'Hallelujah' : Story Of A Song Quiz

Answer: Various Positions

'Various Positions' was released in 1984. The song was noted for its various biblical allusions. Cohen claims to have written 80 verses over the years [Source: Interview with Neil McCormick, 'The Daily Telegraph', London, June 2008]. Cohen also recounted a meeting with Bob Dylan (who covered the song) in which Dylan asked him how long it had taken to write 'Hallelujah'. Cohen told him "best part of two years".

His anecdote went on: "And the thing is, I lied. Actually, it took me closer to five".

The quote in the introduction comes from that interview.

Answer: King David

David was perhaps the greatest songwriter of the Bible and 'Hallelujah' is, at least in part, about the travails of the songwriter.
In March 2008 Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The citation noted: "There are few artists in the realm of popular music who can truly be called poets, in the classical, arts-and-letters sense of the word. Among them are Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Joni Mitchell and Phil Ochs. Leonard Cohen heads this elite class. In fact, Cohen was already an established poet and novelist before he turned his attention to songwriting."

Answer: Cohen Live

The second version retained only the chorus and the final verse of the first.

Answer: arch

"Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah"
Movies that have featured the song (either by Cohen or cover versions) have included: 'Lord of War'
USA, 2005; 'This Beggar's Description' Canada, 2005; 'Vinterkyss' (Winter Kiss) Norway, 2005; 'Nel mio amore' (Inside my love) Italy, 2004; and 'Shrek' USA, 2001. [Source: www.leonardcohenfiles.com]

Answer: Jeff Buckley

All these singers have covered the song at one time or another. Wainwright's version appeared on the soundtrack of the movie 'Shrek' (2001). It was also a number one download on iTunes. allmusic.com records almost 700 covers of the song.

Answer: Name

The complete verse is:
"You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah"
Among the TV shows that the song has featured on are 'The West Wing', 'The OC', 'Dead Zone', and 'Without A Trace'. [Source: www.leonardcohenfiles.com]

Answer: John Cale

All, in fact, have recorded the song. Cale also included it on his 1992 live album "Fragments Of A Rainy Season" Interviewed in 'The Observer' (London) in 2001, Cale is quoted as saying: "After I saw [Cohen] perform at the Beacon I asked if I could have the lyrics to 'Hallelujah'.

When I got home one night there were fax paper rolls everywhere because Leonard had insisted on supplying all 15 verses."

Answer: The Simpsons

Without giving away too much of the plot for those who have not seen the episode, the school band plays - rather badly - a version of 'Hallelujah' in the auditorium.

Answer: Minor & major

This is the opening verse of Cohen's original 1984 version of the song, and is the ones that is most familiar to music lovers. Cohen claims to have written 80 verses over the years. [I'll confess to changing one word in the verse - otherwise it would have given away the answer to another question]

Answer: Bono

Bono included the song in 'Tower Of Love' album in 1995. [Source: www.leonardcohenfiles.com]