After reading the comments I gotta check out the younger Leonard!! Also, If you enjoy what I do and want to continue to see MUSIC reactions on this channel consider supporting the show. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio every day, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family you guys keep me motivated. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts Much Love

@tdurran

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, I just saw your reaction to KD Lang's version (fantastic!) and you mentioned needing to watch Leonard Cohen's version. A lot of the comments mentioned LC's version too. I was wondering which version. Early LC caught the pain of this song. His depression had left him. I'm happy for him that it did, but his singing suffered a little. Still a brilliant beautiful, gorgeous song and a brilliant rendering.

@tdurran

Жыл бұрын

Love the metronome type thing you've got in the background. Just heard your last comment and no, it's not a religious song.

@lindalowney1404

Жыл бұрын

Yes, please do. His voice is gone here.

@lindalowney1404

Жыл бұрын

His I'm Your Man is a favorite of mine.

@georgesheffield1580

Жыл бұрын

A great poet befor his music career.

You Want it Darker is an unbelievably impressive achievement. A man dying, writing and singing with conviction about confronting his end...it's really amazing.

@Cifer77

Жыл бұрын

He actually already reacted to that, I requested it on patreon a while back :)

@johnjohn37371

Жыл бұрын

@@Cifer77 Just found it, thanks. It's really funny, strolling through his vids, even with the notification bell on, I haven't seen or heard of half of these...YT sucks. Thanks again...oh yeah, WHO DEY!!!!

@davidhughes4089

Жыл бұрын

I'd really really like someone to dive into who by fire, a great if tragic song

@johnjones1534

Жыл бұрын

Is it really??? We are all dying, every day, try hard, do your best, but overstating or thinking your life leads to many problems

Watching someone dip their toes for the first time, unaware their lives will never be the same, is such an honour.

This has to be one of the best songs ever written! His version is incredible!

He wrote this song...He was a brilliant genius in writing and singing

Very and perfectly respectful reaction to this genius…it’s not a religious song…it’s a metaphoric song…

When Cohen first recorded the song, he described it as "rather joyous", and said that it came from "a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way, but with enthusiasm, with emotion."

@coyotech55

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it is a joyous song.

I studied English lit at Queen's University, and in a first year course we studied his lyrics for Suzanne. This was in textbook for the course, along with Lord Byron, Milton, Wordsworth, Poe, Browning, Shakespeare..... he is an icon. RIP

@georgesheffield1580

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear him included ,there are other "modern" poet/ musicians that should be studied the same way .

@andyfletcher3561

Жыл бұрын

Suzanne is absolutely brilliant. Certainly ONE of my favorites.

@janicemacmillan2610

Жыл бұрын

He was Canadas poet laureate 🇨🇦❤️

@lorrainegunn4111

4 ай бұрын

Most DEFINITELY please find Suzanne, and play that one for the pure poetry of the lyrics.

@supergirl0526

4 ай бұрын

I came here to say that I did a Canadian lit class in high school and we studied Suzanne as a work of poetry

That organ solo not only took you to church, it vibrated the windows until a couple of stained-glass panes broke.

There was nobody EVER as cool as Leonard Cohen. You've got a very deep rabbit hole to go down now.

@JoyfulHummingbird-kn6yu

3 ай бұрын

You need to check out KD Lang doing this song Mind blower! By the way...Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone is a must too Love watching you react!! I'm 72...so it amazes me that this is all new to anyone.😅 I e lived through it all.

@barbaramay1866

10 күн бұрын

The epitome of COOL. 💕

We all get older but our hearts and passion remains

You are a remarkable young man. For you to give us elders kudos is a rare acknowledgement from the younger generation. This song was rated as the number one song to make men cry. When I first heard it, I cried. For me, Leonard hit his prime as far as this song goes when he performed it here at an older age. No one, and there have been many who tried, can do this song as he intended it. I was overjoyed to see this come up and glad you experienced Leonard Cohen.

