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: March 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm
jeff buckleys version is about a million times better than anyone else's. no question.
Re: elli – John Cale's version is the best.
Re: Melissa – Jeff Buckley didn't die this week. He's been dead for over a decade.
I agree with Perez, the KD Lang version, especially the one taped at the BBC is just amazing & emotional. I am sure the others are good also, but I just can't imagine them better.
Lets face it. Anyone who covers this song rocks it! Instead of downloading the 1 song off Jeff Buckley's album Grace, go buy the whole album. 10 years later…its still ridiculous!
Rufus Wainwright's version is the best
Have not heard it yet. Love Jeff. rip. One of the best albums EVER!! grace that is.
What about Rufus Wainwright? You can't discount his version.
You're fucking retarded….
Everyone covers this song.
Buckley is the most respected though.
Personally i like the Allison Crowe and Kate Voegele covers.
jeff buckley fucking died this week you fucking moron
…rufus's version was unnecessary.
ew, perez. Jeff's version is way better.
OK, seriously, Jeff Buckley wins EVERY TIME. Regina Spektor, Leonard Cohen, K. D. Lang… Nope. Jeff Buckley.
thank you! I was wondering what suddenly sparked this songs rating!
I mean I love it, great song, but it was random!
the imogen heap version!!!!!!!!
as much as i hate caps lock messages…
JEFF BUCKLEY WAS BORN IN 1966 AND DIED IN 1997. JEFF HEALEY IS THE ONE WHO DIED RECENTLY, JACKASS.
jeff buckley's version is beautiful
gavin degraw sings an AMAZING version live! him and the piano! it is great! before he was a star i heard him sing it at wilsons in nyc.. you could hear a pin drop.. all the hipsters stopped to listen.. he was brilliant. buckley is still my favorite no one has the kind of passion jeff sang with…, but gavin was damn good. i like the little jason kid, but he wasn't as 'connected' as the song requires… rufus does a version too… it has a vibe…
rufus wainwright! jeff buckley!
something positive comes out of AI!
I
I love this song so much. Another great interpretation is by Brandi Carlile. Such a raw, emotional version.
Why, because she is gay? Let me guess, if K.D. Lang's version was #2 you would be gushing and all pink and there would be no "why????", right? Why do I go on this site? Why do I do this to myself?
check out Brandi Carlile's version….she is AMAZING. You would like her Perez!!
The Rufus Wainwright version is the best!
Nice the dude is dead and his single finally is a hit….. PS: this version was used on the first season of the OC and KD has a bunch of great songs but his is far superior
Cohen's version is so bland. When Buckley covered that song, it became his song. He brought such emotion that I've never heard in a song before.
Rufus ALL THE WAY!
its unfortunate that people are just now realizing his talent. Grace is one of finest examples of pure talent.
kd lang and jeff buckley's are good but check out the a capella group from Clemson University (its on itunes) its so good, its my favorite version!!
i have always loved this song. and i also love jason castro.
perez, don't even try to say that WTF WHY? to Jeff Buckley. Thank god people are downloading his music because he is an amazing artist and musician.
No one can top Leonard Cohen's songwriting.
Jeff Buckley kicks ASS!!!! Miss him so much, he would have been a HUGE hit if he had not drowned in Memphis in the river
What about the fab Rufus version? It's the best.
I like Rufus Wainwright's version. Hot ass.
NO!!!!!!!!! Love the beautiful Rufus Wainwright piano version instead! I don't like it with the guitar at all and I didn't like it when that kid sang it on idol last night.
And what about the writer..Leonard Cohen…just the most brilliant songwriter of this CENTURY.
Hellloooo its a Leonard Cohen song and Jeff Buckley COVERED it.
God Perez you sound like a moron. Nobody sings Hallelujah better than Buckley.
what? eew. Rufus Wainwright's version> K.D.'s version x a billion.
Thanks for posting this babe. You're the best. Jeff Buckley 4-ever!!
umm.. Rufus Wainwright is Canadian and very close to Leonard Cohen so… ya. lol I love Rufus's and the simplicity of Imogen Heap's version.
I vote for Rufus Wainwright, too!
Um…what about the freakin original?!
