Leonard Cohen's Estate Denied The Republican National Convention Use of 'Hallelujah'; They Played It Anyway

Leonard Cohen‘s Estate has issued a statement just a day after the Republican National Convention played his iconic song “Hallelujah” twice during its closing night.

The Estate says that the RNC did request to use the song, however, that request was denied.

“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,” they shared in a statement, and added that “we are exploring our legal options.”

Leonard‘s Estate added, “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.”

After that denial, the RNC also reached out to Sony/ATV Music Publishing to play the song. That request was also denied.

“On the eve of the finale of the convention, representatives from the Republican National Committee contacted us regarding obtaining permission for a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. We declined their request,” Brian J. Monaco, President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, shared.

Still, “Hallelujah” was played without the proper authorization.

If you missed it, you can watch one of the biggest bombshell moments from the RNC now…