The ‘Idol’ Effect: Jeff Buckley’s ‘Hallelujah’ soars to No. 1 on iTunes after Jason Castro performance
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- March
- 10
Never underestimate the power of “American Idol.”
Although I didn’t love Jason Castro’s take last Tuesday on the Jeff Buckley version of “Hallelujah”—mostly because I’ve never heard anyone come close to matching the late singer’s emotional intensity or vocal quality on that song—I’m thrilled that Buckley’s single skyrocketed to No. 5 on iTunes overnight and moved to the top of the chart this weekend. Better still, Buckley remained atop the list as of this post’s publication.
The other day, I was chatting with a friend, who said the show often reminds her of great songs that she doesn’t have in her collection. And while I hope that “Idol” viewers aren’t wasting their cash on Amanda Overmyer’s “performances,” it’s nice to know that one of the most underrated vocalists of the last 20 years is getting some credit, albeit posthumously.
The most gripping track on Buckley’s 1993 album “Grace,” “Hallelujah” was penned by Leonard Cohen, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a few hours. Clocking in at just under seven minutes, “Hallelujah” accompanies Buckley’s flawless voice with only his mellow but dynamic electric guitar. While I also appreciate Buckley’s originals—including “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” and “Last Goodbye”—his take on “Halleluia” is the definitive version of that song, particularly impressive considering it’s been covered by everyone from Bob Dylan to Rufus Wainwright.
Buckley drowned during a late-night swim in 1997 at the age of 30. No foul play was believed to be involved.
Listen to Buckley’s version here. Out of respect, I won’t link to Castro’s version. That’d be downright unfair.
That said, Castro must be pretty popular among “Idol” fans, given the iTunes response. Could he be this year’s dark horse?
(Photo of Castro by Frank Micelotta/FOX)
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm by Chris Serico.
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American Idol. Ok. I could not figure out why this song, over a decade old, has suddenly become so popular. The last I heard it anywhere in popular-culture was on an episode of the West Wing. Thanks for clearing that up for me, I was really confusing me.
I just wanted to make a little comment on how you posted that it would be “unfair” to link Jason Castro’s version of Hallelujah to your article. Buckley’s version is amazing, but “in fairness”, Castro’s singing a heartfelt rendition of it caused Buckley’s song to jump to #1 on iTunes in March 2008. (because Castro was unalbe to have a song on iTunes during the American Idol competition)
Buckley’s version never reached number 1, but Castro did bring it back to life. Castro’s version is really beautiful and it does deserve recognition as well.