I was asked to listen to Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah (First Reaction)

[@poloreacts27]

After reading the comments I gotta check out the younger Leonard!! Also, If you enjoy what I do and want to continue to see MUSIC reactions on this channel consider supporting the show. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio every day, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family you guys keep me motivated. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts Much Love

[@tdurran]

Absolutely, I just saw your reaction to KD Lang's version (fantastic!) and you mentioned needing to watch Leonard Cohen's version. A lot of the comments mentioned LC's version too. I was wondering which version. Early LC caught the pain of this song. His depression had left him. I'm happy for him that it did, but his singing suffered a little. Still a brilliant beautiful, gorgeous song and a brilliant rendering.

[@tdurran]

Love the metronome type thing you've got in the background. Just heard your last comment and no, it's not a religious song.

[@lindalowney1404]

Yes, please do. His voice is gone here.

[@lindalowney1404]

His I'm Your Man is a favorite of mine.

[@georgesheffield1580]

A great poet befor his music career.

[@brinalea7778]

We all get older but our hearts and passion remains

[@gm1590]

Watching someone dip their toes for the first time, unaware their lives will never be the same, is such an honour.

[@mikmaqwoman]

He wrote this song...He was a brilliant genius in writing and singing

[@johnjohn37371]

You Want it Darker is an unbelievably impressive achievement. A man dying, writing and singing with conviction about confronting his end...it's really amazing.

[@Cifer77]

He actually already reacted to that, I requested it on patreon a while back :)

[@johnjohn37371]

@@Cifer77 Just found it, thanks. It's really funny, strolling through his vids, even with the notification bell on, I haven't seen or heard of half of these...YT sucks. Thanks again...oh yeah, WHO DEY!!!!

[@davidhughes4089]

I'd really really like someone to dive into who by fire, a great if tragic song

[@johnjones1534]

Is it really??? We are all dying, every day, try hard, do your best, but overstating or thinking your life leads to many problems

[@romarobbins270]

This has to be one of the best songs ever written! His version is incredible!

[@karinwolf3645]

He wrote this! It has been covered a zillion times. My favorite version is his. 💋💖💋💖💖💖😎😎

[@looneygardener]

I studied English lit at Queen's University, and in a first year course we studied his lyrics for Suzanne. This was in textbook for the course, along with Lord Byron, Milton, Wordsworth, Poe, Browning, Shakespeare..... he is an icon. RIP

[@georgesheffield1580]

Great to hear him included ,there are other "modern" poet/ musicians that should be studied the same way .

[@andyfletcher3561]

Suzanne is absolutely brilliant. Certainly ONE of my favorites.

[@janicemacmillan2610]

He was Canadas poet laureate 🇨🇦❤️

[@lorrainegunn4111]

Most DEFINITELY please find Suzanne, and play that one for the pure poetry of the lyrics.

[@supergirl0526]

I came here to say that I did a Canadian lit class in high school and we studied Suzanne as a work of poetry

[@sst3d]

Very and perfectly respectful reaction to this genius…it’s not a religious song…it’s a metaphoric song…

[@brently2009]

Yet another Canadian musical genius that has left us! RIP Leonard

[@davidray4437]

SHINE BRIGHT LEONARD XXX THANK YOU FOR THE PRECIOUS GIFTS U LEFT US. Love peace n RESPECT xxx

[@herbertragan5849]

When Cohen first recorded the song, he described it as "rather joyous", and said that it came from "a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way, but with enthusiasm, with emotion."

[@coyotech55]

Yes, it is a joyous song.

[@donnahickey9206]

This was always my favorite. The original by the writer himself.

[@hlawrencepowell]

There was nobody EVER as cool as Leonard Cohen. You've got a very deep rabbit hole to go down now.

[@JoyfulHummingbird-kn6yu]

You need to check out KD Lang doing this song Mind blower! By the way...Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone is a must too Love watching you react!! I'm 72...so it amazes me that this is all new to anyone.😅 I e lived through it all.

