Laura Raineri / Voice

Alex Raineri / Piano

Live performance from the 2020 Brisbane Music Festival 'Streamed Series'.

Jai Farrell / Audio Engineer & Videographer

With music and lyrics by Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah was first released in 1984 on the album ‘Various Positions’. Despite the significance of Cohen’s legacy as an artist, the song received limited success initially. It was only through covers by artists such as Jeff Buckley, K.D. Lang, Bob Dylan, Regina Spektor, Willie Nelson, Susan Boyle, Tim Minchin and Bono that the song achieved widespread familiarity. The narrative of Hallelujah is abstract. The text in general is imbued with a gothic nihilism that appears to meditate over the meaning and complexity of love and relationships. There are multiple biblical references and many sources suggest that the relationships alluded to may not be pertaining to another person, but commenting on a relationship (or addiction) to alcoholism and/or substance abuse, though, the fourth verse could be interpreted as being sexually suggestive. Regardless of the complex layers of meaning embedded within the texts, the artists feel that the song is a reflection on mindfulness and acceptance, using conflicts of the past and present to move forward, with faith, in the future.