Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” was a complex, nearly indecipherable musical riddle that flummoxed even its composer. Originally released as a funereal synth-laden dirge on 1984’s Various Positions, he spent years tinkering with the track during live performances in a relentless pursuit to unlock its full melodic potential. Ultimately, it was John Cale who provided the key.
The iconoclastic Velvet Underground co-founder, producer and innovative writer/arranger crafted an elegiac version of “Hallelujah” that vaulted the song into a rarefied strata of modern standards. Now he speaks to People about the song’s long journey.
First included on an obscure Leonard Cohen tribute album,...
The iconoclastic Velvet Underground co-founder, producer and innovative writer/arranger crafted an elegiac version of “Hallelujah” that vaulted the song into a rarefied strata of modern standards. Now he speaks to People about the song’s long journey.
First included on an obscure Leonard Cohen tribute album,...
- 3/24/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
As catharsis after an emotionally exhausting week that witnessed both the election of Donald Trump and the death of Leonard Cohen, Saturday Night Live opened with Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton sitting alone at the piano and singing Cohen's "Hallelujah."
After weeks of opening each pre-Election Day episode with amusing, over-the-top debate night sketches between McKinnon's Clinton and Alec Baldwin's Donald Trump, there was no laughter to be heard in the latest cold open. McKinnon, in her Hillary wig and white pantsuit, simply turned Cohen's oft-covered Various Positions classic...
After weeks of opening each pre-Election Day episode with amusing, over-the-top debate night sketches between McKinnon's Clinton and Alec Baldwin's Donald Trump, there was no laughter to be heard in the latest cold open. McKinnon, in her Hillary wig and white pantsuit, simply turned Cohen's oft-covered Various Positions classic...
- 11/13/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Do you remember the first time you heard “Hallelujah?” Was it in Shrek? Maybe on a reality-singing competition show? Maybe you just heard it from a street musician somewhere and thought, “That’s a really nice song.”
It’s safe to say at this point, though, that the majority of people who’ve been touched by the song didn’t hear it from its writer, the late Leonard Cohen. Cohen’s song — like Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” vis-a-vis Johnny Cash — has become one of those rare examples of a song completely outshining its author as it’s made its way through pop culture.
It’s safe to say at this point, though, that the majority of people who’ve been touched by the song didn’t hear it from its writer, the late Leonard Cohen. Cohen’s song — like Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” vis-a-vis Johnny Cash — has become one of those rare examples of a song completely outshining its author as it’s made its way through pop culture.
- 11/11/2016
- by alexheigl
- PEOPLE.com
Immediately after the reveal of an unexpected South Park: The Stick of Truth sequel, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot yielded the floor to allow the announcement of a brand new series. For Honor, a multiplayer melee combat game, introduced itself with an action-packed CG trailer that pitted knights, vikings and Bushido warriors against one another in a cacophony of close-quarters combat.
Game director Jason Vandenberghe took to the stage to show off a PS4 gameplay demo for For Honor, which looks to combine the scale of battle found in Dynasty Warriors with the precise swordplay of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. Playing as one of the three warrior factions, teams of four engage in third person duels using lock-on mechanics. Various positions and swing types seem key to getting past your opponents defense, and delivering what look to be rather elaborate killing blows.
To add to the sense of scale, A.I.
Game director Jason Vandenberghe took to the stage to show off a PS4 gameplay demo for For Honor, which looks to combine the scale of battle found in Dynasty Warriors with the precise swordplay of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. Playing as one of the three warrior factions, teams of four engage in third person duels using lock-on mechanics. Various positions and swing types seem key to getting past your opponents defense, and delivering what look to be rather elaborate killing blows.
To add to the sense of scale, A.I.
- 6/15/2015
- by Sam Woolf
- We Got This Covered
It's Sunday afternoon — your last chance to read all that stuff you meant to read last week before Monday brings a new deluge of things you will want to read. Below, some of our recommendations: "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan in Your Movie" by Stephen Rodrick (The New York Times Magazine): The title is self-explanatory, and the content is both what you'd expect and, somehow, so much more. "The Holy or the Broken" by Ryan Dombal (Pitchfork): How Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" — which you know from either 1984's Various Positions, Jeff Buckley's Grace, Marissa's death on The O.C., or Adam Sandler's parody at December's Hurricane Sandy benefit concert, depending on how old you are — became a cultural touchstone. "The Lion Smokes Tonight" by Drew Magary (GQ): Hanging out with the Rasta-dude formally known as Snoop Dogg."George Saunders and Andy Ward...
