Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” is one of the most well known and certainly one of the most covered songs in modern music history. Bizarrely, the song found renewed interest after it was featured in the 2001 film “Shrek”. While Shrek is responsible for many cultural phenomena of the past two decades, a revived modern hymn must be one of the more peculiar among them. Hallelujah has inspired both covers and extended versions by artists such as Jeff buckley, Rufus Wainright, Pentatonix, Bob Dylan, Tim Minchin, Regina Spektor, Willie Nelson, Bono and last but not least… Susan Boyle.
Susan Boyle’s story, a tale of rebirth in and of itself, is remarkable.
In 2009, Susan competed in and Britain’s Got Talent, and blew audiences away when she proved herself to be a diamond in the rough singing the famous ballad from the musical Les Miserables, “I Dreamed a Dream”. Susan has since maintained a successful touring career, and released several albums.
She’s a folk hero, and an inspiration to many.
More recently she performed Cohen’s Hallelujah in Liverpool, UK.
Hallelujah found a second round of renewed interest after Cohen’s untimely death in 2016. Many singers of varying backgrounds and genres covered the song in honor of Cohen, and payed homage to the song by including it in their set lists. Susan’s soft, angelic voice makes her cover arguably one of the best, and she performs it with such grace.
It’s no secret that this song is perfectly suited to Boyle.
The same talent and qualities that make her I Dreamed a Dream spectacular, make her cover of Hallelujah a real treat as well. She has such elegance that a ballad like this is perfectly suited to her composed persona. Susan is a real class act, and when she performs a song by a dearly departed, much loved musical artist, she does it great honor.
Being such a thoroughly covered song means that each person who performs Hallelujah has to bring their own flavor to it.
Susan does this magnificently, and her soft and heavenly voice carries it in such a way that without removing it from its original essence, breathes new life into it.
Susan has come a long way since her audition for BGT.
She has made a complete transformation from just another Brit, to international superstar. She has grown into the limelight with such class that it’s hard to believe she has grown up in it. Between her innate talent and her humble charisma, she is a star from the ground up. Hers is a story of success, and with it she has stayed humble, and down to earth.
You have to respect that.
Do you think that Leonard Cohen would enjoy this rendition of what is possibly now his most well-known song? The comments section for the video seems to think so. One such comment reads:
“A beautiful woman inside and out. She has the voice of an angel. I could listen to her all day and night. Susan Boyle thank you .” -Judy Berends
Watch the full video below to enjoy Susan’s wonderful homage to Leonard Cohen.
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