|
|
Post by csl on Dec 3, 2016 10:51:54 GMT -5
So, last night, I'm sitting in my livingroom with the lights off, watching our Christmas tree and drinking 'nog; I've got Pandora set to the Christmas Radio channel. All of a sudden Pentatonix (whom I enjoy) is doing a cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah! I checked the screen, and sure enough, it shows a Pentatonix Christmas album cover.
I'm hit with two thoughts. First, why in the world would anyone think that Cohen's iconic song would be a Christmas song? With lyrics like
it sure isn't shouting "Joy To the World, is it?
The second thought came as I read the lyrics. I did a Bing search to find the lyrics, and as I conned them, I wondered if Cohen was writing about more than a love gone stale, but possibly of the effects of a sexless marriage. This triplet sure seems to describe the progress of an SM:
I can see Hallelujah as a theme song for ILIASM, but a Christmas tune?
|
|
|
|
Post by Isabellas39 on Dec 3, 2016 11:27:42 GMT -5
Interesting, I haven't paid much attention to the lyrics..I will definitely listen more carefully next time I hear it .
|
|
|
|
Post by bballgirl on Dec 3, 2016 11:35:45 GMT -5
Absolutely I agree with you 100%.
I am very much into listening to song lyrics. I really get into all aspects of a song, the lyrics, various instrumental parts of a song, etc.
I have related this song to SM as well.
I also like the bit about tying someone to a kitchen chair! Lol
|
|
|
|
Post by petrushka on Dec 3, 2016 14:18:28 GMT -5
To me, Cohen has always been an extremely depressed, and depressing character. I cannot
think of a song by him that celebrates joie de vivre.
|
|
|
|
Post by obobfla on Dec 3, 2016 21:35:47 GMT -5
Hallelujah is one of my favorite songs, but it is definitely no Christmas song. In fact, the song is very Jewish with loads of Old Testament references. Even though Cohen dabbled in Buddhism, he kept his Jewish faith his entire life.
To me, "Hallelujah" is a song about sweet surrender. You loved, you lost, and you learned. And in that painful lesson, you came out a better and stronger person than if you never loved at all.
It brings me back to the time when I quit drinking and started a 12-step program. Step 1 is admitting you are powerless to fight the force destroying you. Step 2 is recognizing someone or something greater than yourself can help you. Step 3 is surrendering to that someone or something. When I made that third step, I felt the most incredible moment of peace in my life. I was still horribly messed up, but I did not have to fight alone anymore. Hallelujah!
|
|
|
|
Post by lwoetin on Dec 4, 2016 2:18:55 GMT -5
Don't know the Pentatonix version but Jeff Buckley version is one of my favorites. And he sings it with pain and despair. Definitely iliasm song.
|
|
|
|
Post by misssunnybunny on Dec 4, 2016 10:16:32 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2016 19:53:31 GMT -5
Music says all the things we aren't really allowed to say. That's why I love it so much.
|
|
|
|
Post by JonDoe on Dec 9, 2016 8:38:08 GMT -5
Quite an eclectic group with serious pipes and talent.
|
|
|
|
Post by csl on Dec 9, 2016 9:41:24 GMT -5
Okay, having watched their video, and they way that they take the ending crescendo in a direction that Cohen NEVER did, I can see why this version is different. Artistically, it seems to take defeat and turn it into victory; to come out of defeat and turn to hope and peace.
For me, the religious implication is there and made me verklempt. YMMV.
|
|
