I hold a soft spot in my heart for k.d. lang. She went to high school with a friend of mine. My friend, who I didn’t know at that time, had epilepsy. She had been bullied a lot in her previous school. When she moved to Consort, Alberta, KD Lang, who is considered one of the coolest kids in the high school, took Allison under her wing. Allison said it was the first time she belonged anywhere. ❤️
Leonard Cohen, who wrote the song, was Jewish but lived most of later adult life as a Buddhist, including spending five years in retreat at a Zen center in California at the height of his later career. People are treating this like a hymn but Cohen himself could only describe it like this: "This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that's what I mean by 'Hallelujah.'". Could not have said it better.
What most people gloss over is the fact that A) Cohen was not Christian B) The song is *not* about God. C) It is like most popular and rock songs, it's about...Sex. Leonard, where ever he is, must be pissing himself laughing at all these Christians singing this song piously...a song about sex.
@@rickfortier8664 Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s just you. He has the worst voice may be in the history of earth, other than the Chinese and Japanese. It’s like his voice is out of tune the entire song. He is so off key.. It’s awful.
I totally agree. It was the first time I had heard the song from anyone, and she stopped me in my tracks. I was stunned. I've never heard it better than her 2010 Olympic performance.
Totally agree and HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Please listen to this version, it will blow you away! KD Lang sings this like no one can. I look forward to you playing, and hearing this performance. Cheers!
THIS PERSON IS RIGHT! IT’S WORTH THE QUICK REDO. THIS 2010 LIVE VERSION FROM THE OLYMPICS IS THE **ONLY** VERSION!. DO I sEEM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS?!?! LOL
Leonard Cohen who wrote Hallelujah was one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He's the guy Bob Dylan listened to. His catalog of work is hypnotically beautiful. The backing harmonies are pristine examples of pure singing. May he rest in peace.
Yep, Leonard Cohen was a prophet of poetry. You guys can please dive into his catalogue. Suzanne, So long Marianne, and my second favorite after Halelujah: Dance me to the end of love
@@johnsperry9494 of course he would. He has the same poet soul as Leonard Cohen. I grew up on a diet of Neil Diamond, Kris Kristopher son, Barbra Streisand, Nana Mouskouri and others like them
I've heard a lot of versions of this song and plenty of songs by KD Lang BUT I've never heard her version of this song. Beautiful. Oh course, it's Leonard Cohen's song but she definitely did it justice. This is another reason why I hate autotune so much. Listen to how devastating KD Lang's slides are into those notes. How could you possibly sing a decent version of this song with autotune! What you need is skill and a fabulous voice which is what she has in abundance.
When KD Lang sang on stage, wearing all black, and Leonard Cohen was in the audience... front seat. It still after watching hearing this performance many many times, gives me chills. KD Lang sings this song better than anyone I've heard. The one just played, I don't think I've heard this version...doesn't come close to the one we are referring to.
Well in fairness, it does contain multiple bible references and expresses a sense of surrender. Just because there are some romantic (and even more overt, in the full original lyrics) references doesn’t cancel out the spiritual references that are definitely here. It’s complicated and that’s the point. That’s the human experience.
Helpless Miss Chatelaine Constant Craving Crying. Hallelujah. I am soooo excited you have found K.D. Lang. 🇨🇦 A mezzo soprano with a bucket full of hits. Her voice is absolutely brilliant. I'm just waiting for the finale to blow your minds. Her duets with Tony Bennett and several artists are worth following. Thank you for getting here. 🤗 Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️ ❤️ 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Mary Baillie.... I agree. I was introduced to KD with her Ingenue album....The whole album is incredible. I always smile at your salutation about buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada. I grew up on Lake Ontario, just south of the Canadian border and I spent many, many hours/days in Canada when I was younger. I just love Canada....but your "Buckets of Maple Syrup Love" just makes me smile. Take care an be well. ✌
@@jimleonard8225 yes, I also think of 'Season of Hollow Soul' as a favourite; I would add 'Outside Myself' also from Ingenue and I like 'Trail of broken hearts' equal with 'Pullin' back the reins' (I seem to share your tastes 👍)
I’ll never forget that performance ……it was incredible. It was so poignant especially because an athlete had just passed away. So powerful and touching
After K.D Langs performance of "Hallelujah" at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The original singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen R.I.P and his backup singer Anjani Thomas looked at each other when they heard K.D Lang sing this song at the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2006. After her performace they both looked at each other and said, “Well, I think we can lay that song to rest now. It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection." And in 2010, she managed to dig deep down even further to literally mesmerize the 60,000+ people in attendance. There is no rendition out there that comes close to the soul and impact of this song "Hallelujah" better than K.D Langs performances. When she sings with other top artists like Elton John, Paul McCartney and others...she just raises the bar every single time.
K.D. is one of the iconic Canadian singers of all time. She sang this at the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics and you could have heard a pin drop in front of 60,000 people. Been covered many times, but for me This is the definitive version. Well done to you both.
The best way to hear this is her live version, Vancouver 2010 Olympics. This is a cover, originally by Leonard Cohen. Jeff Buckley also does a well known amazing version as well.
"Everybody Knows" and "If It Be Your Will" from the movie Pump Up The Volume were my introduction to Leonard's music. Now there's a movie suggestion for the channel.
k.d. Lang sang this song as a part of the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver. She is a TRUE Canadian master, and watching her performance at the ceremonies, while a digital display of doves being released is truly mesmerizing. Watch it for yourselves, and just be amazed. Look more of k.d. Lang up! Her voice is amazing!
Leonard Coen (The writer of the song, original artist) declared her version to be the definitive version of this song after she sang it in front of him as a tribute... Her version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" will give you chills... She can usually be relied upon to make any cover she does even better, but don't forget her original songs as well.
Yes!!! My husband is a HUGE Leonard Cohen fan, and he generally doesn't like most covers of Hallelujah because so many of them are sung kind of as an anthem, so big, with all the tricks, when the essence of it is deeply personal, and as Jay perfectly captures, raw. He'd never heard K. D.'s version, and I shared this reaction with him, and he LOVED it! I can totally see why Leonard Cohen thought it was the best!
You will be hard pressed to find another singer who is able to do vocally what k.d. can do. Seen her many times and she ALWAYS blew the audience away! ✌
It is not a church hymn, it is written by Leonard Cohen who is a Canadian folk singer from the 1960's. KD Lang is also a Canadian and did one of the best covers of this song. She also did one of the best versions of Crying by Roy Orbison....she is just amazing.
As others have said, I love the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics version by her, not only is her version beautiful, but so are the visuals. As for KD’s thoughts on the meaning of the song, “To me it’s (about) the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It’s being caught between those two places.”
Vancouverite here -- I have never been much into most of the Olympic sports but the closing ceremonies were magic that year. For me, especially, was Alanis Morissette's "Wunderkind", beautiful song and to see all the people from around the world celebrating together was amazing! @Rob Squad Reactions: If you'd like to check it out, here's a link to the 2010 Olympics performance by Alanis. th-cam.com/video/ObBBgX9upr4/w-d-xo.html
Please do KD Lang again. Especially her solo tribute to Roy Orbison with her rendition on his Crying. Any of the live versions to really appreciate her interpretation.
It is poetry, it's what he's known for music is poetry. He is one of Canada's Laurites a prestigious award known around the world!!!!!! In order to win one you have to be able to write poetry and perform it yourself. Music is an extension of poetry, Leonard is recognized as a FULL ON BARD! He could read, write and perform with instruments including voice....very few out there are recognized as such....Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan are 2 I can think of off the top of my head. Lyrics are poems set to a musical score, example RAP is SPOKEN WORD...ie. Poetry add music it becomes a lyric.
Yes! And then her also performing Neil Young's Helpless at the same event. Two of my favorite performances of hers. KD's live performances are unparalleled, imo.
OMG ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!!! Amber, your reaction says it all. Even Leonard Cohen said she sings it best! I would suggest watching her do this song at the 2010 winter olympics...the emotional rollercoaster she sends you through is outstanding. She truly is one of the greats!!
K. D. Lang is a gift! She has an extensive range from country to old jazz standards. Try "Pulling back the Reigns", "Luck in my eyes", "Didn't I" from her country era. "Skylark" is more of a jazz/torch song. I am sure you will get many more suggestions, and all will be great.
I love her voice; it is the best example of someone's singing voice being a natural instrument, she has such control...this is my favourite version of this song.
Her live version is much better. She sang for the 2010 Olympics. The Olympic committee asked Cohen the writer of the song to sing it, but he said to ask KD because it's her song now because of her rendition
Thank you so much for finally listening to her singing this song. Leonard Cohen actually wrote the poem/song. He was such an amazing Canadian |Icon. The song is actually about love, the pain it can cause, the beauty in it. Its about a broken relationship and finding peace in the end.
You need to watch her perform this song to truly appreciate her expression and control. The 2010 Winter Olympics was a spectacular venue to see her and the crowd come together.
Omgosh, I've been waiting for you to react to k.d. Lang...her voice is AMAZING!!!! She does an awesome rendition of Roy Orbison's "Crying" & her duet with Tony Bennett ( Blue Velvet) is beautiful ❤️
Her love version is amazing! Saw her perform it live. She played at Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and she performed it to Leonard Cohen in Winnipeg as well. Mind-blowing to watch the passion on her face. So good!
Jay & Amber, you'll love her "Constant Craving"!! edit- y'all had your eyes closed for the picture of k.d. with Tony Bennett! There's a crooner you must check out! (for ex. "I Left My Heart In San Francisco")
Two Lang performances of this song are iconic. The first was at the 2005 Juno Awards, and the second was during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
So many great live performances. She is a barefoot singer. Opened our Canadian Olympics one year with this. Great performance in Britain. I saw her at an opera house in Ontario and hardly needs the Mike. So beautiful.
