@@foreveralone11w Ooh! This is a much debated topic. The consensus from his closest friends has been he never heard the final product because he was very ill and died within a couple of weeks from its release. The interviewer who did Cohen’s last interview has stated that he was in no condition to even form opinions due to his declining health. Scott H in PTX has explained how they wanted to record the Christmas version but Cohen nixed it. He didn’t mention an opinion from Cohen. Lang sang it for Cohen in person when he was inducted into a Canadian hall of fame. Around that same time he was even approached to perform his song at the above Olympics and he is quoted as saying it was Lang’s song to perform. But I digress.. 🤦🏻♂️ Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to add to the conversation. 😊
k.d also performed this song at Leonard Cohens induction into the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame he was in the audience & said the song can be put to bed it’s been sung to it’s ultimate blissful state of perfection no one else need to to cover it ❤ more k.d please x
I so agree that her Canadian Hall of Fame performance was even more mind blowing - please @Nick Forell you must listen to that version too!!! Xo from Canada ❤️
Leonard🇨🇦 was supposed to perform his song at the Olympics but he hurt his back and the only person he trusted to sing his song to represent Canada was KD Lang...he also said once he heard her version he didnt want anyone else singing it because he thought her version was perfection❤️🇨🇦
NO ONE will ever top this performance of this song. KD is just beyond amazing here. I am so glad to say she is Canadian and proud to have her as one of our own. I have loved her music for decades, the power and the sweetness and the sultriness is beyond compare and that's saying nothing of the theatrics she throws in for entertainment purposes. Best performance of this song ever done. Cohen even admitted it.
I cry everytime I hear this particular version and glad to see I'm not the only one. Kd Lang is criminally under rated. What comes from her feels like it comes from the ether.
And there's Kris Kristofferson's For the Good times, and Keith Whitley singing Don't close your eyes. And Eric Clampton's Tears in Heaven. Or Holy Mother with Pavarotti
First time I've ever seen someone cry listening to a song the first time ... much less someone reacting to a song. Heartfelt ... no higher compliment to a singer. Remember watching this performance during the 2010 Olympics. So hard to believe 14 years just flew by. This performance was absolutely on another planet. She made Vancouver look great for giving her the much deserved spotlight. She represented Canada so well ... very proud Canadians!
To me this is one of the most Canadian moments ever. A person, who I think is the best singer Canada has ever produced (with nods to Joni, Burt, Celine and Mr. Buble) singing a song written by the best songwriter Canada has ever produced (with nods to Neils Young and Peart, Joni, Burt and Bryan) at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. An amazing moment in Canadian sport and music history.
She started out as a Country singer. But when those in Nashville found out that she was gay, they turned against her. And it's my belief that her career got even stronger and bigger.
The version of this that she did in 2006 and in front of Leonard Cohen on the night of his induction into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall Of Fame is my personal favourite cover of this song. This was his reaction that night: "Leonard Cohen's partner, singer Anjani Thomas, in an interview with Wears the Trousers magazine, says that of all the interpretations the famous song has been given, it's k.d.'s she and Cohen see as the definitive one: “After hearing k.d. lang perform that song at the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2006 we looked at each other and said, ‘well, I think we can lay that song to rest now! It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection’. I don’t think I could even try it, because it’s been so magnificently done.” Leonard Cohen was asked to sing the song on this night at the Olympcs gala and he told them to ask Lang because it was her song now, so they did. This tells how much he thought of her talent. You can find that version here: m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P_NpxTWbovE.html&pp=ygUvS2QgbGFuZyBoYWxsZWx1amFoIGF0IGNhbmFkYSBoYWxsIDlmIGZhbmUgbmlnaHQ%3D Thank you sharing one of the world's greatest voices.
@@doreenjaeger2744 She's also said it's because she doesn't like the plastic shoes she'd been wearing - don't understand why she wouldn't wear canvas shoes but that's just me - as her Buddhist beliefs don't allow for the wearing of leather footwear.
