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.
Listen to 'Hallelujah'
Buy it on iTunes
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: Songs, The Hit List


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Reader Comments(1 of 8)
mistiat 5-05-2007
absolutely my favorite song-i love this...
sandyat 5-05-2007
i chopped my dreadlocks off to this song...
charlesat 5-05-2007
this is sad. it is on the o.c. like 5 times.
SCat 5-05-2007
Absolutely an excellent choice, but again, I'd have to put another Buckley song ahead of this one. To me, "Last Goodbye" gets me every time. Feeling the sadness when you're just not with the person you thought... "why can't we overcome this wall/Well, maybe it's just because I didn't know you at all"
Donnaat 5-05-2007
Sad yes, but the most beautiful song in the world. Jeff Buckley's version is better than anyone's!
Jasonat 5-05-2007
I love this song in Shrek. It's one of the best, saddest songs ever.
Angelat 5-05-2007
Reminds me of Shrek...Great song.
joyat 5-05-2007
only leonard knows how to open your soul and show you where it hurts, still...
Joshat 5-05-2007
Rufus Wainrights versionis better and anyone who thinks diffrently should kill themselves.
Clinton in 2008!!!!
Joshat 5-05-2007
P.S. Since Donna said it first she shoud die twice then have her dog raped by a school janitor while being brutaly murdered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clinton 2008!!!!!!!!!!!
joyat 5-05-2007
leonard knows the words to open your soul and show you where it hurts, still...
Redneck Womanat 5-05-2007
I only ever heard it in Shrek, but I like it.
sandyat 5-05-2007
OK kids, Rufus, KD lang, and this guy Jeff Buckley do a good job,but the guy who wrote this song, The Master Himself old Leonard Cohen does it best! His voice is so rough and raspy, he almost sounds like he's been gargling with Draino. His 2 disc set of his greatest hits will knock your socks off.
Jenniferat 5-05-2007
I agree that Rufus Wainwright's version is better, but it's a killer song nonetheless. I cry everytime I hear it in Shrek.
Cat Campbellat 5-05-2007
It's a beautiful version of a Cohen classic; everyone who has done it before and after JB brings their own sound and personality to it. All i have to say is Josh is in serious need of medication and probably years of therapy...