Yes, and it was well done. However, KD on stage wearing all black, with Leonard Cohen in the front row...was even Better...I hope they play and listen to this performance. Please, you will truly be in Aww of her voice! Honestly.
I haven't heard kd Lang's version for a while, and she definitely injects some raw emotion into her version of this song. If you love this version, you will absolutely love Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah". The raw emotion he brings to the song is on another level!
This version, years and years ago, for the opening ceremonies to the Olympics, is how I heard this song for the first time... I instantly became a huge fan of K.D. Lang!! ❤️
I love the many versions of this song. I love how depending on who’s singing it, it’ll bring out different feelings in you. And of course there’s what you feel when you listen to the original Leonard Cohen version, the man who wrote it surely sings the words the truest and the rawest.
So glad you finally got to k.d. lang (she spells it in all lowercase, fyi). "Constant Craving" is one of her biggest hits, and deservedly so. And welcome to another Canadian artist!
Many people have recorded this AMAZING Leonard Cohen masterpiece. many have done it justice and many have not. Brandi Carlile does a great job on it as well. When I heard K.D. perform it (live) at the winter Olympics in Canada (where she is from I believe) I was just thunderstruck. I think if I were told I could hear one song by one singer before I died, it just might be K.D. singing this. Great that y'all got to it. I'm sure it has been suggested a lot of times. Several of those times from me lol. Thanks guys!
"and many have not." Case in point, Bono's version. If you haven't heard it, don't waste your time. Given his voice, he could have done something amazing; what he did instead was some cheezy beatbox nonsense. Sickeningly self-indulgent and pretentious.
You've got to do this live!! Her performance of this-at the 2010 Olympic Ceremony is something you wont forget. "Constant Craving" is also better live🎶🎵
So happy you have found K.D. Lang. Her voice is like butter. Sublime! Watch her perform "Crying" at the tribute to Roy Orbison. Such an emotional powerhouse performance.
Pulling Back the Reigns, Lock Stock and Teardrops, Luck in My Eyes… The Absolute Torch and Twang and Shadowland albums were phenomenal. Such a natural and beautiful voice, so strong and pure.
My favorite K. D. Lang songs are from early in her career, like 1987 to '90, when she was doing a lot of country songs and covered a lot of Patsy Cline, songs like "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette," "Shadowland," "Western Stars," "Black Coffee," "Luck in My Eyes," and "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray." There is an absolutely stunning live performance of her singing ""Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" on "Austin City Limits" in 1988 that is a must-hear.
Had the absolute privilege to see K.D. Lang at the Olympics in 2010 where she sang this. To this day I can feel the grace and power of her voice fill me when I hear this, so glad you had a listen.
kd lang has an incredible voice. She makes it seem so effortless. She has a song called "Barefoot" where her voice plays the role of the winter wind. It's both beautiful and haunting.
Nobody sings this song with more passion than KD Lang. She is so smooth as well. You should see her live performance to this song or any other for that matter. She would bring tears to your eyes with the the amount of passion she brings to her songs.
So many good versions of Hallelujah out there, its one of the best songs ever written. Definitely listen to the Jeff Buckley version (probably the most iconic version) and the Brandi Carlile version (played along side the Seattle Symphony). And then of course there’s the original Leonard Cohen version! He’ll be a new artist to the channel, one of the great songwriters of our time. My favorite of his is “So Long, Marianne” or “Suzanne” (please react to him one of these days).
KD Lang is one of those rare artist that always give me chills!! Constant Craving & The Air That I Breathe are two of my favs from her.. Love Female Fridays!
I heard it live when she sang it barefoot in front of a stadium in Vancouver when they hosted the Olympics. I started crying because it was so beautiful. I thought this was a gift from God - a way to celebrate a song written by a Jewish man performed by a lesbian with Christian words. The audience was just enthralled with her voice and I know that magic happened.
Kd's is the ultimate version with so many incredible recordings of her available...while the sentimental favorite is Leonard Cohen's performance of his own song. I always laugh that it became a church hymn because, despite being phrased in religeous terms it is not at all about religion. And now Crying with Roy Orbison and Constant Craving are musts!!!
You almost do yourself a disservice to listen to a recorded version vs. a live performance when listening to K.D. She is absolutely breathtaking when performing live! She has the ability to make one feel as if they are floating... It is a unique experience and a pleasure to hear her sing. This is what we need back on our radios... true talented artists, regardless of the genre! Thank you for reacting to her - my other suggestions for her would be Pulling Back The Reins, Three Cigarettes in the Ashtray, Luck in My Eyes, Constant Craving, and of course her tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison, Crying.
Her duet with Roy Orbison on "Crying" is incredible.
Yes, but you really need to hear Roy's original studio version first!!
KD Lang sang "Crying" at his tribute concert in 1990. She put her all into that performance.
Jay and Amber should just react to the entirety of Roy's Black & White Night!
@@sisterfate that and Elvis's Sit down jam session at his 68 comeback special!! Elvis at his BEST!!!
I always feel the song has an added dimension as a duet as it means both people are feeling it instead of just one.
I hold a soft spot in my heart for k.d. lang. She went to high school with a friend of mine. My friend, who I didn’t know at that time, had epilepsy. She had been bullied a lot in her previous school. When she moved to Consort, Alberta, KD Lang, who is considered one of the coolest kids in the high school, took Allison under her wing. Allison said it was the first time she belonged anywhere. ❤️
A
❤❤❤❤❤
That breaks my heart. ❤️🇨🇦
@@ameliaclark5792 she’s doing very well now.❤️
Leonard Cohen, who wrote the song, was Jewish but lived most of later adult life as a Buddhist, including spending five years in retreat at a Zen center in California at the height of his later career. People are treating this like a hymn but Cohen himself could only describe it like this: "This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that's what I mean by 'Hallelujah.'". Could not have said it better.
I actually prefer Leonard singing this song but that's just me.
They should finally cover Cohen himself- Marianne, Suzanne, famous blue raincoat, everybody knows, tower of song, thousand kisses deep
What most people gloss over is the fact that A) Cohen was not Christian B) The song is *not* about God. C) It is like most popular and rock songs, it's about...Sex. Leonard, where ever he is, must be pissing himself laughing at all these Christians singing this song piously...a song about sex.
@@rickfortier8664 Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s just you. He has the worst voice may be in the history of earth, other than the Chinese and Japanese.
It’s like his voice is out of tune the entire song. He is so off key.. It’s awful.
Anyone who thinks this is a hymn has not listened to any of the lyrics other than the word "hallelujah."
I'm not a big fan of live versions but her version of this at the Olympics is chuffing incredible
You're chuffing right
Anything she sings live is so emotionally powerful. You feel it deep down in your soul.
here is the link. do yourselves a favour - watch this amazing live performance. ;-) th-cam.com/video/tcOQSk_cMO0/w-d-xo.html
I totally agree. It was the first time I had heard the song from anyone, and she stopped me in my tracks. I was stunned. I've never heard it better than her 2010 Olympic performance.
Search for her singing it at the Juno Awards. Her interaction with the crowd and the standing O she gets adds to the emotion of it.
You need to hear and watch her sing this live! Her preforming at the Olympics in Canada (2010) It was SO powerful!
I agree, her performance at our Olympics in 2010 was mesmerizing and so powerful. 🇨🇦
Totally agree and HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Please listen to this version, it will blow you away! KD Lang sings this like no one can. I look forward to you playing, and hearing this performance. Cheers!
Yeah, that was one for the history books. Amazing.
Absolutely!
THIS PERSON IS RIGHT! IT’S WORTH THE QUICK REDO. THIS 2010 LIVE VERSION FROM THE OLYMPICS IS THE **ONLY** VERSION!. DO I sEEM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS?!?! LOL
Leonard Cohen who wrote Hallelujah was one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He's the guy Bob Dylan listened to. His catalog of work is hypnotically beautiful. The backing harmonies are pristine examples of pure singing. May he rest in peace.
Yep, Leonard Cohen was a prophet of poetry. You guys can please dive into his catalogue. Suzanne, So long Marianne, and my second favorite after Halelujah: Dance me to the end of love
@@cornievandermerwe4152 Neil Diamond performed an excellent cover of Suzanne.
@@johnsperry9494 of course he would. He has the same poet soul as Leonard Cohen. I grew up on a diet of Neil Diamond, Kris Kristopher son, Barbra Streisand, Nana Mouskouri and others like them
KD Lang is a phenomenal artist. You should listen to her version of Roy Orbison’s “Crying “. It will leave you speechless.
Especially her live performance th-cam.com/video/tv7S8v3rM-U/w-d-xo.html.
Definitely!
I've heard a lot of versions of this song and plenty of songs by KD Lang BUT I've never heard her version of this song. Beautiful. Oh course, it's Leonard Cohen's song but she definitely did it justice. This is another reason why I hate autotune so much. Listen to how devastating KD Lang's slides are into those notes. How could you possibly sing a decent version of this song with autotune! What you need is skill and a fabulous voice which is what she has in abundance.
Yes, please!
Live version please.
Her voice is angelic. Loved her album Absolute Torch and Twang in the 90s. How about “Constant Craving”. Her voice totally soars ❤x
Constant Craving is wonderful!!!
agree, she's one of my favorite singers
The composer and singer Leonard Cohen stated that KD’s version was the best in his opinion. That says it all. Thanks for this reaction.
When KD Lang sang on stage, wearing all black, and Leonard Cohen was in the audience... front seat. It still after watching hearing this performance many many times, gives me chills. KD Lang sings this song better than anyone I've heard.
