Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)
"Hallelujah" | ||||||||||
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Single by Leonard Cohen | ||||||||||
from the album Various Positions | ||||||||||
Released | December 1984 | |||||||||
Recorded | June 1984 | |||||||||
Genre | ||||||||||
Length | 4:36 | |||||||||
Label | Columbia | |||||||||
Writer(s) | Leonard Cohen | |||||||||
Producer(s) | John Lissauer | |||||||||
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"Hallelujah" is a song written by Canadian recording artist Leonard Cohen, originally released on his album Various Positions (1984). Achieving little initial success, the song found greater popular acclaim through a cover by John Cale, which inspired a cover by Jeff Buckley. Buckley's version is the most enduringly popular and critically acclaimed cover of the song to date. It is the subject of the book The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah" (2012) by Alan Light. In a New York Times review of the book, Janet Maslin praises the book and the song, noting that "Cohen spent years struggling with his song 'Hallelujah.' He wrote perhaps as many as 80 verses before paring the song down."[1]
Following its increased popularity after being featured in the film Shrek (2001),[2][3] many cover versions have been performed by many and various singers, both in recordings and in concert, with over 300 versions known.[4] The song has been used in film and television soundtracks and televised talent contests.
Musical composition and lyrical interpretation
John Cale "Hallelujah" cover excerpt
John Cale selected the verses by Leonard Cohen which most covers have since followed. First recorded by Cale in 1991 for the Cohen tribute album I'm Your Fan. John Cale's version is used in the film Shrek. Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah" cover excerpt
From the album Grace released in 1994. In 2007, Sony BMG rereleased the album (subtitle "The Legacy Edition") with a live music video of the song. Allison Crowe "Hallelujah" cover excerpt
Different in style, Allison Crowe's single-take recording, from Tidings, released in 2003, is among a new generation of interpretations. Rufus Wainwright "Hallelujah" cover excerpt
Rufus Wainwright recorded a version similar to Cale's, also on piano. | |
Problems playing these files? See media help. |
"Hallelujah", in its original version, is in 12/8 time, which evokes both early rock and roll and gospel music. Written in the key of C major, the chord progression matches lyrics from the song: "goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, and the major lift": C, F, G, A minor, F.[5]
Cohen wrote around 80 draft verses for "Hallelujah", with one writing session at the Royalton Hotel in New York where he was reduced to sitting on the floor in his underwear, banging his head on the floor.[6] His original version, as recorded on his Various Positions album, contains several biblical references, most notably evoking the stories of Samson and traitorous Delilah from the Book of Judges ("she cut your hair") as well as King David and Bathsheba ("you saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you").[5][7]
Following his original 1984 studio-album version, Cohen performed the original song on his world tour in 1985, but live performances during his 1988 and 1993 tours almost invariably contained a quite different set of lyrics with only the last verse being common to the two versions. Numerous singers mix lyrics from both versions, and occasionally make direct lyric changes, such as Rufus Wainwright, a Canadian-American singer, substituting "holy dark" and Allison Crowe, a Canadian singer-songwriter, substituting "Holy Ghost" for Cohen's "holy dove".
Cohen's lyrical poetry and his view that "many different hallelujahs exist" is reflected in wide-ranging covers with very different intents or tones, allowing the song to be "melancholic, fragile, uplifting [or] joyous" depending on the performer:[5] The Welsh singer-songwriter John Cale, the first person to record a cover version of the song (in 1991), promoted a message of "soberness and sincerity" in contrast to Cohen's dispassionate tone;[5] The cover by Jeff Buckley, an American singer-songwriter, is more sorrowful and was described by Buckley as "a hallelujah to the orgasm";[5][8] Crowe interpreted the song as a "very sexual" composition that discussed relationships;[5] Wainwright offered a "purifying and almost liturgical" interpretation;[5] and Guy Garvey of the British band Elbow made the hallelujah a "stately creature" and incorporated his religious interpretation of the song into his band's recordings.[5]
Charts
Chart (1985–2014) | Peak position |
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Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] | 67 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 27 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 16 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 66 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] | 36 |
Cover versions
