Leonard Cohen: The dawn of "Hallelujah"

Canadian music legend Leonard Cohen who, among his many accomplishments,
wrote and recorded "Hallelujah" one of the most covered songs in music history.
Source: Dominique Issermann
(www.allmusic.com/artist/leonard-cohen-mn0000071209)
(may be subject to copyright)

It may be one the most covered songs in music. Whether it is Jennifer Warnes in the 1980s, or k.d. lang’s stirring rendition at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, “Hallelujah” is a song that stirs the emotions.

The song was actually composed, and first performed by Canadian music legend Leonard Cohen. When he died awhile back, it was cause to reflect on his life, and he did quite a lot starting in the 1980s, including “Hallelujah”.

Famous Blue Raincoat

First impressions are a strong thing. They often are what a person compares everything else to.

Such is the case for Leonard Cohen.

My first contact with Leonard Cohen was through his music and lyrics, but not his voice.

It was through a tribute album by Jennifer Warnes.

Up to that point, I had known Jennifer Warnes mostly for duets and soundtracks, most notably “Up Where We Belong” with Joe Cocker for the movie, “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other” with B.J. Thomas for the television show, “Growing Pains”.

Then, in the middle of my Grade 12 year, she released “Famous Blue Raincoat.” It was November of 1986, and it may have been the first time I recall hearing Jennifer Warnes as a solo artist. The voice was hers, but the songs and lyrics were all written by Leonard Cohen.

This would not be the first time I heard his work performed by somebody else.

“Ain’t No Cure for Love”

Her first single was “Ain’t No Cure for Love”, and it was a distinctive soulful song. It peaked at 86 on Billboard’s country chart, but went all the way to number one in Canada on the adult contemporary chart.

It was just a song that made you want to chill. It was released in 1988 by Cohen on his “I’m Your Man” album.

“First We Take Manhattan”

Her next single was “First We Take Manhattan”, which featured the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar, and peaked at 29 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Contemporary chart.

Cohen released his own version in 1988. Although he wrote it, it sounded odd to me hearing a man sing this song, because I had heard Warnes sing it first.

“Bird on a Wire”

The third single was “Bird on a Wire”, which was a song Cohen had recorded back in 1968. It did not chart in the States for Warnes, but peaked at number 16 in Canada on the adult contemporary listing.

This song really came to the fore for me in 1988, when it served as the title track for the movie, “Bird on a Wire” starring Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson as an escaped fugitive taking cover with an ex-girlfriend.

Again it was another artist, this time the Neville Brothers, who recorded the song that played during the closing credits for the movie.

It may also be one of the most covered songs written by Leonard Cohen. Wikipedia lists 31 different versions of the song performed by everyone from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson to k.d. lang and Katey Sagal on the TV show “Sons of Anarchy”

However, the honour of most covered song would be taken by another song that Cohen wrote in the 1980s.

“Hallelujah”

The song “Hallelujah” was first released in 1984 on Cohen’s album, “Various Positions”. It was greeted with limited success but that would soon change.

According to Wikipedia, John Cale recorded the song in 1991, and later Jeff Buckley covered it, launching it into the success it is today.

Since its release in 1984, “Hallelujah” has been covered by almost 200 artists in various languages and has become one of the most often performed songs in American music history.

The years after

Leonard Cohen would continue to produce and perform music, gaining acclaim both at home and abroad. He was invested into the Order of Canada in 2003.

He passed away on Nov. 7, 2016.

Parting thoughts

Leonard Cohen will always hold a special place in my heart, for one simple reason. Beyond all the talents and all the accolades, the legacy of high quality work he has left behind, Cohen wrote “Hallelujah” which has become an anthem for so many different things.

For me, it was one of the songs performed at my dad’s funeral. Not the k.d. lang version, but a stirring rendition by Susan Boyle.

So, in addition to everything he did for Canadian arts and culture, and all the millions he has entertained, he was there for me in a time of grief. His song provided comfort, on a sad day.

For that, I will be eternally grateful.

*This is from the vault