@davidray4437

8 ай бұрын

Love watching these young ones being over awed by OUR MUSIC SO LUCKY. They seem to think theyre sound is new its not xx love n peace huge RESPECT xxx

Leonard Cohen was a mesmerizing performer. Seeing him sing his own songs is amazing. He was such a poet and deep thinker. That said, Jeff Buckley's cover is masterful, and KD Lang's version is glorious.

@bookbabe001

Жыл бұрын

I don't think I've ever heard anyone else not butcher this sing by singing, "Do 'ya'"...

@Cchan53

4 ай бұрын

Yes KD Langs my favorite version by far ...but this the master who wrote it is incredible to watch...

He wrote this! It has been covered a zillion times. My favorite version is his. 💋💖💋💖💖💖😎😎

I was there at this performance, I'd already seen him a couple of months earlier on the opening night of the tour and in the end saw him 6 times on this tour. The crazy thing is that Leonard was 74 at the time and still did a 3 hour set of absolute classics with full passion.

@SuperPuddingcat

Жыл бұрын

Several years ago, The Atlantic published an essay by a healthy, middle-aged oncologist who hoped to die at 75. Among his reasons - the pain and physical deterioration that accompanies old age, and slowing of creativity. The author, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, suggested „some deep underlying biological determinism” accounting for this decline. “The fact is that by 75,” Emanuel argues, “creativity, originality, and productivity are pretty much gone for the vast, vast majority of us.” Leonard Cohen must have never read it. Or he was the ultimate outlier. His late-in-life creative renaissance was largely unparalleled. During the final years of his astounding career - as he neared and then surpassed the age of 80 - Cohen published a book of poetry, toured the world, headlined Coachella, completed his first new album in seven years, toured the world yet again, and then released two more albums of excellent quality just two years apart. And he kept at it until the very end. You Want It Darker, Cohen’s final release, a great and moving album that lives up to its title in all sorts of ways, appeared short,y before he died. It is difficult to conceive of any great songwriter who stared down death, decline, or the dulling of the creative mind with more humor and fury and strength than Leonard Cohen.

@kelly9876

Жыл бұрын

I saw him in Hamilton, ON - amazing concert for anyone to give but for someone in their 70s it was incredible.

@faith.s_mom

Жыл бұрын

🥰

@beccastonecipher6681

Жыл бұрын

Saw him in Louisville. It was my highlight of my lifetime. I sobbed through this song. His music was a beacon through my darkest times.

@lady8jane

Жыл бұрын

I was at a concert of this tour together with my parents, whose song as a couple is Hallelujah. Absolutely magical experience! What stood out to me was how humble the man was and how much he highlighted the other artists on the stage. He put them more into the limelight than himself and was incredibly thankful to them being there with him. What a man! RIP

This song has been sung by many, but seeing Mr.Cohen sing his own song is rivetting...

I highly recommend Everybody Knows. It is my favorite Leonard Cohen song.

@Zebred2001

Жыл бұрын

Great song. About as dark as it gets!

This was always my favorite. The original by the writer himself.

This man is so cool he recorded his final album on his death bed. And it’s one of his best.

An Iconic Canadian! R.I.P.

@paulauvray1962

2 ай бұрын

An iconic human of all around the world 🤔

Leonard Cohen wrote 80+ verses to Hallelujah! You should watch the last song he recorded 19 days before he died-You Want it Darker

He was a pure genius, RIP

I am a musician. I've seen hundreds of concerts, from Danzig to Willie Nelson, Public Enemy to Anonymous 4. The best two concerts I've ever seen were Elton John and Leonard Cohen. Though their personalities and styles couldn't be more different, they both showed incredible generosity and graciousness in their performance. Leonard was a spiritual man and really made the experience something beyond just a great musical performance. Not everyone gets him. Thank you for your appreciation and insight. Also, thank you for your comment about older adults. My grandmothers were a large part of raising me and I always had an unusually strong connection with older people, and a sadness with the way they are often looked at in out society. Now that I'm 53, going through menopause and other bodily changes, I am becoming one of those people. Ageism is real. It seems to be the last socially accepted - even applauded - type of discrimination in this country, and it hurts. Thanks for seeing that older people are still human beings, individuals. Oh, and my recommendation for next LC songs would be "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "If It Be Your Will." (Antony Hegerty, now "Anohni," did an amaazing cover of the latter.)

