I was reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it, and the reviewer said, Can we please have a moratorium on Hallelujah in movies and television shows? and I kind of feel the same way. I think its a good song, but too many people sing it.
Leonard Cohen
Incidentally, the gratuitous sex scene in Watchmen that used Hallelujah actually employed Cohens own version of the song, one of the few times Cohens original has been unearthed in recent years. Since Jeff Buckley covered the song on his 1994 album Grace using John Cales 1992 version of the song as his guide Hallelujah has taken on hit status, thanks to renditions by the U.K.s X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and American Idol Season Seven finalist Jason Castro. Kate Voegele, k.d. lang and Rufus Wainwright have also covered the song in the years since its original 1984 release, with Wainwrights version featuring in 2001s Shrek.
Despite the over-saturation of Hallelujah, the songs recent chart-topping success on both sides of the ocean has given Cohen some sweet revenge. There were certain ironic and amusing sidebars, because the record that it came from which was called Various Positions a record Sony wouldnt put out, Cohen told the Guardian. They didnt think it was good enough So there was a mild sense of revenge that arose in my heart.
Cohen cant complain about the extra royalties either, especially considering he was forced to tour after a lengthy hiatus because his former manager made off with most of his assets. Meanwhile, were still surprised that Leonard Cohen is sitting around reading reviews of the superhero flick Watchmen.
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