Classic Song Involved in Xmas Battle

Posted on Dec 18th 2008 2:00PM by James Sullivan
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Leonard Cohen will be singing 'Hallelujah' this holiday season -- well, not literally. But he is keeping his hands clean when it comes to choosing which of two versions of his song will snag the coveted No. 1 Christmas single slot on the British charts. Either way, both Cohen and his accountant will have a happy holiday.

Fans of Jeff Buckley have launched a campaign in the U.K. to boost download sales of the late vocalist's 1994 version of the Canadian singer-songwriter's unstoppable tune. This ploy is a frantic response to the overnight success of another cover, this one by newcomer Alexandra Burke, who just won the British singing contest 'X Factor' with her own version of the perpetually resurgent Cohen classic.

Reportedly, the Buckley push may result in a song occupying the top two spots on the British charts for the first time ever. Cohen, inducted this year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, should be in his glory, whatever he thinks of the false 'Idol's who keep singing his praises: The Zen master has been chasing a former business manager who made off with his retirement savings a few years ago. The singer may yet retire, but his song will keep working like a dog.

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