K.D. Lang Sings Uplifting And Soulful Rendition Of 'Hallelujah' In Homage To Leonard Cohen

Aug 22, 2020

Back in 2005, Canadian singer k.d. lang (her stylized stage name) performed Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah at the Juno Awards in Winnipeg, Canada.

k.d. is incredibly blessed. The four-time Grammy winner has a cornucopia of talent. She has a beautiful mezzo-soprano voice. She is a songwriter. k.d. has even done some acting. She has had roles in television, movies and even acted in a theatre production.

And all that talent is on display in this classic video from 2005.

From the time that Kathryn Dawn Lang, better known as k.d. lang performed, at The Alberta Rose at the end of the 1988 Olympics, she became an internationally known country singer. She has performed with such greats as Anne Murray, Dwight Yoakam, and Roy Orbison. In other words, this country music star was rising fast. But this all changed when she came out as gay in 1992.

The country music family immediately gave her the cold shoulder. Some stations no longer played her music. This is when she transitioned from a country star to a pop star. But k.d. lang preserved. She admits how tiring the battle was to share issues that LGBTQ communities face, the Guardian reports. But early on she realized her celebrity could pave the way to meaningful discussions.

As reported by CTV News, k.d. lang was a huge fan of fellow Canadian Leonard Cohen. Both singer-songwriters have something else in common. Both are Buddhists. In 2006, Cohen was honored by being inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. At that event, Lang performed Cohen's prayerful song Hallelujah.

Of course, this was a stressful experience. Performing a song by the great Leonard Cohen, in front of him, and a huge audience was "excruciatingly nervous." But, she decided to not only perform his song but to perform it in her own way.

In the YouTube video, her unique interpretation "forever linked" the two artists, as CTV News describes it. That is because she found that the lyrics put her into what she describes in an interview with CTV as a "mediative state." She also shared that the song is "the struggle between having the human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom." This song clearly spoke to her.

After the performance, Cohen and Lang exchanged a "Buddhist hug." He found her interpretation very special. This was not the last time that Lang's special interpretation would transcend a normal performance.

k.d. lang's performance of this mystical song took on a spiritual level. Lang later shared that the time she sang just flew. But the words and performance brought universal healing. Lang demonstrated the power of music.

But Lang gives the credit to the songwriter. She stated in the CTV interview that Leonard Cohen "was a translator between the gods and humans."

No one can deny that Lang's performance took Cohen's wisdom and imparted it on the masses for healing and renewal.  What did you think of this incredible video? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to send it on to a friend!