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?
You Might Also Like
 Hear Cass McCombs, Field Music Cover Leonard Cohen |  Bill Callahan Covers Leonard Cohen |  Bradford Cox Covers Leonard Cohen |  Album Of The Week: Leonard Cohen Old Ideas |
 |
 |
%s1 / %s2
“Hellelujah”? Is that the Misfits’ version? Seriously though…I read somewhere that Cohen’s version is #34 on the UK Top 40. No joke.
I wish it was the Misfits version. Fixed.
Rufus Wainwright version is the best obviously
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I agree that the Rufus Wainwright version is fantastic.
I know I’m in the minority but I personally like the John Cale version the best