BAD COVER VERSION 007: YOU DON’T REALLY CARE FOR MUSIC, DO YOU?

[defrog]

This week’s song has been around since 1984, but seems to have become a cover staple for vocalists lately, probably due to one version being included prominently in the Shrek soundtrack. Still, I can’t sit here all day evaluating all of them, so we’ll narrow it down to two.

THE SONG: “Hallelujah”

THE ORIGINAL: Leonard Cohen

COMMENTS: Leonard wrote it, and it’s easily one of the most touching and beautiful things he’s ever done. That said, he was always more of a mumbler than a singer, so the original is very low key. I’m a fan, so I like it a lot, and the background vocals are a nice spiritual counterpoint to Cohen’s world-weary vocals.

COVER #1: John Cale

COMMENTS: If you saw Shrek, this is the version you heard. Cale strips it down to basic piano and voice and almost transforms it into a hymn with vocals that sound passionate and yet a little wounded. It’s a classic example of finding new possibilities in a song and bringing them into the light.

COVER #2: Jeff Buckley

COMMENTS: If you watch The O.C. (and I have no idea why you would), this is the version you heard. Buckley essentially riffs off Cale’s version, but sets it to guitar instead of piano and gives it even more emotional fortitude. He used to close shows with it and leave the venue in complete stunned silence. That’s a hell of an endorsement by anyone’s standards.

WINNER: John Cale. Credit to Cohen’s brilliant songwriting, and  an argument could be made that Jeff Buckley made it his song more than Cale did himself. But it’s Cale's version that inspired him, and in my view it's ultimately Cale’s interpretation that people cover nowadays. Feel free to disagree in the comments section.

Next week: Queen vs a cartoon voiceover actress!

A blaze of light in every word,

This is dF

Comments

[bedsitter23.livejournal.com]

I think I will go with Cale, too. I like Cohen's and the lyrics are true Cohen. You gotta love that. I like Buckley's version, though, it always came across as a cover to me. Great version, though.

Cale brought a unigue voice to it. The words fit his singing very well. All great versions, but I think Cale's is the best.

Tower of Song

[def-fr0g-42.livejournal.com]

Cohen's got a back catalog most aspiring songwriters would envy, and he's one of those few songwriters that can make Morrissey look cheerful. "Hallelujah" is definitely one of his high points.