[@barbaramay1866]

The epitome of COOL. 💕

[@lindafoster2141]

This song has been sung by many, but seeing Mr.Cohen sing his own song is rivetting...

[@tdunph4250]

An Iconic Canadian! R.I.P.

[@paulauvray1962]

An iconic human of all around the world 🤔

[@noelleone1305]

You are a remarkable young man. For you to give us elders kudos is a rare acknowledgement from the younger generation. This song was rated as the number one song to make men cry. When I first heard it, I cried. For me, Leonard hit his prime as far as this song goes when he performed it here at an older age. No one, and there have been many who tried, can do this song as he intended it. I was overjoyed to see this come up and glad you experienced Leonard Cohen.

[@davidray4437]

Love watching these young ones being over awed by OUR MUSIC SO LUCKY. They seem to think theyre sound is new its not xx love n peace huge RESPECT xxx

[@greggw.brevoort]

k d lang comes pretty darn close. Her rendition is simply breathtaking!

[@discordantmelody9316]

I was there at this performance, I'd already seen him a couple of months earlier on the opening night of the tour and in the end saw him 6 times on this tour. The crazy thing is that Leonard was 74 at the time and still did a 3 hour set of absolute classics with full passion.

[@SuperPuddingcat]

Several years ago, The Atlantic published an essay by a healthy, middle-aged oncologist who hoped to die at 75. Among his reasons - the pain and physical deterioration that accompanies old age, and slowing of creativity. The author, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, suggested „some deep underlying biological determinism” accounting for this decline. “The fact is that by 75,” Emanuel argues, “creativity, originality, and productivity are pretty much gone for the vast, vast majority of us.” Leonard Cohen must have never read it. Or he was the ultimate outlier. His late-in-life creative renaissance was largely unparalleled. During the final years of his astounding career - as he neared and then surpassed the age of 80 - Cohen published a book of poetry, toured the world, headlined Coachella, completed his first new album in seven years, toured the world yet again, and then released two more albums of excellent quality just two years apart. And he kept at it until the very end. You Want It Darker, Cohen’s final release, a great and moving album that lives up to its title in all sorts of ways, appeared short,y before he died. It is difficult to conceive of any great songwriter who stared down death, decline, or the dulling of the creative mind with more humor and fury and strength than Leonard Cohen.

[@kelly9876]

I saw him in Hamilton, ON - amazing concert for anyone to give but for someone in their 70s it was incredible.

[@faith.s_mom]

🥰

[@beccastonecipher6681]

Saw him in Louisville. It was my highlight of my lifetime. I sobbed through this song. His music was a beacon through my darkest times.

[@lady8jane]

I was at a concert of this tour together with my parents, whose song as a couple is Hallelujah. Absolutely magical experience! What stood out to me was how humble the man was and how much he highlighted the other artists on the stage. He put them more into the limelight than himself and was incredibly thankful to them being there with him. What a man! RIP

[@ravent3016]

Leonard Cohen was a mesmerizing performer. Seeing him sing his own songs is amazing. He was such a poet and deep thinker. That said, Jeff Buckley's cover is masterful, and KD Lang's version is glorious.

[@bookbabe001]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone else not butcher this sing by singing, "Do 'ya'"...

[@Cchan53]

Yes KD Langs my favorite version by far ...but this the master who wrote it is incredible to watch...

[@red-stapler574]

I highly recommend Everybody Knows. It is my favorite Leonard Cohen song.

[@Zebred2001]

Great song. About as dark as it gets!

[@thedevilwearschanclas]

I was first introduced to Leonard Cohen with that song (“Everybody Knows”) because of Christian Slater’s movie, “Pump Up the Volume”. I was hooked.

[@barbarjinx3802]

This man is so cool he recorded his final album on his death bed. And it’s one of his best.

[@flutesong5527]

He was a pure genius, RIP

[@vgrousseau1]

Seen Leonard in concert twice! Well worth the price of admission.

