It is my untested and unscientific observation that Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is the most covered song I’ve ever heard. It’s also one of my favorites. It’s interesting to listen to, and compare, different versions. As much as I love Regina Spektor, her version disappointed me. Rufus Wainwright’s is undeniably fabulous, and Brandi Carlile’s voice adds a unique take on it.
I recently stumbled across a new version I hadn’t heard before, in the video above. I wasn’t familiar with Kate Voegele before this song, but I think it’s made a fan out of me.
What’s your favorite rendition of “Hallelujah?”
It’s such a beautiful song in its many forms.
My favorite of all versions is by Allison Crowe.
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Love the Kate Voegele and the Rufus Wainwright, the latter of which I’d never heard. But I’ve got to go with the Jeff Buckley classic. The fact that we lost him just adds to the poignancy.
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It really is a very beautiful song. A couple of American Idols ago, Jason Castro sung it and I thought he did a superb job with it considering how inexperienced he is/was. I don’t think I’m able to make this link go directly to his version; you may have to copy and paste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2nRxKC-OyA
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I hadn’t heard the Kate Voegele either. I really like it, though. My favorite version is still the Rufus Wainwright, with Brandi Carlile a close second.
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It has been done beautifully by so many artists, but my first hearing of it and my favorite is Jeff Buckley. I never tire of hearing his version.
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This is one of my favorite songs and I think Kate does a nice job with it. My favorite rendition is by Damien Rice.
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Oh. Jeff Buckley. Ohhhhhh.
Although apparently the Adam Lambert is quite good. And K. D. Lang is always interesting.
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I can not believe I have never heard this song. I have just spent the last hour listening to about every different version out there. Even the Swedish Idol (like American Idol) version. Just amazing. I have to agree Allison Crowe is one of the best. This Kate V. is a close second! Thank you Jane.
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Can’t believe how many versions there are on youtube!
. Nick is one half of a duo that usually sings in Dutch. Nick & Simon both have wonderful voices, but I slightly prefer Nick’s.
I’m quite sure I’ve heard a great one by Bono but sadly cannot find it.
This is one I like – and promoting a Dutch singer at the same time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK3ooX9q72Q
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This is absolutely one of my very favorite pieces of music. I do like the Jeff Buckley version but I have to say that my current favorite is the k.d. lang rendition from her CD “Songs From the 49th Parallel.” I definitely have a few more versions to check out from comments here.
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Big surprise that I like Jon Bon Jovi’s acoustic version. He performs it during his Centerstage concert …I think on VH1.
I like Cohen’s original version, too. I had the album years ago. It’s interesting that there are several versions of the lyrics, as well. Many artists don’t do Ll the lyrics, and I think a verse or two was added by Cohen after the fact, or maybe even by other writers.
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While I was listening to the various covers, I found this. I’m not familiar with the artists, but I thought this was a beautiful version of Hallelujah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NEU6Xf7lM
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The Jeff Buckley version has always been my favorite. I had never heard KD Lang sing it until just now. WOW. That was great. I also like the 4 guys singing it – I think one of them is a European Idol winner.
It is my favorite song. I can listen to it over and over again and again and again.
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You want something really unusual?
Okay, Battle of the Blades is a Canadian reality tv show where hockey players are paired with female professional pairs figure skaters and transformed into figure skaters. Claude Lemieux, former bad-boy hockey player, has been transformed by Shae-Lynn Bourne.
In this YouTube video from Sunday night (Canadian musicians night… the skaters had to choose a Canadian artist’s song) he is not only skating to Hallelujah, BUT HE IS SINGING it too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GscWDUk3otA
He was actually… pretty good! If you follow hockey and remember Claude (as I do) you will be astounding by both his skating and his singing!
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I just read Donna Lea’s comment, went to look at Hockey Player and was blown away. Then I started looking at all of the other clips of routines. I think this is something that all of us Romance Readers can get into. Check it out. They are all great and romantic. I am not usually online for great blocks of time, and I was there for an hour…. Just love where this song and postings have led me. This is now officially my favorite song. Again, thank you Jane.
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