well I think Jeff Buckley's live performance on "Live at Sin-e" is the best version. but as mentioned before in this threat, it is a shame that it's his most well known song, cause he honestly has better songs, which he also wrote, and it's also a shame that the songwriter Leonard Cohen doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Personally I dont like the original. I like a few of the covers of it though. But do you really think he doesnt get the credit he deserves? Jeff Buckleys version is so popular that I'm sure there are people out there who dont know its a cover but I've never met a Buckley fan who didn't know that.

It's not exactly one of my favourite songs. Even Cohen's original (which I think is the best version) isn't exactly one of his best.

Cohen's is the most memorable, if not the best version. Buckley's is mostly forgettable and I like him the most between these 3 artists.
I've already said that Burke sings it best in my opinion, despite what the X-Factor knockers say.
But when I hear this song, even after hearing Burke on the radio for instance...in my mind I always hear Cohen singing it.
Thankfully, it's the only thing that stops it getting on my nerves through overplay.

I totally agree. Cohen has a lot of far better songs. And honestly, considering who wrote it, the lyrics really aren't that great. I don't know why people seem so obsessed with covering it.

Completely agree with you there. Buckley's is a bit of a throwaway (no idea why so many people idolise it). As for Burke's, I'm a bit of an X-Factor knocker myself, but she does sing it with a lot of heart and passion, so I'll give her that. Cohen's original is the only version I've heard which sounds like a properly-formed and thought-out song, and is a lot better for it.

Bit weird eh. I'd have thought a song like Suzanne or Story Of Isaac would suit being covered by countless artists a lot better.

i prefer halleluhwah

ba-da-boom

I think it's because people love to get all melodramatic with it. It's so easy to close your eyes and bellow out the crescendo of each and every verse. Even I've been guilty of that.