"Hallelujah" Could Be UK's Christmas No. 1 And No. 2

December 18, 2008

"Hallelujah" Could Be UK's Christmas No. 1 And No. 2 • After X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover of "Hallelujah" went to No. 1 in the UK, Jeff Buckley fans started an Internet campaign to push her American Idol-style rendition from the top spot and replace it with Buckley's more haunting take. Read the full story at The Guardian and, if you have Facebook, find out how to support Buckley. Why no direct love for Leonard Cohen, people?

Posted at 12:49 PM
Tags: Jeff Buckley | Leonard Cohen

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11 Comments

"Hellelujah"? Is that the Misfits' version? Seriously though...I read somewhere that Cohen's version is #34 on the UK Top 40. No joke.

Posted by: Stephen B

at 12/18/08 1:47 PM | Reply
Score = 0

I wish it was the Misfits version. Fixed.

Posted by: brandon

in reply to Stephen B's comment at 12/18/08 1:58 PM | Reply
Score = 0

Rufus Wainwright version is the best obviously

Posted by: KR at 12/18/08 1:59 PM | Reply
Score = -10

I liked it better than I expected to. The first half was decent, but when she started singing more forcefully, it lost that chilling quality that this song demands. There is something wrong with belting "It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah" triumphantly at top volume.

In my opinion the best three versions are Cohen, then Wainwright, then Buckley.

Posted by: Cohen is my man. at 12/18/08 7:35 PM | Reply
Score = -5

Cohen's version is good but nothing is even close to Buckley's version. Of course Buckley's version was based on John Cale's cover so it's like two different songs in a way.

Posted by: Anthony at 12/18/08 8:30 PM | Reply
Score = 4

I think John Cale is the most forgotten person in this equation. Everyone jumps from Cohen to Buckley, forgetting that Buckley's version is MUCH closer to that Cale version than the Cohen original. Buckley has a better voice, and I probably prefer his version overall, but I think Cale's version is second. Also, Burke's version is TERRIBLE.

Posted by: Brent in reply to Anthony's comment at 12/19/08 9:48 AM | Reply
Score = 2

I think cause no one knows that Leonard Cohen did the o.g. version.

Anyway, I dislike this XFactor version just because she singing the lyrics great, but taking them at total face value. So it's a shit interpretation.

Posted by: Jacob at 12/19/08 2:00 AM | Reply
Score = 1

I'm so sick of this song.

I heard an opera version of it, translated to Italian, playing in the overhead speakers at Barnes and Noble.

I'm done with all 453875934875 versions of it.

Posted by: noisedisciple

at 12/19/08 3:46 AM | Reply
Score = 2

I love Buckley's version... so haunting and beautiful. I did do my best to send Cohen respectful love for writing the poetic song in my holiday post

Posted by: Marilyn at 12/20/08 6:54 PM | Reply
Score = 0

I agree that the Rufus Wainwright version is fantastic.