About Hallelujah

Hallelujah is Leonard Cohen's most beloved composition, though it only achieved worldwide fame through Jeff Buckley's 1994 cover. Cohen reportedly wrote 80 verses for the song over five years, carefully selecting which to include. Its biblical references and meditation on love, loss, and faith have made it one of the most covered songs in history.

Tips for Playing Hallelujah

• The classic version uses a fingerpicked pattern in C major

• The chord progression is C-Am-C-Am-F-G-C-G for the verse

• Practice the "secret chord" motif: C-F-G-Am throughout

• Jeff Buckley's version uses different voicings and is in the key of C

• Focus on dynamics - the song builds and falls throughout

Fun Facts About Hallelujah

• Cohen originally took five years to write all the verses

• More than 300 versions of the song have been recorded

• It gained new popularity after appearing in the Shrek soundtrack

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Frequently Asked Questions