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Rufus Wainwright Puts 'Hallelujah' to Rest

Rufus Wainwright'Hallelujah' has been covered time and time again, and one of its most notable versions is by Rufus Wainwright. But as of Feb. 12, Wainwright said it's the "end of an era" for him and the classic Leonard Cohen tune.

As Wainwright closed his solo concert at the historic Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. that night, he announced that he'd decided -- just then, on stage -- that it was time for him to put the song to rest -- "ever since Justin Timberlake sang it," Wainwright added half-jokingly. Wainwright was, of course, referring to Timberlake and Matt Morris' recent performance on the 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon.

Wainwright suggested that everyone in attendance should enjoy 'Hallelujah' while they could that evening, since he has no plans to play it again for quite a while after the weekend's one-off shows in Poughkeepsie, Northampton, Mass. and Atlantic City, N.J. -- even though he's set to tour soon. Incidentally, Wainwright forgot the lyrics to a verse of the song during the performance, so perhaps it is a fitting time for him to let it go.

The night felt like as much of a tribute to his late mother, Kate McGarrigle, as it seemed to be a rehearsal for the upcoming tour. In addition to playing over a dozen tunes from previous releases, Wainwright spoke warmly of McGarrigle and performed 'Zebulon' -- which he sang at her memorial -- as well as a series of four new songs. According to his set list, the segment of new music included the titles 'Give Me What I Want,' 'True Loves,' 'For Shame' and 'Rose.' Wainwright said that on his upcoming tour, he will be retiring his guitar and focusing only on piano.

The set, performed without a backing band, ended with a song from his forthcoming opera, 'Prima Donna.' The opera is scheduled to open in London on April 12, and Wainwright will embark on a tour in the U.K. and Ireland that same month in support of his to-be-released album, 'All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu.'

Watch Wainwright Perform 'Hallelujah'


Rufus Wainwright on AOL Music

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16 Comments

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arlene

The version used in SHREK is sang by John Cale. Whom, I think does the best version/cover. K.D.Lang is a close second. The SHREK Soundtrack had Rufus' version. I don't know why they would use one version in the movie, but then put someone elses on the soundtrack. Silly.

March 28 2010 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chris

L.C.'s a great writer, but the best ever rendition of "Hallelujah" is Jeff Buckley's.

February 26 2010 at 10:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carole Mascenik

If that's the best he can perform "Hallelujah" then it is only right that he stop singing it NOW - please!!!!

February 18 2010 at 8:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Donna

I love Rufus' version. Contrary to what has been said here, he did not record the song for Shrek, rather, he recorded the song years before and it was used in the movie later.

Hallelujah is a great song and has been covered a lot and there are a few really great versions.

February 18 2010 at 8:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fran

For my money, nobody does LC like LC...but that being said, the only really lousy rendition of "Hallelujah" that I've ever heard is Bono's techno version, which appeared on the Cohen tribute album "Tower of Song." It's such a great song that it takes a lot to wreck it totally, but Bono manages to.

February 18 2010 at 8:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john tuinman

sounds like shrek

February 18 2010 at 8:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick

Wasn't it played on Shrek II?

February 18 2010 at 7:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rounder

Nobody has or will ever touch Jeff Buckley's version. Cohen is a close second, but Buckley's ethereal version really gave the song a new life & brought it to everyone's attention after appearing on "Grace". If not for Buckley's tragic death...like his father Tim's...Buckley would be the major figure rather than Rufus (whom I find tiring anyway).

February 18 2010 at 6:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to rounder's comment
Big Boss Ogg

Tiring, tiresome and whiny-voiced...

March 28 2010 at 2:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michael Joseph

You've got to be kidding. It's the best version I have ever heard. Bite your tongues.

February 17 2010 at 12:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steve

Jeff Buckley's version will never be bested. But KD Lang did a wonderful job last week. Rufus did it for Shrek - his version just happened to be marketed to a much bigger audience, but it isn't as good.

February 16 2010 at 6:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply