Song Stories - Hallelujah

When it comes to iconic songs that transcend time and genres, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen is one of the most universally loved. Its profound lyrics and haunting melody have inspired countless interpretations over the years, each bringing something unique to this timeless piece of music. For me, this song holds a very special place in my heart, and I felt deeply drawn to create my own version - a rendition that reflects my personal journey and connection to its powerful themes. 

In this blog, I want to share the inspiration behind my decision to record Hallelujah, the significance it holds for me, and the creative process that brought it to life. From the heartfelt meaning behind the lyrics to the incredible team who helped me craft my version, this is the story of how Hallelujah became a part of my musical journey. 

What was your inspiration behind deciding to record a cover song and can you give us a little bit of background of the song?   

I wanted to cover Hallelujah because it’s one of the most covered songs of all time, and I felt compelled to create my own version. It’s an incredibly significant song for me, as it touches on so many universal themes that resonate deeply within me. I felt that I could bring my own unique twist to these themes and convey them in a way that feels personal.  

Hallelujah speaks to the complexities of human spirit. It holds layers of spiritual and religious meaning, exploring themes of love, redemption, and hope. I wanted to create a version where I could express the full range of emotions and intricate layers within myself. At its core, the song captures the essence of our humanity, and I was drawn to the idea of interpreting those profound ideas in my own voice.  

Leonard Cohen reportedly wrote around 80 versions of Hallelujah and would often perform different renditions live. In creating my version, I focused on the main themes that felt most important to me—love, complexity, spirituality, and redemption. I hope that my interpretation honours Cohen's legacy while also bringing something new to the song. I look forward to sharing it with you, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. 

What is the significance of the song ‘Hallelujah’ for you?   

I think Hallelujah is a song of beauty. I think it's a very complex song. I think it encapsulates lots of different themes that resonate with us as humans, and I think especially for me. The themes of love, hope and spirituality are the main things that I generally write about, and so I felt that it fitted in really well with my original music. 

With the many versions of ‘Hallelujah’, what made you decide to create your own?  

When I was searching for songs to cover, Hallelujah kept coming up time and again due to its popularity and timeless appeal. I felt it would be wonderful to bring my own energy, voice, emotion, and style to this iconic song. My goal was to make it as complex yet as simple as possible—full of emotion, capturing that push and pull of heartache, heartbreak, and intensity. 

At the time I recorded it, I felt a deep need to sing a song that carried themes of spirituality, hope, love, and the powerful act of calling out with “Hallelujah.” That expression of hallelujah can mean so many things: gratitude for being alive in this moment, celebration of the human connections we share, or even, in our darkest times, a yearning and a hope that someone, somewhere, is listening to our hearts. 

Why did you choose to cover the verses which cover the themes of Religion and Love?  

I feel that these themes - love, spirituality, and connection - are deeply prevalent in my life. I was raised in a very spiritual and loving household, and I truly believe in the power of love. I believe in the strength of human connection and our shared desire to become the best versions of ourselves. 

I also believe that we can’t achieve this alone; we need support and something greater than ourselves, yet also something that exists within us. For me, Hallelujah embodies all of this, capturing the profound connection between the personal and the universal. 

How would you describe ‘Hallelujah’ to someone that’s never heard of you or the original song before?  

My cover of Hallelujah is in a classical crossover style, featuring my ethereal, haunting vocals accompanied by beautiful piano and violin, layered with ambient and cinematic elements. This style is something I strive to bring into all the music I create. 

The themes of Hallelujah encompass hope, spirituality, and connection, which are also central themes in my own songwriting. Through this cover, I aimed to bring out those universal emotions in a way that resonates deeply with listeners. 

Can you tell us about the creative team that were involved in the creation of ‘Hallelujah’?  

The team consisted of my wonderful producer, Peter Renn Renfree, who is based in Nashville, USA. He arranged the entire track and coordinated the musicians who played on it, managing to achieve all of this during the lockdown. Peter was truly wonderful to work with, understanding exactly what I wanted and where I was mentally and emotionally at the time. I had told him that I wanted a classical crossover feel for the song – simple but with some *Lost in Love* themes woven into its story.  

