Hallelujah ( Leonard Cohen song ) - wikipedia Hallelujah ( Leonard Cohen song ) For other uses, see Hallelujah ( disambiguation ). `` Hallelujah '' Artwork for Spain vinyl release Single by Leonard Cohen from the album Various Positions Released December 1984 Recorded June 1984 Genre Folk rock Length 4 : 36 Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Leonard Cohen Producer ( s ) John Lissauer Various Positions track listing `` Night Comes On '' ( 4 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 5 ) `` The Captain '' ( 6 ) `` Hallelujah '' is a song written by Canadian singer Leonard Cohen, originally released on his album Various Positions ( 1984 ). Achieving little initial success, the song found greater popular acclaim through a recording by John Cale, which inspired a recording by Jeff Buckley. It is considered as the `` baseline '' of secular hymns. Following its increased popularity after being featured in the film Shrek ( 2001 ), many other arrangements have been performed by many and various singers, both in recordings and in concert, with over 300 versions known. The song has been used in film and television soundtracks and televised talent contests. `` Hallelujah '' experienced renewed interest following Cohen 's death in November 2016 and appeared on multiple international singles charts, including entering the American Billboard Hot 100 for the first time. Contents 1 Musical composition and lyrical interpretation 2 Charts 3 Certifications 4 Cover versions 4.1 John Cale 4.2 Jeff Buckley 4.3 Rufus Wainwright 4.4 k.d. lang 4.5 Espen Lind featuring Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm 4.6 Alexandra Burke 4.7 Pentatonix 4.8 Other cover versions 5 Accolades and achievements 6 Other charted versions 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links Musical composition and lyrical interpretation John Cale `` Hallelujah '' cover excerpt John Cale 's selection of Cohen 's verses have since been followed by most covers. First recorded by Cale in 1991 for the Cohen tribute album I 'm Your Fan. 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 ( subtitled `` 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. 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. His original version, as recorded on his Various Positions album, contains several biblical references, most notably evoking the stories of Samson and treacherous 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 and the moonlight overthrew you '' ). 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 ; for example, in place of Cohen 's `` holy dove '', Canadian - American singer Rufus Wainwright substituted `` holy dark '', while Canadian singer - songwriter Allison Crowe sang `` holy ghost ''. 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 : 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 ; the cover by Jeff Buckley, an American singer - songwriter, is more sorrowful and was described by Buckley as `` a hallelujah to the orgasm '' ; Crowe interpreted the song as a `` very sexual '' composition that discussed relationships ; Wainwright offered a `` purifying and almost liturgical '' interpretation ; 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. Canadian singer k.d. lang said in an interview shortly after Cohen 's death that she considered the song to be about `` the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It 's being caught between those two places. '' Former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page, who sang the song at Canadian politician Jack Layton 's funeral, described the song as being `` about disappointing people ''. Charts the Australian release Chart ( 1985 -- 2016 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 59 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 13 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) 17 Czech Republic ( Singles Digitál Top 100 ) 65 Finland Download ( Latauslista ) France ( SNEP ) Germany ( Official German Charts ) 27 Ireland ( IRMA ) 55 Italy ( FIMI ) 66 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 27 New Zealand Heatseekers ( RMNZ ) Portugal ( AFP ) 69 Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) 30 Slovakia ( Singles Digitál Top 100 ) 58 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 16 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 36 US Billboard Hot 100 59 US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) 20 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) Gold 35,000 shipments figures based on certification alone Cover versions Since 1991, `` Hallelujah '' has been performed by a wide variety of singers : over 300, and in various languages. 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. Different interpretations of the song may include different verses, out of the over 80 verses Cohen originally wrote. In an April 2009 CBC Radio interview, Cohen said he found the number of covers of his song `` ironic and amusing '', given that his record label refused to release it when he first wrote it ; however, he then claimed 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. Conversely, in early 2012, while promoting his then - current album, Old Ideas, Cohen stated he was n't 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. 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 different lyrics that Cohen had only performed live such as `` I used to live alone before I knew you '' and `` All I ever learned from love was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you ''. Cale had watched Cohen perform the song and asked Cohen to send him the lyrics. Cohen then faxed Cale fifteen pages of lyrics. Cale claims that he `` went through and just picked out the cheeky verses. '' Cale 's version forms the basis of most subsequent performances, including Cohen 's performances during his 2008 -- 09 world tour. It was the version used in the film Shrek ( 2001 ), although it is Rufus Wainwright 's version that is used on the soundtrack album. It also appears on the first soundtrack album for the TV series Scrubs and as the ending song of the Cold Case episode `` Death Penalty, Final Appeal ''. Jeff Buckley `` Hallelujah '' Single by Jeff Buckley from the album Grace Released 2007 Recorded Late 1993 -- 94, at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York Genre Folk alternative rock Length 6 : 53 Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Leonard Cohen Producer ( s ) Jeff Buckley Andy Wallace Jeff Buckley singles chronology `` Forget Her '' ( 2004 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2007 ) `` Forget Her '' ( 2004 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2007 ) Grace track listing `` So Real '' ( 5 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 6 ) `` Lover, You Should 've Come Over '' ( 7 ) 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. It was posthumously released as a single in 2007, as Buckley died 10 years prior. Critical reception In 2004, Buckley 's version was ranked number 259 on Rolling Stone 's `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ''. 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. '' 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. '' 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. '' In 2017, The International Observer named Buckley 's version of `` Hallelujah '' the greatest song of all time. 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. 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 did n't chart until 2006, posthumously for Buckley. In March of that year, Buckley had his first national top 10 best - seller when `` Hallelujah '' was at 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. The sudden resurgence of interest provided both Gold and Platinum status, the RIAA certifying the digital track on 22 April 2008. It has sold 1,144,000 digital copies in the US as of May 2010. 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, Crossing Jordan, Without a Trace, The O.C., House, Dirt, Criminal Minds, ER, Third Watch, Ugly Betty, LAX, NCIS, Justiça and Sense8 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. '' 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. Charts Chart ( 2006 -- 16 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 70 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 38 Canadian Digital Songs ( Billboard ) European Hot 100 Singles 10 France ( SNEP ) 64 France Downloads Chart ( SNEP ) Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 14 Ireland ( IRMA ) 8 Italy ( FIMI ) 45 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 22 Norway ( VG - lista ) 7 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 5 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 38 UK Singles ( The Official Charts Company ) US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) 7 US Digital Songs ( Billboard ) Certifications Region Certification Australia ( ARIA ) 2 × Platinum Belgium ( BEA ) Gold Italy ( FIMI ) Gold New Zealand ( RMNZ ) Gold Sweden ( GLF ) Gold United Kingdom ( BPI ) Gold United States ( RIAA ) Platinum 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 is included on the album Shrek : Music from the Original Motion Picture, although it was Cale 's version that was used in the film itself. The Shrek soundtrack, containing Wainwright 's cover, was certified 2 × 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 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 97 US Rock Digital Songs ( Billboard ) 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, where it `` brought the audience to its feet for a two - minute ovation. '' Lang also sang it at the 2006 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame when Cohen was inducted into the Hall of Fame. 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 '. '' Lang sang it at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, before a claimed TV audience of three billion. Charts Chart ( 2010 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 13 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 40 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 23 Norway ( VG - lista ) 11 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 12 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 21 US Billboard Hot 100 61 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Canada ( Music Canada ) Platinum 80,000 shipments figures based on certification alone Espen Lind featuring Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm `` Hallelujah '' 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 Songwriter ( s ) Leonard Cohen Espen Lind singles chronology `` Million Miles Away '' ( 2005 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2006 ) `` The Boys of Summer '' ( 2006 ) `` Million Miles Away '' ( 2005 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2006 ) `` The Boys of Summer '' ( 2006 ) Music video `` Hallelujah '' on YouTube 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 one in January 2007. The song remained listed on the Norwegian top 20 for 37 ( non-consecutive ) weeks between 2006 and 2007. 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 VG - lista. Charts Chart ( 2006 ) Peak position Norway ( VG - lista ) Alexandra Burke `` Hallelujah '' 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 CD digital download Recorded 2008 Genre R&B Length 3 : 39 Label Syco Songwriter ( s ) Leonard Cohen Producer ( s ) Quiz & Larossi Alexandra Burke singles chronology `` Hero '' ( 2008 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2008 ) `` Bad Boys '' ( 2009 ) `` Hero '' ( 2008 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2008 ) `` Bad Boys '' ( 2009 ) Music video `` Hallelujah '' on YouTube 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. 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. The campaign was fuelled by Buckley fans ' dislike of The X Factor 's commercialism and the song 's arrangement, as well as their desire to introduce younger people to Buckley 's version. Burke herself was not enamoured of the choice of song, remarking `` It just did n't do anything for me. '' 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. 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. On 28 December 2008, the UK Singles Chart listed Burke 's version as the biggest - selling single of the year, with NME announcing sales of over one million copies since its release. This also made Burke the first ever female British artist to have a million - selling single in the UK. It has sold 1.297 million as of August 2016, making it the biggest - selling X Factor winner 's single to date. Charts Chart ( 2008 -- 15 ) Peak position Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 53 Czech Republic ( Rádio Top 100 ) 27 European Hot 100 Singles 6 France ( SNEP ) 175 Ireland ( IRMA ) Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales United Kingdom ( BPI ) 2 × Platinum 1,297,000 shipments figures based on certification alone Pentatonix `` Hallelujah '' Single by Pentatonix from the album A Pentatonix Christmas Released 21 October 2016 Format CD digital download Recorded 2016 Genre A cappella Length 4 : 28 Label RCA Records Songwriter ( s ) Leonard Cohen Producer ( s ) PTX, Ben Bram Pentatonix singles chronology `` Jolene '' ( 2016 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2016 ) `` Jolene '' ( 2016 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( 2016 ) Music video `` Hallelujah '' on YouTube The a cappella group Pentatonix covered the song in the quintet 's 2016 album, A Pentatonix Christmas. On October 21, 2016, Pentatonix also released a music video for its cover. Chart ( 2016 -- 17 ) Peak position Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 22 Belgium ( Ultratip Wallonia ) 14 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) 16 Czech Republic ( Singles Digitál Top 100 ) 83 France ( SNEP ) 20 Germany ( Official German Charts ) Italy ( FIMI ) 37 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 88 Slovakia ( Singles Digitál Top 100 ) 53 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) 23 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Canada ( Music Canada ) Gold 40,000 Italy ( FIMI ) Gold 25,000 United States ( RIAA ) Gold 500,000 shipments figures based on certification alone sales + streaming figures based on certification alone Other cover versions `` it 's a beautifully constructed melody that steps up, evolves, and slips back, all in quick time. But this song has a connective chorus, which when it comes in has a power all of its own. The ' secret chord ' and the point - blank I - know - you - better - than - you - know - yourself aspect of the song has plenty of resonance for me. '' -- Bob Dylan 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. Other notable singers who have covered `` Hallelujah '' include Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor, 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. 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. 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. Also in 2008, the Welsh band Brigyn released a version in Welsh. The song has become a staple of television talent shows. Jason Castro, an American Idol season 7 contestant, performed a version on 4 March 2008, which propelled Jeff Buckley 's version of the song to the top of the Billboard digital song chart. His version was included in his self - titled debut album and his second studio album, Who I Am. 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. 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 ''. On 22 January 2010, American musicians Justin Timberlake, Matt Morris, and Charlie Sexton performed a live cover version of `` Hallelujah '' during the Hope for Haiti Now telethon in support of those affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake. A recorded version was released the following day on the Hope for Haiti Now soundtrack album and reached a peak of No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 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. Also in 2010, the Maccabeats of Yeshiva University released Voices from the Heights, with an a cappella version of `` Hallelujah '' set to the Hebrew words of the Shabbat liturgical poem `` Lecha Dodi ''. Steven Page performed the song live at the state funeral of Canadian Opposition Leader Jack Layton on 27 August 2011. Raul Esparza performed the song live at the Kennedy Center 's September 11 Memorial Concert on 8 September 2011. 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. '' 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. 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. 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 ). They came third in the competition. Singer Tori Kelly recorded a cover of `` Hallelujah '' for the animated film Sing and has done two notable live performances of the song : during the `` In Memoriam '' portion of the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, and alongside Luis Fonsi during the 2017 Hand in Hand : A Benefit for Hurricane Relief telethon. On 12 November 2016, an episode of Saturday Night Live opened with cast member Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton performing a rendition of the song in tribute to both Cohen and Clinton ; the preceding week had seen both Cohen 's death and Clinton 's unexpected loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Multiple orchestral and instrumental versions of the song have also been performed. The Vitamin String Quartet included a rendition on their album The Indie Wedding String Collection. Violinist Lindsey Stirling also recorded an arrangement of the song in accordance with the A Savior is Born campaign, created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints. Stirling uploaded a video of her performing the piece in a New York City Subway station to her YouTube channel. During her performance in the subway station, though, not one person stopped to listen to her play. Other artists to cover the song include Marcy Playground, Allison Crowe, Straight No Chaser, Elvis Blue, G.E.M., Veronica Rotin, Peter Hollens, Axel Rudi Pell, Celtic Thunder, Kathryn Williams, Imogen Heap, Draco Rosa, Neil Diamond, Pain of Salvation, Ulf Lundell, Kevin Max, Popa Chubby, Davy Knowles, Theory of a Deadman and The Osmonds. Rea Garvey sang it on the soundtrack to the German romantic comedy Barfuss. 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. 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. It was listed as one of the 500 greatest songs by Rolling Stone magazine. In the February 2009 issue of Blender, `` Hallelujah '' was named that month 's `` Greatest Song Ever '' ( a monthly feature ). 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 to be numbers one 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. Pulitzer Prize - winning author Geraldine Brooks took the title of her 2015 novel about King David, The Secret Chord from this song. Other charted versions Covering Artist ( s ) Year Peak chart positions Certifications AUS AUT BEL ( FL ) BEL ( WA ) CAN DEN EU FRA NL NZ SWE SWI UK US Bon Jovi 2008 -- 29 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 177 -- Kate Voegele -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 53 68 Lisa Lois 2009 -- -- -- -- -- -- 99 -- -- -- -- -- -- Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris featuring Charlie Sexton -- 22 25 31 37 -- -- -- 8 10 -- 91 13 Natalia and Gabriel Ríos -- -- 6 -- -- 81 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- BEA : Platinum Karise Eden 2012 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 35 -- -- -- -- ARIA : Platinum Bastian Baker -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 18 -- -- -- 24 -- -- Matthew Schuler 2013 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 40 Xavier Naidoo 2014 -- 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 36 -- -- Notes A ^ Bastian Baker 's version of `` Hallelujah '' did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 5 on the Wallonia Ultratip chart. 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Jump up ^ Jian Ghomeshi ( 10 July 2009 ). `` I 'm blessed with a certain amnesia ''. The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2009. Jump up ^ `` Leonard Cohen : ' All I 've got to put in a song is my own experience ' ``, The Guardian, 19 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` How Leonard Cohen 's ' Hallelujah ' Became Everybody 's ' Hallelujah ' ''. The Atlantic. Retrieved 13 July 2016. Jump up ^ Allmusic : Original Television Soundtrack Scrubs Jump up ^ `` Top Ten Music Moments on NBC 's Scrubs - Staff Top 10 ''. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2017 - 07 - 21. ^ Jump up to : Josh Tyrangiel ( 12 December 2004 ). `` Keeping Up the Ghost ''. Time. Retrieved 14 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` 10 Most Perfect Songs Ever ''. Q ( 255 ) : 50. October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Jump up ^ `` Hottest 100 Of All Time ''. Web list. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` 100 Greatest Songs of All Time ''. Intobserver.com. Retrieved 2017 - 05 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Hallelujah, the 2013 National Recording Registry Reaches 400 ''. Retrieved 2 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Billboard Digital Song May 28, 2008 ''. Billboard. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011. ^ Jump up to : Wilde, Jon ( 12 March 2008 ). `` Which Hallelujah is the highest ? ''. The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 24 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jeff Buckley 's ' Hallelujah ' Becomes America 's Number One Digital Song ''. PR Newswire. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2012. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum Search Results ''. RIAA. 22 April 2008. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2010. Jump up ^ Brian Mansfield ( May 26, 2010 ). `` ' Before He Cheats ' tops 3 million, and other ' Idol ' download news ''. Idol Chatter. USA Today. Jump up ^ Belleze, Carolina ; Manuela Aquino ( 23 August 2016 ). `` Porque a minissérie `` Justiça '' será a nova `` Verdades Secretas '' ``. M de Mulher ( in Portuguese ). Editora Abril. Retrieved 25 August 2016. Jump up ^ Mastrodonato, Jason. `` Boston stronger : Sox pay tribute to victims ''. MLB.com. Retrieved 22 April 2013. Jump up ^ `` The ARIA Report -- Week Commencing ~ 25 June 2012 ~ Issue # 1165 '' ( PDF ). Australian Recording Industry Association / Pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Jeff Buckley -- CHarts & Awards -- Billboard Singles ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` European Hot 100 Singles -- Week of January 03, 2009 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Le Classement des téléchargements Single -- Semaine du 15 / 03 / 2008 '' ( in French ). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Jeff Buckley : Hallelujah '' ( in Finnish ). Musiikkituottajat -- IFPI Finland. Jump up ^ `` Top 50 Singles, Week ending 25 December 2008 ''. chart-track.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` FIMI -- Classifiche -- Top Digital -- Classifica settimanale WK 15 del 2014 ''. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana ( in Italian ). Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah ''. VG - lista. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Artist Chart History -- Jeff Buckley ''. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Jeff Buckley Album & Song Chart History -- Digital Songs ''. Billboard. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2014 Singles ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop − Goud en Platina -- 2013 ''. Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 May 2013. Jump up ^ `` Italian single certifications -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 27 August 2013. Jump up ^ `` Latest Gold / Platinum Singles ''. Radioscope. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Guld - och Platinacertifikat − År 2009 '' ( PDF ) ( in Swedish ). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 20 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Jeff Buckley -- Hallelujah ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 April 2014. Enter Hallelujah in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ Jones, Alan ( 22 November 2017 ). `` Leonard Cohen by numbers : the legend 's chart history in detail ''. Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 1 March 2017. ( Subscription required ( help ) ). Jump up ^ `` 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 Jump up ^ `` Chart Archive -- Rufus Wainwright -- Hallelujah ''. Chartarchive.org. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` Chart Search Results -- Rock Digital Songs 2010 - 06 - 05 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen 's Hallelujah ''. YouTube. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2010. Jump up ^ Nonesuch Journal ( 17 December 2008 ). `` Leonard Cohen 's ' Hallelujah, ' a Highlight of K.D. Lang Performances, Hits the ' X Factor. '. Retrieved 17 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` 2006 Events, '' Archived 13 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine... Retrieved 17 April 2009. Jump up ^ Wears the Trousers Magazine. ( 8 July 2008 ). Anjani Thomas ' Sometimes you just get very lucky '. '' Archived 5 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine... Retrieved 17 April 2009. Jump up ^ And K.D. Lang Performs `` Hallelujah '' at Opening Ceremony of Vancouver Olympics Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` K.D. Lang Chart History ( Canadian Hot 100 ) '' Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. Tracklisten. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. VG - lista. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` K.D. Lang Chart History ( Hot 100 ) '' Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- K.D. Lang -- Hallelujah ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 20 September 2012. Jump up ^ Hallelujah Norwegian quartet version page on NorwegianCharts.com Jump up ^ Hallelujah Norwegian quartet version page on aCharts.us Jump up ^ `` Hallelujah. '' Music Business in Norway, p. 15. Retrieved 12 July 2009. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Kurt Nilsen, Espen Lind, Askil Holm & Alejandro Fuentes -- Hallelujah ''. VG - lista. ^ Jump up to : 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. Jump up ^ `` Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen fans unite on Facebook to keep reality show version of ' Hallelujah ' off British chart ''. National Post. Retrieved 1 September 2010. Jump up ^ `` Hallelujah ! You Buck the trend ''. The Sun. United Kingdom. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Fight for a ' Hallelujah ' Christmas Victory ''. The Times. 18 December 2008. ^ Jump up to : ' Hallelujah ' Hits Number One and Two Slots in Christmas Charts. The Times. 22 December 2008. Jump up ^ `` Mark Lawson : Warring ' Hallelujahs ' ''. The Guardian, 19 December 2008 ^ Jump up to : Singh, Anita ( 15 December 2008 ). `` X Factor Winner Alexandra Burke Sets New Chart Record with `` Hallelujah '' ``. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 December 2008. Jump up ^ `` Duffy and Burke Top 2008 Charts ''. BBC. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008. Jump up ^ `` Alexandra Burke 's ' Hallelujah ' Joins ' Million - Selling ' Singles List ''. NME. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009. Jump up ^ `` Alexandra is first million - seller ''. BBC News. BBC Online. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2017. ^ Jump up to : Sedghi, Ami ( 26 August 2016 ). `` The winner takes it all ? The biggest selling X Factor winner 's singles revealed ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Alexandra Burke -- Hallelujah '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` ČNS IFPI '' ( in Czech ). Hitparáda -- Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 200936 into search. Jump up ^ `` Chart Search Results -- European Hot 100 Singles 2009 - 01 - 10 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Alexandra Burke -- Hallelujah '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Chart Track : Week 51, 2008 ''. Irish Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Alexandra Burke : Artist Chart History ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Alexandra Burke -- Hallelujah ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Enter Hallelujah in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ Mitchell Peters ( October 22, 2016 ). `` Pentatonix Cover Leonard Cohen 's ' Hallelujah ' in Moving Video ''. Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 5, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in French ). Ultratip. Retrieved December 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Pentatonix Chart History ( Canadian Hot 100 ) '' Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` ČNS IFPI '' ( in Czech ). Hitparáda -- Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201649 into search. Retrieved December 14, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP ( Week 44, 2016 ) '' ( in French ). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 19, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 30, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Classifica settimanale WK 52 '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Jump up ^ `` SNS IFPI '' ( in Slovak ). Hitparáda -- Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201649 into search. Retrieved December 14, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Spanishcharts.com -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 26, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Pentatonix Chart History ( Hot 100 ) '' Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 18 April 2017. Jump up ^ `` Italian single certifications -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 18 April 2017. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 18 April 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ David Remnick ( 17 October 2016 ). `` Leonard Cohen Makes It Darker ''. The New Yorker. Retrieved 21 October 2016. ^ Jump up to : Elisa Bray ( 5 December 2008 ). `` Hallelujah -- a song with a life of its own ''. The Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2009. Jump up ^ ( 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. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Jump up ^ Singer backs Welsh ' Hallelujah ' BBC. Retrieved 4 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` '' Hallelujah '' for Idol ``. E !. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2011. Jump up ^ `` Baffled King Regretting ' Hallelujah ' '' Eurosavant. Retrieved 12 July 2009. Jump up ^ Cashman, Greer Fay ( 16 March 2012 ). `` Cantering Ahead ''. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2014. HighBeam subscription Jump up ^ `` Ohad Moskowitz - Boi Kala ( Hallelujah ) ( video ) ''. YouTube. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Billboard Hot 100 February 13, 2010 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2017. Jump up ^ A Chorus of Hits -- Program Information. Edmonton Symphony Orchestra website. Retrieved 16 April 2010. Jump up ^ Hesse, Monica ( 4 December 2010 ). `` Harmony group 's Hanukkah anthem lights a fire on Web ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` The Maccabeats : Making Jewish Music Fun ''. Arutz Sheva TV. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` An Anthem to Remember ''. CBC News Network, 27 August 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kennedy Center Announces 9 / 11 Commemorative Event ''. NBC News. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Leonard Cohen 's music comes to life at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet '', CBC News, 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Watch The Voice Episodes ''. NBC.com. Retrieved 2017 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Why Adam Sandler 's 12 - 12 - 12 Parody of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah Was Long Overdue '', Rolling Stone, 13 December 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013. Jump up ^ Wilson, Jess ( 31 May 2015 ). `` Britain 's Got Talent final : Simon Cowell thinks Cor Glanaethwy will WIN 2015 show ''. Mirror. Retrieved 14 October 2015. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ `` Sing ( Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Deluxe ) ''. Amazon.com. Missing or empty url = ( help ) ; access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ Legaspi, Althea ( 2016 - 09 - 18 ). `` Emmys 2016 : Watch Tori Kelly 's Touching ' Hallelujah ' for ' In Memoriam ' ''. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ Unterberger, Andrew ( 2017 - 09 - 12 ). `` Justin Bieber Introduces ' Hand in Hand ' Prayer, Tori Kelly & Luis Fonsi Perform ' Hallelujah ' ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2017 - 12 - 19. Jump up ^ Editor, Lee Moran Trends ; Post, The Huffington ( 2016 - 11 - 13 ). `` Kate McKinnon As Clinton Sings Leonard Cohen 's ' Hallelujah ' On ' SNL ' ''. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016 - 11 - 13. Jump up ^ `` VITAMIN STRING QUARTET -- Online Store ''. Vitaminstringquartet.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Mormons Release ' A Savior Is Born ' Christmas Message ''. www.mormonnewsroom.org. 2015 - 11 - 29. Retrieved 2016 - 11 - 08. Jump up ^ `` Hear a beautiful violin cover of ' Hallelujah ' in New York City subway ''. Entertainment Weekly 's EW.com. Retrieved 2016 - 11 - 08. Jump up ^ Collar, Matt. `` Under the Influence -- Straight No Chaser ''. Allmusic. Retrieved 2 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` YESASIA : G.E.M.X.X.X. LIVE ( 2CD ) CD -- G.E.M. Tang, Forward Music Co. Limited -- Cantonese Music -- Free Shipping ''. Yesasia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 01 - 17. Jump up ^ Bayliss, Marc Calleja. `` Malta : Veronica Rotin in Debut Collection of Songs ''. escflashmalta. Retrieved 20 February 2015. Jump up ^ ( 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 Rick Price, Karen Zoid Jump up ^ by Simon ( 2013 - 12 - 12 ). `` Karen Zoid Pays Tribute To Madiba ''. Love SA Music. Retrieved 2017 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Imogen Heap -- Hallelujah ''. YouTube. Retrieved 10 April 2011. Jump up ^ `` Davy Knowles - Hallelujah - 11 / 25 / 16 Bethesda Blues & Jazz - Bethesda, MD ''. YouTube. Retrieved 27 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Barfuß ''. Filmstarts.De. Retrieved 1 September 2010. Jump up ^ Aidin Vaziri ( 4 November 2012 ), ' Hallelujah ' : Song of Leonard Cohen, San Francisco Chronicle, retrieved 6 November 2012 Jump up ^ `` Greatest Songs Ever : `` Hallelujah ''. Blender Magazine. 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Jump up ^ `` ' Hallelujah ' Set for Chart Trinity ''. BBC News. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008. Jump up ^ Gilbert, Matthew ( 3 October 2015 ). `` ' The Secret Chord ' by Geraldine Brooks ''. Boston Globe. Retrieved 4 October 2015. Jump up ^ 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. For the version by Pentatonix : `` ARIA CHART WATCH # 392 ''. auspOp. October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. For the version by Pentatonix : `` Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 8, 2016. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. For the version by Pentatonix : `` Pentatonix -- Chart History ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. For the version by Pentatonix : `` Classements -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah ( chanson ) '' ( in French ). Lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 8, 2016. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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. For the version by Pentatonix : `` Swiss Charts -- Pentatonix -- Hallelujah '' ( in German ). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 8, 2016. Jump up ^ Peak chart positions on the UK Singles Chart : For the version by Bon Jovi : ( 2 ) 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. Jump up ^ Peak chart positions on the US Billboard Hot 100 : For the version by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris feat. Charlie Sexton : `` The Hot 100 -- February 13, 2010 ''. Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016. For the version by Kate Voegele : `` Kate Voegele -- Chart History ''. Billboard. For the version by Pentatonix : `` Pentatonix -- Chart History ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Les Disques d'Or / de Platine -- 2010 '' ( in French ). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2012 Singles ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Jump up ^ `` 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. Babich, Babette ( 2013 ). The Hallelujah Effect : Philosophical Reflections on Music, Performance Practice, and Technology. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9781409473107. 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 Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Titles and Succession Preceded by `` Floden '' by Bjørn Eidsvåg Norwegian VG - lista number - one single ( Performed by Lind, Nilsen, Fuentes and Holm ) 10 -- 17 January 2007 Succeeded by `` Smack That '' by Akon featuring Eminem Preceded by `` New Soul '' by Yael Naïm French number - one single ( Jeff Buckley version ) 15 March 2008 Succeeded by `` New Soul '' by Yael Naïm Preceded by `` Love in This Club '' by Usher featuring Young Jeezy U.S. number - one digital song ( Jeff Buckley version ) 22 March 2008 Succeeded by `` Love in This Club '' by Usher featuring Young Jeezy Preceded by `` Run '' by Leona Lewis UK Singles Chart number - one single ( Alexandra Burke version ) 21 December 2008 -- 10 January 2009 Succeeded by `` Just Dance '' by Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis Irish Singles Chart number - one single ( Alexandra Burke version ) 19 December 2008 -- 9 January 2009 Preceded by `` When You Believe '' by Leon Jackson The X Factor winner 's single ( Alexandra Burke version ) 2008 Succeeded by `` The Climb '' by Joe McElderry United Kingdom Christmas number - one single ( Alexandra Burke version ) 2008 Succeeded by `` Killing in the Name '' by Rage Against the Machine Preceded by `` Poker Face '' by Lady GaGa Dutch Top 40 number - one single ( Lisa Lois version ) 23 May 2009 -- 20 June 2009 Succeeded by `` Beggin ' '' by Madcon Articles and topics related to `` Hallelujah '' Leonard Cohen Studio albums Songs of Leonard Cohen Songs from a Room Songs of Love and Hate New Skin for the Old Ceremony Death of a Ladies ' Man Recent Songs Various Positions I 'm Your Man The Future Ten New Songs Dear Heather Old Ideas Popular Problems You Want It Darker Live albums Live Songs Cohen Live Field Commander Cohen : Tour of 1979 Live in London Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 Songs from the Road Live in Dublin Ca n't Forget : A Souvenir of the Grand Tour Compilations The Best of Leonard Cohen So Long, Marianne More Best of Leonard Cohen The Essential Leonard Cohen Tribute albums Famous Blue Raincoat I 'm Your Fan Tower of Song Leonard Cohen : I 'm Your Man Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen : Democracy The Songs of Leonard Cohen Covered Concert tours The Smokey Life Tour Various Positions Tour I 'm Your Man Tour The Future World Tour Leonard Cohen Tour 2008 -- 2010 Old Ideas World Tour Songs `` Ai n't No Cure for Love '' `` Avalanche '' `` Bird on the Wire '' `` Dance Me to the End of Love '' `` Everybody Knows '' `` Famous Blue Raincoat '' `` First We Take Manhattan '' `` The Gypsy 's Wife '' `` Hallelujah '' `` Hey, That 's No Way to Say Goodbye '' `` I 'm Your Man '' `` In My Secret Life '' `` Joan of Arc '' `` The Partisan '' `` So Long, Marianne '' `` Suzanne '' `` Take This Waltz '' Books Let Us Compare Mythologies The Spice - Box of Earth The Favourite Game Flowers for Hitler Beautiful Losers Selected Poems 1956 - 1968 Stranger Music Book of Longing Related Awards and nominations Discography Leonard Cohen : I 'm Your Man Sharon Robinson Jennifer Warnes Anjani Thomas Perla Batalla Julie Christensen Marianne Ihlen Blue Alert Bob Johnston I Am a Hotel Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen The Holy or the Broken Book Category Jeff Buckley Studio albums Grace Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk Live albums Live at Sin - é Live from the Bataclan Mystery White Boy Live À L'Olympia Live at Sin - é ( Legacy Edition ) Grace Around the World Compilations Songs to No One 1991 -- 1992 The Grace EPs So Real : Songs from Jeff Buckley You and I Singles `` Grace '' `` Last Goodbye '' `` So Real '' `` Eternal Life '' `` Everybody Here Wants You '' `` Forget Her '' `` Hallelujah '' DVDs Live in Chicago Grace Around the World Related articles Discography Tim Buckley Gary Lucas Mick Grøndahl Matt Johnson Michael Tighe Parker Kindred Amazing Grace : Jeff Buckley Dream Brother : The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley Dream Brother : The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley Greetings from Tim Buckley `` Teardrop '' Kate Voegele Studio albums Do n't Look Away A Fine Mess Gravity Happens EPs The Other Side Louder Than Words Wild Card Singles `` Only Fooling Myself '' `` Hallelujah '' `` 99 Times '' `` Heart In Chains '' Promotional singles `` Angel '' `` Sweet Silver Lining '' Featured songs `` Good to You '' ( with Marianas Trench ) Tours Parakate Tour Back 2 School Tour Lift Me Up Tour Battlefield Tour Less is More Tour Related articles One Tree Hill ( season 5 6 7 ) MySpace Records Interscope Records The Veronicas Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers The Wreckers Natasha Bedingfield Amy Kuney Marianas Trench Angel Taylor Jordin Sparks Parachute Tyler Hilton Alexandra Burke Discography Songs Studio albums Overcome Heartbreak on Hold Extended plays Christmas Gift # NewRules Singles `` Hallelujah '' `` Bad Boys '' `` Broken Heels '' `` All Night Long '' `` Start Without You '' `` Elephant '' `` Let It Go '' Promotional singles `` The Silence '' Featured singles `` Hero '' `` Everybody Hurts '' Concert tours All Night Long Tour ( 2011 ) Related articles The X Factor series 5 finalists Melissa Bell k.d. lang Studio albums with The Reclines A Truly Western Experience Angel with a Lariat Absolute Torch and Twang Solo Shadowland Ingénue All You Can Eat Invincible Summer Watershed with The Siss Boom Bang Sing It Loud Covers Drag Hymns of the 49th Parallel with Tony Bennett A Wonderful World Live and compilation albums Live by Request Reintarnation Recollection Singles `` Rose Garden '' `` Crying '' `` Full Moon Full of Love '' `` Three Days '' `` Luck in My Eyes '' `` Constant Craving '' `` Miss Chatelaine '' Related Discography Book Rufus Wainwright Awards and nominations Discography Songs Studio albums Rufus Wainwright Poses Want One Want Two Release the Stars All Days Are Nights : Songs for Lulu Out of the Game Take All My Loves : 9 Shakespeare Sonnets Live albums Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall Milwaukee at Last ! ! ! 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This House Is Not for Sale Tour Related articles Discography Songs recorded Awards Tony Bongiovi Bruce Fairbairn Desmond Child Bob Rock Peter Collins Aldo Nova Luke Ebbin Billy Falcon Andreas Carlsson Patrick Leonard John Shanks Rick Parashar Dann Huff Bobby Bandiera Jeff Kazee Lorenza Ponce Matt O'Ree Everett Bradley Book Category The X Factor ( UK ) Discography Controversy and criticism Series Main 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Celebrity Battle of the Stars Finalists Series 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Winners Main series Steve Brookstein Shayne Ward Leona Lewis Leon Jackson Alexandra Burke Joe McElderry Matt Cardle Little Mix James Arthur Sam Bailey Ben Haenow Louisa Johnson Matt Terry Rak - Su Celebrity series Lucy Benjamin Singles Winners singles `` Against All Odds '' `` That 's My Goal '' `` A Moment Like This '' `` When You Believe '' `` Hallelujah '' `` The Climb '' `` When We Collide '' `` Cannonball '' `` Impossible '' `` Skyscraper '' `` Something I Need '' `` Forever Young '' `` When Christmas Comes Around '' `` Dimelo '' Charity singles `` Hero '' `` You Are Not Alone '' `` Heroes '' `` Wishing on a Star '' Related articles The X Factor franchise I Ca n't Sing ! 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'' ( Band Aid 20, 2004 ) `` JCB '' ( Nizlopi, 2005 ) `` Patience '' ( Take That, 2006 ) `` All I Want for Christmas Is You '' ( Mariah Carey, 2007 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( Alexandra Burke, 2008 ) `` Killing in the Name '' ( Rage Against the Machine, 2009 ) 2000s 2010s Best - selling singles by year in the United Kingdom 1952 -- 1969 1952 : `` Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart '' -- Vera Lynn ( UK ) 1953 : `` I Believe '' -- Frankie Laine 1954 : `` Secret Love '' -- Doris Day 1955 : `` Rose Marie '' -- Slim Whitman 1956 : `` I 'll Be Home '' -- Pat Boone 1957 : `` Diana '' -- Paul Anka 1958 : `` Jailhouse Rock '' -- Elvis Presley 1959 : `` Living Doll '' -- Cliff Richard ( UK ) 1960 : `` It 's Now or Never '' -- Elvis Presley 1961 : `` Wooden Heart '' -- Elvis Presley 1962 : `` I Remember You '' -- Frank Ifield ( UK ) 1963 : `` She Loves You '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1964 : `` Ca n't Buy Me Love '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1965 : `` Tears '' -- Ken Dodd ( UK ) 1966 : `` Green, Green Grass of Home '' -- Tom Jones ( UK ) 1967 : `` Release Me '' -- Engelbert Humperdinck ( UK ) 1968 : `` Hey Jude '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1969 : `` Sugar, Sugar '' -- The Archies 1970 -- 1989 1970 : `` The Wonder of You '' -- Elvis Presley 1971 : `` My Sweet Lord '' -- George Harrison ( UK ) 1972 : `` Amazing Grace '' -- The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band ( UK ) 1973 : `` Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree '' -- Tony Orlando and Dawn 1974 : `` Tiger Feet '' -- Mud ( UK ) 1975 : `` Bye Bye Baby '' -- Bay City Rollers ( UK ) 1976 : `` Save Your Kisses for Me '' -- Brotherhood of Man ( UK ) 1977 : `` Mull of Kintyre '' / `` Girls ' School '' -- Wings ( UK ) 1978 : `` Rivers of Babylon '' / `` Brown Girl in the Ring '' -- Boney M. 1979 : `` Bright Eyes '' -- Art Garfunkel 1980 : `` Do n't Stand So Close to Me '' -- The Police ( UK ) 1981 : `` Do n't You Want Me '' -- The Human League ( UK ) 1982 : `` Come On Eileen '' -- Dexys Midnight Runners ( UK ) 1983 : `` Karma Chameleon '' -- Culture Club ( UK ) 1984 : `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' -- Band Aid ( UK ) 1985 : `` The Power of Love '' -- Jennifer Rush 1986 : `` Do n't Leave Me This Way '' -- The Communards ( UK ) 1987 : `` Never Gonna Give You Up '' -- Rick Astley ( UK ) 1988 : `` Mistletoe and Wine '' -- Cliff Richard ( UK ) 1989 : `` Ride on Time '' -- Black Box 1990 -- 2009 1990 : `` Unchained Melody '' -- The Righteous Brothers 1991 : `` ( Everything I Do ) I Do It for You '' -- Bryan Adams 1992 : `` I Will Always Love You '' -- Whitney Houston 1993 : `` I 'd Do Anything for Love ( But I Wo n't Do That ) '' -- Meat Loaf 1994 : `` Love Is All Around '' -- Wet Wet Wet ( UK ) 1995 : `` Unchained Melody '' -- Robson & Jerome ( UK ) 1996 : `` Killing Me Softly '' -- Fugees 1997 : `` Something About the Way You Look Tonight '' / `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' -- Elton John ( UK ) 1998 : `` Believe '' -- Cher 1999 : ``... Baby One More Time '' -- Britney Spears 2000 : `` Can We Fix It ? '' -- Bob the Builder ( UK ) 2001 : `` It Was n't Me '' -- Shaggy featuring Rikrok ( UK ) 2002 : `` Anything Is Possible '' / `` Evergreen '' -- Will Young ( UK ) 2003 : `` Where Is the Love ? '' -- The Black Eyed Peas 2004 : `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' -- Band Aid 20 ( UK ) 2005 : `` Is This the Way to Amarillo '' -- Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay ( UK ) 2006 : `` Crazy '' -- Gnarls Barkley 2007 : `` Bleeding Love '' -- Leona Lewis ( UK ) 2008 : `` Hallelujah '' -- Alexandra Burke ( UK ) 2009 : `` Poker Face '' -- Lady Gaga 2010 -- present 2010 : `` Love the Way You Lie '' -- Eminem featuring Rihanna 2011 : `` Someone Like You '' -- Adele ( UK ) 2012 : `` Somebody That I Used to Know '' -- Gotye featuring Kimbra 2013 : `` Blurred Lines '' -- Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell Williams 2014 : `` Happy '' -- Pharrell Williams 2015 : `` Uptown Funk '' -- Mark Ronson ( UK ) featuring Bruno Mars 2016 : `` One Dance '' -- Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla ( UK ) BNF : cb161653609 ( data ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hallelujah_(Leonard_Cohen_song)&oldid=816090609 '' Categories : Christmas number - one singles in the United Kingdom Christmas number - one single downloads in the United Kingdom 1980s ballads 1984 singles Leonard Cohen songs Columbia Records singles 1994 singles Jeff Buckley songs 2003 singles Rufus Wainwright songs 2008 singles Alexandra Burke songs The X Factor ( UK TV series ) SNEP Top Singles number - one singles Number - one singles in Norway UK Singles Chart number - one singles Irish Singles Chart number - one singles Debut singles Songs written by Leonard Cohen Songs about music Rock ballads Rhythm and blues ballads Ultratop 50 Singles ( Flanders ) number - one singles Dutch Top 40 number - one singles Metasongs Syco Music singles Universal Records singles United States National Recording Registry recordings 1984 songs Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) CS1 Portuguese - language sources ( pt ) CS1 Swedish - language sources ( sv ) Pages containing links to subscription - only content Webarchive template wayback links All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from May 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Pages using web citations with no URL Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) Use dmy dates from December 2012 Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017 Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Canada Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Czechdigital Singlechart called without artist Singlechart making named ref Singlechart usages for Finnishdownload Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for Portugal Singlechart usages for Scotland Singlechart usages for Slovakdigital Singlechart usages for Spain Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UKsinglesbyname Singlechart usages for Billboardrocksongs Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Articles with unsourced statements from February 2010 Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for Finland Singlechart usages for ItalyFIMI Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Certification Table Entry usages for Belgium Certification Table Entry usages for Italy Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand Certification Table Entry usages for Sweden Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Denmark Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Singlechart usages for Czech Republic Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Wallonia Tip Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadianhot100 Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Brezhoneg Català Čeština Deutsch Español فارسی Français Հայերեն Hrvatski Italiano עברית Nederlands Norsk Polski Português Русский Scots Simple English Suomi Svenska Українська Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 19 December 2017, at 05 : 38. 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Question: who was the original singer of the song hallelujah
Answer: Canadian singer Leonard Cohen