Leonard Cohen!?!!! Helllllo
I agree, Jeff Buckley was an awesome musician. But Jeff HEALEY just died on Sunday and you never posted about him. He was only 41. He had lots of top 40 hits and he also played with other guitarists like George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. He was an inspiration for everyone who lives with a disability. But sadly, no scandals and no skeletons in his closet. So Perez probably wouldn't have anything nasty to say about Healey. It's all good!
i didn't read through all of these comments, so i'm sure this has been mentioned already, maybe a few times, but imogen heap also does a really beautiful version of the song. jeff buckley's is probably the best…
I agree, Jeff Buckley was an awesome musician. But Jeff HEALEY just died on Sunday and you never posted about him. He was only 41. He had lots of top 40 hits and he also played with other guitarists like George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. "Angel Eyes" was my wedding song. Healey was an inspiration for everyone who lives with a disability. But sadly, no scandals and no skeletons in his closet. So Perez probably wouldn't have anything nasty to say about Healey. It's all good!
dude jeff buckley is one of the most amazing artist of all times. It amazing so many years after his tragic death he is still so loved. Im happy that soeone one who can actully sing is being reconized even if the dumd loser wont reconginze his genius.
rip Jeff buckley
First of all, I love you! Secondly, hello, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT did it BEST!!!
Jeff Buckley was an amazing talent. He was taken too soon.
Re: Nikki –
He really does look like James Franco.
the entire album Jeff released that includes this single is the single BEST album of the 1990's —- not shitting any of you !!!
RUFUS IS A GREAT TALENT … but … RUFUS IS RUINED BY HIS OWN FASCINATION WITH HIMSELF
JEFF WAS ABOUT GIVING AND SHARING TO OTHERS
thats awesome, rufus wainwright also does an sweet version. and jeff buckley is amazing, KD lang has NOTHING on that.
The only version of this song that can hang with the original is Rufus'.
CHEKC OUT THE ARI HEST VERSION!!! He is the BEST and he does it with an accoustic guitar!!!
God rest his soul. Jeff is still my favourite artist ever. No one can ever sing like that man could
THERE ARE N0 W0RDS F0R JEFF BUCKLEY. HE LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS. HE WAS BRILLIANT. "GRACE" IS MAJESTIC. I STILL HURT 0VER HIM BEING G0NE.
HALLELUJAH IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL VERSI0N, M0ST HAUNTING AND SPIRITUAL.
AND F0R ALL Y0U SCHM0'S 0UT THERE— JEFF'S VERSI0N IS THE J0HN CALE VERSI0N!
SAD THE KIDS T0DAY HAVE N0 IDEA WH0 HE WAS AND HIS GENIUS AND WHAT HE ST00D F0R. HE WAS AND STILL IS AM0NG THE BEST SINGERS AND MUSICIANS THE W0RLD HAS SEEN.
I THINK MARY HIS M0THER W0ULD GET A KICK 0UT 0F HIM BEING 0N PEREZ HILT0N! JEFF W0ULD'VE , T00!
wainwright's is the best
Lang's version is ok. Rufus' is better. Buckley's is far and away THE BEST.
dumbass.
I agree with whoever said that the K.D. Lang version is nowhere near as good as the Jeff Buckley version (or the Rufus Wainwright version or the Leonard Cohen original, for that matter)… Good song, bad cover. Buckley is genius.
I REALLY wish Simon Cowell wouldn't whore out all my favorite songs… he's a douche.
I LOVE jeff Buckley..but I just saw kd land perform live in Philly. She did an amazing, standing ovation worthy live version of that beautiful song. She didn't do 'Crying' but that more than made up for it. If you haven't heard her version…'youtube' it or 'itune' it she is PHENOMENAL!!! Seriously, the best female singer of our time. Her voice is that of an angel!
Jeffs singing "Lover you should have come over" is UNBELIEVABLE !!
omg i love the K.D. lang arrangment
ive had that forever!
Re: Andrea –
Many people think that James Franco should play Jeff in a film. There really is a strong resemblance. I hope they don't do a film though. Jeff's Hallelujah is the definitive version. No one compares to him, no one!
I'm sorry but the K.D. Lang version is JUST AS GOOD as the Jeff Buckley version. They're different, but they're equally as good.
Re: amusely – Jeff Buckley died 11 years ago- who is the moron?
nothing can compare to the leanord cohen version, or jeff buckley actually, but rufus wainwright and imogen heap have some amazing interpretations as well. no offense to kd lang.
no its because this is an amazing song by itself and many have been waiting for it to be available for purchase, and it finally showed up allowing many to finally buy it
fuck KD Lang… sorry perez but KD Lang is annoying as hell!
