17 Great Non-Hallelujah Leonard Cohen Covers on His 76th Birthday

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Number 6 on our Best Living Songwriters list turned 76 on Tuesday. There are reportedly over 1,500 covers of Cohen songs. While it may seem like 1,499 of them are covers of “Hallelujah,” the Canadian songwriter has a deep, rich catalog that’s been well mined. Here are 17 worthy takes on his work.

1. Antony: “If It Be Your Will”
From: Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man

2. R.E.M.: “First We Take Manhattan”
From: I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

3. Pixies: “I Can’t Forget”
From: I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

4. Concrete Blonde: “Everybody Knows”
From: Pump Up the Volume: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5. Johnny Cash: “Bird on a Wire”
From: American Recordings
See also: The Neville Brothers, Willie Nelson

6. Rufus Wainwright: “Chelsea Hotel No. 2”
From: Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man
See also: Josh Ritter, Regina Spektor