Leonard Cohen is a revered writer, but other singers have had greater success with his songs

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leonard Cohen's songs are better known than he is.

Starting with Judy Collins in 1966 ("Suzanne"), they've been covered more than 1,500 times by other singers, whose versions often became more famous than his own.

Like Kris Kristofferson, Cohen is both a songwriting giant and a less-than-pretty singer. He has never had a song land in the top 40. Only two of his 18 albums have gone gold and one is a "hits" collection.

With the 74-year-old Canadian poet on his first U.S. tour in 15 years, we picked the best covers of 12 of his best-known songs.

—"Suzanne"

The lyrics first appeared in Cohen's 1966 poetry book "Parasites of Heaven" and was recorded the same year by Judy Collins, a year before his debut album.

Lyric: "And the sun pours down like honey/ On our lady of the harbor/ And she shows you where to look/ Among the garbage and the flowers."

Best: Nina Simone (1969).

Also recommended: Collins.

—"Bird on a Wire"

Collins released her version in 1968, a year before Cohen's. Kristofferson said the opening lines will be on his gravestone.

Lyric: "Like a bird on the wire/ Like a drunk in a midnight choir/ I have tried in my way to be free."

Best version: Johnny Cash (1994).

Also recommended: Joe Cocker (1970), k.d. lang (2004), Dave Van Ronk (1971).

—"Hallelujah"

Recorded by Cohen in 1988, this tune got rediscovered twice by younger generations — with Jeff Buckley's 1994 reading and Jason Castro's on "American Idol" in '08.

Lyric: "She tied you to a kitchen chair/ She broke your throne, and she cut your hair/ And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah."

Best: Buckley (1994).

Also recommended: John Cale (1991), k.d. lang (2004).

—"First We Take Manhattan"

His former backup singer Jennifer Warnes recorded it before him, with Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar.

Lyric: "You loved me as a loser/ But now you're worried that I just might win. / You know the way to stop me/ But you don't have the discipline."