This song done by Cohen himself, reminds me of my own life. Love has not been a victory march. many times it was cold and broken. I never lost faith in God. But I'm an old lady now, and I still feel like I did in my 30's, only I can't do what I could then, not even close. Working physically hand and loving it, I've ruined my shoulders and wrists, now I can feel cold and broken as well. But I still have Hallelujah on my lips. And I thank you Polo for your remark about older people. Many of us still feel inside that we love the same things we did way back when. but life is slower and harder for us.

@semperveritas3

Жыл бұрын

Big hug! ⭐️

@jnm92

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your power

@coyotech55

Жыл бұрын

Same for me. Gotten old, lived hard, worked hard, kind of beat up, and still working on the dreams. Just like I always was, but wiser, weaker and able to laugh about it. In the end, you finally see that all that matters is the Hallelujah.

@GloriaMartinez-on3jx

8 ай бұрын

You put in words what I've thought...been there😢

Yet another Canadian musical genius that has left us! RIP Leonard

You seriously need to check out the song “Suzanne”. The man had a reputation for giving the songs he did a much darker feel. Each one so different every time he performed them.

RIP Leonard Cohen. Thanks Polo.

He still gives me chills. Penatonix doesn’t.

If Canada doesn’t have an annual Leonord Cohen day … that would be tragic… a national treasure for sure… I enjoy “Everyone Knows” the voicing and lyrics are just the perfect vibe together!

@georgesheffield1580

Жыл бұрын

Canada has produced alot of outstanding poet/ musicians and should celebrate them

@Newfie-zc7ug

Жыл бұрын

We do it every Canada Day..........LOL :) Way too much talent to give them ALL a Day !............Joni, Neil, Bruce Cockburn, Lightfoot...ETC

@joanneweigensberg1957

11 ай бұрын

Leonard Cohen was born, raised and buried in Montreal. He never lost his love for his hometown, and we, Montrealers, never stopped loving him. In downtown Montreal, on the side of a highrise, is a portrait of him, watching over his beloved City. I invite you to Google it. It is beautiful, a true tribute to our beautiful Leonard ❤❤❤

i've read that Leonard wrote something over 90 verses for this song. we usually get only 3-5 verses no matter who sings it. his catalog is staggering in content and depth of meaning.

You have to get his album "Songs of Love and Hate", it is mandatory.

Nearly all the covers build to the end of the verse then drop back down for the chorus. Mr Cohen had that deep voice so he could start way low and pop up an octave for the chorus. He has a way of expressing an intimacy with music, women, the divine, and the human condition at the same time. His last album was recorded just before he died.

You might want to check out Dance Me to the End of Love or In my Secret Life. No one else can sound like that! So many artists have covered this song, love the Jeff Buckley version too, but there was only one Leonard Cohen to sing the original version. So great to see Polo reacting to so many different artists!

@hadespuppy

Жыл бұрын

Dance Me to the End of Love was my wedding song. So beautiful.

@chrisnash6992

Жыл бұрын

Yes and what a masterclass in holding the audience in the palm of his hand!

@GaiaNative

11 ай бұрын

Tower of Song is a goodie too. ❤

What I find fascinating is the verse It goes like this the 4th the 5th The minor fall The major lift. When he's singing this it is musically the notes he's describing.

@lindamay6296

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks for the info.

@kayecastleman6353

Жыл бұрын

It's a unique concept.... just sing the music, literally. Cohen was a class act.

AY POLO, lets go! Of all the ppl I've asked to take a look at Cohen's original version of this you came through. PROPS!

Leonard Cohen was about as authentic a voice as was possble!

the beauty and the genius of Leonard Cohen, been a fan since my early teens, 55 years of listening to the 'lord of song' with 'the golden voice' . More Leonard, please, there is a multitude works for you to discover.

I Saw him live on this tour. One of the BEST choices I did in my Life. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

There are so many Leonard Cohen songs worth listening: Night comes on, The partisan, A street, Nevermind, Sisters of mercy, Tower of Song (live, London), Avalanche, Dance me to the end of love, Ballad of the absent mare, Happens to the heart, If it be your will, Suzanne, Sisters of Mercy, Chelsea Hotel #2, ...

The minor fall, the major lift. Music and life expressions.

I saw this performance of Leonard Cohens at the O2 in London - from the minute he sang the first note the audience was spellbound. No one moved from their seats. It was phenomenal! You should also listen to the Webb sisters his back up singers. They have beautiful voices. Same concert 'If it be your will' sublime.

I’ve actually seen two or three other performances of this song by Leonard Cohen, and they’re all different. It’s worth it to look back and see how his own take on the song as he evolved as a performer. I’ve seen it said that he actually wrote 80 verses to this song, and only about 4 are usually performed.

Cohen's got a lot of good songs worth hearing. Bird on a Wire, Please Don't Pass Me By, So Long Marianne, Death of a Ladies' Man. Dude was good. RIP

My first introduction to Leonard Cohen was him singing "I'm Your Man" with his gravelly voice. Please check it out if you get a chance.

So glad you liked this song; it's one of my favorites. BTW, I'm an atheist and have been for over 35 years. You don't have to be religious to enjoy and appreciate the passion of someone singing about their religious beliefs. (I do not believe in magic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series when it came out. Different level of emotion, but still the same concept.) I love Leonard Cohen's gritty voice, but I also love the smooth, vocal mastery of the Pentatonix version, which in turn is based on the Jeff Buckley version, which is also pretty cool.

@kayecastleman6353

Жыл бұрын

Cohen used religious imagery in his poetry and music to highlight the pain and corruption of human existence. Raised Jewish, he was also an ordained Zen Buddhist monk, and questioned the concept of God throughout his life, believing God to be the cause of endless suffering. In an early speech he said, "I believe the God worshipped in our synagogues is a hideous distortion of a supreme idea..." Hallelujah is a consumate tribute to his lifelong wrangling with a dispassionate deity that allows infinite misery to be perpetuated on helpless beings in their search for love and connection. There is a reason Pentatonix chose that desolate landscape as a setting for this song, and the desperate pleading in their voices during the wall of sound has no hint of joy or celebration that I can identify. They truly got Cohen and his message. His artist's soul ran to those dark themes, on which he shone the brilliance of his superb craftsmanship. I'm in complete agreement with you.... we don't have to be religious to appreciate the passion of someone singing about their religious beliefs. Whether PTX, Buckley or Cohen himself, that intense emotion is palpable.

Love Leonard Cohen. One of Canada's greatest. Rest easy brother.❤

Leonard is an absolute genius. Love, 💕 💕

Another amazing Canadian icon, makes me proud, thank you 🇨🇦💖💖

I don't think it matters which version I listen to, there are always a few tears. Really deep, heartwrenching song.

Dance me to the ends of love makes me cry and shiver everytime I hear it. There was such a power in his lyrics. He wasn’t the best singer, but his melodies are haunting. Fabulous poet.

SHINE BRIGHT LEONARD XXX THANK YOU FOR THE PRECIOUS GIFTS U LEFT US. Love peace n RESPECT xxx

Cohen a true Genius

seeing him this old just absolutely making me... cry tbh. so wonderful. RIP poet.

A master of storytelling and an important musician to our humanity ❤

Love Leonard, his music, his deep baritone voice, his song writing, his poetry.

The man was a poet, a writer and a musician last. Brilliant in all three

There will not be another Leonard Cohen for ages!!!!!!

