Hallelujah

song by Cohen

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July 21, 2026

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"Hallelujah" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, first released in 1984 on his album Various Positions. While it did not achieve immediate widespread popularity, it gained significant recognition when covered by Jeff Buckley in 1994 and has since been performed and recorded by hundreds of artists.1

The word "hallelujah" itself is a Hebrew liturgical expression meaning "praise the Lord." It appears in the Hebrew Bible and was adopted by early Christians in their worship services. In modern usage, it can also refer to a shout or song of praise or thanksgiving.234

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Leonard Cohen
…became Cohen’s best-known song, “Hallelujah.” Although it did not initially receive much attention, the single gained widespread popularity when covered by Jeff Buckley in 1994. The ballad was later performed or recorded by hundreds of artists and featured in soundtracks of TV shows and films.
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…became Cohen’s best-known song, “Hallelujah.” Although it did not initially receive much attention, the single gained widespread popularity when covered by Jeff Buckley in 1994. The ballad was later performed or recorded by hundreds of artists and featured in soundtracks of TV shows and films.
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John Cale
Solo career
…of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah,” which had not been widely noticed when it appeared on Cohen’s 1984 album Various Positions. It was Cale’s version that attracted the attention of singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, who made the song famous on his 1994 album Grace. In 1993 Cale, Reed, Morrison, and Tucker…
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…of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah,” which had not been widely noticed when it appeared on Cohen’s 1984 album Various Positions. It was Cale’s version that attracted the attention of singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, who made the song famous on his 1994 album Grace. In 1993 Cale, Reed, Morrison, and Tucker…
Read More