KD Lang with her humility and her deep respect for the song writers whose songs she sings is the whole package of brillance: voice, singing, interpretation of lyrics, attitude, personality, stage presence, connection with the audience. Leonard Cohen, Tony Bennett, Roy Orbinson and so many more are rejoicing together with us on the "other side". Thank you KD Lang for being who you are and for doing what you do❤
k.d. is in a class of her own. She can sing anything beautifully but this performance was perfection. Your reaction mirrored many of ours watching - you cannot help but feel emotional watching her in action.
She had the power to blow the roof off the building but still gave the lower, quieter notes their due...she never short-changes a note. First time I heard her was forever ago on The Tonight Show with Carson. She sang "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray", a Patsy Cline song, and totally blew me away. A totally different type of song, but everything she sang was wonderful. She hit and held notes I didn't think possible, and she was sitting through the whole song. Amazing talent - amazing performance! And, I might add, a beautiful, heartfelt reaction on your part. Thank you for that.
I am not a religious person, but sitting in my livingroom watching that performance during the 2010 Winter Olympics is the closest I've ever felt to having a spiritual moment. I just sat and wept in absolute wonder and reverence.
The youth choir at our Methodist church sings it. Greatest crooner ever! Vancouver had the greatest opening ceremony of all winter olympics. London gets the summer prize.
Having seen talent like this is why I have no tolerance for so many of the new singers. No dancers, no pyrotechnics, no special effects - the voice and delivery is all you need. She is golden. One of the few singers where the theater goes silent so every held note can be savored. Cleo Laine is my other favorite with a pure, sumptuous voice and phenomenal range.
You had me with you right up to Cleo Laine - the woman was (I say was because the last time I heard her warbling she couldn't hold a note with forceps or carry a tune in a bucket!) less than half the singer kd lang is and unlike ms lang she was no musician. Now if you'd mentioned Ella Fitzgerald or Maria Callas you'd have been on the right track.
@@noniousxltruffles7454 I can only assume that you have never been to a Cleo Laine concert, or multiple concerts as I have, as well as KD Lang. They both have that special quality that I have enjoyed over many years, pure artistry and phenomenal voices. I'm sorry that you have not had enough experience to recognize talent over various musical genres.
@@stevenb.1041 Seen Laine on tv trying to sing various things and believe me compared to MANY others she had zero stage presence, her voice was awful - but thankfully she and Dankwith rarely tried to inflict it on anyone beyond the jazz niche - which is why I mentioned Ella Fitzgerald who was doing the scat jazz stuff before anyone had ever heard of CL. I worked with a band who performed at their place near Milton Keynes both before and after it was upgraded so yes I've met them too.
This is performing and singing, simple as that , perfect build up , perfect control, no shouting, absolutely beautiful . The most underrated singer ever, she is SOOOO special. Was a privilege to watch you go through all the emotions you had, thank you! xx
I’m Canadian and I remember a bob sledder had died during a practice run leading up to the start of the Olympics. I felt this song was sung like a prayer to this gentleman. KD did a beautiful haunting rendition and listening to it now years later I still get full body chills.
I can promise he was very much on her mind that night. She told me that herself. You need to check out the bootleg from Ingenue Redux at the Strathmore in Bethesda. We were third row Stage Left where she spent most of the song. My wife did Executive Security for her out of Portland Oregon - up and down the West Coast and across Canada for Watershed - from 1999 to the last one in Aug 2011.
Those tears ... yeah, my reaction to her, too. Actually, the first k.d. lang album I bought -- I sat in front of the stereo with tears streaming down my face. It wasn't that the songs were sad, it was just an emotional reaction to the ability of a human to create such beauty. I'm not Canadian, but that performance still made me proud.
The sheer power of the human voice to evoke emotions is embedded in k.d. Your reaction is normal. I’m old as dirt, so I enjoy watching younger generations discover her magic.
kd lang's tone is so warm, so rich, so full, it is like a wave in the ocean. listen to "pullin' back the reins" watch the official video. then watch the official video for "miss chatelaine" it is a camp part of kd. she is one of the great voices of all time. I have been nuts for her since I discovered her in 1989. she never ceases to amaze and thrill.
