Ahead of Donald Trump’s rally that kicks off the Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States on Wednesday (June 24) night, Leonard Cohen’s estate has posted an objection to the late singer-songwriter’s “Hallelujah” being scheduled to be used at the event in Washington, D.C.
However, despite opposition, the song was still used at rallies.
“The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song ‘Hallelujah’ will be performed at Donald Trump’s rally on June 24th,” a statement posted to Cohen’s Instagram account read. “This use is not permitted and the Estate does not support or approve this or any similar use.”
The statement ended simply, “Thank you for your attention to this issue,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to one of President Trump’s favorite social media tributes.
But it seems that no attention was paid to it. As shared in a video of the event, Long Island opera singer Christopher Macchio worked with Master Gunnery Sergeant of the Marine Corps Band. Kevin Venier performed the 1984 song, complete with a high-flying B-2 bomber before President Trump took the stage.
This isn’t the first time Cohen’s beloved song has been covered. In fact, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, “Hallelujah” has been sung by more than 300 singers in multiple languages over the decades, including the high-profile version sung by Jeff Buckley on his 1994 album Grace. The song also includes a version performed by Rufus Wainwright on the 2001 Shrek soundtrack, and Pentatonix’s holiday arrangement for 2016’s Pentatonix Christmas.
Before his death in 2016, Cohen reacted to the song’s numerous covers in a 2009 interview with the Guardian, saying, “I was reading a review of a movie called ‘Watchmen’ that used this song, and the reviewer said, ‘Can you please put a moratorium on the use of ‘Hallelujah’ in movies and TV shows?”‘ And I feel the same way. I think it’s a good song, but too many people sing it. ”
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