[@jacklabonte6839]

Love Leonard Cohen. One of Canada's greatest. Rest easy brother.❤

[@claudiacoracini9460]

The minor fall, the major lift. Music and life expressions.

[@MrDootDali]

Such a moving reaction. Bless you.

[@Brigitte_Cantin]

Another amazing Canadian icon, makes me proud, thank you 🇨🇦💖💖

[@gulliegulliver4546]

the beauty and the genius of Leonard Cohen, been a fan since my early teens, 55 years of listening to the 'lord of song' with 'the golden voice' . More Leonard, please, there is a multitude works for you to discover.

[@zizzors]

RIP Leonard Cohen. Thanks Polo.

[@rickroden7666]

This song done by Cohen himself, reminds me of my own life. Love has not been a victory march. many times it was cold and broken. I never lost faith in God. But I'm an old lady now, and I still feel like I did in my 30's, only I can't do what I could then, not even close. Working physically hand and loving it, I've ruined my shoulders and wrists, now I can feel cold and broken as well. But I still have Hallelujah on my lips. And I thank you Polo for your remark about older people. Many of us still feel inside that we love the same things we did way back when. but life is slower and harder for us.

[@semperveritas3]

Big hug! ⭐️

[@jnm92]

Thank you for sharing your power

[@coyotech55]

Same for me. Gotten old, lived hard, worked hard, kind of beat up, and still working on the dreams. Just like I always was, but wiser, weaker and able to laugh about it. In the end, you finally see that all that matters is the Hallelujah.

[@GloriaMartinez-on3jx]

You put in words what I've thought...been there😢

[@ChrisCheadle]

Glad you discovered Leonard Cohen. For me the ultimate poetic songwriter of our era. You would enjoy the recent film called hallelujah.

[@Cinerouquine]

Dance me to the ends of love makes me cry and shiver everytime I hear it. There was such a power in his lyrics. He wasn’t the best singer, but his melodies are haunting. Fabulous poet.

[@carolinegilmartin4875]

I saw this performance of Leonard Cohens at the O2 in London - from the minute he sang the first note the audience was spellbound. No one moved from their seats. It was phenomenal! You should also listen to the Webb sisters his back up singers. They have beautiful voices. Same concert 'If it be your will' sublime.

[@bookbabe001]

I am a musician. I've seen hundreds of concerts, from Danzig to Willie Nelson, Public Enemy to Anonymous 4. The best two concerts I've ever seen were Elton John and Leonard Cohen. Though their personalities and styles couldn't be more different, they both showed incredible generosity and graciousness in their performance. Leonard was a spiritual man and really made the experience something beyond just a great musical performance. Not everyone gets him. Thank you for your appreciation and insight. Also, thank you for your comment about older adults. My grandmothers were a large part of raising me and I always had an unusually strong connection with older people, and a sadness with the way they are often looked at in out society. Now that I'm 53, going through menopause and other bodily changes, I am becoming one of those people. Ageism is real. It seems to be the last socially accepted - even applauded - type of discrimination in this country, and it hurts. Thanks for seeing that older people are still human beings, individuals. Oh, and my recommendation for next LC songs would be "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "If It Be Your Will." (Antony Hegerty, now "Anohni," did an amaazing cover of the latter.)

[@dmykyte65]

I was so fortunate to see him on his last tour before he passed.... he was an amazing man and we loved our fellow Canadian.... he was so gracious and what a soul to watch live... I can't even put into words what it was like watching him during that last concert.... first concert that I went to that a musician had a 30 min standing ovation before he even started and he came back for so many encores.... I have loved his music since I was kid and I am almost 59.... one of our poet laurates from Canada along with Gordon Downie from The Tragically Hip... they are both gone now but legends never die....

[@hevydavy]

This is my absolute favorite version of the song! I can watch it over and over and over again and never get tired of it!

[@Beluga_Too]

seeing him this old just absolutely making me... cry tbh. so wonderful. RIP poet.

