Soul Music

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Soul Music: Series 20: Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Series 20

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Series 20, Hallelujah

How an obscure track on a Leonard Cohen album became a global anthem.

The lasting impact of 'Hallelujah', a relatively obscure song by Leonard Cohen, that became a global anthem. From 2015.

Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' took him years to write. 

It originally had as many as 80 verses. Recorded for his 'Various Positions' album, it was almost ignored when first released in 1984. 

Only Bob Dylan saw its true worth and would play it live. John Cale eventually recorded a version which was heard by an obscure musician called Jeff Buckley.

The song has been covered by hundreds of artists including Rufus Wainwright, kd lang and Alexandra Burke.

We hear from those whose relationship with the song is deep and profound. 

Singer Brandi Carlisle listened to it over and over again as a troubled teenager; it became a soundtrack to James Talerico falling in love and Jim Kullander made a connection with the song after the death of his wife.

Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact.

Producer: Sara Conkey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2015.

Soul Music: Series 20

BBC Radio 4

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Hallelujah

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