3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

General discussion about Leonard Cohen's songs and albums
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honeyrose
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:46 pm

3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by honeyrose »

On the BBC Website it says there are currently 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once - Jeff Buckley's, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's and Leonard's own.
Shame Leonard won't get any royalties from any of these - I assume?

Honeyrose

"Hallelujah set for chart trinity


Jeff Buckley's version of the song Hallelujah is set to shoot up the singles chart after X Factor winner Alexandra Burke released her own cover.

According to midweek sales Buckley's version, from the 1994 album Grace, is set to be number three, but Burke's single will debut at number one. Burke, 20, has already broken the record for the fastest-selling download single in Europe.

The original Leonard Cohen version of the song is currently at number 34.

If Buckley's cover climbs any higher, this could mean two versions of the same song sitting at number one and number two in the Christmas charts. "I don't think this has ever happened in UK charts history, and certainly not for Christmas," HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said.

Burke, who was crowned the X Factor winner on Saturday, has shifted 149,546 copies of her single so far this week. She is beating another X Factor winner Leona Lewis into second place. Lewis' cover of Snow Patrol's Run is the current number one single.

However, fans of Buckley - who died in 1997 at the age of 30 - have united online in various groups and forums in a bid to get their icon to number one this Christmas. The physical CD single of Burke's version of the song will be available in the shops from Wednesday.

The song itself, which was originally released in 1984, has been covered more than 170 times. Artists such as John Cale, Bono and Rufus Wainwright have all sung the track. "

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7786171.stm)
catswhiskers
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Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:41 pm

HALLELUJAH

Post by catswhiskers »

Am I going mad--or hearing things?? We don't get much news out here--but I-m pretty certain I heard that Alexandra (from X-factor) was going to reach number one of the Uk charts with Leonards Hallelujah--followed by Jeff Buckleys version,and then Leonards own version!! Oh,how I wish Leonard would get to number one. Am I imagining all this or is it true????
UrPal
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Re: HALLELUJAH

Post by UrPal »

You're not imagining things, but, on the other hand, Rick Astley is coming up on the rails. And if that means nothing to ya, well, you're lucky. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

http://www.play.com/Music/MP3-Download- ... llers.html
fredquimby
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Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by fredquimby »

My god. How can I like someone who is now mainstream?????????????? :D
Actaion
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Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by Actaion »

oh my god!
I've listened to that Burke-Cover - and it' s a total desaster! :roll:
I mean this woman certainly got some voice capabilities, but the way she sings it doesn't fit the lyrics at all...
John Etherington
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Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by John Etherington »

fredquimby said: "My god. How can I like someone who is now mainstream??????????????"

I had the same feeling when I heard Nick Drake playing in the men's loo at Borders bookshop!
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Davido
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Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by Davido »

John Etherington wrote:fredquimby said: "My god. How can I like someone who is now mainstream??????????????"

I had the same feeling when I heard Nick Drake playing in the men's loo at Borders bookshop!
I know Nick Drake was quite a shy performer and didn't command huge audiences, but that's taking it a bit too far. :lol:
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies"~ Groucho Marx
MarbleOne
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Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:34 am

Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by MarbleOne »

Myself and 130,000 other Jeff Buckley fans were hoping that Leonard would receive royalties for all this Hallelujah madness over here....

Can someone clarify..?
John Etherington
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Re: 3 versions of Hallelujah in British charts at once

Post by John Etherington »

Hi Marbleone,

Check Gingermop's post (last 24 hours) in the "Derivative Versions of Hallelujah" thread in the Comments and Questions section.

All the best, John E
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