Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the song Hallelujah

73 replies

LadyGlenChristmasPresent · 14/12/2009 22:32

should be permanently banned from public performance without a licence.
I have attended no fewer than FIVE concerts of various types over the past couple of weeks and at each one, someone different has done their best to torture that bloody song into submission.
It's going round my head in a loop now and I don't think I'm ever going to get it out.
Isn't there a UN convention that covers this sort of thing?

OP posts:
lucky1979 · 15/12/2009 09:58

The worst version is still by Bono.

spinspinsugar · 15/12/2009 10:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 15/12/2009 10:24

Mt dd got very stroppy when Ms Burke sang it. She reckons the one on Shrek is the best version. I really like the song, but admit it is grubby and can't bear to imagine Bono singing it.

awastingamanger · 15/12/2009 10:28

Bono's version is hilarious.

mayorquimby · 15/12/2009 10:30

Buckley will always be my favourite but i do love the original by cohen it is fantastic.completely different songs with Cohens leaving you feeling empty and used.

Rafi · 15/12/2009 10:35

The BEST version is by Lorna Brooks live - heard her sing it about nine years ago at the Union Chapel in Islington, no-one's ever matched it.

The worst version I ever heard was incorporated into a school carol concert

Buddleja · 15/12/2009 10:37

I don't really understand the fuss about this song what so ever. I thinks it's a good song but don't really give a fig who sings it as long as they can hold a note.

However a few weeks ago there were a bunch of school girls singing it on a tv show here. Hearing the lyrics it did seem a wrong!

morningpaper · 15/12/2009 10:47

It is just WRONG

It would be like hearing Rolf Harris singing Not Fair

morningpaper · 15/12/2009 10:48
Buddleja · 15/12/2009 10:50

Oh rafi just read your post - same sort of thing - the only thing I think abou this song is that the lyrics shouldn't be coming our of a child's mouth

Original poster
LadyGlenChristmasPresent · 15/12/2009 10:52

At one concert I went to a nine year old girl was singing it. Most disconcerting. It appears to be the under-16 party piece of choice this season, hence all the different renditions. I blame Simon Cowell.
Agree with those who say it should only be sung by Leonard Cohen.

OP posts:
Drusilla · 15/12/2009 10:53

Leonard is the only one who should be allowed to do it. Lol at Famous Blue Raincoat at all these concerts It's my favourite LC song

totalmisfit · 15/12/2009 10:55

a little unfair that Leonard Cohen wrote the majestic thing, yet wouldn't be allowed to perform it according to MN law!

I think Jeff Buckley's version is of course sublime, but i remember hearing LC's original at the end of some film with Kate Winslet in the desert somewhere and thinking actually he hadn't altered it that much.

I hate Alexandra Burke mainly for the reason that i'm about to call dc2 (if indeed a girl) Alexandra, and worry everyone will think it's some kind of homage.

morningpaper · 15/12/2009 10:57

At one concert I went to a nine year old girl was singing it

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 15/12/2009 11:00

I love Bon Jovi's version beautifully dirty.

canihaveapeeinpeacepleasebob · 15/12/2009 11:09

I agree Wherethewildthingsare. Bon Jovi's version is the best.

BunnyLebowski · 15/12/2009 11:27

Oh...Dear...God I cannot believe anyone would argue that Jon Bon Jovi's gurning histrionics and fake emotion can be the best version.

moondog · 15/12/2009 11:29

It's a real dirge isn't it?
And the words are excruciatingly bad.

I'd rather a bit of Slade meself.

HowTheGibbonStoleChristmas · 15/12/2009 11:54

I have to hear chelsea hotel now, been singing it all morning since this thread.

SydneyScarborough · 15/12/2009 11:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

moondog · 15/12/2009 20:05

Oh, I love a bit of tuneless Leonard as much as the next woman

Suzanne takes you doooown to a plaaaaace by the riveeeeeeeer

but.... there is a fine line between sage words of wisdom and meaningless drivel that happens to rhyme eh?

MadameDefarge · 15/12/2009 20:16

Do these people like Kathryn Jenkins not get its all about sex and the big O? just because he uses religious imagery when discussing sex does not make it a bloody hymn.

Moresproutsplease · 15/12/2009 20:27

This is the best version

veryconfusedandupset · 15/12/2009 20:32

Kathryn Williams sings it better than anyone else. here And she has been singing it for ages - before any of the other recent covers for certain. she has an amazing voice and deserves far wider recognition than she has

MsHighwater · 15/12/2009 21:02

I really don't think Leonard Cohen would want anyone to be banned from singing it, or any of his other songs. Did he not have to do a pension tour because he lost all his money?

I know the lyrics are pretty weird but I've never actually tried to work out what it is all about. Some of you obviously have views about this. Do share.