Leonard took over 20 years to write this song. He wrote 80+ verses over those years and distilled Them down to this legendary track.

Thanks! Another iconic Canadian moment - when KD Lang sang Hallelujah live at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver

Glad you discovered Leonard Cohen. For me the ultimate poetic songwriter of our era. You would enjoy the recent film called hallelujah.

I have had the privilege to attend two live performances of his. Rip!

Ever since I heard my first Leonard Cohen recording several decades ago, I have adored his music. His voice is like no other, and he only got better as time passed. I thank God for our ability to preserve music through the ages!

You must hear Tower of Song, from the same London concert. You get a taste of his humor in this one.

10:40 It's not a particularly religious song. It's about love and sex, about fidelity, and about the trials and tribulations of long term relationships. Try "The Future" next, and you will never be the same again.

I was so fortunate to see him on his last tour before he passed.... he was an amazing man and we loved our fellow Canadian.... he was so gracious and what a soul to watch live... I can't even put into words what it was like watching him during that last concert.... first concert that I went to that a musician had a 30 min standing ovation before he even started and he came back for so many encores.... I have loved his music since I was kid and I am almost 59.... one of our poet laurates from Canada along with Gordon Downie from The Tragically Hip... they are both gone now but legends never die....

There’s a priest or pastor from either Ireland or England that sings this song and he is absolutely fantastic at it. He makes you have goose bumps listening to him sing this song. I wish I could remember his name. Look it up!

I read a story that he and Janis Joplin were a couple at one time, and he wrote the song “Chelsea Hotel” about them living there. I may be wrong about it, but it stuck in my mind, and it’s a great song

You're absolutely right about that keyboard solo. It's like he was waiting his whole life to do that solo

@rodneytrotter3725

2 ай бұрын

And I love how Leonard takes off his hat when the solo starts in respect to the keyboardist.

He is poet before being a musician and recording artist.. that is a lot of what you see here.. he's a poet.

I simply love you little brother. The incomparable Cohen wrote this and so much more. You bring lots of joy.

Seen Leonard in concert twice! Well worth the price of admission.

This is amazing. Jeff Buckley also does a brilliant cover 👌

I read that there were 80-180 drafts on this AMAZing song...and over 300 different versions

@susanpolice8465

Жыл бұрын

Also...I LOVE his song. "Suzanne"....because my name obviously..Judy Collins did my favorite version of it! Oh POLO..there you go..JUDY COLLINS...Joni Mitchell..And last but NOT LEAST..LAURA NYRO!!! Thank You,Polo..you are GREAT!!!

Old people were cool way before you were born. We had the best music😎

I am SO happy to see/hear this reaction. KD Lang does an amazing cover of this song. Worth a listen as well, in my humble opinion 💜

That's the original composer right there Leonard Cohen wrote that song

You should have experienced Leonard live in concert. His dignity and grace and the way he showed a tremendous amount of respect for his fellow musicians on stage was something I've never seen before or since. I'm so glad I was able to see him three years in a row in Berlin (2008, 2009 and 2010). When he passed away in 2016 I was heartbroken, and the fact that he left us with an absolute masterpiece of an album in You Want It Darker made it even worse. I still miss him.

I like that you say you can feel his passion since he wrote this poem / song. We have a huge murale of him here in Montreal that you can see from Mount Royal. Its incredible and so was he. Another good poem / song of his is "Everybody Knows". Hope you check it out 😁

This is my absolute favorite version of the song! I can watch it over and over and over again and never get tired of it!

After Cohen heard KD Lang do this song he proclaimed no one else need do it. Her performance at the London Olympics is a spectacular in every way.

Cohen is one of the greatest when it comes to lyrics ever. It seems he was always struggling between the world and his belief in God. He passed away just a few years ago and he will be sorely missed. Every singer out there has recorded this Cohen song. I think there’s about 58 verses to this song. Just pick the ones you like. In his song “chelsey hotel” he talks about Janis Joplin giving him h++d years ago.

