In 1997, Leonard Cohen said, “Whenever I hear anybody do one of my songs, my critical judgments go into immediate, suspended animation. I’m just knocked out when anybody does a cover of mine … First of all, I’m happy that someone has heard the song and is moved to cover it. Second of all, it gives me a completely fresh take on the song, and I can then enter it into my own judgmental process … I think there are songs that are better done than I have done them.”
In honor of Cohen and his musical legacy, sit back and enjoy a selection of Leonard Cohen songs performed by some of our favorite artists.
Gov’t Mule (w/ The Better Half Singers) – “Bird On The Wire”
Widespread Panic – “First We Take Manhattan” & “Hallelujah”
Phish – “Is This What You Wanted?”
Warren Haynes and Danny Louis – “Hallelujah”
Willie Nelson – “Bird On The Wire” & “Hallelujah”
Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Bird On The Wire”
Mike Gordon – “Who By Fire”
Joe Cocker – “Bird On The Wire”
Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah”
Rest in peace, Mr. Cohen. Hallelujah.