[@cuboci]

You should have experienced Leonard live in concert. His dignity and grace and the way he showed a tremendous amount of respect for his fellow musicians on stage was something I've never seen before or since. I'm so glad I was able to see him three years in a row in Berlin (2008, 2009 and 2010). When he passed away in 2016 I was heartbroken, and the fact that he left us with an absolute masterpiece of an album in You Want It Darker made it even worse. I still miss him.

[@jgilbertify]

Real Talent never gets old.....................

[@ulfingvar1]

There will not be another Leonard Cohen for ages!!!!!!

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

I Saw him live on this tour. One of the BEST choices I did in my Life. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@deejayturtle]

AY POLO, lets go! Of all the ppl I've asked to take a look at Cohen's original version of this you came through. PROPS!

[@rhondawade9029]

I simply love you little brother. The incomparable Cohen wrote this and so much more. You bring lots of joy.

[@RoverT65536]

Nearly all the covers build to the end of the verse then drop back down for the chorus. Mr Cohen had that deep voice so he could start way low and pop up an octave for the chorus. He has a way of expressing an intimacy with music, women, the divine, and the human condition at the same time. His last album was recorded just before he died.

[@viceroyzh]

There are so many Leonard Cohen songs worth listening: Night comes on, The partisan, A street, Nevermind, Sisters of mercy, Tower of Song (live, London), Avalanche, Dance me to the end of love, Ballad of the absent mare, Happens to the heart, If it be your will, Suzanne, Sisters of Mercy, Chelsea Hotel #2, ...

[@jdw9397]

Leonard Cohen wrote 80+ verses to Hallelujah! You should watch the last song he recorded 19 days before he died-You Want it Darker

[@barbaramay1866]

Leonard is an absolute genius. Love, 💕 💕

[@MB_MN_19]

That organ solo not only took you to church, it vibrated the windows until a couple of stained-glass panes broke.

[@lindamay6296]

The Fabulous Leonard Cohen R.I.P. and thank you.

[@purpleelephantdebh]

i've read that Leonard wrote something over 90 verses for this song. we usually get only 3-5 verses no matter who sings it. his catalog is staggering in content and depth of meaning.

[@sharonshelton8494]

Im liking your taste more and more. Youre on a journey that appeals.

[@viciann]

What I find fascinating is the verse It goes like this the 4th the 5th The minor fall The major lift. When he's singing this it is musically the notes he's describing.

[@lindamay6296]

Wow! Thanks for the info.

[@kayecastleman6353]

It's a unique concept.... just sing the music, literally. Cohen was a class act.

[@Quinn2277therian]

my son loved his work 1979 to 2001 played him at his funeral

[@solitarybee3714]

Ever since I heard my first Leonard Cohen recording several decades ago, I have adored his music. His voice is like no other, and he only got better as time passed. I thank God for our ability to preserve music through the ages!

[@jenniferdarling6]

A master of storytelling and an important musician to our humanity ❤

[@billrichards9193]

Cohen a true Genius

[@anna9072]

I’ve actually seen two or three other performances of this song by Leonard Cohen, and they’re all different. It’s worth it to look back and see how his own take on the song as he evolved as a performer. I’ve seen it said that he actually wrote 80 verses to this song, and only about 4 are usually performed.

[@simonatkinson1107]

You seriously need to check out the song “Suzanne”. The man had a reputation for giving the songs he did a much darker feel. Each one so different every time he performed them.

[@janna2245]

The Partisan, So Long Maryanne... it's all so beautiful

[@deanbrydges2434]

The man was a poet, a writer and a musician last. Brilliant in all three

[@philthemovieguy81]

Love Leonard, his music, his deep baritone voice, his song writing, his poetry.

[@AlesPickar]

10:40 It's not a particularly religious song. It's about love and sex, about fidelity, and about the trials and tribulations of long term relationships. Try "The Future" next, and you will never be the same again.