The one just played, I don't think I've heard this version...doesn't come close to the one we are referring to.
K.D lang is a great singer, but the best version of this song is done by Pentatonix. It is stunning!!
He said that about Jeff Buckley's too...
Live KD in black is the best version, I agree.
@@cindybrenwald7477 They have 5 people on that one. This is the best version by a single artist…and this isn’t even her best version.
This is the BEST interpretation of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". And this ain't a church hymn.
I don't understand it being sung in Chruch
Well in fairness, it does contain multiple bible references and expresses a sense of surrender. Just because there are some romantic (and even more overt, in the full original lyrics) references doesn’t cancel out the spiritual references that are definitely here. It’s complicated and that’s the point. That’s the human experience.
Helpless
Miss Chatelaine
Constant Craving
Crying.
Hallelujah. I am soooo excited you have found K.D. Lang. 🇨🇦 A mezzo soprano with a bucket full of hits. Her voice is absolutely brilliant. I'm just waiting for the finale to blow your minds. Her duets with Tony Bennett and several artists are worth following. Thank you for getting here. 🤗
Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️ ❤️ 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Mary Baillie.... I agree. I was introduced to KD with her Ingenue album....The whole album is incredible. I always smile at your salutation about buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada. I grew up on Lake Ontario, just south of the Canadian border and I spent many, many hours/days in Canada when I was younger. I just love Canada....but your "Buckets of Maple Syrup Love" just makes me smile. Take care an be well. ✌
Hi cnatview. Glad I make you smile. That's what life's all about. Glad you enjoyed your trips to Canada and K.D. Lang. Stay well. 😊🎶👍✌️🇨🇦
Constant Craving is amazing.
Those are some of her best, but I would also add:
Pullin Back the Reins
Season of Hollow Soul
The Air that I Breathe
@@jimleonard8225 yes, I also think of 'Season of Hollow Soul' as a favourite; I would add 'Outside Myself' also from Ingenue and I like 'Trail of broken hearts' equal with 'Pullin' back the reins' (I seem to share your tastes 👍)
Her live version at the Winter Olympics was incredible.
And unlike two other top Canadians performing that night, KD's impeccable performance was live..
Canada is proud of KD…what a voice!! She sang it during the Olympics in B.C. Wow..
That one is my favorite.
My favourite as well. The emotions were so raw in memory of the Georgian athlete who died during the games. I've listened to it many times since then.
Makes her a two time Olympian. She sang at the closing ceremonies in 88 in Calgary, back in her cow punk days.
@@dnish6673 Yes she did. I was fortunate to be there for that one.
She sang this at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, it still gives me goosebumps listening to it.
Her performance of Hallelujah at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics leaves you breathless. Worth checking out. ✌❤
Yes... yes.... YESSSSSSSSS... this is the version I had recommended a few times!!! I hope they see this!!!!! 🤩
I’ll never forget that performance ……it was incredible. It was so poignant especially because an athlete had just passed away. So powerful and touching
_#amazing_
_and jon bon jovi too_
Absolutely
Wish that had been the version they had listened to. Brings tears to my eyes every time.
After K.D Langs performance of "Hallelujah" at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The original singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen R.I.P and his backup singer Anjani Thomas looked at each other when they heard K.D Lang sing this song at the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2006. After her performace they both looked at each other and said, “Well, I think we can lay that song to rest now. It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection." And in 2010, she managed to dig deep down even further to literally mesmerize the 60,000+ people in attendance. There is no rendition out there that comes close to the soul and impact of this song "Hallelujah" better than K.D Langs performances. When she sings with other top artists like Elton John, Paul McCartney and others...she just raises the bar every single time.
Her voice is transcendent!! Please check out her hit "Constant Craving" - still gives me chills!! Love you guys, keep smiling!! 😁😁😁
I love the live MTV unplugged version - she might be even better live than in studio.
Constant Craving is so so good!
Such a great song.
Terrific
Yes, please please do Constant Craving!!
KD Lang "Hallelujah" (from 2010 Olympics Vancouver) 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This is the most incredible version at the Vancouver Olympics 🙌
Never heard this one. Her big hit was "constant craving" in 92. The lyrics on that one are incredible
Her "Constant Craving" must be heard just before listening to Melissa Ehteridge's "I want to come over" :)
This is easily my favorite version of this song. No one sings it better than KD Lang, imho. So glad you got to hear her today! ❤
KD Lang,🇨🇦, another powerhouse singer we share with everyone.
K.D. is one of the iconic Canadian singers of all time. She sang this at the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics and you could have heard a pin drop in front of 60,000 people. Been covered many times, but for me This is the definitive version. Well done to you both.
Agreed
The best way to hear this is her live version, Vancouver 2010 Olympics. This is a cover, originally by Leonard Cohen. Jeff Buckley also does a well known amazing version as well.
