KD Lang sings 'Hallelujah' @ the Max Sessions 2005

[howdoyousayme]

KD Lang owns this song - Leonard Cohen said as much.

IMO her best delivery was at the induction ceremony for Leonard Cohen in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony - she is singing it for me and it is a perfect example of someone being the manifestation of a song. it's on you tube

youtube.com/watch?v=YYiMJ2bC65­A -

[howdoyousayme]

@howdoyousayme lol - she is singing it for HIM not for me - although if i die before her I would love her to sing it at my funeral.

[ofraanaas5]

Speechless I cannot tire of it!!!!

[MrDennisatthebeach]

MossPicard. I agree this song was DESIGNED for her. The raw emotion and passion. She understands the song. Ironically when Leonard Cohen wrote this song nobody wanted it. Go figure.

[derekhiemforth]

5 people need to check and see if they still have a soul...

[haroldw5]

K.D. Lang was born to sing this song. You feel the broken Hallelujah and it spills through your sole until you are drenched in its warmth and by its depth of its despair. Bless Leonard Cohen and k.D. Lang for this song.

[jabh01]

I have seen both Cohen and Land sing this live... They are (almost) the same words, the same power, the same passion and yet completely different. I would not hesitate to listen to one, followed by the other, and get just as much out of each

[EliasFrostMusic]

The good thing about her is that she sings loud but doesn't sound screamy or like she's yelling, it's raw power and nothing else. I love her voice so much.

[scorpio888]

This Sydney version is lang's best performance of the song.

[wsidechris]

No big surprise that the phenomenal kd lang can bring "Hallelujah" fans to their knees in prayer. She has been covering it for the past 7 years. This particular version is overwhelming.

[GoddessRenata]

EAR-GASMIC....WOW ...OMG... this is the BEST version of this song... WOW! She is Canadian, she is Buddhist, She is Vegetarian, She is an animal activist, she is Gay and I LOVE her voice... effortless perfection.. true artistic creation.. she owns this song and pours it out of her heart into the core of your being -

[GoldenGal888]

been listening to this version..and others for a couple of years now..and still shivers up my spine from this version..

[achimmeke]

she sings this with the hart!

[GoldenGal888]

still my absolute favorite version..just so raw...

[RepentantWoman]

Perfect pitch, perfect control, perfect performance! Heard this song 100 times but never really "heard" it until now. Awesome job, KD!

[beesusie]

I totally agree with MossPicard's opinion.

[slinkymalinki1001]

A truly inspirational person. Beautiful inside and out. Most brilliant voice and anyone into animal rights gets my vote!

[uwewird100]

She sings like an angel. I can listen a hundred times to this magic voice and everytime I get goosebumps. Great voice!

[iplaymusicyo]

The ability to give people goosebumps when you sing shows what a great singer you truly are.

[silverstartrucker]

This is a stunning performance...she has a great pianist...

[007vauxhall]

Absolutley amazing. Wow :-)

[Broblem12]

Fine and emotive performance, but alas not my favorite of all the versions done of it. However it is a quality performance and I give K.D. kudos for this as well as the person who posted this. Thank you.

[shazzbutt2009]

tears come to my eyes when kd sings this because it reminds me of my dad-she gives it so much passionxxamazing voice

[Annie88328]

This is truly awesome, spirituality beyond words. A journey into love. KD - you are so gifted. God bless.

[tommyquintana]

4:35 like the most powerful point in her performance... Incredibly moving thx kd you are awesome

[bushpilot82]

yo shit gives me shivers

[emetztoo]

This is my favorite also

[warnerzzzz50]

This is my favorite recording of this song and of this artist. Incredibly moving and beautiful. I wish I could download this to my mp3 player somehow, or even better buy it on a CD or DVD.

[sh8tmenot]

Wow. Cohen and Lang. Damn!

[gillangil]

Absolutely awe inspiringly awesome !!!!!

[SilverMoon67]

I have no idea what the words mean but don't care. Her voice and the melody are hypnotizing. LOVE this song.

[Nikkizz14]

best version of this song EVER!!!! your voice is so amazing!!

[maryjoeann]

I had the pleasure of see K D in concert last year and may I say when she sang this song the audience was captivated. I have always been awed by her beautiful voice , she is truly in a league of her own......What a gift to all of us !!!!!!!

[tinglerboi]

Absolutely incredible performance. She gives such emotion to a beautiful song... Alexandra should take a few tips!

[gwwillits]

No matter how many times I hear K. D. Lang sing this it gives me goosebumps! Just beautiful!!

[wabbitinwed]

When someone says there is no advantage to growing older, i will direct them to this video. Her voice has matured and her interpretation of all of her songs just keeps getting better. Sinatra first, K.D. second.... and she still has time to go!

[besalkaidacpravisu]

замечательно



[MacPro8CoreMan]

Never been a KD fan mostly due to her lifestyle... But now, at 47 years old I've grown tired of being judgemuntal of such frivolous things.

This is by far the best version of this song ever sung. I watched it 5 times in a row!

You're witnessing one of the best voices in music.

KD... If I ever meet you, I'll bow and appoligize for any mean thing I ever said about you.

[Mrjacksontheking]

kd lang you are just incredible!!!! Your beautiful voice moves me to tears.

[coolhandluke68]

My God... What an Angelic voice. I've heard many versions but you nailed it KD.

[k30925]

Unfortunately I heard this version of Hallelujah today at a funeral, I immediately fell in love with your rendition of this truly amazing song. Well done K.d Lang you have instantly won me as fan, what a truly amazing performance. I will go out and buy the album asap. Thanks

[wsidechris]

I've been searching for the best kd performance of this great song. I think this is the one!! Any other opinions are more than welcome.

[damnedwhatuser]

@wsidechris

I have heard almost all kd performance of that song and I think that's the very best performance of kd overall.

[nuckster94]

KD is a gift to the world, spectacular!!

[compewterknut]

Songs can be covered by many, mastered by few. K.D. has done that. The words, the emotional feeling that is behind this song, and powered by K.D., touches my heart and soul, and no matter how many times I listen to this, each and every time, I get something new and wonderful from it. Music can save souls, touch them, and make a hardened heart believe in the power of love. God has touched this woman, and in return, she touches us.

[koalabearqld]

@theSPILLYbros

this is the best song i have ever heard her sing...well done K.D. and in my beautiful sydney too....your are a great woman and singer....Rey (Australia)

[koalabearqld]

this is the best song i have ever heard her sing...well done K.D. and in my beautiful sydney too....your are a great woman and singer....Rey (Australia)

[homer1950]

No matter how many times I hear her sing this, it always brings me to tears. She is simply the most incredible singer I have ever heard in my 60 years. And singing one of the best songs ever written. . . . what a powerful combination. There are no words to describe it.

[okthatsall1]

THIS IS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE RENDITION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL,HAUNTING SONG. WHAT A VOICE!

[bitterexdroid]

I always get chills when I hear kd sing this. And I never tire of it!

[cuchelo1]

She was the highlight of the opening ceremonies this year at the Olympics...her vocal control is astounding.

[MrPuroylan]

She owned this song. I'm a guy but her rendition of this song made me cried. She's awesome. God Bless....

[zaltos]

just perfect!

[caravaneriam]

Iv'e seen her twice singing this Cohen song.

She is brilliant.

[markminou]

Incredible!

[harriann1]

k.d.lang is my all time favourite singer - what she does with Hallelujah makes every hair on my body stand up. Her vocal range is amazing.

[MossPicard]

Nobody, nobody, but NOBODY sings this song like she does. I have heard it done well by others but when she sings it she owns it. I think she was a discovery/protégé of Roy Orbison before he died.

[shazzbutt2009]

@MossPicard that is so true-l love the way she sings this!!

[lolab588]

Bless KD Lang's heart. She is superb.

[camillenorton]

Gorgeous creature, I'm on my knees for you.

[leapayear]

Pure joy.

[sassy22601]

SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!

[jacob95124]

I am always touched when I hear this song sung by k.d. Lang. What a performer she is! I love her... She is one of the best of our time!

[jazmania101]

Speechless!!!!

[sweetpea64161242]

Fantasic!!!!!!!!!

[BloodTar]

Beautiful.

[Leonie19]

I didn't know her before the opening olympics - but her performance was that great I cried... I love her performance!!

[abulitakate]

Goosebumps!

[kathintheussa]

Missed some words? ugh

[kathintheussa]

I cried when she sang this at the Opening Ceremonies and can't quit showing it to my friends. Gives me chills.

[papersthemovie]

Same here!! Posting it to everyone I know.