Since 1991, "Hallelujah" has been performed by a wide variety of singers: over 300, and in various languages.[4] Statistics from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); the Canadian Recording Industry Association; the Australian Recording Industry Association; and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry show that, by late 2008, more than five million copies of the song sold in CD format. It has been the subject of a BBC Radio documentary and been in the soundtracks of numerous films and television programs.[14] Different interpretations of the song may include different verses, out of the over 80 verses Cohen originally wrote.[15]
In an April 2009 CBC Radio interview, Cohen said that he finds the number of covers of his song "ironic and amusing" given that when he first wrote it, his record company wouldn't put it out. However, he now thinks the song could benefit from a break in exposure: "I was just reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it and the reviewer said – 'Can we please have a moratorium on "Hallelujah" in movies and television shows?' And I kind of feel the same way...I think it's a good song, but I think too many people sing it."[16][17] In early 2012, during interviews advancing his latest album, Old Ideas, and more touring, Cohen says that he's not tired of the song being covered: "There's been a couple of times when other people have said can we have a moratorium please on 'Hallelujah'? Must we have it at the end of every single drama and every single Idol? And once or twice I've felt maybe I should lend my voice to silencing it but on second thought no, I'm very happy that it's being sung."[18]
John Cale
John Cale's cover first appeared on I'm Your Fan (1991), a Leonard Cohen tribute album, and later on his live album Fragments of a Rainy Season (1992). Cale's version has vocals, piano, and lyrics that Cohen had only performed live. Cale had watched Cohen perform the song and asked Cohen to send him the lyrics.[19] Cohen then faxed Cale fifteen pages of lyrics. Cale claims that he "went through and just picked out the cheeky verses."[15]
Cale's version forms the basis of most subsequent performances, including Cohen's performances during his 2008–2009 world tour. It was the version used in the film Shrek (2001) (although it is Rufus Wainwright's version that appears on the soundtrack album).[5][19] It also appears on the first soundtrack album for the TV series Scrubs.[20][21]
Jeff Buckley
"Hallelujah" | ||||||||||
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Single by Jeff Buckley | ||||||||||
from the album Grace | ||||||||||
Released | 2007 | |||||||||
Recorded | Late 1993–94, at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York | |||||||||
Genre | ||||||||||
Length | 6:53 | |||||||||
Label | Columbia | |||||||||
Writer(s) | Leonard Cohen | |||||||||
Producer(s) | ||||||||||
Jeff Buckley singles chronology | ||||||||||
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Jeff Buckley, inspired by Cale's earlier cover, recorded one of the most acclaimed versions of "Hallelujah" for his only complete album, Grace, in 1994. Later, in 2007 it was released as single.
Critical reception
In 2004, Buckley's version was ranked number 259 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[8] The same year Time called Buckley's version "exquisitely sung," observing "Cohen murmured the original like a dirge, but ... Buckley treated the ... song like a tiny capsule of humanity, using his voice to careen between glory and sadness, beauty and pain... It's one of the great songs."[22]
In September 2007, a poll of fifty songwriters conducted by the magazine Q listed "Hallelujah" among the all-time "Top 10 Greatest Tracks" with John Legend calling Buckley's version "as near perfect as you can get. The lyrics to 'Hallelujah' are just incredible and the melody's gorgeous and then there's Jeff's interpretation of it. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of recorded music I’ve ever heard."[23] In July 2009, the Buckley track was ranked number three on the 2009 Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time, a listener poll held every decade by the Australian radio station Triple J."[24]
On April 2, 2014 it was announced that Buckley's version of the song will be inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.[25]
Commercial performance
Buckley's version was not an instant hit, nor did Buckley live to see the full measure of the reception his recording would ultimately have; he died in 1997. The album on which it appeared did not go Gold in the U.S. until 2002, nine years after its release. In fact, like Cohen's original, the Buckley version was not released as a single, until much later, and it didn't chart until 2006, posthumously for Buckley. In March of that year, Buckley had his first national Top 10 bestseller when "Hallelujah" was number seven in Norway. In 2007 it made the top 3 on the Swedish charts. In March 2008 it topped Billboard's Hot Digital Songs in the U.S. after a performance of the song by Jason Castro in the seventh season of American Idol.[26][27][28] The sudden resurgence of interest provided both Gold and Platinum status, the RIAA certifying the digital track on 22 April 2008.[29] It has sold 1,144,000 digital copies in the US as of May 2010.[30] It also hit number one in France in March 2008.
