The Holy or the Broken

Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah"

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Theory & Criticism, History & Criticism, Reference
Cover of the book The Holy or the Broken by Alan Light, Atria Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Alan Light ISBN: 9781451657869
Publisher: Atria Books Publication: December 4, 2012
Imprint: Atria Books Language: English
Author: Alan Light
ISBN: 9781451657869
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication: December 4, 2012
Imprint: Atria Books
Language: English

A venerated creator. An adored, tragic interpreter. An uncomplicated, memorable melody. Ambiguous, evocative words. Faith and uncertainty. Pain and pleasure.”

Today, “Hallelujah” is one of the most-performed rock songs in history. It has become a staple of movies and television shows as diverse as Shrek and The West Wing, of tribute videos and telethons. It has been covered by hundreds of artists, including Bob Dylan, U2, Justin Timberlake, and k.d. lang, and it is played every year at countless events—both sacred and secular—around the world.

Yet when music legend Leonard Cohen first wrote and recorded “Hallelujah,” it was for an album rejected by his longtime record label. Ten years later, charismatic newcomer Jeff Buckley reimagined the song for his much-anticipated debut album, Grace. Three years after that, Buckley would be dead, his album largely unknown, and “Hallelujah” still unreleased as a single. After two such commercially disappointing outings, how did one obscure song become an international anthem for human triumph and tragedy, a song each successive generation seems to feel they have discovered and claimed as uniquely their own?

Through in-depth interviews with its interpreters and the key figures who were actually there for its original recordings, acclaimed music journalist Alan Light follows the improbable journey of “Hallelujah” straight to the heart of popular culture. The Holy or the Broken gives insight into how great songs come to be, how they come to be listened to, and how they can be forever reinterpreted.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A venerated creator. An adored, tragic interpreter. An uncomplicated, memorable melody. Ambiguous, evocative words. Faith and uncertainty. Pain and pleasure.”

Today, “Hallelujah” is one of the most-performed rock songs in history. It has become a staple of movies and television shows as diverse as Shrek and The West Wing, of tribute videos and telethons. It has been covered by hundreds of artists, including Bob Dylan, U2, Justin Timberlake, and k.d. lang, and it is played every year at countless events—both sacred and secular—around the world.

Yet when music legend Leonard Cohen first wrote and recorded “Hallelujah,” it was for an album rejected by his longtime record label. Ten years later, charismatic newcomer Jeff Buckley reimagined the song for his much-anticipated debut album, Grace. Three years after that, Buckley would be dead, his album largely unknown, and “Hallelujah” still unreleased as a single. After two such commercially disappointing outings, how did one obscure song become an international anthem for human triumph and tragedy, a song each successive generation seems to feel they have discovered and claimed as uniquely their own?

Through in-depth interviews with its interpreters and the key figures who were actually there for its original recordings, acclaimed music journalist Alan Light follows the improbable journey of “Hallelujah” straight to the heart of popular culture. The Holy or the Broken gives insight into how great songs come to be, how they come to be listened to, and how they can be forever reinterpreted.

More books from Atria Books

Cover of the book Harriet and Isabella by Alan Light
Cover of the book Hopeful Healing by Alan Light
Cover of the book Killing Willis by Alan Light
Cover of the book The Jodi Picoult Collection #2 by Alan Light
Cover of the book The Trip by Alan Light
Cover of the book A Commonplace Killing by Alan Light
Cover of the book The Goat Woman of Largo Bay by Alan Light
Cover of the book Heartstopper by Alan Light
Cover of the book Without Merit by Alan Light
Cover of the book The Past Life Perspective by Alan Light
Cover of the book Cómo El Secreto cambió mi vida (How The Secret Changed My Life Spanish edition) by Alan Light
Cover of the book Las crónicas de Jackson Heights (Jackson Heights Chronicles) by Alan Light
Cover of the book Blind Kiss by Alan Light
Cover of the book The Iraq War Reader by Alan Light
Cover of the book Silent Hearts by Alan Light
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy