This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News
Two Hallelujahs set to top Christmas chart
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 17 December 2008
So, Leonard Cohen could be the first songwriter ever to have two versions of one of his songs in the top two positions in the UK singles chart at the same time this weekend, albeit neither of them his version.
‘X Factor’ winner Alexandra Burke’s version of Cohen’s song ‘Hallelujah’ is already number one in the early-week chart based on massive download sales of the track. The physical CD is out today and Burke is almost assured the Christmas number one spot this weekend. No surprise there then.
But, thanks to that online campaign encouraging people to buy Jeff Buckley’s famously haunting version of the song instead of the new ‘X-Factor’ version, that version is currently sitting at number 3 in the midweeks, and could move up to position two, especially given all the media reports on the ‘battle of the Hallelujahs’, like this one.
While Buckley’s version is unlikely to outsell Burke’s, further download sales of it could mean it reaches number 2 by the weekend, which would give Cohen a songwriting first in the UK charts. It would also be great news for Sony, who own both recordings. Cohen’s own version of the song is currently at 34 in the early week charts.
There are, of course, a plethora of other versions of this song – more than 170 according to some reports. The John Cale version remains my favourite. You can hear some others in this little ‘Hallelujah’ quiz prepared by the BBC, which is rather fun if you’re looking for some pre-Christmas work avoidance.