Usage in media
The Buckley version has been widely used in film and television dramas, including the series The West Wing,[22] Crossing Jordan,[22] Without a Trace,[22] The O.C.,[22] House, Cold Case, Dirt, Criminal Minds, ER, Third Watch,[22] Ugly Betty, LAX,[22] and NCIS and the films Feast of Love, The Edukators, Vinterkyss and Lord of War. "Hallelujah can be joyous or bittersweet, depending on what part of it you use", Time quoted Buckley's publisher as saying, and the magazine opined that its liberal use in some cases was "a tacit admission that neither the writers nor the actors could convey their characters' emotions as well as Buckley."[22]
On April 20, 2013, Buckley's version of the song was played at Fenway Park during a tribute honoring the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing before the Red Sox played their first home game following the tragedy.[31]
Charts
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Certifications
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Rufus Wainwright
Canadian-American musician and singer Rufus Wainwright had briefly met Jeff Buckley and recorded a tribute to him after his 1997 death. That song, "Memphis Skyline", referenced Buckley's version of "Hallelujah", which Wainwright would later record, though using piano and a similar arrangement to Cale's. Wainwright's version was included on the album Shrek: Music from the Original Motion Picture, although it was Cale's version that was used in the film itself.[19] The Shrek soundtrack, containing Wainwright's cover, was certified Double Platinum in the United States in 2003 as selling over two million copies.
Rufus Wainwright, his sister Martha Wainwright, and Joan Wasser performed the song in the film Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man.
Charts
Chart (2007–10) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[55] | 97 |
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[56] | 34 |
k.d. lang
In 2004, k.d. lang recorded a version of "Hallelujah" on her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. She has since sung it at several major events, such as at the Canadian Juno Awards of 2005,[57] where it "brought the audience to its feet for a two-minute ovation."[58] Lang also sang it at the 2006 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame when Cohen was inducted into the Hall of Fame.[59] Cohen's partner, singer Anjani Thomas, said: "After hearing K.D. Lang perform that song at the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2006 we looked at each other and said, 'well, I think we can lay that song to rest now! It's really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection'."[60] Lang sang it at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, before a claimed TV audience of three billion.[61]
Charts
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Certifications
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Espen Lind featuring Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm
"Hallelujah" | ||||||||||
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Single by Espen Lind featuring Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm | ||||||||||
from the album Hallelujah – Live | ||||||||||
Released | 2006 | |||||||||
Format | Digital download | |||||||||
Genre | Folk | |||||||||
Label | Universal Records | |||||||||
Writer(s) | Leonard Cohen | |||||||||
Espen Lind singles chronology | ||||||||||
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In 2006 the Norwegian quartet of Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm released a cover of the song. After debuting at number 8 on the Norwegian VG-lista, the single reached number 1 in January 2007.[71] The song remained listed on the Norwegian Top 20 for 37 (non-consecutive) weeks between 2006 and 2007.[72]
The song also appears on the 2006 album Hallelujah Live, credited to Espen Lind with Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm, which also reached the top of the Norwegian albums chart.[73]
Charts
Chart (2006) | Peak position |
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Norway (VG-lista)[74] | 1 |
Alexandra Burke
"Hallelujah" | |||||||
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Single by Alexandra Burke | |||||||
from the album Overcome | |||||||
B-side |
"Candyman" (Live on The X Factor) "Without You" (Live on The X Factor) | ||||||
Released | 17 December 2008 | ||||||
Format | |||||||
Recorded | 2008 | ||||||
Genre | R&B | ||||||
Length | 3:39 | ||||||
Label | Syco | ||||||
Writer(s) | Leonard Cohen | ||||||
Producer(s) | Quiz & Larossi | ||||||
Alexandra Burke singles chronology | |||||||
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Alexandra Burke, the winner of the fifth series of the reality television show The X Factor, released a condensed cover version of the song as a prize for her victory. It reached Christmas number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 December 2008.[75]
Background
The release of Burke's cover created interest in the previous versions of the song, including a Buckley fan campaign to take Buckley's cover to the top of the Christmas chart and therefore deny Burke the top spot.[76][77] The campaign was fuelled by Buckley fans' dislike of The X Factor's commercialism and the song's arrangement,[78][79] as well as their desire to introduce younger people to Buckley's version.[80] Burke herself was not enamoured of the choice of song, remarking "It just didn't do anything for me."[79]
Commercial performance
Burke's version broke a European sales record after selling over 105,000 digital downloads in just one day, breaking the previous record set by Leona Lewis.[81] The song sold 576,000 copies in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling single released by a woman in the United Kingdom and the 2008 Christmas number one, while Buckley's cover charted at number two and Cohen's original version at number 36.[75]