"Everybody Knows" and "If It Be Your Will" from the movie Pump Up The Volume were my introduction to Leonard's music.
Now there's a movie suggestion for the channel.
Her live version at the 2010 Olympics is exceptional.
k.d. Lang sang this song as a part of the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver. She is a TRUE Canadian master, and watching her performance at the ceremonies, while a digital display of doves being released is truly mesmerizing. Watch it for yourselves, and just be amazed. Look more of k.d. Lang up! Her voice is amazing!
Leonard Coen (The writer of the song, original artist) declared her version to be the definitive version of this song after she sang it in front of him as a tribute... Her version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" will give you chills... She can usually be relied upon to make any cover she does even better, but don't forget her original songs as well.
Yes!!! My husband is a HUGE Leonard Cohen fan, and he generally doesn't like most covers of Hallelujah because so many of them are sung kind of as an anthem, so big, with all the tricks, when the essence of it is deeply personal, and as Jay perfectly captures, raw. He'd never heard K. D.'s version, and I shared this reaction with him, and he LOVED it! I can totally see why Leonard Cohen thought it was the best!
You will be hard pressed to find another singer who is able to do vocally what k.d. can do.
Seen her many times and she ALWAYS blew the audience away! ✌
KD Lang has a beautiful voice! You must listen to her song “Constant Craving,” which was a hit for her in the early 90’s, it’s wonderful!
It is not a church hymn, it is written by Leonard Cohen who is a Canadian folk singer from the 1960's. KD Lang is also a Canadian and did one of the best covers of this song. She also did one of the best versions of Crying by Roy Orbison....she is just amazing.
As others have said, I love the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics version by her, not only is her version beautiful, but so are the visuals. As for KD’s thoughts on the meaning of the song, “To me it’s (about) the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It’s being caught between those two places.”
YES!!
Vancouverite here -- I have never been much into most of the Olympic sports but the closing ceremonies were magic that year. For me, especially, was Alanis Morissette's "Wunderkind", beautiful song and to see all the people from around the world celebrating together was amazing!
@Rob Squad Reactions: If you'd like to check it out, here's a link to the 2010 Olympics performance by Alanis. th-cam.com/video/ObBBgX9upr4/w-d-xo.html
Please do KD Lang again. Especially her solo tribute to Roy Orbison with her rendition on his Crying. Any of the live versions to really appreciate her interpretation.
Yes...please do react to her singing 'Crying'...
The song is written by Leonard Cohen who was a poet and performer. His lyrics sound like poetry.
I LOVVVVVVVE his voice and his songs soooooo much!!!
It is poetry, it's what he's known for music is poetry. He is one of Canada's Laurites a prestigious award known around the world!!!!!! In order to win one you have to be able to write poetry and perform it yourself. Music is an extension of poetry, Leonard is recognized as a FULL ON BARD! He could read, write and perform with instruments including voice....very few out there are recognized as such....Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan are 2 I can think of off the top of my head. Lyrics are poems set to a musical score, example RAP is SPOKEN WORD...ie. Poetry add music it becomes a lyric.
You guys are long overdue for reacting to this woman’s gorgeous voice. She is absolutely amazing. A Canadian treasure! 🌺✌️
She does a incredible live version. She is wearing black and is barefoot. I think I love her version best of all.
Yes! Love this one as well, actually more so than the Olympic Games when KD Sang live. ❤️
I like the way she sings it …. her version is so right on! She gives forth such a vibe! One of the best!
The 2005 Juno Awards version. Agreed, that's the best version of this song ever. Even Leonard Cohen himself said her version was the best.
The Juno Awards performance is my favorite. Her humility at the end when she receives that amazing ovation is beautiful.
Yes! And then her also performing Neil Young's Helpless at the same event. Two of my favorite performances of hers. KD's live performances are unparalleled, imo.
OMG ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!!! Amber, your reaction says it all. Even Leonard Cohen said she sings it best! I would suggest watching her do this song at the 2010 winter olympics...the emotional rollercoaster she sends you through is outstanding. She truly is one of the greats!!
Yup. After Leonard heard her sing it live, he said "it's her song now" 🇨🇦
K. D. Lang is a gift! She has an extensive range from country to old jazz standards. Try "Pulling back the Reigns", "Luck in my eyes", "Didn't I" from her country era. "Skylark" is more of a jazz/torch song. I am sure you will get many more suggestions, and all will be great.
I love Skylark! I remember Clint Eastwood used that in Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil!
I love her voice; it is the best example of someone's singing voice being a natural instrument, she has such control...this is my favourite version of this song.
She sang this at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. It was absolutely electric.
Constant Craving and Crying has to be on the list for the Fabulous KD Lang!!
Adding support for her version of "Crying". Her power gives chills.
Her live version is much better. She sang for the 2010 Olympics. The Olympic committee asked Cohen the writer of the song to sing it, but he said to ask KD because it's her song now because of her rendition
One of the best voices ever... KD Lang kills it when she performs this song live.
You definitely should have done the live version guys, it’s an experience. Also, please the live version of “ crying” , it’s amazing
"Calling All Angels" with Jane Siberry is one of her best duets!
Love that song
Canada's own!!! Thanks guys. Anything by K.D. is amazing. Live performance of Roy Orbison's Crying is unbelievable.
In my opinion Canada's best singer. I especially love her performance at the OLYMPICS in Canada. Her live performances are best.
This is my favorite version of this song. Actually the live version is even better. Her voice is sublime.
Her song, Constant Craving, is a must listen. It’s incredibly beautiful.
the 2010 Vancouver Olympic performance of this song will leave you speechless, breathless, and wanting more.
Thank you so much for finally listening to her singing this song. Leonard Cohen actually wrote the poem/song. He was such an amazing Canadian |Icon. The song is actually about love, the pain it can cause, the beauty in it. Its about a broken relationship and finding peace in the end.
I love her singing Wash Me Clean.
You need to watch her perform this song to truly appreciate her expression and control. The 2010 Winter Olympics was a spectacular venue to see her and the crowd come together.
kd needs no tricks. She has such a pure voice and as a Canadian she is up there with Celine, Anne, Alannis and Joni 💕
Omgosh, I've been waiting for you to react to k.d. Lang...her voice is AMAZING!!!! She does an awesome rendition of Roy Orbison's "Crying" & her duet with Tony Bennett ( Blue Velvet) is beautiful ❤️
She has one of the most beautiful voices ever ! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Her live versions are a must see as she is so passionate singing live.
Her love version is amazing! Saw her perform it live. She played at Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and she performed it to Leonard Cohen in Winnipeg as well. Mind-blowing to watch the passion on her face. So good!
Jay & Amber, you'll love her "Constant Craving"!!
edit- y'all had your eyes closed for the picture of k.d. with Tony Bennett!
There's a crooner you must check out! (for ex. "I Left My Heart In San Francisco")
This was not a Church song. It was written by her fellow Canadian songwriter Leonard Cohen.
KD Lang's cover of this song is soul shattering!! Her work with Roy Orbison was also amazing!!! Thanks!!!!
SHE OWNS THIS SONG.
KD has a phenomenal voice!Love her!! Try Constant Craving-its shows off her voice even more!! Thank you Leonard Cohen for such a beautiful song!❤️🇨🇦
Her live version at the Winter Olympics in Canada several years ago was amazing, absolutely stunning.
My 2nd favorite version of Hallelujah. You have to go to the source. Leonard Cohen wrote it and performed it. He knows how it's supposed to be.
Two Lang performances of this song are iconic. The first was at the 2005 Juno Awards, and the second was during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
My favorite is from the Juno awards. 💖😎
So many great live performances. She is a barefoot singer. Opened our Canadian Olympics one year with this. Great performance in Britain. I saw her at an opera house in Ontario and hardly needs the Mike. So beautiful.
Yes, and it was well done. However, KD on stage wearing all black, with Leonard Cohen in the front row...was even Better...I hope they play and listen to this performance. Please, you will truly be in Aww of her voice! Honestly.
I haven't heard kd Lang's version for a while, and she definitely injects some raw emotion into her version of this song. If you love this version, you will absolutely love Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah". The raw emotion he brings to the song is on another level!
Other than Leonard Cohen, no one else did it justice like Jeff Buckley!
I LOVE KD Lang, but I agree with Vanessa.....Jeff Buckley's version is the best, imo. Its so raw.
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She has a beautiful voice.
This version, years and years ago, for the opening ceremonies to the Olympics, is how I heard this song for the first time... I instantly became a huge fan of K.D. Lang!! ❤️
Finally k.d. lang! Her voice is so smooth and beautiful. Her live performances have even more emotion. Everything she does is wonderful.
I love the many versions of this song. I love how depending on who’s singing it, it’ll bring out different feelings in you. And of course there’s what you feel when you listen to the original Leonard Cohen version, the man who wrote it surely sings the words the truest and the rawest.
Notice when she gets to the chorus she alternates Hallelujah with allelujah. The first being hebrew…the second being latin. I love it done that way!
So glad you finally got to k.d. lang (she spells it in all lowercase, fyi). "Constant Craving" is one of her biggest hits, and deservedly so. And welcome to another Canadian artist!
Many people have recorded this AMAZING Leonard Cohen masterpiece. many have done it justice and many have not. Brandi Carlile does a great job on it as well. When I heard K.D. perform it (live) at the winter Olympics in Canada (where she is from I believe) I was just thunderstruck. I think if I were told I could hear one song by one singer before I died, it just might be K.D. singing this. Great that y'all got to it. I'm sure it has been suggested a lot of times. Several of those times from me lol. Thanks guys!
