Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen - MP3 instrumental karaoke

By 1984, Leonard Cohen was already a veteran of the folk music scene. Having been an established poet and having recorded a string of critically successful albums, the widespread perception at the time was that he was approaching the twilight of his career. So it’s interesting to think that his 1984 album Various Positions, which featured a sharp left stylistic turn towards the use of synthesizers, would go on to produce the song that would become synonymous with his career: “Hallelujah.” The stately pop song was influenced by gospel music and hymns, featuring lyrics about romantic relationships as analogous to religious experiences. Though Leonard Cohen’s version peaked at Number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, the song would go on to become even more famous after cover versions by John Cale, Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright gained mainstream recognition. These covers appeared on movies and television, bringing new life to the song and turning it into a modern standard.