On 28 December 2008, the UK Singles Chart listed Burke's version as the biggest selling single of the year,[81][82] with NME announcing sales of over 1 million copies since its release.[83] It has sold 1.28 million as of December 2014, making it the biggest selling X Factor winner's single to date.[84]
Charts
Chart (2008) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[85] | 53 |
European Hot 100 Singles[86] | 6 |
Ireland (IRMA)[87] | 1 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[88] | 1 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[89] | 2× Platinum | 1,291,000[84] |
^shipments figures based on certification alone |
Other cover versions
Bob Dylan was among the first to perform Cohen's song in concert with his earliest noted performance being in Montreal on 8 July 1988.[90] Other notable singers who have covered "Hallelujah" include Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Susan Boyle, Tim Minchin, Alter Bridge (Myles Kennedy) and Bono. Bono's version, which is mostly spoken, was included in Tower of Song, an all-star tribute to Cohen in 1995. Bon Jovi has covered the song several times in concert, including on their 2008 Live at Madison Square Garden DVD.[91] Nerdore Rapper Beefy recorded a version in 2005 as a B-Side to his first album The Whitesican EP that was later released in his Pale By Comparison compilation. British singer Kathryn Williams performed the song at an open-air concert in Regent's Park,[92] and later released it on her 2004 album Relations.[5] English songwriter and singer Imogen Heap covered it as well.[93] Progressive rock recording artist Kevin Max covered it on his album Between the Fence & the Universe (2004). In 2005 blues singer and guitarist Popa Chubby released Big Man Big Guitar containing a live version. Rea Garvey sang it on the soundtrack to the German romantic comedy Barfuss.[94] Paramore covers it as an introduction to their own song of the same title in their live album The Final Riot!.[95]
International group Il Divo released a Spanish-language adaptation with different lyrics on their album The Promise (2008), which topped the charts in the UK. The song was performed by recording artist Damien Rice at the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions when Cohen was inducted. That same year Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins recorded a classical-crossover version for her album Sacred Arias.[90] Kate Voegele performed it in character as Mia Catalano in the U.S. teen drama One Tree Hill. Also appearing on an album, her version made the Hot 100 Billboard charts and reached number 53 in the UK shortly after airing of the episode there.[96] Also in 2008, the Welsh band Brigyn released a version in Welsh.[97] The following year, Yasmin Levy's album, Sentir, included a Ladino cover described by the Green Pear Review as "almost a Sephardic fado", and very positively discussed in the leonardcohenforum.
The song was covered by Jason Castro, an American Idol season 7 contestant, on 4 March 2008. His performance was well received by the judges,[98] and it propelled Jeff Buckley's version of the song to the top of the Billboard digital song chart.[26][27] His version was included in his self titled debut album and his second studio album, Who I Am. Since then the song has become a favorite of reality singing show contestants, becoming a hit for the winner of the fifth series of X Factor, Alexandra Burke. Unreleased versions of "Hallelujah" sung by other of the show's finalists, Diana Vickers, Eoghan Quigg, and JLS, have also leaked on the Internet. Lisa Hordijk, winner of the 2009 Dutch X Factor released "Hallelujah" as her debut single, which went double platinum and remained at the top of the Dutch charts for ten weeks.[99] In May 2010 on Australia's Got Talent a version sung by 15-year-old Bobby Andonov led judge Dannii Minogue to declare, "Bobby, I have heard so many versions of that song, that is now my favourite version of that song and you can print that tomorrow".[100] The song was also covered by Brian Melo during the final performance round of the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007; Melo would go on to win the title.
A 2009 hit by Orthodox Jewish singer Ohad Moskowitz, "Bo'i Kala", featuring the words of the traditional tune accompanying a Jewish bride to the chuppah, is a musical adaptation of "Hallelujah".[101][102]
On 16 April 2010, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Richard Eaton Singers conducted by Jack Everly premiered a new arrangement for orchestra and chorus by Claude Lapalme.[103] Also in 2010, the Maccabeats of Yeshiva University released Voices from the Heights, with an a cappella version with the words of the Jewish liturgy "Lecha Dodi". On 4 August, YouTube cover artists Michael Henry and Justin Robinett uploaded their cover. Tangerine Dream also covered the song in their 2010 album Under Cover – Chapter One. Neil Diamond recorded it for his 2010 album, Dreams. Progressive metal band Pain of Salvation performed it live several times; it is on the live album Ending Themes (On the Two Deaths of Pain of Salvation). The Swedish singer Ulf Lundell has also contributed to a cover, titled "halleluja". A video of the song was filmed in Toronto, Canada in December 2010 by filmmaker Greg Riccio Jr. supporting the Free Hugs Campaign to promote random acts of kindness.[104]
German metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell released a cover of the song on his album The Ballads IV and as a single in 2011. Steven Page performed the song live at the state funeral of Canadian Opposition Leader Jack Layton on 27 August 2011.[105] The Swiss pop rock singer Bastian Baker released a cover in 2012, which charted in Switzerland and France.
