Leonard Cohen
The original hallelujah. The melody was much blander then i know it to be. Leonard cohen may well be one of the best song writers around, but singing along makes me feel good about myself. Originally with different lyrics.

Jeff Buckley
Well we all know this one, sparce but distint guitar, tortured vocals. The melody that we know the song for is here, and this version made the song as famous as it is today.

Rufus Wainwright
My personal favourite, peaceful piano with powerful vocals. The 'hallelujah' in the verses really soar, and the heavy vibrato during the chorus is haunting. Featured in Shrek, a long time ago.

Damien Rice
May not be recorded in studio, but featured in live releases. Who would have though an acoustic guitar, heavily distorted vocals, only two verses and a period of screaming hallelujah at the end would be so effective. Definately powerful.

Clare Bowditch
How many people have heard this one? Opens with some Euphonium. Once again the hallelujah's melody has significant alterations. But wow. So many vocal jumps and yet, it all fits. This is one version to definately get a hold of. She definately has a big future ahead. Features one verse from Cohen's original.

John Cale
Very familiar yet different. Almost a mix of the piano from Rufus' version, along with the personal sounding vocals, a la jeff. I've also heard a live version from somewhere, where Cale performed all seven verses together (origianl plus Cohen's later alterations).

K.D. Lang
Very standard piano version. What you'd expect from her. Not saying its bad, its actually quite pleasing to listen to, but missed the tortured/hurt/haunting point of hallelujah. Few vocal show off's to.

Bono
Is he trying to mock the song, or does he actually think its good? Hiphop sounding bass with Bono's reciting the lyrics as if it's his poetry. Didn't work. And the chorus, standard melody, just octaves higher with some extreme falsetto. This is one version to stay away from at all costs.

Take you pick peoples






And you cant choose Jeff's if you havnt at least heard another.

I have the worst one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9ABY68mknSs

still beats bono's

This is one of those songs where I hear one version, and anytime I hear another it just doesn't sound right

Regina Spektor's is pretty nice.

Wow, those are 4 weird looking mother fuckers in that link GoS posted.

I just listened to Jeff Buckley's live in Japan version and I won't lie that's a fucking beautiful song.

that wasn't all that bad, a little awkward maybe, but definitely not bad.

Norwegians..

I must hear this.

where can i hear this?

i can pm

rufus is my favorite version by far... the regina spektor version i just got. it was cool but fell short of my expectations

it'd be pretty cool if bono died

Fuck no, i don't wanna hear all the tributes, biographies, U2 Specials and basically U2 everywhere for months. God please make him live forever.

The Rufus one is all over youtube if you're looking for it.

yeah that's true... maybe he should just get leprosy and go live in some 3rd world country he pretends to give aid to

?
I thought it was pretty good. I tried not to watch it though, cause it seemed akward watching it for some reason, but listening i really liked it, though not like Buckley's. Haven't heard any of the others, but I'll try to search them out.

i've only heard the buckley, didn't really like it.

nice, liked it