- 1/13/2013
- by Andre Tartar,Caroline Bankoff
- Vulture
Leonard Cohen fans, you can now listen to the Canadian poet-singer-songwriter's music 'til the end of time. Legacy Recordings is releasing a massive, 17-cd set encompassing the brooding baritone's entire recorded output, including several live albums. "Leonard Cohen: The Complete Studio Albums Collection" includes recent remastered CDs of all of his records in mini-lp replica packaging. Among the highlights is Cohen's landmark debut "Songs of Leonard Cohen," "Songs of Love and Hate," and his later "Various Positions," which included his well-known song "Hallelujah," famously covered by Jeff Buckley and, previously, John Cale. Three recently released live sets will also be included....
- 9/20/2011
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Album and video of performances are available for pre-order now.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with Jem Aswad, Hillary Crosley, Maura Johnston, Gil Kaufman and Amy Wilkinson
<i>Hope For Haiti Now</i> album
Photo: Hope For Haiti Now
While earthquake relief in Haiti was the reason for and inspiration behind "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," there's no question that it featured some amazing, one-of-a-kind musical performances.
The songs chosen by most of the artists had a thematic connection to the occasion, and the soaring lyrics delivered by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake underlined the hope for the country that's coming from around the world. The songs' unplugged, often gentle renditions underscored the seriousness of the situation.
George Clooney helped organize the event, and his hope is that the songs carry the event beyond the evening and into the following weeks, months and years.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with Jem Aswad, Hillary Crosley, Maura Johnston, Gil Kaufman and Amy Wilkinson
<i>Hope For Haiti Now</i> album
Photo: Hope For Haiti Now
While earthquake relief in Haiti was the reason for and inspiration behind "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," there's no question that it featured some amazing, one-of-a-kind musical performances.
The songs chosen by most of the artists had a thematic connection to the occasion, and the soaring lyrics delivered by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake underlined the hope for the country that's coming from around the world. The songs' unplugged, often gentle renditions underscored the seriousness of the situation.
George Clooney helped organize the event, and his hope is that the songs carry the event beyond the evening and into the following weeks, months and years.
- 1/22/2010
- MTV Music News
Leonard Cohen's 1984 song, covered at the 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon, has been recorded by nearly 200 performers.
By Amy Wilkinson
Justin Timberlake at "Hope For Haiti Now" on Friday
Photo: Hope For Haiti Now/ Getty
With Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris' moving performance of "Hallelujah" during MTV's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Hurricane Relief" on Friday (January 22), the duo joined the ranks of nearly 200 performers who have recorded the melancholy ballad.
Written by singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen and released on his 1984 studio album Various Positions, the song reportedly took a year to write and includes 80 available verses and at least two wholly original renditions. The song contains several biblical references, including allusions to Samson and Delilah and King David and Bathsheba, heightening the song's hymn-like quality.
The first notable cover came courtesy of Welsh singer/songwriter John Cale in 1991, whose stripped-down rendition appeared on the...
By Amy Wilkinson
Justin Timberlake at "Hope For Haiti Now" on Friday
Photo: Hope For Haiti Now/ Getty
With Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris' moving performance of "Hallelujah" during MTV's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Hurricane Relief" on Friday (January 22), the duo joined the ranks of nearly 200 performers who have recorded the melancholy ballad.
Written by singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen and released on his 1984 studio album Various Positions, the song reportedly took a year to write and includes 80 available verses and at least two wholly original renditions. The song contains several biblical references, including allusions to Samson and Delilah and King David and Bathsheba, heightening the song's hymn-like quality.
The first notable cover came courtesy of Welsh singer/songwriter John Cale in 1991, whose stripped-down rendition appeared on the...