Marcy Playground did a cover for the song for the album Lunch, Recess & Detention in 2012.
Canadian recording artist Allison Crowe recorded a critically praised version of "Hallelujah" in a single take for her album Tidings (2003). Crowe also performed the song for a national television special broadcast annually across Canada each year from 2003 through 2008.[5] In May 2012 Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet presented the World Premiere of The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen, created and choreographed by Jorden Morris – with "Hallelujah" performed by Allison Crowe (voice and piano) and ballerinas Sophia Lee and Jo-Ann Gudilin dancing alternate dates."[106]
The "Maltese tenor," Joseph Calleja, performed it as a duet with Ronan Keating during Calleja's annual concert for an audience of thousands at The Granaries, Floriana on Saturday, 7 July 2012.[107]
On the third season of the American version of The Voice, contestant Nicole Nelson sang "Hallelujah" in the "Blind Audition" stages, and all four coaches selected Nelson for their team. Later in the season, the show recorded a shortened version in honor of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. All four coaches — Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera — performed, with hosts Carson Daly and Christina Milian along with the show contestants singing background vocals. Each person in the ensemble held up a card that displayed the name and age of one of the people lost in the tragedy.[108]
American entertainer Adam Sandler performed an off-color parody of "Hallelujah" in December 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief. Sandler's version contained numerous references to Hurricane Sandy and contemporary events in local culture, sports and politics.[109]
In 2013, Straight No Chaser covered the song on their Under the Influence album.[110]
South African singer Karen Zoid released a version as a tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela in December 2013.[111] The South African Idol winner Elvis Blue also recorded a version on Idols Top 10 Christmas Album.[112]
Irish-born priest Father Ray Kelly was officiating a wedding at Oldcastle church in Meath, Ireland in March, 2014 when he decided to surprise the couple, Chris and Leah O'Kane, performing a version with lyrics written for the occasion. The video went viral on YouTube.[113]
Hong Kong singer, G.E.M., covered the song on her X.X.X touring concert in 2013 and subsequently released a live recording on the tour album.[114]
In 2014 Maltese child singer Veronica Rotin, covered this on her debut album Veronica Rotin as a duet with her elder sister Kelly.[115] Peter Hollens covered the song with Jackie Evancho on his 2014 eponymous album and on a single that reached No. 4 on Billboard's Classical Digital Songs chart.[116]
In April 2015, Rick Price covered the song for his album Tennessee Sky.
On 31 May 2015, a 167-piece operatic choir Côr Glanaethwy sang a rendition in Welsh in the final of Britain's Got Talent (series 9).[117] They came third in the competition.[118]
December 31, 2015 The Athens Georgia-based Widespread Panic played a stirring cover live at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. to close the first of three sets ringing in the New Year.[119] Their moving rendition of Hallelujah was one of 5 songs never before performed [120] and was met with stunning acclaim by all those in attendance.[121]
Accolades and achievements
- The BBC commemorated the 25th anniversary of the first recording with an hour-long radio documentary, The Fourth, The Fifth, The Minor Fall, in which the song's history and numerous cover versions were presented and discussed.[5]
- It was named one of the Top Ten Greatest Tracks of all time in a poll of songwriters conducted by the British music magazine Q.[122]
- It was listed as one of the 500 greatest songs by Rolling Stone magazine.[8]
- In the February 2009 issue of Blender, "Hallelujah" was named that month's "Greatest Song Ever" (a monthly feature).[123]
- In 2005, "Hallelujah" was named the tenth-greatest Canadian song of all time in Chart magazine's annual readers' poll.
- On 21 December 2008, "Hallelujah" became the first song in 51 years[75] to be numbers 1 and 2 on the UK Singles Chart; The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's and American singer Jeff Buckley's covers were the two highest-selling songs in the week beginning 15 December 2008. Leonard Cohen's version was number 36 in the same chart.[124]
- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks took the title of her 2015 novel about King David, The Secret Chord from this song.[125]
Other charted versions
Covering Artist(s) | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUS [126] |
AUT [127] |
BEL (FL) [128] |
BEL (WA) [129] |
CAN [130] |
DEN [131] |
EU [132] |
FRA [133] |
NL [134] |
NZ [135] |
SWE [136] |
SWI [137] |
UK [138] |
US [139] | ||||
Bon Jovi | 2008 | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 177 | — | ||
Kate Voegele | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | 68 | |||
Lisa Lois | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 99 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton | 2010 | — | 22 | 25 | 31 | 5 | 37 | — | — | — | 8 | 10 | — | 91 | 13 | ||
Natalia and Gabriel Ríos | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
Karise Eden | 2012 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | ||
Bastian Baker[A] | — | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | 24 | — | — | |||
Matthew Schuler | 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | ||
Xavier Naidoo | 2014 | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||
- Notes
- A ^ Bastian Baker's version of "Hallelujah" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 5 on the Wallonia Ultratip chart, which acts as a 50-song extension to the Ultratop 50.[142]
References
- ↑ Maslin, Janet (December 9, 2012). "Time Passes, but a Song’s Time Doesn’t". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ↑ Fetters, Ashley (2 December 2012). "How Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' Became Everybody's 'Hallelujah'". The Atlantic. (The Atlantic Monthly Group). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "Singer backs Welsh 'Hallelujah'". BBC. 7 November 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- 1 2 Arjatsalo, J., Riise, A., & Kurzweil, K. "A Thousand Covers Deep: Leonard Cohen Covered by Other Artists". The Leonard Cohen files. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Fourth, The Fifth, The Minor Fall". BBC. 1 November 2008.
- ↑ Barton, Laura (18 December 2008). "Hail, Hail, Rock'n'Roll". The Guardian.
- ↑ 2 Sam 11:2
- 1 2 3 Staff writer (9 December 2004)."Hallelujah — Jeff Buckley". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 December 2012. Archived 9 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah". Singles Top 100.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Leonard Cohen: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
- ↑ Appleyard, Bryan (9 January 2005)."Hallelujah! — One Haunting Ballad Has Been the Soundtrack to Many Lives Recently. But Why? Bryan Appleyard on Leonard Cohen’s Uber-Song". The Times. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- 1 2 McCormick, Neil (14 June 2008). "Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah!". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ↑ CanWest News Service (10 April 2009). "Leonard Cohen's Victory March: But Please, No More Hallelujahs". Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ↑ Jian Ghomeshi (10 July 2009). "I'm blessed with a certain amnesia". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ↑ "Leonard Cohen: 'All I've got to put in a song is my own experience' ", The Guardian, 19 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
- 1 2 3 "– "So you'd like to know more about Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah""". Amazon.com. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ Allmusic: Original Television Soundtrack Scrubs
- ↑
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Josh Tyrangiel (12 December 2004). "Keeping Up the Ghost". Time. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ↑ "10 Most Perfect Songs Ever". Q (255): 50. October 2007.
- ↑ "Hottest 100 Of All Time". Web list. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ↑ "Hallelujah, the 2013 National Recording Registry Reaches 400". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- 1 2 "Billboard Digital Song May 28, 2008". Billboard. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
- 1 2 Wilde, Jon (12 March 2008). "Which Hallelujah is the highest?". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 24 February 2011.
- ↑ "Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah' Becomes America's Number One Digital Song". PR Newswire. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ↑ "Gold & Platinum Search Results". RIAA. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ↑ Brian Mansfield (May 26, 2010). "'Before He Cheats' tops 3 million, and other 'Idol' download news". Idol Chatter (USA Today).
- ↑ Mastrodonato, Jason. "Boston stronger: Sox pay tribute to victims". MLB.com. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
- ↑ "The ARIA Report – Week Commencing ~ 25 June 2012 ~ Issue #1165" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association / Pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Jeff Buckley – CHarts & Awards – Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles – Week of January 03, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah" (in French). Les classement single.
- ↑ "Le Classement des téléchargements Single – Semaine du 15/03/2008" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ↑ "Top 50 Singles, Week ending 25 December 2008". chart-track.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "FIMI – Classifiche – Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 15 del 2014". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (in Italian).
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". Top 40 Singles.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". VG-lista.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". Singles Top 100.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History – Jeff Buckley". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "Jeff Buckley Album & Song Chart History – Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2013". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ↑ "Italian single certifications – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 27 August 2013. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Jeff Buckley in the field Filtra. Select 2013 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
- ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2009" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 April 2014. Enter Hallelujah in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "American single certifications – Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 20 January 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- ↑ "Chart Archive – Rufus Wainwright – Hallelujah". Chartarchive.org. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "Chart Search Results – Rock Digital Songs 2010-06-05". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah". YouTube. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ Nonesuch Journal (17 December 2008). "Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah,' a Highlight of K.D. Lang Performances, Hits the 'X Factor.'. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
- ↑ "2006 Events,". Retrieved 17 April 2009.
- ↑ Wears the Trousers Magazine. (8 July 2008). Anjani Thomas 'Sometimes you just get very lucky'.". Retrieved 17 April 2009.
- ↑ And K.D. Lang Performs "Hallelujah" at Closing Ceremony of Vancouver Olympics
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "K.D. Lang – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for K.D. Lang.
- ↑ "Danishcharts.com – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". Tracklisten.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". VG-lista.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". Singles Top 100.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ↑ "K.D. Lang – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for K.D. Lang.
- ↑ "Canadian single certifications – K.D. Lang – Hallelujah". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ↑ Hallelujah Norwegian quartet version page on NorwegianCharts.com
- ↑ Hallelujah Norwegian quartet version page on aCharts.us
- ↑ "Hallelujah." Music Business in Norway, p. 15. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Kurt Nilsen, Espen Lind, Askil Holm & Alejandro Fuentes – Hallelujah". VG-lista.
- 1 2 3 Jamieson, Alastair (21 December 2008). "Hallelujah, the Leonard Cohen song recorded by X Factor television show winner Alexandra Burke, has become both the Christmas number one and number two best-selling single.". The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ "Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen fans unite on Facebook to keep reality show version of 'Hallelujah' off British chart". National Post. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "Hallelujah! You Buck the trend". The Sun. United Kingdom. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "The Fight for a 'Hallelujah' Christmas Victory". The Times. 18 December 2008.
- 1 2 'Hallelujah' Hits Number One and Two Slots in Christmas Charts.The Times. 22 December 2008.
- ↑ "Mark Lawson: Warring 'Hallelujahs'". The Guardian, 19 December 2008
- 1 2 Singh, Anita (15 December 2008). "X Factor Winner Alexandra Burke Sets New Chart Record with "Hallelujah"". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
- ↑ "Duffy and Burke Top 2008 Charts". BBC. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ↑ "Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah' Joins 'Million-Selling' Singles List". NME. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
- 1 2 Sedghi, Ami (13 December 2014). "The winner takes it all? The biggest selling X Factor winner's singles revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Chart Search Results – European Hot 100 Singles 2009-01-10". Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 51, 2008". Irish Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Alexandra Burke: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Enter Hallelujah in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
- 1 2 Elisa Bray (5 December 2008). "Hallelujah – a song with a life of its own". The Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ↑ (25 January 2010). "The Outside Organisation – Clients – entertainment – Bon Jovi – Live At Madison Square Garden DVD and Blu-ray Released November 23rd". Outside-org.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ Sleeve notes, Relations
- ↑ "Imogen Heap – Hallelujah". YouTube. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- ↑ "Barfuß". Filmstarts.De. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "'The Final Riot!'". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110708043836/http://jerryischubby.blogspot.com/2009/07/mia-catalano.html. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2010. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ Singer backs Welsh 'Hallelujah' BBC. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- ↑ ""Hallelujah" for Idol". E!. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ↑ "Baffled King Regretting 'Hallelujah'" Eurosavant. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ↑ "Bobby Andonov Singing " Hallelujah" On Australia's Got Talent 2010". YouTube. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ Cashman, Greer Fay (16 March 2012). "Cantering Ahead". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2014.HighBeam subscription
- ↑ "Ohad Moskowitz - Boi Kala (video)". gruntig.net. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ↑ A Chorus of Hits – Program Information. Edmonton Symphony Orchestra website. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
- ↑ "Free Hugs in Toronto Canada – Hallelujah – micheal CASTALDO – Italian Version". YouTube. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ "An Anthem to Remember". CBC News Network, 27 August 2011.
- ↑ "Leonard Cohen's music comes to life at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet", CBC News, 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ↑ "Night at the popera," 'Times of Malta' (timesofmalta.com), Monday 9 July 2012. Accessed 24 March 2013.
- ↑
- ↑ "Why Adam Sandler's 12-12-12 Parody of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah Was Long Overdue", Rolling Stone, 13 December 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ↑ Collar, Matt. "Under the Influence - Straight No Chaser". Allmusic. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- ↑ http://lovesamusic.co.za/?p=3401 Retrieved 12 December 2013
- ↑ http://www.kalahari.com/Music/Idols-Top-10-Christmas-Album_p_43007199 Retrieved 3 January 2014
- ↑ "Singing Priest's Cover Of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' Converts 24 Million", Huffington Post 14 April 2014.
