Hallelujah

JP Liz

Three versions of the song 'Hallelujah' are expected to make it into the Christmas top 40.

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover, which will likely take the number one spot, has sparked interest in the track, with a version by Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen's original also destined for Christmas chart places.

A Facebook group was recently launched to push the Buckley rendition, from his 1994 album Grace, to the top of the charts. It is expected to land at number three, while Cohen's version is sitting at number 34.

"I don't think this has ever happened in UK charts history, and certainly not for Christmas," HMV's Gennaro Castaldo told the BBC.

It is a brillant track - my fav has to be Buckley's version

cormie

Cohens version to me is definitely the best, the original, sang with true meaning. Buckley does a nice version and puts his heart into it too. Alexandra certainly has a good voice but the song was thrown at her and my conspiracy is that the Xfactor people actually thought Diana Vickers was going to win so got the rights for this song to have ready for her as she did a pretty nice version of it at the start of this years Xfactor.

It's a great song and is quite hard to make sound bad, but the conviction of Cohen outweighs all versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQiwT1U00uQ

The closest runner up in my opinion is infact this version though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPl01GRU2Zw

It's done in the tune of Buckleys version but if you can disregard that at least 2 of the singers are pop idol contestants, which I know some people wont be able to do, and just concentrate on what you're hearing, you'll see it's a great version:)

jimbling

Buckleys version is outstanding. I doubt it will ever be bettered.

MagicMarker

Buckley's version is one of the finest songs ever imo.

ShawnRaven

Prefer Cohen's version, although Buckley's is definitely the better cover.

Mr. Incognito

It says a lot of Buckleys version that it went to number 1 in America and it's currently number three here in the singles charts after they rolled out the X factor rejects to attempt to cover it decently.

jebuz

I don't think anyone will better Buckley's rendition, I'm not a fan of Cohens version, the background singers and extra instruments seem to complicate the song.

It sounds best with just one instrument, i.e John Cale's and Rufus wainwight's on the piano and Jeff's on the guitar. Amazing song though, never tire of it so Leonard gets the credit in that respect.

delbertgrady

John Cale's is my favourite. In fact, either of his versions - the studio recording on I'm Your Fan which prompted Jeff Buckley to record it in the first place, or the live version on Fragments of a Rainy Season - get my vote above any others.

humberklog

+1 for John Cale's closely followed by a number of Cohen's live versions. I don't think much of the production values on his studio version but when doing it live he made it less tinny and much warmer and melodic...like a few of the tracks off Various Positions(heart with no...and Dance me...). Rufus Wainright had a good stab at Buckley's version.

Jayzuz give me Alexandra's before Buckley's any day.

grumpytrousers

+1 for the Cale version. I think i'm in a minority in hating Buckleys version; there's no doubt the lad could sing and had a fine pair of pipes, but there's too much of the noodly guitar.

Cales is beautifully understated, and he's got a voice that's just on the right side of 'lived-in'.

JP Liz

The version used in Shrek is very good.

I'm not sure who does it

noby

JP Liz wrote: »

The version used in Shrek is very good.

I'm not sure who does it

That's the aforementioned Cale, isn't it?


EDIT:Scrap that. Google says Wainwright. I'll have to re-watch it now, to be sure.

MagicMarker

noby wrote: »

That's the aforementioned Cale, isn't it?

I thought it was Wainright?

Who cares, Buckley's is best:)

6th

Wainright's was the best.

mlelsc

Loved Alex's version of it on X-Factor. Hope she makes it to the top! Found Leonard Cohen's version to be dull and unimaginative.

sceptre

noby wrote: »

That's the aforementioned Cale, isn't it?


EDIT:Scrap that. Google says Wainwright. I'll have to re-watch it now, to be sure.

Cale's version is used in the movie but it's Wainwright's version that appears on the soundtrack.

