Few songwriters have contributed more to the world of pop music than Leonard Cohen. What began as a career of aping Bob Dylan (like so many other musicians of 60’s) quickly developed into one of the most memorable sonic signatures of the 20th century. Cohen’s literary edge and bittersweet sense of humor endeared him to a great many other musicians. As a result, he’s one of the most frequently covered artists in the business. Some Cohen covers are more famous than others. It seems almost like a rite of passage for singer/songwriters to do their own version of Hallelujah, resulting in some good and lot left wanting. Jeff Buckley’s haunting version of the song seems to be the gold standard, even if its intensity misses out on some the original’s humor, and Rufus Wainwright’s rendition stands up quite well. As much as everyone loves Hallelujah, there are still several other covers that deserve recognition.
