Am I the only one dissapointed with Jovi's Hallelujah?
 

It is, without doubt, an incredible song. But a bloody demanding one, requiring an absolutely outstanding vocal if not to sound repetitive. Even Leonard Cohen's original drags in comparison to Jeff Buckley or Rufus Wainwright.

The bar has been set extremely high for that song and it is just not right for Bon Jovi - it needs a subteldy they just don't deal in. I hadn't heard their version before the 02, so was thinking they could do it justice if they really built up the harmonies and had some kind of original arrangement, but it just felt a little plain on the night.

I guess I love Leonard Cohen's version since I was young and heard that one first. I think Jeff Buckley's version is a bit whiney for the song - though it's good. JJ Cale has a good version of it too.

I can't stand Rufus Wainwright so I can't comment on his version.

I prefer the stripped version to what was shown on Unplugged recently though. And I haven't heard it live myself so I don't really know how well they do it in a concert setting.

I do think Bon Jovi does justice to the song though.

Kathleen

Yes, yes, YES! I do not get Jeff Buckley's version at all. I think it's terrible. John Cale's is fantastic. His voice fits the mood of the song perfectly.

I thought Bon Jovi's version, as played on Stripped, was superb. Was it the best of all versions? I can't say cause I can hardly be objective but I thought it was superb. What I really liked about it was the choir feeling to the chorus when everyone sang 'Hallelujah'. Witnessing it being performed last night was haunting. Jon's vocals were incredible, from the sultry, quite parts, to the loud 'aching' vocals at the end, it was terrific. Dave's playing was superb too.

At the very least they do the song justice.

could be worse, rufus wainright did it at glastobury this weekend.

he messed up the verses and then got cerys mathews (aka the nasal whiny hag from catatonia) to come out and ruin the last section of the sing. i actually turned over.

Is it possible - since it was a studio session - that we might get a higher quality version of stripped? You know - like a bonus DVD?

I'd love to have that in top quality.

Kathleen

After reading so much about this song here I was looking forward to hearing it on Unplugged. It bored me to death. Sorry, guess it's just not my thing. I was glad when it was finally over, it seemed to go on and on forever.

Did absolutely nothing for me one way or the other.

I thought it was absolutely amazing last night

Last night's performance gave me goosebumps - I thought it was absolutely fantastic.

Anyone who doesn't like Buckely's version is a blasphemer!

The man had such an incredible vocal range, he makes the song so beautiful ... gives me chills every time