I have always loved music.
I like most genres, except for opera – which I don’t understand. Obviously, the artists are exceptionally talented, but I don’t enjoy that type of music.
And learning the words to my favorite songs is something that I’ve always done, ever since first listening to music on a $6 transistor radio that I bought with money I earned as a paperboy.
But it’s difficult to remember the lyrics to a song when you’re listening to it on the radio.
It wasn’t until my parents bought a portable, mono record player that I could capture the words – but usually just a few words at a time.
It is hilarious when you compare the actual lyrics published to the version you thought was being sung.
Back in the day, the stereo sound was only available in expensive music systems. And it was referred to as ‘hi-fi,’ which I guess justified the price in the minds of the rich and famous.
As a youngster, I enjoyed laying on our living room floor and writing the words to a song as I listened attentively to the song – over and over, and over, and over, again.
And when you were with your friends, who also loved rock and roll music, you could amaze them with your ability to sing along – word-to-word – with the song, without making a mistake.
I can remember many times when I was camping (with the 8th Oshawa Sea Scouts), and we’d all be singing the latest rock songs of the day. We’d even sang in harmony – probably because our voices were changing as we struggled through puberty and adolescence.
We knew all of the disc jockeys’ names and they were almost as famous as the singers of the day! My favorite DJs were Dave Mickey at CKEY and Jungle Jay Nelson at CHUM.
Both were AM stations in Toronto. I haven’t listened to AM radio since the ’60s – except for the traffic station during rush hours. I much prefer FM radio – less talk and fewer commercials!
Anyway, I wanted to share a classic song that Leonard Cohen, a Canadian, originally wrote.
It was made famous by k.d. lang’s version, which she sang at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
At the time, I had just finished my radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and I was hoping for a miracle.
I have always been spiritual but not particularly religious. I believe in God, and I accept other people’s beliefs, as well.
But I usually don’t talk or write about the subject – for fear of offending anyone. I prefer to let others judge people – I’d prefer to live and let live.
So, the title of this post is not referring to four versions of religion – but rather, it is about some of the versions of Hallelujah.
I have liked the k.d. lang, Pentatonix, and Leonard Cohen’s versions of the song. But on Easter Sunday, Dorean sent me a fourth version of the song. She is Norm’s wife (the northern one), and they are both very religious.
So, I will feature each of the song versions and you can decide which one you like the best.
Here are three versions by Leonard Cohen, k.d. lang, and Pentatonix:
followed by this video recording of the fourth version:
And if I don’t get a chance to speak to you today, I hope you and yours had an awesome Easter Weekend!
Dedicated to Dorean and Gina (wives of the two Norms).
I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart!
Hugs,
Danny
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