Apart from the versions listed above, worth looking out for Allison Crowe, Elisa and kd lang. I also rather like Arooj Aftab's live version but good luck finding that. By and large they're slightly less slitty-wristy (I honestly can't manage to sit through Buckley's 9 minute Sin-é version and the breath intake at the start of the Grace version is one of the most depressing things I've ever heard). I've got about 50 versions of the song by various people for one reason or another. Lots of them aren't particularly good.

RCNPhotos

Great song though I can't stand Cohen's version. His voice just goes right thorugh me. He sounds awful. Would love if Buckleys version did do well in the charts just to show X-Factor folk how well it can be done. I heard your ones version today, she has a good good voice but no feeling to it.

sparky360

Happy Monday's version was great!!

cormie

RCNPhotos wrote: »

Great song though I can't stand Cohen's version. His voice just goes right thorugh me. He sounds awful.

I suppose his voice is a bit like marmite but there's no denying his writing abilities. Listen to this, same tone of voice as Hallelujah but tell me what you think:

SeekUp

I actually like k.d. lang's version. I know, I know . . . but it's quite beautiful.

spurious

SeekUp wrote: »

I actually like k.d. lang's version. I know, I know . . . but it's quite beautiful.

I was about to post the same - I would prefer it to Jeff Buckley's.

whippet

I must admit I am a little annoyed that XFactor have covered this song. For me it isn’t a pop song and means something different to everyone who listens to it. While you could discuss it’s religious, romantic connotations for days on end .. for me personally the song means a whole deal especially in the context of my relationship with my wife.

So much so we had it sang by a friend of mine in the church at our wedding. It did get a couple of funny looks from people as most see it as a break up song.

The girl who sang the song for us knew the ups and downs of our relationship which could really be heard in her voice when she was singing, it’s a pity we never recorded her version.

cormie

Look at the positive side, it's going to expose great music and artists to a much wider audience and will surely help Cohen out a little after his ex manager pretty much robbed him.

6th

cormie wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPl01GRU2Zw

Not bad at all considering they have a couple of soul-less gingers in there.

opelmanta

Definitely prefer Cohens version as i am a fan of his. Not too fond of xfactor or buckleys versions. Something not right about them. Never knew kd lang did a version!! its quite good!! Cheers SeekUp!

SeekUp

No worries - glad to spread the love.

I've actually got several versions (Cohen's and Buckley's included) on my mp3 player, but when I hear hers, it just moves me.

meganj

mlelsc wrote: »

Loved Alex's version of it on X-Factor. Hope she makes it to the top! Found Leonard Cohen's version to be dull and unimaginative.

Dull and unimaginative?? Really????

Cohen's, original!!!, version of the song is completly different to any other version out there. It is not something you sit down and go oh well that's bad and this is better. The idea that anyone could find anything bad to say about Cohen's version and then go on to praise anyone elses is ridiculous. He wrote it, it is about his life his experiences. Fair enough if you don't like Cohen i can understand that but dull and unimaginative?? If anything it's humourous, saracastic and ambiguous. Is he talking about rough f***ing, a lost love, his own reluctance to get into a relationship? Who knows.

I love Buckley's version, it's the song i always put on when I'm sad. It's a beautiful version that's filled with pain and saddness. And it has moved me to tears.

However, hearing Cohen perform it at IMMA was one of the most amazing things I have ever heard in my life. What's successful about Buckley's version is that he makes it his own. What really annoys me is the copies or Buckley's version. Why copy a copy? why copy the original either??? A cover should be all about making something new, something that respects the old one but changes it so that it's not repetitive. buckley did that and that's why it's so brilliant.

End of rant

Mink

I'm all up for the get Jeff Buckley's version to #1. I've downloaded it even though I don't have a working mp3 .
The facebook group page for this has gone up to 70,000 plus. I actually watched most of x factor & was relatively glad that Alex won as she is a great singer. But it stings me that Hallalujah was used for it. I don't know why I feel it's untouchable (like when Bob Marley's song was used for a fecking mobile phone ad) but I do, & Jeff's is my favourite version by a landslide.

