Originally released in 1984, “Hallelujah” was not an immediate hit. It took years, countless reinterpretations, and a growing cult appreciation before it earned its place as one of the most beloved songs in modern music. Artists like Jeff Buckley, John Cale, and k.d. lang helped elevate its status — but in the end, the song always belonged to Cohen.
By the time Cohen stepped onto the stage at London’s O2 Arena in 2008, “Hallelujah” had become more than a song — it was a spiritual experience. And who better to deliver it than the man who first gave it life?
At 73, Cohen’s voice was low and gravelly, rich with the patina of a life deeply lived. But far from diminishing the song’s power, his aged voice lent “Hallelujah” a world-weary gravitas that made it more powerful than ever. Each line felt lived-in, each word chosen with care.
When he sang, “Love is not a victory march / It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah,” it didn’t sound like poetry. It sounded like the truth.
Unlike many modern performances which rely on flashy visuals and high-energy antics, Cohen’s presence was striking in its simplicity. Dressed in his iconic dark suit and fedora, he often stood still or knelt humbly, as if in service to the song itself.
Surrounded by world-class musicians and ethereal backing vocalists, Cohen created a rich, immersive atmosphere — solemn yet luminous. The crowd, thousands strong, remained eerily quiet, hanging onto every syllable. It was less a concert, more a collective meditation.