Buckley's voice was incredible… I pulled Grace of the CD shelf after seeing Jason sing the song, I honestly forgot how amazing the CD is from start to finish!
You people are such hangers-on. Get with the music program. Jeff Buckley was a god and has also been dead many years. You new insta-fans (Perez, I am talking to you) don't count. True fans have been in there loving his music for years!
Thanks for clearing this up, Perez! I was wondering the same thing myself. I also love Jeff Buckley and am totally excited he's number 2 on iTunes, but I was like, "How did that happen?!?!"
love.
How can you even COMPARE the two versions. Jeff Buckley's version is so hauntingly beautiful that you feel it through to the core of your being and you forget to breathe til its over. It's stunning. It's art.
Another good version is Alex Lloyd.
favorite song ever!!! thank you Leonard c!!!
best versions:
Daytime: John Cale
Nighttime: Jeff Buckley
Umm… the OC made this song big! does anyone remember??? it's Marisa's DEATH song!!
American Idol sucks, but Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah has to be one of my favourite songs of all time. His voice on it is amazing.
this is fucking ridiculous. BON JOVIE CREDITS LOVING THE SONG BECAUSE OF JEFF BUCKLEY.
yes, Cohen wrote it, but Jeff Buckley is the only reason the song took life. i am an avid, AVID fan of his, though i hold no biased when hearing other versions. Jeff Buckley is the only one who got it right (as everything he did with a guitar in his hand.) the only one. this song should only be associated with him. anything else is artificial.
Please, Perez. The Jeff Buckley version is one of the best songs ever. It's beautiful, haunting, moving, and full of class. The KD Lang version does not even come CLOSE to this powerful song.
someone's comment said "jeff buckley died (almost) 11 years ago. who is the moron?"
in ignoring your blatant ignorance in calling him a moron, he's absolutely the biggest loss of our generation in music. his voice was transcendant, and his presence flooded through walls. if there's a definition of Soul, he is it. he was so …Actual. and note, his death just at age 30 was purely accidental. no drugs. no alcohol. hearing his voice today is still as heartbreaking as ever.
NO NEWS.
someone's comment said "jeff buckley died (almost) 11 years ago. who is the moron?"
in ignoring your blatant ignorance in calling him a moron, he's absolutely the biggest loss of our generation in music. his voice was transcendant, and his presence flooded through walls. if there's a definition of Soul, he is it. he was so …Actual. and note, his death just at age 30 was purely accidental. no drugs. no alcohol. hearing his voice today is still as heartbreaking as ever.
hes not dead.
have you herd mark anthonys version????
Jeff Buckley was to music what Heath Ledger was to acting. Tremendous, unstoppable talent cut short way too early.
Oh yeah, and Jeff Buckley's version kicks even Leonard Cohen's original, but IMOGEN HEAP'S rendition was also amazing.
hell yes, i absolutely love this song
Ummm…the Jeff Buckley version is way better than the K.D. Lang. If you knew anything about music, you'd realize that.
Jeff Buckley's version is the best - I get chills when I hear it.
Could've sworn that was James Franco
.
When's he doing the Jeff Buckley movie then?
Re: Melissa –
it's Jeff Healy who died this week. Jeff Buckley died in 1997.
The k.d. Lang version is my fav!!!!! Biased, because I'm from Canada, but the best none the less.
jeff buckley beats kd
what about the original by leonard cohen!!??
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT IS SOO MUCH BETTER….aka the Shrek version.
I love that song it makes me cry
Songs Of The 49th Parallel is one of the greatest albums EVER! I totally agree Perez, k.d. lang is amazing!
Sorry Perez, but I am partial to Jeff Buckley's version. I discovered his music well after he died. He's one of the most amazing, haunting voices ever!!! I actually teared up when Jason sang that song. No matter who the hell sings it (Cohen, Buckley, Imogen Heap, or whomever the crap) how can you not shed a tear?
I am partial to Jeff Buckley's version. I love his music, & didn't discover him until well after he passed away.
I agree: everybody buy his album "Grace." Stunning work.
No matter who sings this song, it definitely makes you cry!!!
THE SONG PUTS ME TO TEARS Jeff Buckley was soooo beautiful and that song makes me cry,cry I'm a girl not a dude so my horomones
I remember it was on My So Called life in the closing in the 90's
RIP MR BUCKLEY
jeff buckley eats kd lang. jeff ftw.