Spinner

The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 7

'Hallelujah'
Jeff Buckley (1994)

The Breakdown: Leonard Cohen's existential hymn addressing an old fling becomes a heavenly, if unanswered, prayer in the hands of the ill-fated Buckley.

The Waterworks: "Love is not a victory march/It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah."

Casualty Count: One crisis of faith.

All Sad Songs


Listen to 'Hallelujah'

Buy it on iTunes

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126 Comments

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Jeanne

I downloaded every version available by iTunes (26) burned to a CD and do listen to it every night while I go to sleep. Jeff's amazing voice and breathe control beat out all others. Rufus' is good but nasally. k.d. lang does a rich cover w/piano. Kate Voegele does a nice cover w/guitar. Mr. Cohen just doesn't have the range to do his song justice. Celtic Thunder does great harmony. It's the song for this one, not the singers.

April 17 2010 at 12:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Travis

Great pick. Leonard Cohen has the soul of the human race in his pocket so he can take it out every now and then and pluck it to see what exactly it's made of. Then he puts those findings to lyrics. Best vers, duh! Sounds like Buckley was already singing down to us from heaven.

April 13 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pat

I THINK THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD . I COULD LISTENTO IT ALL NIGHT

March 04 2010 at 10:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
xxzeuqxx

wicked, wow...

February 23 2010 at 8:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liz

Loved this song from the first time I heard it. I wish I
could say that this isn't the best voice or arrangement that
could have been chosen to hear.

February 20 2010 at 1:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thekeepers

can't we all just agree that we all like different versions and it doesn't matter who sings it the best, because in the end all that matters is the words of the songs. if not for the words, then why would there be so many versions? the words are what matters most. lets just agree on that

November 06 2009 at 9:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Juliette

I'm singing this song in choir and I got a solo! Yay!
This song is amazing but I like the Rufus Wainwright's version a bit better.
It is a sad song :(

October 19 2009 at 10:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liz

YES!!

Love the jeff buckley version!

but Imogen Heap's version is definitley the saddest!
Completely acapella, and that girl's voice is so haunting it just sends chills down your spine!

October 08 2009 at 7:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JoAnn

Leonard Cohen and I go back many years, and I love his stuff with all my heart, but if you want your guts torn out, listen to kd lang. This song was never done better than by her. As far as that goes, she sings "Crying" with and without Roy Orbison better than anyone alive, or Roy.....

September 22 2009 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gabe

it doesnt matter that jeff Buckley covered it. it should be listed under Leonard Cohen. he wrote the song, and personally i think his version is better. his voice is so low. its amazing.

August 22 2009 at 1:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply