TORONTO — A casual conversation about music on Thursday’s episode of Global’s The Morning Show sparked a debate about who recorded the best version of “Hallelujah.”
Montreal-born Leonard Cohen wrote and recorded the song in 1984 and it has been covered by hundreds of artists over the years, including Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, John Cale and Alexandra Burke.
Daryn Jones, guest co-host on The Morning Show, said it is the late Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah,” which appears on the 1994 album Grace, that deserves top honours. Liza Fromer agreed.
In 2014, BBC Music ranked Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah” the fifth best cover song of all time.
Rosey Edeh, though, said she favours the version by Cohen’s fellow Canadian k.d. lang that appears on her 2004 album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. Lang performed the song at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics Games in Vancouver.
Kris Reyes cast her vote for the interpretation by Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris, which they performed on the Hope for Haiti Now special in 2010.
Listen to “Hallelujah” by the four artists mentioned on The Morning Show and then cast your vote below for the best.
Daryn Jones’ and Liza Fromer’s pick:
Kris Reyes’ pick:
Rosey Edeh’s pick:
Leonard Cohen’s own version
Your pick:
Comments