3 of the Best Covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is a timeless track. The emotional lyrics have been interpreted many ways, with the pervasive idea being that this song is Cohen’s argument with a higher power. Regardless of his intentions when writing this song, it has struck a deep nerve with listeners for decades. Even his fellow musicians acknowledge the universal appeal of “Hallelujah.” Below, find three of the best covers of this Cohen classic.

3 of the Best Covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”

1. Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson’s version of this Cohen track is a little rough around the edges–which works beautifully with the somber lyrics. Nelson’s deep, near talking vocals drive the sentiments of loneliness and confusion home. In many ways, this song feels like it’s delivering some hard earned truth to the listener. What better way to hear such information than from a honed music legend?

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

2. Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan has written his fair share of universally beloved tracks, so his reverence for “Hallelujah” means that much more. Dylan tried this ballad on for size in a live setting. Dylan delivered these lyrics like they were a monologue from a play. Despite his version being very different from the original, his interpretation of the lines lays the meaning behind them bare.

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 a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

[RELATED: “Midwestern Mindtrips”: Why Bob Dylan Names John Prine Among His Favorite Songwriters Ever]

3. Jeff Buckley

Of course, we couldn’t skip over Jeff Buckley’s famed version of “Hallelujah.” His lethargic and deeply emotive version of this song has more or less become the definitive. It’s not hard to see why when listening to it. Buckley’s pained vocals paint a portrait of a pleading man. Given the pervasive theory behind this song, he employs just the right amount of exacerbation someone who had an issue with a higher power would exhibit.

You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well, really, what’s it to you?
There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ibl/Shutterstock