One of the true-blue greatest songs of all time is Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah — the masses would agree. Like many before, I’ve always had an extreme fascination with this song and have been fine-tuning my rendition over the past year.

When I originally performed my version of Hallelujah on the Acoustic Conversations pod cast, I had just learned the song, and though it went over relatively well, I don’t believe I glorified the song and its brilliant nuances. I went through the motions but I didn’t nail it.

That said, a year later, after many performances and much practice, I re-recorded my version of Hallelujah and though it pails when compared to the great versions I’ve heard, this is my go at it.

HELLELUJAH
written by leonard cohen, performed by tyler stenson

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

RIGHT CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD!!

NOTE: In my research of this song, I read the Leonard Cohen had originally written about 80 verses to the song. With that said, I figured one more wouldn’t hurt and therefore, wrote a verse my self. It’s the last verse…

Father can you hear me now,
If you can please scream out loud
Because I need to believe I’m getting through to you.
I know it’s been the longest time,
But if you can hear me,
Show me a sign
And make these words I sing,
Sing Hallelujah.

This video was recently sent to me by my good friend Jeff who has been raising his son right. Last seen in a Lander onesie, this cute kid has been listening to my newest album and, I’m proud to say, he’s even singing along!

The video you’re about to watch is of my youngest fan singing the chorus of my song Welcome the Change. Though it may not be entirely articulate, the lyric is “So, I welcome the change.” Thanks Jeff for the video and raising the boy well.

For your reference, here is the song in its entirety. Enjoy.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

While in Rome this summer with my buddy Adam, it’s safe to say we had the time of our lives. These short video clips below illustrate just how serious we took ourselves in one of the world’s most historically magnificent settings.

We had just arrived in Rome; spirits were high and Barcelona hadn’t worn off just yet. The map would lead us to our hostel but our spanish would help us with the Roman locals.

Adam and Tyler offer culturally rich commentary from the grounds of the Roman Forum.

In the lights of a true Roman tradition, throw a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. I threw .50 euro so I’m expecting 50x the wish power.

As you can tell, we handled Rome with the utmost of reverence and grace. This was filmed inside the Vatican Museum… can you tell which is a statue and which is Tyler?

Living is for everyone; dying is an art.” The mantra of the slave Gladiators… anything to feel at peace moments before dying. We sound like sober stoners…

On September 25th of 2007, I schemed the lyric, It seems the words have changed and their meanings have faded away. But, when I say, “I love you” I mean it the same way as it was made. That line has been burned in my head (and even inspired a verse of Push That River) but it didn’t live to the fullest until today. On this day, March 2nd of 2010, I have completed a new song called Lover Things.

I’d call it light and sexy — Amos Lee meets Let’s Get it On. Enjoy.

LOVER THINGS
tyler stenson © 2010

I think back to The Garden’s first days
And the reason a woman was made-
I think it was an absolute gesture to say:
So long Emptiness — hello Sweet Grace.

But now it seems the words have changed
And their meanings have faded away.
But, when I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Let’s forget about the failed love we see
And how the world is a brand new machine
That drags the lovers through the mud and the things
That mark the furthest point from you and me.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Even though the words have changed
And the meanings have faded away.
When I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

I was recently contacted by a new-found fan in the UK that was having trouble ordering my new album Bittersweet Parade from CD Baby. Not sure what the issue was but after going back and forth one-too-many times, we finally worked out a deal where he paid via PayPal and I sent him the album personally.

As you can see, he surprised me by documented the delivery and is currently listening to my new record all the way across the ocean — hopefully spreading the word as he goes.

If you’re from anywhere in the world that bars you from purchasing my new album from iTunes or CD Baby, feel free to contact me personally and I’ll make sure you get ahold of Bittersweet Parade — signature and all.

I was lucky enough to have TWO of my songs approved for a local music compilation CD that benefits Relay for Life. My songs Better Be Us All and Whistle Stop can both be found within the mix of great local artists found on the Believe CD Compilation.

Believe
Various Artists
© Copyright-The Birds Eye View
Record Label: Various Artists

This CD is a compilation of musicians and poets from the Portland Metro area who have contributed for a good cause, where all the proceeds go directly to Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). CD Baby is also donating to this cause. Thank you CD Baby!

To sample and/or buy the Believe CD Compilation, click here or on the image above.

One of the most special evenings of my lifetime took place on September 11, 2009 — my farewell show at the Aladdin Theater. The videos below are from my Last Waltz in Portland, OR before moving east to Nashville, TN.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

YOU ALREADY KNOW

AS THE CROW FLIES

CELLOPHANE

THE ROAD

WYOMING

EXPLODE

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL

I GET NO SLEEP

BETTER BE US ALL

With the onset of the New Year, I’ve spent a lot of time re-evaluating my musical approach and the arsenal that backs it. It seems that so much has happened in the last year that it was absolutely necessary that I revamp my EPK (electronic press kit) and illustrate my growth as an artist — because there has been much.

It took some time to compile, but I am extremely proud to present my 2010 EPK. Give it a look and feel free to pass it along to anyone that may be interested. Thanks!!

To view the EPK, click here or on the image below.

To view the EPK, click here or on the image above. Enjoy!!

Tuesday February 16, 2010 was the day I turned 29 years old. In all honesty, it was a day I had feared for some time — not because of its proximity to the dirty-thirty but because I wasn’t sure who I would spend it with. Now that I’m in Tennessee, I’m removed from my life-long comfort zone and the friends that I have accumulated as a result of sheer history. That said, I found myself asking, Have I made enough of an impact that calls for a birthday party? Of course, I have made friends but much like an airport run, I wasn’t sure who I had reached that level with.

My first instinct was to let the day pass without raising much of a fuss but a lovely friend of mine urged me to live it up. I listened to her advice and sent out the invites. I’ve only known most of them for a matter of weeks/months but I’m proud to say that they made my day as special as the previous 28. Thanks guys!!

With this new year ahead of me, I’ll admit, I feel every bit of 29 and I’m so grateful for that. The years under my belt are invaluable and I feel totally confident that I’m ripe for this new adventure — the ultimate professional push. I’m not the boy I was just a few years ago and though he is missed at times, I’m proud of the man I am at 29.

Thank you mom and dad for giving me life. Thank you mom and dad for raising me right. Thanks brothers and sisters for keeping me grounded and thanks to my friends for making me feel cooler than I am. See you next year — the dirty-thirty:)

I recently posted a number of videos that promote my new album Bittersweet Parade by discussing and explaining the behind the scenes perspective. I’m taking each song, one-by-one and giving it some time in the spotlight. Enjoy the collective media behind Wyoming – track #11 off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

WYOMING

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

EXPLANATION

MUSIC VIDEO

LIVE PERFORMANCE

LYRICS TO “WYOMING” by TYLER STENSON

The world started to run
With the turning of the sun.
Cities rose from towns
And quiet turned to sound.
That place stayed the same;
That’s Wyoming.

So, the legends say
That explorers tried to explain-
But the beauty that they found
Was too much to write down.
So, in fiction,
They believed to be Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

I know Adam’s never seen such a scene
(In neither Eden or his dream).
Even Eve would stop to stare
At God’s most perfect square.
That’s one thing I believe;
He made Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

All the years hang on the wind
Above this last good plot of land.
I hear it echo in the trees.
I hear its whisper on my knees.
Even Dust can be a king
In Wyoming.

Yes, even Dust can be a King,
In Wyoming.

BUY or DOWLOAD WYOMING HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2