Peter introduced me to a fantastic violinist, Michelle Gazis, who was in Italy at the time. Michelle is a folk violinist and an incredible musician. He recorded the violin part for the song with his own arrangement layered on top, and it was really beautiful when I finally heard it. We also had the talented Karen Ballou, who was based in Nashville. Peter was able to invite her into his studio, where she played the harp on the track. It was wonderful to have Karen there in person, despite the restrictions and logistics of the lockdown. 

Additionally, Stefano Marazzani, a dear friend and exceptional arranger, pianist, and accompanist who also played on my debut album, *Lost in Love*, contributed to the track. Later on, after the track was complete and lockdown had ended, I invited Tom E Morrison, the producer of *Lost in Love*, to add some ambient themes from that album into this song. It was important to me to have him involved because this song holds so much personal meaning. I also asked Emma Eliza, a wonderful friend and violinist, to play an extra violin part over the mid-to-late section and leading into the final chorus.  

Finally, with all the elements together, I knew it was perfect. The mixing and mastering were done by the wonderful Martin Pfeiffer in Germany, and Tom, who is now based in York, added the last production tweaks. This collaboration among such a talented team of musicians meant so much to me. It felt like coming full circle after losing my father, and I’m now ready to release this beautiful song to the world. I hope you enjoy it. 

When did you first hear ‘Hallelujah’ and did this have an impact on why you decided to create a cover of it?  

I think the first time I ever heard 'Hallelujah' was when I was a child. My dad had an eclectic taste in music, and I was introduced to all sorts growing up. From Harry Belafonte to Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, and The Shadows—the list is endless! I could probably do an entire interview just on that. But 'Hallelujah' was a part of my childhood; I didn't pay much attention to it until I heard Alexandra Burke perform it on *The X Factor*. Her performance really struck a chord with me. It was so beautiful—her tone, her phrasing, the way she brought the song to life. It became a special song for me, taking on a whole new meaning. 

After I lost my dad to prostate cancer in 2019, 'Hallelujah' became even more meaningful. I wasn't in a place to write original music, but I needed to sing as a form of expression because that’s just who I am. In January of the following year, I decided to record a cover of 'Hallelujah'. I knew I wanted it to be not just a tribute to my dad and my childhood, but also a reflection of my own spiritual connection to the word “Hallelujah.” It’s a graceful word, a prayer in itself, and I felt it captured the mix of sorrow and gratitude I experienced after my dad’s passing. He had battled prostate cancer for 13 years, which was a blessing in itself, considering he was diagnosed at stage 4. 

Choosing 'Hallelujah' as a cover felt right because of the deep, layered meanings within the song. I wanted to bring my tone, my twist, and my interpretation of what it means to me. My hope is that my rendition might touch someone else’s heart in the same way that it touched mine. 

Tell us a little bit about the creative process behind the music video for ‘Hallelujah’?  

I wanted to create a beautiful music video that would harmonise with all of my previous work, and I felt strongly about setting it in the forest—after all, I am the Queen of the Forest! I also wanted to be wearing red. For some reason, Hallelujah has always felt like a winter song to me, and red, with its associations of love, passion, sensuality, and spirituality, seemed like the perfect choice. To be surrounded by Mother Nature in a red dress felt so appropriate for the song's theme. 

The video turned out to be very ethereal, which reminds me of In Too Deep and Meredith, two of my favourite videos. Lee managed to bring that ethereal quality to life, but with a bit more of a contemporary edge. There’s a new attitude in this video; it's more modern, from the boots I'm wearing to the sense that the woman in the video has endured a lot to sing that song. Lee captured an incredible performance, especially towards the end when the sun came through the trees, casting light that filled the space just as we were filming Hallelujah. It felt serendipitous, almost as if nature itself was collaborating with us. 

The creative process was very organic. I was with my team, including Emily and Rico, who were there to support Lee in setting up equipment and assisting with everything we needed on set. This allowed me to focus on directing and making quick decisions. I had a loose script in mind, but filming outdoors always brings the challenge of weather. Fortunately, that day was calm and perfect, allowing everything to come together naturally. 