- 1/22/2010
- MTV Music News
Leonard Cohen has said that too many people choose to sing his 1984 song 'Hallelujah'. The musician told CBC that he was pleased that the track was chosen as the winner's single on last year's X Factor, but thinks that fewer people should be taking it on. Cohen said: "I was happy that the song was being used, of course. There were certain ironic and amusing sidebars, because the record that it came from, which was called Various Positions, [was a] record Sony wouldn't put out. "They didn't think it was good enough. It had songs (more)...
- 7/10/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Alexandra Burke's debut album may be released under Epic Records as the singer has reportedly signed a deal worth 3 million pounds with the company. "Epic think that Alexandra can follow in Leona's footsteps," a source from music industry reveals.
The source adds, "The Us market loves women with big voices - and Alex certainly has that. If she comes close to Leona's success it will be a job well done." Alexandra herself tells The Sun that she is inspired by Coldplay's victory at 2009 Grammy Awards saying, "I'd love to crack the Us. After seeing Coldplay take away the awards at the Grammys I was so inspired."
In another news related to Alexandra Burke, the winner of 2008 "The X-Factor" is rumored to have turned down a chance to tour across America with Lionel Richie. She is said to have dropped the chance due to her tight schedule in the studio...
The source adds, "The Us market loves women with big voices - and Alex certainly has that. If she comes close to Leona's success it will be a job well done." Alexandra herself tells The Sun that she is inspired by Coldplay's victory at 2009 Grammy Awards saying, "I'd love to crack the Us. After seeing Coldplay take away the awards at the Grammys I was so inspired."
In another news related to Alexandra Burke, the winner of 2008 "The X-Factor" is rumored to have turned down a chance to tour across America with Lionel Richie. She is said to have dropped the chance due to her tight schedule in the studio...
- 2/13/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Initially set for March release, Alexandra Burke's debut studio effort has reportedly been pushed back and will not be available in stores until November. To The Sun, a source reveals the delay happens because Simon Cowell's Syco label wants to "polish her skills, like they did with Leona [Lewis]."
"Syco were planning a quick release - possibly as early as March in time for Mothers' Day. But they have reconsidered and will now go for the autumn - probably November," the source says. "They want to wait to find the right songs and let her polish her skills, like they did with Leona. She can then launch it on a live X Factor show."
Taking Leon Jackson's failure as a comparison, the source furthermore shares on what strategy will be applied to boost Alexandra's singing career. "Leon Jackson's album failed to shift as many copies as they...
"Syco were planning a quick release - possibly as early as March in time for Mothers' Day. But they have reconsidered and will now go for the autumn - probably November," the source says. "They want to wait to find the right songs and let her polish her skills, like they did with Leona. She can then launch it on a live X Factor show."
Taking Leon Jackson's failure as a comparison, the source furthermore shares on what strategy will be applied to boost Alexandra's singing career. "Leon Jackson's album failed to shift as many copies as they...
- 1/16/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Though having yet to release a debut album following her winning "The X Factor", Alexandra Burke has claimed an instant fame through single "Hallelujah". With the Leonard Cohen's track, she has been standing firm at number one on U.K. Singles chart for three weeks in a row, beating down Leona Lewis' "Run" and Lady GaGa's "Just Dance".
Regardless the fact that the song is a cover version, "Hallelujah" has raked more than 888,000 copies to date since going on sale at midnight on Saturday, December 13 after "The X Factor" TV Final. With such a huge selling point, the track, made famous by Leonard in his 1984 seventh studio LP "Various Positions", becomes the fastest-selling single ever by a female artist across Europe.
For her debut studio album, Alexandra, meanwhile, has reportedly worked with Ben Adams, the former member of boyband A1. In support of her upcoming yet-titled LP,...
Regardless the fact that the song is a cover version, "Hallelujah" has raked more than 888,000 copies to date since going on sale at midnight on Saturday, December 13 after "The X Factor" TV Final. With such a huge selling point, the track, made famous by Leonard in his 1984 seventh studio LP "Various Positions", becomes the fastest-selling single ever by a female artist across Europe.
For her debut studio album, Alexandra, meanwhile, has reportedly worked with Ben Adams, the former member of boyband A1. In support of her upcoming yet-titled LP,...
- 1/5/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
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