Hallelujah

[shakermaker]

So that X Factor bird and her management are banking on a Christmas number one with her cover of Leonard Cohens 'Hallelujah'. They are facing something of a backlash however with fans of real music going out and buying previous versions, with Jeff Buckleys climbing the charts very quickly indeed (midweek position number 3).

So the question looms: which version is your favourite?

Some of the most famous to have covered the song include Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Damien Rice, kdlang, Sheryl Crowe, U2, Bon Jovi *shudder*, John Cale, Imogen Heap and most recently Alexandra Burke.

There's a load out there. For me, you can't beat the original by Cohen. In no other version does it sound to me that the vocalist knows what they're singing about and that is important. With passion in lyrics comes soul in the sonics. No one but Cohen has the foggiest what the song is saying and I think that conveys itself when compared to the multitude of covers. Buckley, Wainwright, Cale and Rice have done very good covers with a lot of soul but it's Cohens for me all the way.

[pipinfort]

I do think that Alexandra`s version is excellent but for me i don`t think the Buckley version can really be topped........and he`s creeping up right behind her now, number 2 on Itunes now so Simon Cowells plan to dominate the Christmas number 1 may just backfire this year..........

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by pipinfort

I do think that Alexandra`s version is excellent but for me i don`t think the Buckley version can really be topped........and he`s creeping up right behind her now, number 2 on Itunes now so Simon Cowells plan to dominate the Christmas number 1 may just backfire this year..........

Hope it does, might wipe that smug smile of the creeps face

[garinda]

I really dislike Alexandra Burke's power ballad version. I'd much rather have heard Diana Vicker's heartfelt soulful interpretation.

The only real winner in all this in Cohen, who was on the verge of bankruptcy before all this interest in his song.

I too prefer his original version to all others, and happily it'll at least means he'll have food on his table this Christmas.

[garinda]

I would have bough Geraldine McQueen's version of the song.

[entwisi]

I only found out yesterday that Alexandras Mum used to be in "Soul II Soul"



I don't mind her version TBH and I like Lleonard Cohen songs generally( "Famous Blue Raincoat" by Jennifer Warnes is one of my all time fav albums)

[garinda]

Originally Posted by entwisi

I only found out yesterday that Alexandras Mum used to be in "Soul II Soul"

I didn't know that.

She should get together with Sinitta's mum, '70's/'80's disco diva Miquel Brown, and do a hi-energy version of Hallelujah.

[beechy]

Only one version for the purist
has to be LEONARD COHEN

[Studio25]

Not heard the original- just Rufus Wainwright's from Shrek - and even that's better than the X factor one.

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by Studio25

Not heard the original- just Rufus Wainwright's from Shrek - and even that's better than the X factor one.

The version on Shrek is by John Cale. The version on the soundtrack of Shrek is by Rufus Wainwright.

[panther]

Originally Posted by entwisi

I only found out yesterday that Alexandras Mum used to be in "Soul II Soul"

yeh, used to be one of the lead singers melissa bell

[Caz]

Definitely Cohen for me..

[garinda]

Handle'll be turning in his grave.

[Mancie]

Leonard Cohen churned out kak!.. the Alexandra version has got some decent background..if you like gospel then ok.. but it all sounds a bit to serious for my liking

[Lilly]

What was Leonard Cohen on about in this song?