[islandsylph]

P.S. She is an amazing gift to our country.

[Pat2296]

Yes, she's a national treasure!

[islandsylph]

I was so pleased she performed at the ceremonies last night. I think she does justice to this song that Kohen never could. She has class and style, and an amazing voice. I'm glad I share the same city with her.

[lindyploo]

Beautiful voice. I was in awe of her at the opening olympics. I would love to be able to do this song justice as she does.

[craftedfromtheheart]

and this was the one max session I missed! She WAS the highlight of the Opening Ceremony. Made me cry

[orhugs]

@PanicItsPaige my mom told me that shes from Cochrane (I think that's how you spell it)

[sean2me]

She has the purest and most breathtaking voice. Her performance at the opening ceremonies was awe inspiring. Way to go KD

[weavesilk]

My whole body shivers when I hear her sing this song & cry every time; she's unbelievable - a true gift!! Was the hi-light of the Opening Ceremonies for me!

[bernadette203]

Check out her singing this at the Juno Awards, even better. The girl's got soul.

[meylina8]

awesome rendition. go KD!

[foxjulia007]

Wow great song ! Thank you :)

[elkiem1]

Sous le chock je l'ai vu chanter a la cérémonie d'ouverture des jeux olympiques et je l'écoute depuis deux heures

[69Zombie69Queen69]

WOOO she just sang this on the winter olympics!! me and my mom were psyched

[orhugs]

At first I thought that she was a guy! Never knew that she was from Alberta though i wonder where? I'm from Spruce myself anyone else??

[PanicItsPaige]

I'm from Grande Prairie. Lol, but I checked and she's from Edmonton.

[gmacv1957]

KD's voice in unbelievable. The way it soars blows my mind. I adore the way Leonard Cohen sings this song, but, as we know, he's not known as a vocalist. KD, on the other hand, sings like no other. She makes this song her own. I would so love to see her in person someday. She could sing the phone book and I'd be mesmerized!

[hunka007]

We are so proud of you, KD. From a native Albertan.........

[YOBRO79]

wow ... srs got goosebumps and tears at the 4:35 mark ... stunning

as someone said possibly the greatest cover ever

[GodLovesMcCain]

Angelic music spills abundantly from her soul, as effortless as a sparrow's flight across a canyon - sweeping and deep, yet light and joyous

[aruba50]

Her voice is astounding. Almost not quite believable. Notice at the end, as she finishes the long, last note she seems to slowly come out of a trance. It must be intoxicating to possess such a gift.

[potatoisyellow2]

This must be a strong contender for the best cover version of all time.

[CHISPIS1419]

AMAZING

[daphill2]

PERFECTION!

[LivepersonEmilyRose]

Absolutely beautiful.. I keep listening to it over and over.. The best version I've ever heard!

[Nitingal]

Best ever version of this song. And this particular performance is not even available to buy! I can't believe the DVD is "discontinued". HELLO!

It should be once and for all forbidden to have ignorants run the entertainment business.

[kimatoz3]

k.d.'s singing naturally evokes so much feeling. I'm sure this version made Leonard Cohen proud.

[tesshowerd]

I don't know what to say!!!! but WOW!!!

[doghosts]

I agree - gobsmacked! Go k.d. she sings this like a prayer in this version especially....thanks kd

[nofaces403]

this performance begins seeking perfection from the first note and achieves it at the 4:35 mark..this is almost an exact replica of her performance at the 2005 Juno awards--proving that her amazing talent is totally in her control.

[tonybond1208]

I completely agree with you. The 4:35 mark sent shivers up my spine. I was fortunate enough to see her perform this song live earlier this year and had I died then and there, I would have been a happy person. Everyone around me was in tears.

[FATKATKY]

All I can say is wow

[BushWomanOtter]

Check out her Bird on a Wire on Max sessions! Perfection...

[MasterofRandomness1]

*Gasp* Nothing, anywhere,any time, nothing could be this perfect, nothing.

Astounding, it is said that a circle is the most close to God, as it is perfect and unflawed, but I just found something that was much closer, this, simply beautiful, i absolutely love it, I can't even describe how..............stunning this song is, perfect, nothing else I can think of, perfect.

[warnerzzzz50]

It is so wonderful--I want to be able to download this version to MP3--it is better than on the 49th Parallel album!