- ↑ "YESASIA: G.E.M. X.X.X. LIVE (2CD) CD - G.E.M. Tang, Forward Music Co. Limited - Cantonese Music - Free Shipping". www.yesasia.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ Bayliss, Marc Calleja. "Malta: Veronica Rotin in Debut Collection of Songs". escflashmalta. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ [0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AJackie%20Evancho&f[1]=ss_chart_search_title%3A*Hallelujah*&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=1&artist=Jackie%20Evancho&title=Hallelujah "Search results", Billboard.com/biz, December 27, 2014, accessed December 8, 2015
- ↑ Wilson, Jess (31 May 2015). "Britain's Got Talent final: Simon Cowell thinks Cor Glanaethwy will WIN 2015 show". Mirror. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ↑ Williams, Kathryn (1 June 2015). "Britain's Got Talent: Cor Glanaethwy should have won after revelations about first and second place acts". Mirror. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ↑ http://liveforlivemusic.com/news/widespread-panic-gives-goosebumps-with-hallelujah-cover-on-nye-pro-shot-video/
- ↑ http://www.everydaycompanion.com/setlists/20151231a.asp
- ↑ http://www.jambands.com/news/2016/01/01/widespread-panic-cover-leonard-cohen-david-bowie-and-bob-dylan-in-atlanta/
- ↑ Aidin Vaziri (4 November 2012), 'Hallelujah': Song of Leonard Cohen, San Francisco Chronicle, retrieved 6 November 2012
- ↑ "Greatest Songs Ever: "Hallelujah". Blender Magazine. 22 January 2012.
- ↑ "'Hallelujah' Set for Chart Trinity". BBC News. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
- ↑ Gilbert, Matthew (3 October 2015). "‘The Secret Chord’ by Geraldine Brooks". Boston Globe. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Australian ARIA Singles chart:
- For the version by Karise Eden: "Australian Charts – Karise Eden – Hallelujah (song)". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart:
- For the version by Bon Jovi: "Austria Top 40 – Bon Jovi – Hallelujah (song)" (in German). Austriancharts.at / Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Austria Top-40 – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)". Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders chart:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Charts Vlaanderen – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Natalia & Gabriel Ríos: "Charts Vlaanderen – Natalia & Gabriel Ríos – Hallelujah (song)" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Belgian Ultratop 50 Wallonia chart:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Charts Wallonie – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Natalia & Gabriel Ríos: "Charts Wallonie – Natalia & Gabriel Ríos – Hallelujah (song)" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Justin Timberlake Album & Song Chart History – Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Danish Tracklisten:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Danish Charts – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)". Danishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the European Hot 100 Singles chart:
- For the version by Lisa: "Chart Search Results – European Hot 100 Singles 2009-05-30". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Natalia & Gabriel Ríos: "Chart Search Results – European Hot 100 Singles 2010-03-20". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the French Singles Chart:
- For the version by Bastian Baker: "Classements – Bastian Baker – Hallelujah (chanson)" (in French). Lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the Dutch Single Top 100:
- For the version by Lisa: "Dutch Charts – Lisa (Lois) – Hallelujah" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the New Zealand Singles Chart:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "New Zealand Charts – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Karise Eden: "New Zealand Charts – Karise Eden – Hallelujah (song)". /charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the Swedish Singles Chart:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Swedish Charts – Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton – Hallelujah (song)". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ Peak positions on the Swiss Singles Chart:
- For the version by Bastian Baker: "Swiss Charts – Bastian Baker – Hallelujah" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the UK Singles Chart:
- For the version by Bon Jovi:
- For the version by Kate Voegele: "Chart Archive – Kate Voegele – Hallelujah". Chartarchive.org. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Chart Archive – Timberlake / Morris / Sexton – Hallelujah". Chartarchive.org.
- ↑ Peak chart positions on the US Billboard Hot 100:
- For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton: "Justin Timberlake Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- For the version by Kate Voegele: "Chart Search Results – The Billboard Hot 100 2008-05-31". Billboard.
- ↑ "Les Disques d'Or / de Platine – 2010" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "Bastian Baker - Hallelujah". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
Further reading
- Light, Alan (2013). The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah". New York: Atria Books. ISBN 9781451657845.
External links
- 1984 version lyrics, on The Leonard Cohen Files
- 1988 version lyrics, on The Leonard Cohen Files
- BBC: Just whose hallelujah is it anyway? – article on writing and meaning of song
- The Birth of kd lang's "Hallelujah" out of the 'Spirit of Music' Perfect Sound Forever online music magazine presents... 2011 article, by philosopher Babette Babich
- BBC: Hallelujah! The rise and rise of Leonard Cohen’s once-forgotten classic - 2012 report, by writer Alan Light
- Guitar chords
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