19.6.08

three voices in search of a song...

Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen, Composer

... music to live by ...




K D Lang





Jeff Buckley





Leonard Cohen

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you


A powerful lyric and melody ... Some songs sing themselves. This one does.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is an amazing song, and it is interesting to hear the three versions in a row. I of course am biased toward kd lang - i love her voice so much. I saw her sing this live in an outdoor venue at nightfall - gorgeous.

Also, thank you for your comment on my blog yesterday. I have taken both your and Collin's thoughts to heart. Today is gratitude.

Sky said...

how wonderful to have these 3 different adaptations. my preference fell in exact order of their placement. kd lang's voice commands my attention like few others. it is so perfectly fluid and clear. buckley's is a cleaner, softer version which is actually calming to the ear. and then there is the brilliant poet himself, his voice rich and dark and raspy around the edges. what a treat to find this tonight! thanks. :)

sam of the ten thousand things said...

Thanks, Melissa, Sky & Amy, for the listen. Great song.

Rachel Mallino said...

Love, love, love this song. I've always loved Buckley's version the best, though. His voice is always so beautifully painful.

You know, Rufus Wainwright did a version of this song, as well. Not sure if you've heard it or not.

sam of the ten thousand things said...

I know of other recordings of the song, Rachel, but I'm not familiar with Wainwright's version. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip.