Hallelujah!

Filed under: Music Minute > American Idol > Simon Cowell

Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah is #2 on iTunes.

WTF???? What? Why????

Well, it turns out that American Idol contestant Jason Castro performed the song this week and Simon mentioned that the Jeff Buckley version is one of his faves.

The power of Cowell!

We love the Buckley version, but we also love LOVE love the K.D. Lang interpretation!

Posted: Mar 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm / Email this »

See All 315 Comments

315 comments to “Hallelujah!”

More comments: [1] 2 3 4 »

stephanie says – reply to this

1

first
skinnygirluver says – reply to this

2

American Idol is dead.
DANIEL says – reply to this

3

1st BITCH'S
skinnygirluver says – reply to this

4

Simon Cowell is a tool.
elli says – reply to this

5

I'm sorry but the K.D. Lang version has NOTHING on the Jeff Buckley version. They're not even in the same league.
me says – reply to this

6

love love love it!
Princess Stevie says – reply to this

7

I love that song!
jen says – reply to this

8

Jeff buckley was a talent person not some lamo that has to appear on a reality show. That song is pure class. This man inspired a generation of singers so its great that he will be noticed again in 2008. RIP JEFF
She she says – reply to this

9

It sucked!
mare says – reply to this

10

aw i love me some k.d. lang. gunna look it up.
julia says – reply to this

11

why is simons head so square!!
me says – reply to this

12

why didya change the pic? ICKOOOO!
sveta says – reply to this

13

first?
Sha says – reply to this

14

I love this song!
lexi says – reply to this

15

the original Leonard Cohen version is the best, hands down.
karebear says – reply to this

16

The Rufus Wainwright version is outstanding as well. Really simple but beautiful piano on it.
Sharon says – reply to this

17

I'm partial to the Rufus Wainwright version myself. But Buckley's is pretty good.
BeeJ says – reply to this

18

Rufus Wainwrights is pretty awesome too!
Kallistos says – reply to this

19

k.d., absolutely the best now, and probably for ever.
me says – reply to this

20

the original from LEONARD COHEN is the best one for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kelly says – reply to this

21

Perez, you should hear the version Brandi Carlile does — awesome!
Jeff all the way says – reply to this

22

I adore his version. There is something so haunting and incredible about it. Sadly, I think his tragic death adds another layer to the song.
Not that anyone cares, but Jeff's father, Tim, was also a musician. His best song, in my opinion, was called Song of the Siren. Basically, it's about going on a swim to his death. Jeff died in a river when he got pulled under by the wake of a passing ship. Eeery.
rachey says – reply to this

23

Um, Buckley's is WAY better than kd lang. she's kind of a hack…and frankly, i think the american idol guy kind of sucked at it
lauren says – reply to this

24

this guy's version is OK. but jon bon jovi's version kicks ass.
hey says – reply to this

25

I just noticed that
jason castro is yummy. says – reply to this

26

i love this song…
it makes me cry every time i hear it!!
it also reminds me of 'the one that got away'
jeff buckley was an amazing musician.
johnny knoxville says – reply to this

27

Jeff is KING! Tom Leykis for President.
liv says – reply to this

28

i like jeff buckley's version but rufus wainwright's is also good
cDQ says – reply to this

29

ya
Lilu says – reply to this

30

Jason is gorgeous, love his version!
Rich says – reply to this

31

i'm shocked that you aren't taking credit for this!
me says – reply to this

32

That fucking ROCKS!! I LOVE Jeff Buckley. So sad he's gone!
REN says – reply to this

33

WHO CARES?
love this song says – reply to this

34

gavin degraw also has an awesome version of this song.
ursaminorjim says – reply to this

35

Ugh. Stick with the Leonard Cohen original or the John Cale cover, kids.
ct114 says – reply to this

36

I personally like Rufus Wainwright's better.
Megan says – reply to this

37

While I love both of the versions you mentioned, there is something to be said for the original Leonard Cohen version. He may not be the world's greatest singer, but I still love his voice.
danielle says – reply to this

38

simon cowell is great.
Me says – reply to this

39

You should hear Bon-Jovi do it! It is awesome!!!!!!!!
SuperStarSteve says – reply to this

40

Simon looks like a total "top" in this picture.

Just saying.
baron says – reply to this

41

Gay!
TheMediaLies says – reply to this

42

The Imogen Heap cover is also beautiful. Think The O.C. when Marissa dies.
michael says – reply to this

43

The best is Rufus Wainwright!
Anne says – reply to this

44

Have you ever heard Jason Buckley sing Hallelujah??!!!!!!!! IT will blow your fucking socks off! You're such a complete idiot Perez…
ursaminorjim says – reply to this

45

And for those who didn't know, the Rufus version is just a lame copy of the Cale version (who didn't want his version released on the "Shrek" soundtrack, although it was used in the film).
mmmhmm says – reply to this

46

KD Lang is terrible. I understand the desire for solidarity, but she is not automatically amazing just because she is homosexual.
Obama bin Laden says – reply to this

47

That song is so maudlin and melodramatic! It is a piece of cloying crapola and the only people who like shiz like that are cutters and queers.
Dustin says – reply to this

48

Rufus Wainwright takes all!
Linda says – reply to this

49

After Simon mentioned Jeff Buckley, I went to CDNow and listened to his version, as well as others. NO ONE compares to K.D. Lang Did you see her sing it on Good Morning America? Awesome!
Doug says – reply to this

50

Do yourself a favor and buy the entire album, Grace. It really is an all-time classic.
Jaysus says – reply to this

51

Jeff B & Idol - ARGH *shudder*

Keep anything to do with JB away from that glorified karaoke competition
amy says – reply to this

52

nobody cares if Simon likes the song. Jason Castro sang his heart off to that song. He's the one that put a renewed interest in it, (it's a great song) and made it hot again. not Simon. Jason is great I hope he goes all the way.
Cha Cha says – reply to this

53

Have you heard the Heidi Montag version? It will blow your mind! It is even more awesome than Ali Lohan's version.
kate says – reply to this

54

Rufus Wainwright's is the best
kj says – reply to this

55

um. what about the original? Leonard Cohen is one of the best song writers ever. period.
alex milstein says – reply to this

56

I like the Leonard Cohen version myself. But he only wrote it. And his version only was the inspiration for others to cover it.
johnny says – reply to this

57

jeff buckleys and rufus wainwrights versions are both amazing….but dont forget the incredible leonard cohen who wrote the damn thing
RUFUS ALL DA WAY says – reply to this

58

rufus wainrights version is by far the greatest
hmmmm says – reply to this

59

Jeff Buckley does have the best version, in fact not enough people know about him….K.D. Lang's voice is flat and unattractive…she butchered that song.
rita says – reply to this

60

i adore rufus, but i prefer jeff's version to all of them. it sickens me a bit, though, to think that simon cowell and american idol viewers are responsible for this. ugh.
Clay says – reply to this

61

Jonh Cale's version is the best.
Drewgo says – reply to this

62

K.D. Lang is great, but Jeff Buckley's version is incredible….. And while we're on the subject, go out and buy his CD (Grace)….it's great….

I still can't believe he's gone
vickierules says – reply to this

63

rufus wainright version, bitches!!!!!!!
but my fiance will say the leonard cohen version is best
nelly says – reply to this

64

Jeff Buckley is just an absolute legend..I have the Live at Sine album and it truly captures the ethereal beauty of his voice and I'm glad there is some recognition for his work even if it is through American Idol lol R.I.P Buckley ps the orginal is by Leonard Cohen
MARCELO says – reply to this

65

Rufus Wainwright IS THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
migdeal says – reply to this

66

Jeff Buckley was an amazing ARTIST who left us way before his time. You should applaud Simon's efforts to promote real music and his influence on raising music sales..you're not the only one who can do it!!!
yeppers says – reply to this

67

Allison Krausse's version is amazing.
JSusan says – reply to this

68

Jeff Buckley is my favorite!!!
A-bomb says – reply to this

69

You MUST check out Ari Hest's version. It's perfection.
marna says – reply to this

70

What about Allison Crowe. The best!
duh says – reply to this

71

come on.
leonard cohen WROTE the song, that song is beautiful.
I give him the most credit,
It takes a genius to write a song like that.
i like Buckley, but the original is best.
rurururufus says – reply to this

72

um hello the rufus wainwright version SO tops all of the others.
AMAZING.
SelbyTiger says – reply to this

73

I have to say that it is one of the rare times that I prefer Leonard Cohen's version of his own song to the many other great versions, including Bono which I haven't seen get a vote here yet.
Kelley says – reply to this

74

Try Brandi Carlile's version. It was awesome live.
Johnson says – reply to this

75

STFU!!!!!!!!! You seriously lack any credibility as a music critic. First you try and shove some stupid bitch from a reality t.v. show down our throats. Singing about google, for fuck sake! Now you dare to say that there is a better version of Hallelujah, other than Jeff's. You are truly an idiot. Thank you so much. It's very entertaining.
mariosmom says – reply to this

76

For once I agree with you, Perez. KD Laing's version is best…..
p2 says – reply to this

77

our colorguard did kd langs hallelujah last yearit was amazing! i love that song!
FirePie says – reply to this

78

Rufus' version was great…VERY Dramatic, VERY Rufus…but Jeff's was really poignant and way more amazing!

I *heart* Jeff!
abby says – reply to this

79

are people clearly forgetting the imogen heap version!!!
eeheehee says – reply to this

80

kd lang, some third-rate american idol hopeful…you can't even compare that to l. cohen and j. buckley's versions. they're on different levels.

"Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah is #2 on iTunes.

WTF???? What? Why????"

i can't believe they even asked WHY?? how freaking absurd.
Kim says – reply to this

81

Gavin Degraw also does an amazing verison of the song too.
el polacko says – reply to this

82

give me leanord cohen's version since he WROTE it ! second place goes to john cale.
Anna says – reply to this

83

I CANT BELIEVE NO ONE HAS MENTIONED BON JOVI'S VERSION!!!!!! IT ROCKS….
Rachel says – reply to this

84

Excvuse me !!! Its not Simon who got the song to number 2 it is Jason. Thank you very much.
Therese says – reply to this

85

ok for all you little babies out there….Leonard Cohen is the author of this beautiful song…so download that…the second best version (well according to me) is Rufus Wainwright…then Jeff Buckley and then Jason Castro…but kd land does a fierce rendention..so check it out peeps
Jamie says – reply to this

86

Becaus it;s the BEST version of Hallelujah ever!! Jeff Buckley has the voice of an angel
lisalu says – reply to this

87

I remember when KD Lang debuted on HeeHaw years ago and had ripped stockings and was like punk rock country! HA HA HAA!!
Nikki says – reply to this

88

**************************************************************

He looks like JAMES FRANCO HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**************************************************************
Becky says – reply to this

89

Hey Perez, I like the K.D. Lang version of Hallelujah a lot better also but I love her noo matter what she sings, she has a greeeeaaat voice.
jessica says – reply to this

90

jeff buckley….one of the most amazing talents ever. and his version is PERFECT. kd lang perez??? seriously….nothing tops the buckley version.
Jack says – reply to this

91

k.d.'s version is amazing!!!
Caysie says – reply to this

92

It was Randy who said that it was made popular by Jeff Buckley. In my opinion Jeff Buckley was one of the most talented artists of our generation and it still breaks my heart that such a young talent had to leave this earth so soon. I have been waiting for someone to sing one of his toons (renditions) on American Idol.
Deryck says – reply to this

93

Little known fact: This song is actually copied from an original composition by Miss Avril Lavigne. Everybody be bitin off o her.
lg says – reply to this

94

leonard cohen, a fellow CANADIAN, is an amazing songwriter/poet/musician…his version and K.D's ANOTHER CANADIAN, is also amazing…Jeff BUckley is sweet too and you know what…thats just great!:) Music is the soundtrack of our souls and arent we lucky to have it!
dot says – reply to this

95

Leonard Cohen! The original and best to date.
JC in Palm Beach, FL says – reply to this

96

Love Jeff Buckley! Didn't love that dreaddy dork who sang it on Idol!
Melissa says – reply to this

97

Uhh, it may have something to do with the fact that Jeff Buckey died this week.
lil girl says – reply to this

98

the only version that comes close to Jeff Buckley's is Brandi Carlile's… you can download it on itunes as well.

fantastic.
kk says – reply to this

99

Imogen Heaps version rocks as well!
rita says – reply to this

100

are you being serious about jeff buckley dying this week, melissa? jesus, i hope not. i hope you aren't thinking of JEFF HEALEY.

More comments: [1] 2 3 4 »

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