]

Hallelujah - written by Leonard Cohen. Also sung by Rufus Wainwright in the film Shrek.

 

[Frutos]

Also performed (possibly most notably) by Jeff Buckley.

 

[Gwylan]

Also performed by John Cale

 

[JJ McClure]

Also played during a scene in The West Wing when CJ's bodyguard / boyfriend gets shot.
Very good piece of music, think I got it of soulseek sometime ago.

 

[Questions]

Its been recorded over 70 times since Cohen wrote it.

 

[tinx]

The best version I have ever heard is Jeff Buckleys. A true classic

 

[Dave the OAP]

...and totally slaughetered by DTG at various Karioki nights after quaffing much liquor

 

[Shegull]

Also performed (possibly most notably) by Jeff Buckley.

Not to mention the Bon Jovi version which I think is better than Jeff Buckley.

Although having said that there used to be group of buskers on Grafton Street in Dublin (when I say buskers they were a little bit more than that) and it is truely the best version of the song that I have ever heard. They haven't been around for a while which was a pity because they were really really good. I hope they have gone off and got the recognition that they deserve.

 

[SeagullTim]

Also performed by John Cale

My fave

 

[South Yarra Seagull]

just had a listen on you tube.

instant goosebumps!

 

[Lady Bracknell]

Particularly well performed by kd lang too

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[desprateseagull]

so, which version gets used on the telly?

 

[logan89]

John Cale's is used on an episode of Scrubs.

 

[Questions]

I`m biased but I like Leonard`s best. It can sound a little too religious when sung high like Buckley, though of course its far from that if you listen to the lyrics.

Does that make sense ?

 

[Frutos]

so, which version gets used on the telly?

From my experience, usually Jeff Buckley's

Also, as Shegull said (and as I forgot, posting in a hurry this morning), Bon Jovi do a great acoustic version of this too.

 

[Mtoto]

kd lang version, live on Later, is fantastic.

 

[medicine man]

Personally I find Cohens the best version.

His dead pan delivery shows how powerful the song is, especially at the rising bit- Buckley's is beautiful, but Cohen's makes me goose-pimply- sheer power, great song.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

The Mark Viduka version was good...

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[Juan Albion]

Hallelujah is a Hebrew word which means "Glory to the Lord." The song explains that many kinds of Hallelujahs do exist. I say : "All the perfect and broken Hallelujahs have an equal value ." It's, as I say, a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion....
It's a rather joyous song. I like very much the last verse. I remember singin' it to Bob Dylan after his last concert in Paris. The morning after, I was having coffee with him and we traded lyrics. Dylan especially liked this last verse, "And even though it all went wrong, I stand before the Lord of song with nothing on my lips but Hallelujah."

LC - 1985.