Jeff Buckley looks set to have a top three hit more than a decade after his death with his definitive recording of Hallelujah, sales figures showed today.
The star, who drowned in 1997 at the age of 30, has seen sales of the track – a cover of the Leonard Cohen song – rocket in response to the release of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke’s release of the song, thanks to an internet campaign. Burke’s version is on course to claim the number one on Sunday after shifting almost 150,000 copies of her single by Monday night.
The original version of the track by Cohen has also entered the top 40 at 34, according to latest midweek sales figures which are a guide to next week’s chart positions.
Buckley is on course to be number three, behind Leona Lewis’s version of Snow Patrol’s run, making a top three of covers. If Buckley’s version of Hallelujah climbs to number two, it is thought it would be the first time in the 50 years that different versions of the same song have held the top two positions.
3:03 PM | 16/12/2008
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January 1957
On 12 and 26 Guy Mitchell was number 1 with Singing The Blues with Tommy Steele at number 2 with the same song.
On 19 Jan, Steele was number 1 with Mitchell at 2.
Posted by Liam Friel at 3:26 PM | 17/12/2008 | Report Abuse
It would be fantastic if we could get Buckley's version 2 #1 , instead of the awful warbling that is Alexandra Burke... Although I think its good that more & more people are being introduced to one of the greatest songwriters of our generation, I would have preffered to have heard the song sung properly instead of that irratable Mariah Carey / Celine Dion way of screaming... Although I do really like the sentiment behind the line " You don't really care for music do ya" seems to have a new meaning!!!!
Posted by Ritchie at 11:15 AM | 18/12/2008 | Report Abuse
It would be fantastic if we could get Buckley's version 2 #1 , instead of the awful warbling that is Alexandra Burke... Although I think its good that more & more people are being introduced to one of the greatest songwriters of our generation, I would have preffered to have heard the song sung properly instead of that irratable Mariah Carey / Celine Dion way of screaming... Although I do really like the sentiment behind the line " You don't really care for music do ya" seems to have a new meaning!!!!
Posted by Ritchie at 11:15 AM | 18/12/2008 | Report Abuse
Buckley's version of 'Hallelujah' has always been one of the most moving songs ever, his untimely death made it more poignant. His stipped down live version with the Smiths' 'I know its over' is also worth checking out. Also check out Rufus Wainwright's version.
Posted by Bill Brash at 10:09 PM | 19/12/2008 | Report Abuse
Is this a struggle between television fans and music fans?
Posted by billium at 10:00 AM | 20/12/2008 | Report Abuse
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