I really felt connected to the character in this video, and there are moments of real depth. For instance, there’s a shot of me on a tree with a steep 50-foot drop beneath it, which was a bit nerve-wracking. Yet, being there felt important—the depth of the song’s emotion seemed to echo in the landscape’s dramatic contours. The sunlight hit the camera at just the right angles, adding a visual depth that was really meaningful. 

In the opening scenes, there’s a feeling of wandering and wondering, a sense of hopefulness and connection. I think the video beautifully captures the lyrics and deeper meanings of the song—unity with nature, light, love, connection, and hope. And, of course, there’s that final, desperate cry of “Hallelujah,” a moment filled with longing to connect with something greater than ourselves. 

I believe we managed to capture a truly moving performance, and I hope you’ll feel it too. So, please do watch the music video when you get a chance! 

What are you most proud of regarding the creation of ‘Hallelujah’?  

Honestly, creating this song was deeply meaningful for me as it allowed me to move forward mentally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically. When you lose someone so special, the grief can be indescribable. For me, the final "hallelujah" in the song is a culmination of both the sorrow and the relief of letting go of someone so dear, freeing them from their pain. It’s a very bittersweet feeling; you can never fully anticipate the depth of the devastation, yet with time, you come to understand that time itself is a healer. 

As time moves on, we find that it allows us to cherish and revisit those precious memories in our hearts and minds. That’s the beauty of being human; even when someone is physically gone, we can still feel their presence. Hallelujah celebrates this miracle—the way we continue to carry loved ones within us, in our hearts and souls. 

What I am most proud of with Hallelujah is how much it helped me to rediscover the meaning of music in my life. This song taught me how profoundly music impacts me and how much it still teaches me about myself, life, connection, love, loss, and faith. Hallelujah truly rekindled my love for music and my voice. 

When I recorded this song, I was grieving. It may not be the most polished singing I’ve ever done, but it’s the rawest, most honest expression of my voice. I’m grateful that I was brave enough to go to that vulnerable place and capture it in a recording that means so much to me. I hope it touches as many lives as possible and brings a sense of hope and light to those who need it. 

What do you hope for the release of ‘Hallelujah’?  

My hope is that it reaches the right people. I find that music has a unique way of connecting with those who need it most. It has an energy all of its own, and sometimes, it feels as though a song finds you at just the right moment. I don’t know if you've ever had that experience—where a song unexpectedly plays on the radio, or you stumble across something you didn’t even know you were looking for. It’s as if that song arrives right when you need it. I feel that my version of Hallelujah will reach the people who need to hear it, and hopefully, they will find their own sense of grace within the music. 

As for plans to release more covers, yes, I do! Hallelujah is part of a collection of carefully chosen cover songs for my cover album. It’s actually the third release from that project. I have more singles planned for release next year, so keep an eye out for those. 

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my newsletter at natashahardy.com/subscribe. That’s where you’ll get all of my latest news and updates. Thank you so much for watching. I'm so grateful and honoured to be able to share this journey with you and to answer your questions about my single Hallelujah. 

Creating my version of Hallelujah has been such a meaningful experience. This song not only allowed me to reconnect with music during a challenging time in my life but also provided a way to honour the themes of love, hope, and spirituality that resonate so strongly with me. From the incredible team who collaborated with me to the emotional depths I explored in recording and filming, every step of this process has been a journey of reflection and growth. 

As I prepare to share this single with the world, my hope is that it touches hearts and brings comfort, hope, and light to those who need it. Music has a way of finding us in the moments we need it most, and I believe this rendition of Hallelujah will find its way to the right people. Thank you for being part of this journey with me - I’m so excited to share this special project with you and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! 

Take care for now!  

In love and light,  

Natasha xx 

Natasha Hardy Hallelujah / Leonard Cohen Hallelujah cover / classical crossover singer / ethereal vocals / cinematic music / Celtic and classical music / indie classical artist / Natasha Hardy music video / Natasha Hardy new single / emotional music storytelling