Canadian award-winning singer/songwriter Robbie Harte has unveiled a deeply moving and soulful interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s timeless classic, “Hallelujah.” The track, which will be released on all streaming platforms on November 29th, highlights Robbie’s unique style and emotional depth, delivering a rendition that resonates with both the soul and the heart.
“Hallelujah” has long been celebrated for its spiritual and emotional weight, and Robbie Harte brings new life to this iconic song with her stirring vocals and scaled-down yet powerful arrangement. The track offers an intimate and unforgettable listening experience, adding a fresh, contemporary perspective to Cohen’s legendary work.
“‘Hallelujah’ has always been one of my favourite songs,” said Robbie Harte. “Its message of resilience, hope, and grace is something that truly speaks to me, especially in these challenging times. I wanted to give my own interpretation of the song while staying true to its powerful spirit.”
It is a song, of course, with a fascinating history. Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” was first included on his album “Various Positions” (1984). After experiencing limited popularity at first, the song gained more widespread recognition in 1991 after John Cale released a new version. Cale’s rendition served as the inspiration for Jeff Buckley’s 1994 album, which was listed as number 259 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in 2004. Following the inclusion of Cale’s rendition of the song in the 2001 movie Shrek, it became extremely famous. However famous though the song may be, it has never charted especially high; in its native Canada, I think it made number 17, and here in the UK it was in the top 40.
This means that various artists have been able to approach the track and add something of themselves to it. So, as a reviewer, I sometimes have a different approach to cover tracks. I like to see an artist make the song their own in some way, to infuse something of themselves into it.
My review:
“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord…”
I will note that although the song has some Biblical illusions, such as the opening lines above and the references to breaking the throne and the cutting of hair, Cohen never said it was a religious song and that there were other Hallelujah’s. Harte, with a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment to her vocals (and some instrumental support), in my view does turn toward the religious spirit within the song; it has a more Gospel faith and resilience in the rendition, which is beautiful. Let’s note that is how I listen to it, and I am a Christian so that influences my listening. The song is uplifting and fresh and for a well-known song that is validation enough for its release to me, you can discover it anew with this lovely return.
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Artist website is here
You can stream the song and more by Robbie Harte here.
I have placed an earlier single by Robbie Harte, “Too Pretty to Be Home” below because I like it, and I think you will too!
By Anna-Louise Burgess