Thank you for your reactions makes my day...🐣

It is so well written it is one of those classics that it's difficult to do badly.

I saw him play shortly before he died. I heard him sing this song. It was so powerful, as the song built, I had tears rolling down my face, at first I didn’t realize. Wow! he was very old, but he was still so vibrant. What a concert it was. He did 3 encores . ❤️❤️

Leonard apparently wrote eighty more verses to Hallelujah. I still remember hearing him for the first time and one of my favourites…..” Susanne “.

You are likely to get a hundred or more posts saying "Listen to this person's cover" and "Listen to that cover"...As good as many of them can be, THIS is it. NOBODY does it better Cohen... And not for nothin', but love your take on what we elders may have to offer...

Polo, you really should check out the song Avalanche from his first album 'Songs Of Love And Hate'. I heard it first in 1971, and when I was told who it was by I couldn't believe it! You see, I had already read his books of poetry, and never even knew he was a musician (guitar). He sang about subjects that others were afraid to approach, and did it in a way that made sense to everyone! Leonard Cohen RIP, you are truly missed...

I would love to see a series on backup singers. Not pop today but these woman who backed up songs with possible difficult singers who wanted perfection every time. Song is great with out the backing not as impactful.

"Everybody Knows" next please. You're welcome

As a student in Winchester UK, I attended his concert in Portsmouth around 1976. It was perfection vocally and musically. So many ovations he had we missed our last train back to Winchester. It was so worth it.

Leonard Cohen was originally a beat poet in the 50s and 60s. He didn't start music until the late 60s - and his music is really poetry set to music, and his voice is closer to spoken word than traditional singing. As another commenter said, he wrote something like 80 verses to this song, and there are many versions of it, as well as covers. Definitely check out the Jeff Buckley version -- but I still love this one. Another interesting bit of Cohen trivia - although he was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in Montreal, he also studied Buddhism later in life and actually lived in a secluded monastery on Mt. Baldy outside of LA back in the 90s. I think he took a vow of silence and lived there doing chores and prayers for a couple of years (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

@georgesheffield1580

Жыл бұрын

That's how stories were told for centuries before recordings came about

The song has several biblical references. The reason I ❤ this is Leonard Cohen sing this from his Soul nobody can top his . 🤗🤗

mister Cohen..another talent from Québec !!

Fun story about this song. I was at a wedding for one of my relatives. They chose a version of this song to walk down the aisle to. The irony of this song about betrayal and lost faith being used at a Catholic wedding almost turned my face inside out.

@semperveritas3

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@snarkyguy2657

Жыл бұрын

It's never not funny when people fail to read or understand the lyrics & meanings of songs. I'm sure they just heard the chorus, & that's all they went with.

@pliny8308

Жыл бұрын

They had no idea what it's really about.

@brentsullivan100

Жыл бұрын

I was once at a wedding and the first dance was "Tempted" by Squeeze!! Needless to say the marriage was short-lived 😊

@ClaudiaSanchez-jm1if

Жыл бұрын

This song is not about betrayal and lost faith LMAO

Hallelujah is a brilliant piece of work, and my favorite song. I get chills every time I hear it. It's often confused as a religious hymn by those who have not paid attention to the lyrics. Unrequited love, lust, and suffering do not a religious hymnal make. Beautiful!

@gaileverett

7 ай бұрын

Except, for Leonard Cohen they do seem to. He's a master of combining all the passions into one.

Hell, he wrote it. Others have performed it more perfectly, production wise, but this is my favorite version of this beautiful song.

Something about a group of people getting together and making music. It hits a primal spot

❤ Our powerful poet, singer, song writer, performer! Montréal, Québec, Canada 🇨🇦 we our your "famille de cœur....pour toujours! Notre beau, gentleman ❤

There is so many great songs from leonard Cohen 🥰 RIP

Brother Leonard...His like will never be seen again...a down to earth totally human man,brother,father and failed saint...he revealed himself,warts and all...Love and respect this brother ...Ty for sharing this