Liam Byrne

Let's all buy a second copy from iTunes and teach Simon Cowell & Co that you don't mess with perfection!

Alex has an OK voice, but the Mariah Carey yodelling and and the forced-in key change RUIN the song.

Cowell will now be forever associated with the line "but you don't really care for music, do ya ?", not to mention that jackhammering it into a power ballad is ironic as f**k when you listen to the lyrics....."major falls and minor lifts", not fecking Whitney Houston drum-thump followed by key changes.....

Sacrilege, and actually unfair to the winner who isn't a bad singer but will now forever be associated by people who love music as a charlatan, while the real culprit - Cowell - goes on to release more karakoe singers and cover versions unscathed....

Phototoxin

I dont understand... its a bunch of nice sounding chords mixed with some pseudo-christian random quotes from the bible non of which are relavant to Christmas...

breadmond

Phototoxin wrote: »

I dont understand... its a bunch of nice sounding chords mixed with some pseudo-christian random quotes from the bible non of which are relavant to Christmas...

Pseudo-christian?.............. i'm pretty sure leonard cohen's Jewish

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

noby

sceptre wrote: »

Cale's version is used in the movie but it's Wainwright's version that appears on the soundtrack.

Aah, so I wasn't cracking up. Thanks.

hivizman

Just been listening to "Hallelujah" in most of the versions on YouTube. Leonard Cohen sings in pretty much the same style (though in a lower register) as he did four decades ago on Songs of Leonard Cohen (original versions of "Suzanne" etc.). It's not a great voice, but it is his song, and he usually sings the final verse that most singers leave out (possibly because it's a bit negative and maybe even has overtones of "My Way"?) Rufus Wainwright is good as a piano version, but in the live performances his voice is too rough. John Cale is also good in his way, but the version on YouTube is spoiled by an intrusive string section. The Norwegian quartet (Kurt Nilsen, Espen Lind and others) is pleasant, with nice harmonies in the chorus. There are a couple of others that I won't mention (e.g. Jason Castro). However, despite the long intro, the one I came back to was Jeff Buckley's version.

Of the female versions, Sheryl Crow should be avoided at all costs. Alison Crowe is pleasant but didn't move me. I wasn't so annoyed as some by Alexandra Burke on The X Factor, but I agree with an earlier poster that the key change after the second verse was intrusive and unnecessary. I quite liked Kate Voegele's version, but k d lang's live version from Winnipeg was, in my view, the best of the women.

Still, it's going to be a strange Christmas No. 1 - a song first recorded nearly 25 years ago by a writer now in his mid-70s, possibly in two different cover versions.

starn

jimbling wrote: »

Buckleys version is outstanding. I doubt it will ever be bettered.

It has been listen to John Cales cover. End of

pickarooney

breadmond wrote: »

Pseudo-christian?.............. i'm pretty sure leonard cohen's Jewish

The very definition of pseudo-Christian surely?

445279.ie

I really like Jack L's version of it. Don't know if he's recorded it but he sometimes does it at his shows

opelmanta

DCC160 wrote: »

I really like Jack L's version of it. Don't know if he's recorded it but he sometimes does it at his shows

Yea it is pretty amazing actually. He sang it acapella at one of his shows i waas at. Was spine tingling!!

grumpytrousers

starn wrote: »

It has been listen to John Cales cover. End of

a pedant writes....

Cales version was done first - in 1991 - so he didn't 'better' Jeff Buckley, if you know what i mean Cale did it first and did it better...

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

cohen uber alles.

cormie

hivizman wrote: »

Leonard Cohen sings in pretty much the same style (though in a lower register) as he did four decades ago on Songs of Leonard Cohen (original versions of "Suzanne" etc.). It's not a great voice, but it is his song

Ah come on, Cohens voice is amazing. It's very powerful and unique, listen to it in simple poetry here, although it sounds much better in CD quality than the youtube version As he says himself, he was born with the gift of a golden voice

slipss

JP Liz wrote: »

Three versions of the song 'Hallelujah' are expected to make it into the Christmas top 40.