[@lastborn11]

If Canada doesn’t have an annual Leonord Cohen day … that would be tragic… a national treasure for sure… I enjoy “Everyone Knows” the voicing and lyrics are just the perfect vibe together!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Canada has produced alot of outstanding poet/ musicians and should celebrate them

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

We do it every Canada Day..........LOL :) Way too much talent to give them ALL a Day !............Joni, Neil, Bruce Cockburn, Lightfoot...ETC

[@joanneweigensberg1957]

Leonard Cohen was born, raised and buried in Montreal. He never lost his love for his hometown, and we, Montrealers, never stopped loving him. In downtown Montreal, on the side of a highrise, is a portrait of him, watching over his beloved City. I invite you to Google it. It is beautiful, a true tribute to our beautiful Leonard ❤❤❤

[@helmutkurtneumnn2026]

Good man RIP 🌟🙏🏼🌟

[@jeffreythaw3333]

Leonard Cohen was about as authentic a voice as was possble!

[@marybethdugger2547]

Love him! this song is on every playlist I have ❤ RIP MR. Cohen

[@zippymacadoo6336]

He still gives me chills. Penatonix doesn’t.

[@NRG2]

Leonard took over 20 years to write this song. He wrote 80+ verses over those years and distilled Them down to this legendary track.

[@kickyMickey82]

The song has several biblical references. The reason I ❤ this is Leonard Cohen sing this from his Soul nobody can top his . 🤗🤗

[@ShannonKoch-j5d]

You're absolutely right about that keyboard solo. It's like he was waiting his whole life to do that solo

[@rodneytrotter3725]

And I love how Leonard takes off his hat when the solo starts in respect to the keyboardist.

[@jazzy19001]

Thanks! Another iconic Canadian moment - when KD Lang sang Hallelujah live at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver

[@zenhaelcero8481]

Cohen's got a lot of good songs worth hearing. Bird on a Wire, Please Don't Pass Me By, So Long Marianne, Death of a Ladies' Man. Dude was good. RIP

[@mcm12263]

Yeah it came out on his album in 1985

[@BlackDeathThrash]

You have to get his album "Songs of Love and Hate", it is mandatory.

[@davidbentley145]

Brother Leonard...His like will never be seen again...a down to earth totally human man,brother,father and failed saint...he revealed himself,warts and all...Love and respect this brother ...Ty for sharing this

[@J0hnny8ravo]

I have had the privilege to attend two live performances of his. Rip!

[@Bluemoon_75]

I saw him play shortly before he died. I heard him sing this song. It was so powerful, as the song built, I had tears rolling down my face, at first I didn’t realize. Wow! he was very old, but he was still so vibrant. What a concert it was. He did 3 encores . ❤️❤️

[@mary.e645]

As a student in Winchester UK, I attended his concert in Portsmouth around 1976. It was perfection vocally and musically. So many ovations he had we missed our last train back to Winchester. It was so worth it.

[@gaileastwood6540]

There’s a priest or pastor from either Ireland or England that sings this song and he is absolutely fantastic at it. He makes you have goose bumps listening to him sing this song. I wish I could remember his name. Look it up!

[@lynette.]

It is so well written it is one of those classics that it's difficult to do badly.

[@noelleone1305]

Still get goosebumps at the end of this.....EVERY TIME!!🙏

[@quintondees4501]

That organ was RIDICULOUS! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@chrispowell7055]

So glad you liked this song; it's one of my favorites. BTW, I'm an atheist and have been for over 35 years. You don't have to be religious to enjoy and appreciate the passion of someone singing about their religious beliefs. (I do not believe in magic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series when it came out. Different level of emotion, but still the same concept.) I love Leonard Cohen's gritty voice, but I also love the smooth, vocal mastery of the Pentatonix version, which in turn is based on the Jeff Buckley version, which is also pretty cool.

