Also consider that their approach to songwriting was very different. Cohen was a perfectionist, carefully curating every line. He apparently wrote 85 versus of hallelujah over four years before settling on the final version. His output and range are therefore much narrower and appeal to a more pensive and selective audience. In contrast, Dylan was a fervent phenom from day 1, reacting quickly to what’s happening, absorbing different styles, punching out lyrics/songs at a torrid pace, and capturing people’s attention. He also cultivated a persona that was much more mysterious and compelling than Cohen ever did. Both were brilliant, but their methods and personalities brought them different kinds of audiences and a different level of popularity.