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover, which will likely take the number one spot, has sparked interest in the track, with a version by Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen's original also destined for Christmas chart places.

A Facebook group was recently launched to push the Buckley rendition, from his 1994 album Grace, to the top of the charts. It is expected to land at number three, while Cohen's version is sitting at number 34.

"I don't think this has ever happened in UK charts history, and certainly not for Christmas," HMV's Gennaro Castaldo told the BBC.

I think I'm gonna vomit, vomit from my eyes, then scoop the vomit into my ears in the hope that I go deaf and never have to hear a single one of these covers.


Cohen wrote and performed a great song. Then Jeff Buckley came along and did an amazing cover. It's been mercilously butchered by a myriad of un inspired "musicians" since in a desperate cringeworthy attempt to seem thoughtfull and deep. I hope this three new cover fails miserably as it should. Anyone that buys it should never be allowed to handle their own finances ever ever again.

grumpytrousers

slipss wrote: »

Anyone that buys them should never be allowed to handle their own finances ever ever again.

and the delicious irony is that Lenny himself is bound to be thrilled at all this airplay his song will get on the grounds that, um, he let somebody else handle HIS finances and they promptly f*cked off with his money

slipss

.

Handsome Bob

I have to say that I find it comical at some of the reactions to Alexandra Burke's version (not on here, elsewhere). I think her version is gentle at first and then the forceful part added by her in the middle gives the song some added attitude and soul (the right amount, not overkill). It's pretty good, I just hate the end with the damn vocal gymnastics. Entirely unnecessary.

I really feel that this facebook campaign was born out of shallowness rather than love for Buckleys version. It screams musical snobbery to me with people treating music as an extension of their "fashion statements" and "style". I would really love to know just how many of those signed up on the facebook campaign actually have any of Jeff Buckleys records.

MagicMarker

LZ5by5 wrote: »

I have to say that I find it comical at some of the reactions to Alexandra Burke's version (not on here, elsewhere). I think her version is gentle at first and then the forceful part added by her in the middle gives the song some added attitude and soul (the right amount, not overkill). It's pretty good, I just hate the end with the damn vocal gymnastics. Entirely unnecessary.

I really feel that this facebook campaign was born out of shallowness rather than love for Buckleys version. It screams musical snobbery to me with people treating music as an extension of their "fashion statements" and "style". I would really love to know just how many of those signed up on the facebook campaign actually have any of Jeff Buckleys records.

I don't have any of his records.

I have a few of his CD's though.

Handsome Bob

MagicMarker wrote: »

I don't have any of his records.

I have a few of his CD's though.

*clap clap clap*

Good for you.

Mink

I have all of them bar 1, including the live albums.

MrsMcSteamy

you should hear kate voegele's version of this song, its brilliant, you can find it on youtube

Julesie

I have mixed emotions on this one... I was following X-Factor and quite wanted Alex to win (well after Ruth's departure anyway) and thank god she did because I think my reaction to the song choice would have been a lot worse if it was that pesky Eoghain kid that was butchering it.

I am a huge Jeff Buckley fan and have been for over 10 years, I have everything he ever recorded from the Sin-é stuff through to the Grace b-sides and stuff he did with Gary Lucas way back. So while for me Jeff's rendition is the definitive version of the song, it seems hypocritical to be protective of a song he also covered.

I guess what gets my back up is that there will be a wave of people now claiming to be life-long Jeff fans who last week couldn't have named one of his tracks. But, if that even gets a couple of people exposed to his music that otherwise would not have been, I guess it isn't a bad thing.

seadog9

Don't see why it's such a popular song myself, a bit too poncey for my taste.