[@kayecastleman6353]

Cohen used religious imagery in his poetry and music to highlight the pain and corruption of human existence. Raised Jewish, he was also an ordained Zen Buddhist monk, and questioned the concept of God throughout his life, believing God to be the cause of endless suffering. In an early speech he said, "I believe the God worshipped in our synagogues is a hideous distortion of a supreme idea..." Hallelujah is a consumate tribute to his lifelong wrangling with a dispassionate deity that allows infinite misery to be perpetuated on helpless beings in their search for love and connection. There is a reason Pentatonix chose that desolate landscape as a setting for this song, and the desperate pleading in their voices during the wall of sound has no hint of joy or celebration that I can identify. They truly got Cohen and his message. His artist's soul ran to those dark themes, on which he shone the brilliance of his superb craftsmanship. I'm in complete agreement with you.... we don't have to be religious to appreciate the passion of someone singing about their religious beliefs. Whether PTX, Buckley or Cohen himself, that intense emotion is palpable.

[@janegreene2838]

My first introduction to Leonard Cohen was him singing "I'm Your Man" with his gravelly voice. Please check it out if you get a chance.

[@MarthaYoung-ju1lk]

You should watch the whole video of Leonard in concert. He surrounds himself with the most extraordinary musicians and back up singers. During the concerts he gives each one of them their moment to shine. You can see this gracious man is humbled by their musical abilities.

[@hlawrencepowell]

I saw Leonard on this tour. The best concert experience ever. And I've been to a lot of concerts.

[@ponfed]

He is poet before being a musician and recording artist.. that is a lot of what you see here.. he's a poet.

[@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods]

You might want to check out Dance Me to the End of Love or In my Secret Life. No one else can sound like that! So many artists have covered this song, love the Jeff Buckley version too, but there was only one Leonard Cohen to sing the original version. So great to see Polo reacting to so many different artists!

[@hadespuppy]

Dance Me to the End of Love was my wedding song. So beautiful.

[@chrisnash6992]

Yes and what a masterclass in holding the audience in the palm of his hand!

[@GaiaNative]

Tower of Song is a goodie too. ❤

[@kristianlundsten1217]

Thank you for your reactions makes my day...🐣

[@AlainHasard]

Even Bob Dylan was impressed by this song. A true masterpiece that has been present for me for the past 10 years, and I'm not even 30.

[@jlerrickson]

Leonard Cohen is deceptively chill. Every song of his lightly covers great passion and thought under the soothing siphon that is his voice. I was fortunate enough to see him perform live a few years before he died; he'd stopped singing at that point, but he's always been a master of spoken word. He commanded that crowd effortlessly and left us hungering for more. Thank you for your reaction, and I hope you keep exploring Cohen's catalogue for yourself. He'll always reward you.

[@voicije]

mister Cohen..another talent from Québec !!

[@paulauvray1962]

There is so many great songs from leonard Cohen 🥰 RIP

[@andyfletcher3561]

You are likely to get a hundred or more posts saying "Listen to this person's cover" and "Listen to that cover"...As good as many of them can be, THIS is it. NOBODY does it better Cohen... And not for nothin', but love your take on what we elders may have to offer...

[@Calmontheoutside]

After Cohen heard KD Lang do this song he proclaimed no one else need do it. Her performance at the London Olympics is a spectacular in every way.

[@tiges1972]

Something about a group of people getting together and making music. It hits a primal spot

[@rubyleuty9417]

Cohen is one of the greatest when it comes to lyrics ever. It seems he was always struggling between the world and his belief in God. He passed away just a few years ago and he will be sorely missed. Every singer out there has recorded this Cohen song. I think there’s about 58 verses to this song. Just pick the ones you like. In his song “chelsey hotel” he talks about Janis Joplin giving him h++d years ago.

[@double00spy]

You must hear Tower of Song, from the same London concert. You get a taste of his humor in this one.

[@TheDeborah0101]

Hallelujah is a brilliant piece of work, and my favorite song. I get chills every time I hear it. It's often confused as a religious hymn by those who have not paid attention to the lyrics. Unrequited love, lust, and suffering do not a religious hymnal make. Beautiful!

[@gaileverett]

Except, for Leonard Cohen they do seem to. He's a master of combining all the passions into one.

[@philpinckley1720]

Your reaction is testimony to just what a powerful song this is!