"and many have not." Case in point, Bono's version. If you haven't heard it, don't waste your time. Given his voice, he could have done something amazing; what he did instead was some cheezy beatbox nonsense. Sickeningly self-indulgent and pretentious.
I second her "Crying" duet with Roy Orbison. The ending of the song will send shivers down your spine. It's so powerful.
You've got to do this live!! Her performance of this-at the 2010 Olympic Ceremony is something you wont forget. "Constant Craving" is also better live🎶🎵
Been meaning to suggest this one, so glad you reacted to it! Check out the live version from the 2010 Olympics! OMG!
Amazing love K.D Lang's version. I wish you guys would have reacted to her singing it live at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics so incredible.
Favorite version of this song. KD Lang is amazing. As everyone else is saying, you need to hear her sing Roy Orbison’s “Crying”. Phenomenal. 💜💜💜
So happy you have found K.D. Lang. Her voice is like butter. Sublime! Watch her perform "Crying" at the tribute to Roy Orbison. Such an emotional powerhouse performance.
I've never heard k d sing a song that isn't incredible. What a voice.
Pulling Back the Reigns, Lock Stock and Teardrops, Luck in My Eyes… The Absolute Torch and Twang and Shadowland albums were phenomenal. Such a natural and beautiful voice, so strong and pure.
Her performance of this for the Canadian Olympics was WAY MORE Spectacular....It's a performance I will never forget.
Leonard Cohen said of k d's performance at the 2010 Olympics "that song never needs to be performed again."
My favorite K. D. Lang songs are from early in her career, like 1987 to '90, when she was doing a lot of country songs and covered a lot of Patsy Cline, songs like "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette," "Shadowland," "Western Stars," "Black Coffee," "Luck in My Eyes," and "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray." There is an absolutely stunning live performance of her singing ""Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" on "Austin City Limits" in 1988 that is a must-hear.
In fact, her backing band, when she started out was The Reclines - as in Patsy Cline.
Had the absolute privilege to see K.D. Lang at the Olympics in 2010 where she sang this. To this day I can feel the grace and power of her voice fill me when I hear this, so glad you had a listen.
kd lang has an incredible voice. She makes it seem so effortless. She has a song called "Barefoot" where her voice plays the role of the winter wind. It's both beautiful and haunting.
Her live version is just amazing. Best live vocal performance I've ever heard.
Beautiful voice. Y’all should check out her cover of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”
Nobody sings this song with more passion than KD Lang. She is so smooth as well. You should see her live performance to this song or any other for that matter. She would bring tears to your eyes with the the amount of passion she brings to her songs.
So many good versions of Hallelujah out there, its one of the best songs ever written. Definitely listen to the Jeff Buckley version (probably the most iconic version) and the Brandi Carlile version (played along side the Seattle Symphony). And then of course there’s the original Leonard Cohen version! He’ll be a new artist to the channel, one of the great songwriters of our time. My favorite of his is “So Long, Marianne” or “Suzanne” (please react to him one of these days).
Pentatonix is my favorite,and Bon Jovi does a nice version.
Yes, now it's time for some Leonard Cohen.
She is so underrated. Her voice is so haunting and beautiful. Check out “Constant Craving”, her first really big hit. So gorgeous
You need to watch her sing this live. She did it at the opening ceremony of the Vancouver olympics.
Saw her live and man she sang the hell out of this song. Goosebumps
This woman is incredible.
KD Lang is one of those rare artist that always give me chills!! Constant Craving & The Air That I Breathe are two of my favs from her.. Love Female Fridays!
She sings this beautifully. Check out the Pentatonix version of Hallelujah. The solos and the harmonies are absolutely stunning!
I heard it live when she sang it barefoot in front of a stadium in Vancouver when they hosted the Olympics. I started crying because it was so beautiful. I thought this was a gift from God - a way to celebrate a song written by a Jewish man performed by a lesbian with Christian words. The audience was just enthralled with her voice and I know that magic happened.
This live is phenomenal. She’s really great live!! Definitely check out her and Roy singing Crying!
Kd's is the ultimate version with so many incredible recordings of her available...while the sentimental favorite is Leonard Cohen's performance of his own song. I always laugh that it became a church hymn because, despite being phrased in religeous terms it is not at all about religion.
And now Crying with Roy Orbison and Constant Craving are musts!!!
I love this song by so many singers. KD Lang really did a great job.
I love that about this song, that people have their favorite version of it, because it’s been beautifully covered by so many artist.
You almost do yourself a disservice to listen to a recorded version vs. a live performance when listening to K.D. She is absolutely breathtaking when performing live! She has the ability to make one feel as if they are floating... It is a unique experience and a pleasure to hear her sing. This is what we need back on our radios... true talented artists, regardless of the genre! Thank you for reacting to her - my other suggestions for her would be Pulling Back The Reins, Three Cigarettes in the Ashtray, Luck in My Eyes, Constant Craving, and of course her tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison, Crying.