Myles Kennedy, Hallelujah

Alter Bridge has been one of my favorite bands since they released their first album a few years ago.  Unfortunately most people see them as the “once was Creed.”  Well I hate to break it to you, but Scott Stapp wasn’t the reason why Creed became popular.  This can be proven by how unpopular Scott Stapp’s first solo album was after Creed left him.  But if you’re unknowing of this whole deal, the rhythm section of Creed went on to form a new band, with the addition of singer/guitarist/songwriter Myles Kennedy, called Alter Bridge.

Myles Kennedy has been with a few bands in his musical career since the early 90’s.  But most recently joined Alter Bridge, which has taken him to his highest level in music so far.  And I do say “so far” because there is a rumor that Myles has been selected to front the vocals for Led Zeppelin on their upcoming reunion tour!  Read the rumor here

Now that I’ve described Myles Kennedy, along with a little of his background, I can tell you the point of my post.  There’s one song that Myles plays on his own, sometimes as a break in the Alter Bridge set, but I’m sure he’s been playing this song even before his appearance in AB.  This song was originally written by Leonard Cohen, covered by Jeff Buckley and then covered by Myles Kennedy.  It’s called Hallelujah.

Myles plays it acoustically, and with his amazing voice, he can really put emotion into it.  It’s a song that builds and builds, but Myles does it with unique vocal ranges and pitches, that for anyone who knows me, I love when music comes across different then how it should feel.  I recently tried to learn this song, just because acoustic songs like this are always fun to play.  I can get most of the vocals, but obviously I’m not even close to how Myles sings it.  I’ve embedded a live version of Myles’ cover of Hallelujah, and the lyrics for you to follow along.  If you can sing at the pitches Myles can, then you should try to learn at least the vocals of this song.  It’s also a good song for this time a year, being the holidays and all.

Hallelujah
I heard there was a secret chord,
that David played and it pleased the Lord.
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth,
the minor fall and the major lift.
The baffled king composing hallelujah.

Hallelujah…

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof.
You saw her bathing on the roof.
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.
She tied you to her kitchen chair,
she broke your throne and cut your hair,
and from your lips she drew the hallelujah.

Hallelujah…

Well, maybe there’s a God above,
but all I’ve ever learned from love
was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you.
It’s not a cry that you hear at night.
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light.
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah…

BC

Chuck Oedsma - Chief Photographer NewsChannel 8 - What’s on your iPod
Considering the season:
-Any Manheim Steamroller Christmas music
-TransSiberian Orchestra
-Bing Crosby White Christmas
-Dogs barking Jingle Bells
-Charlie Brown Christmas special sound track
-Grandma got run over by a reindeer
-Silent night
-Joy to the World
-Amazing Grace