X Factor contestants have reacted angrily to reports that programme bosses have chosen Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ as the winners’ single.
Diana Vickers picked up rave reviews from judges following her performance of the track on the series – made popular by Jeff Buckley’s histrionic cover and an appearance in Shrek, among other things – but the other singers feel the song was picked with Diana in mind to win the show.
‘So what’, you might think. But this year’s irate wannabees needn’t worry – the Quietus has seen plenty of evidence that the song is ripe for reinterpretation by any number of performers, as the following clips will surely attest…
Here’s American Idol singer Jason Castro performing it:
…and there’s some good facial expressions from Norwegian singer-songwriter Esper Lind on this one. Of particular interest is the moment at 0:42 where he glances lovingly down at his crotch, as if a bout of self-inflicted fellatio is very much on the cards post-performance:
…is that a murderous glint in WanderingWarg’s eye on his minimalist Youtube take on the track?
…meanwhile thevolkssongs’ version, also available on the Youtube website, is a little like waking up out of a year-long coma into the middle of a Twin Peaks set:
…finally and jeroduptown appears to fearing attack from an unknown assailant during this moving piano-based recital:
Get yourself down to youtube.com today for literally thousands of other takes on a song that seems to strike a chord with self-regarding pseuds of limited musical prowess the world over. Alternatively you could watch a man with a sense of humour perform it, here.