KD has a wonderful soft, smooth voice. But she can take it upstairs when she needs to. A articulate singer...full of soul and patience to deliver the song the way it's meant to be conveyed. Brovo KD! ❤❤❤❤KT here
K D Lang's voice is up there with Barbra Streisand's. They are both one of a kind talents of their generations. Unbelievably talented; strong, clear, beautiful voices capable of making your spirit soar while bringing tears to your eyes. Generations ago there was Billie Holliday; Judy Garland; Peggy Lee; Rosemary Clooney; (I know I'm missing others) that couldn't be copied. These women were God's gift to the world. We should say a prayer of thanks -- they enrich our lives.
Her version of this song will always be my favourite. I cry every single time I hear it. It is, in my opinion, the BEST rendition of this beautiful song.
this is why i watch reaction videos: as an empath, watching another empath be overwhelmed by the power of music, delivered by a performer who transcends ego to impart the music's message, means i get to experience it like it's the first time all over again, over and over thanks for that, it's food for the soul, like kd herself
Beautiful Brought me to tears to!! I saw her in Concert had a front row seat and best concert ive been to! Because she can tell a story while she sings!! Goose bumps the whole concert!! If u get a chance to see her live u should go!!
Midset standing ovation at Wolf Trap [wash, dc]. My friend was crying and couldn't stand. I'm with those who think she's an international talent. Thank you, ms lang.
This was in B.C. Place stadium before it was renovated. The opening ceremony was fabulous but k.d. owned the audience there hands down. This still brings tears to my eyes every time. My home town put on quite an Olympics. If you can, watch the rest of the opening. Still wonderful. Our national treasure singing here bound us all in her spell. ❤❤❤
I have commented before about K.D. Lang. This woman can tame wild beasts, heal wounds, and end world wars just by singing. She has been overlooked, undermined, and disrespected by the industry. Beautiful. She amazes me every time I listen to her.
You nailed it with her voice being like butter. Take a listen to her version of “The air that I breathe”. It’s like warm honey. Her biggest radio hit was “constant craving” which is exceptional too. Welcome to k.d.!
I have listened to this covered by so many but THIS may be the best. She absolutely made love to that song. KD Lang is a stunning talent. I agree with your assessment of the quality of her voice.
I am 70. Just found you. I am so glad you are hearing music from the past, You have 50 plus years of music to listen to! Your reaction brought me to tears.
I remembering watching this back in 2010. It was magical. The visuals really enhanced the performance as well. Also, let's compare these opening Olympics to the ones we just had. Pentatonix also covers this song, they do an amazing job as well but I don't think it tops this one!
I saw this performance watching the Olympics, and still cry every time I watch it. She outdid herself with this! Glad to see it affects you and others in the same way. She is amazing!!
If you have time to explore kd’s music.. please watch her video of Constant Craving. She also has several other videos of her singing Hallelujah, including one in which she’s singing it for Leonard Cohen at an awards show. I believe that is when he said that the song was now hers.. he would not sing it again!
When the Olympic Committee was playing this show, they asked Leonard Cohen to perform it because he was both the writer and the first singer of this song. Cohen told the committee he would not sing it but requested they ask KD instead because it was now HER SONG, not his.
I have loved KD Lang ever since one of her first, if not THE first, American appearances she made -- on the Johnny Carson Show sometime in the 1990's. I cried when I heard her that night, and I have cried every single time I hear her since. I'm not sure what it is, but she pierces my soul!!
Thanks for sharing this. It is so perfectly staged. It is difficult to see, but at the start, the light pattern on the floor of the venue was smaller, and only slowly expanded out as the song progressed. Then when they floor patterns start to sparkle and move at the end of the song, the "doves" were only projections unto transparent panels around her raised platform. Whoever designed this presentation deserves an award. It perfectly showcased her artistry.
I am so blown away that so many people are surprised by my favs talents I feel like shouting where the hell have you been ......lol I'm 71 n both have been my go to for years