[tmcdonald100]

From a fellow canuck ... an amazing singer sharing a song from a sensational author Leonard Cohen!

[lovehockey64]

Yes we have some amazingly talented singers in our country don't we?:)

[slinkyone88]

I grew up listening to KD lang and it still sends chills up my spine to hear her sensational voice. This particular song was played at my Oma's funeral so when i listen to it i tear up a little, but i love her voice so much i cant help it. My favourite bouncy song of K.D's is "big boned gal"

[annsire]

Just fantastic, what a voice!!

[elvidinck]

Spectacular! k.d. lang's version is clearly the best. I wish I had such a smooth voice as she does. There is nothing lacking here. The woman is a great singer! WoW!

[hnoss13]

Truly haunting. Her magical voice brought out such blissful sadness. She is spectacular. A beautiful angel.

[no1zgrl4eva]

Absolutely. Every time I watch this I get shivers down my spine. At the very end when she smiles and her eyes light up, I wonder if she knew that she just nailed that song, and created one of the most stunning performances of all time. This is absolute perfection. It doesn't get any better than this.

[ncis44lover]

K.D. Lang brings out one of the many layers of this song. She gives the impression that who ever the song is about, how sad they are. People like Rufus Wainright bring out the lonliness of the song, and people like Bon Jovi bring out the sexuality of it. Each version brings a new emotion. And thats why i like this song so much.

[tiatrips]

Everytime I hear this version it feels like I have a religious experience. Incredible.

[no1zgrl4eva]

Utterly majestic.

[davehshs]

Beautiful! Fantastic singing and feeling. I think I understand why but still wish she hadn't left out the verse that goes: "I remember when I moved in you, The holy dove she was moving too, And every breath we drew was hallelujah."

[BushWomanOtter]

She is singing the original that Cohen wrote; thos elyrics did not come until years later.

[davehshs]

Check out the video posted by rhino49 of Leonard singing "Hallelujah" years ago when he was obviously much younger -- years before this 2005 k.d. lang performance. The earlier performance includes the verse, "I remember when I moved in you...."

[davehshs]

Just noticed the lyrics printed with the accompanying box. Those, I believe, are the earlier version. However, THOSE lyrics are not the ones k.d. lang is singing here. She's singing the ones that include the aforementioned deleted verse.

[oldladymaz]

I agree.

[ParatrooperMom]

This is, by far, her best version of this song. Totally inspiring! Thanks for posting it, the earlier link was removed. Hope this one won't be.

[tommyquintana]

An awesome song!!! 4:54-5:04 are 10 full seconds of musical perfection!!!!!! k.d you are an angel . Thank you for sharing your talent with the rest of the world

[MacsMum]

Total goosebump city from where I'm sitting. She takes this song and runs with it.

[no1zgrl4eva]

My God she owns this song. Every time I watch this I get shivers down my spine - absolutely breathtaking, in my opinion, THE best performance of any song, anytime, anywhere, by anyone. Stunning.

[brownsugar4]

I have never heard of Kd Lang before.. and i was flicking through the tv music channels..and to my luck.. this came up... OMG... talk about captivating.. Bravo to Ms Kd Lang..Bravo.. AMAZING

[cdnsma04]

I've never been much of a fan of hers, but this is amazing. Thanks for posting.

[Teledude1972]

Simply beautiful!!! :) Thanks for the share Marina!! :)

[JLSTaylor]

Definitely one of the most inspired and passionate live performances of this song ever by k.d.! :o)

[scorpio888]

This is the best version of the song ever --- even by lang!

[MayMay70]

I saw her sing this at the Hollywood Bowl after they reconstructed the stage and it was the most beautiful night I've ever had in LA. I love you KD and Cohen.

[keltrigger]

I forgot what a beautiful voice she has

[tms3767]

this is the best of the best. wish this version was downloadable via itunes :(

[missmabel]

There's a live version of her singing it, somewhere on itunes.

[RepentantWoman]

Thank you so much for posting! I agree, this is her absolute best version! Stunning!!!!

[polycistronic]

The first song I've heard of k.d. lang, and I cried.

[erinnsong]

@polycistronic - really? how cool! and yeah...i cried too. :)

[haircrazee]

Thank you sooo much for posting!!! Lost my original max session...argh!

[caravaneriam]

I think that this particular recording of Halleluja by K.D. at Sydney is her very best one.Its a special moment.