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Imagine song you can see how John's song As I've said above, even now people edit the
describes a specific point of view about life words to match whatever point of view they
and religion, to the extent that it is often have in life, so the song is actually even more
quoted in discussions of our current political appealing because it literally has different
debate as a perfect description of versions for different groups of people. The
"Globalism" as opposed to "Nationalism". endless covers mean the core message is
John's song might have appealed to more delivered by endless different messengers to
people if he removed the "no religion" lines endless groups of people.
(which he insisted is about no religion - not no
God, but that point is usually lost) but it would As Leonard said “This world is full of conflicts
not have appealed as deeply to people who and full of things that cannot be reconciled
share his sentiments. Whereas Hallelujah but there are moments when we can
has a broader appeal, but perhaps has a less transcend the dualistic system and reconcile
specific and literal message. It has an and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what
emotional connection to people's faith, I mean by ‘Hallelujah.’ That regardless of
whatever that faith is in. what the impossibility of the situation is, there
is a moment when you open your mouth and
It also gives people in these sometimes you throw open your arms and you embrace
warring camps an opportunity for something the thing and you just say, ‘Hallelujah!
that is lacking in music and our world Blessed is the name.’ . . . “The only moment
nowadays: community. The striving for that you can live here comfortably in these
something meaningful in the song can be absolutely irreconcilable conflicts is in this
experienced by groups of people together moment when you embrace it all and you say,
who couldn't spend five minutes talking about ‘Look, I don’t understand a fucking thing at
religion or life without hating each other. To all— Hallelujah!’ That’s the only moment that
me, this song is what music at it's best is we live here fully as human beings.”
about: reminding us of what we have in
common in a world that so often focuses on Perhaps that is Leonard’s greatest
stroking the fire of our differences. accomplishment - he took his own inner
conflict and created a moment of inner peace
Another interesting thing about this song that that he brought to the world, and gave us all a
creates community, is that it is, in a way, an moment where we can transcend our
actual act of community. The original conflicts and share something together.
recorded version did not have the broad
appeal that the song now has. As a Leonard should have the last word,
songwriter and a teacher of songwriting, I "Hallelujah” is a Hebrew word which means
find the song is a great lesson on how “Glory to the Lord.” The song explains that
continuing to work on a song and getting many kinds of hallelujahs do exist. I say all the
feedback can make it successful. The song perfect and broken hallelujahs have an equal
was only successful after a series of cover value. It’s a desire to affirm my faith in life, not
versions essentially re-wrote it by mixing up in some formal religious way, but with
lyrics from the different versions, as well as enthusiasm, with emotion. — Leonard Cohen,
changing the feel of the song tremendously. "Guitare et Claviers" 1985
Leonard's later live versions reflected these
changes. Also, the cover versions gave www.happyron.com
Leonard's later live versions a greater sense
of authority to them, as people wanted to hear HappyRon is a songwriting, performer, music
the original source and Leonard fit the role of coach, and the author of the free ebook "7
an older wise man perfectly and in a way Steps To Learn Any Instrument Quicker And
perhaps no-one else in popular music ever Easier" Please visit www.happyron.com
has.
22 www.writeawaymagazine.co.uk
