Leonard Cohen's estate considering legal action over RNC's use of 'Hallelujah'
Category: News & Politics
Via: buzz-of-the-orient • 4 years ago • 13 commentsBy: Daniel J. Rowe CTV News Montreal
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Leonard Cohen's estate considering legal action over RNC's use of 'Hallelujah'
A mural of Leonard Cohen in Montreal, Friday, September 20, 2019. The late singer/songwriter's estate said he would not be impressed with the Republican National Convention's use of his iconic song "Hallelujah." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
MONTREAL -- It is a song emblematic of the career of one of the most famous singer-songwriters on the continent, but you can't just use it.
Leonard Cohen's ballad "Hallelujah" has been used in film, tv, advertising (including the recently released Justice League: The Snyder Cut trailer ) and on the stage of probably every karaoke joint on the planet.
The Republican National Convention, however, is not a place the late Montreal singer would have appreciated his song to be used, according to his estate.
The Cohen estate's legal representative Michelle L. Rice released a statement saying, "We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request, and their rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner "Hallelujah," one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue."
A recording of the iconic song by Tori Kelly was played while fireworks burst Thursday night following President Donald Trump's acceptance speech for the Republican nomination.
American tenor Christopher Macchio also performed the song.
The Cohen estate is exploring legal options.
President and global chief marketing officer at SONY/ATV Music Publishing Brian J. Monaco said representatives from the RNC made contact and requested use of the song.
"We declined their request," he said.
“Had the RNC requested another song, ‘You Want it Darker’, for which Leonard won a posthumous Grammy in 2017, we might have considered approval of that song,” the statement posted on Facebook added.
Following the repeated unauthorized use of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” during two performances at the Republican... Posted by Leonard Cohen on Friday, 28 August 2020
"Hallelujah" was recorded in 1984, and has become Cohen's most-performed song.
Cohen joins a long list of musicians that have issued cease-and-desist letters or spoken out publicly about Trump using their songs in rallies. Artists including REM , Tom Petty, Adele and The Rolling Stones have all told Trump and his people to stop using their music at rallies.
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He did the same thing with Neil Young's songs, and Neil is suing him. I wish you success, Neil.
He used Leonard Cohen's song AFTER he was told by Cohen's estate and SONY music that he DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE IT. He STOLE the right to use the song. And yet he is HYPOCRITICAL enough to criticize China for using the rights of American companies without permission. HE IS A HYPOCRITE AND A THIEF, A CRIMINAL. But, notwithstanding that he has his supporters, even here on NT.
SUE THE ASS OFF THAT HYPOCRITICAL CRIMINAL THIEVING PIECE OF SHIT AND THE RNC.
getting away with blatant theft is a trump status symbol.
Unfortunately the threat of law suits doesnt deter Trump. I think they get him excited.
I still can't believe that there are supposedly intelligent members of NT who support a lying, thieving, negligent, incompetent, hypocritical POTUS who lacks dignity, integrity, blames anyone but himself and is a laughing stock around the world.
Trump used the song because he and his campaign knew they were forbidden from using it. Typical authoritarian move. Just like using the White House for his acceptance diatribe. The law does not apply to the dictator. The dictator is the law. If Trump is elected to a second term, say good bye to the rule of law in America.
Hear, hear!!! Law and order be damned.
Respect PROPERTY!
... when convenient..
Take note that no Trump supporters have ventured onto this seed. It's hard for them to defend their exalted leader when it's been PROVEN that he's nothing better than a common thief.
Someone recently pointed out that it is the silences of our nutzoids that are significant.
When they realize that The Prophet is indefensible... they just go quiet...
There are so many who are so inflexible that they do not have the ability to see the forest for the trees. And rather than reaching for the truth are unable to extricate themselves from the morass in which they have buried themselves.
They already have their truth.
I am so sick of Trump hijacking my fav songs. First it was I'm Proud To Be An American and now Hallelujah which is one of the most beautiful songs ever. The only song that should be played is Send In The Clowns.
In the article above, the Leonard Cohen estate said this, which made me laugh:
One interpretation I've seen for that song, which he wrote while contemplating his impending death, explains as follows::
In other words, the Leonard Cohen estate is saying that they would approve Trump using the song that implied that supportng Trump would just bring more and worse misery and misfortune upon the people.