The Meaning of Hallelujah - Cultural Analysis

Leonard Cohen's original version and Jeff Buckley's cover are equally emotional and meaningful, and their meanings have transcended through time and cultural bounds to spread hope and love. But before there was Hallelujah there was Leonard Cohen.
             Leonard Cohen began his career in Canada as a writer and wrote quite a few pieces, but frustrated with his lack financial success he moved to the United States in 1967 to pursue a career as a folk singer/songwriter. Cohen quickly caught the attention of Columbia Records leading A & R man John Hammond. Hammond invited Leonard to lunch one day and following lunch Hammond asked Leonard if he could hear him play some of his songs back at his home on 222 West Twenty-Third Street. Cohen agreed and hang to him for hours playing songs like "Suzanne," "The Stranger Song," "The Jewels in Your Shoulder," and several others. When he concluded his performing, Hammond sat there smiling and said, "You've got it"[2] . On February 22, 1967 Leonard made his live debut as a singer in New York at a benefit concert. At first Cohen didn't seem like he'd make an appearance, he even said "I can't sing and I certainly can't perform,"[3]/but he warmed up to the idea and performed. Unfortunately his first performance went horribly, he being described as "unbelievably flat" and he only managed to sing four lines of "Suzanne." Leonard didn't see it that way though, in a letter dated February 23, 1967 he concluded by saying, "Everybody backstage was very sorry for me and they couldn't believe how happy I was, how relieved I was that it had all come to nothing, that I had never been so free"[4] . Despite his awful performance John Hammond didn't give up on Cohen and on April 26, 1967 Hammond signed Cohen to a record deal. He was officially a recording artist. Since being signed to Columbia Records Leonard recorded 12 studio albums, 6 live albums, and 5 compilation albums.