American Idol Can’t Leave “Hallelujah” Alone

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Is Crystal Bowersox a man? Maybe.

We’re referring, of course, to her brassy rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which Bowersox performed last night at the behest of judge Ellen DeGeneres. The song’s lyrics caused Bowersox to sing the line “maybe I’m a man” a few too many times not to be noticeable.

We thought her performance felt a little forced, but maybe that’s why nobody’s asked American Songwriter to judge one of these things. The four idol judges seemed to be pretty excited about it.

But that paled in comparison to their enthusiasm for Lee’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which was set up to be the show-closing moment.

Lee seemed a little bit queasy when he announced he’d be performing the song, a Simon Cowell pick. Why’d he pick it? “I like him as a person,” said Cowell.

Everybody now: “Well, I heard there was a secret chord, that David played….”

It’s actually the third time the song’s been on show this year — even though Leonard Cohen himself has specifically asked people to leave it alone. Tim Urban warbled it earlier in the season, and 16-year-old Maddy Curtis auditioned with it.

As for Lee’s version, it was over before it started, and ended on a timpani roll. The audience lost their minds. Randy, Ellen and Kara all loved it. We’re not so sure.

What do you think, readers? Lee’s “Hallelujah”: big deal? Or big freakin’ deal?

13 Comments

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  1. Hallelujah is a beautiful song and should be sung by anyone who wants to feel its beauty and give the same to an audience. I loved Lee DeWyze’s version and will be listening to it for a long time. I think he sang it with class and deep emotion, (he even sang the high notes beautifully). Please don’t take the joy away that a listener has when they hear this song. The world today is way too negative, we need music in it and Lee DeWyze will give it to us with everything he’s got as to me, he is truly a “great” musician.

  2. I like the song to begin with and it’s been covered so many times that I think it’s just something every artist has to do now. Just like every mob movie needs a guy with the thing and a “forget about it.”

    I admit I was a little afraid when he read the song choice, as Lee is not known for his soft and sensitive voice. But I really enjoyed his rendition, especially the strong verses that lead up to the chorus. I thought it turned out to be a big freakin deal and would enjoy hearing the entire song by him – preferably on the radio after he’s had time to do a real studio session.

  3. “Hallelujah” for Lee Dewyze – I think we can say that was the performance of the season. It gave me shivers like Carrie Underwood’s “Alone” or David Cook’s “Always Be My Baby” – one of those rare “season moments.” It truly made me feel like this season has started to materialize (it only took 5 months). With the finale looking more than ever like a Lee-Crystal duel, could a Casey upset be waiting in the wings? Is the “cougar vote” that powerful? http://thesmogger.com/2010/05/19/idol-hangover-the-final-three-perform/

  4. First thing is first – The song is a perfect song, it’s that simple. Lee Dewyze did a great job with it, he has that sort of singer/songwriter raspy voice that is needed in my opinion. Those of us who love and support the true singer/songwriters of today’s world (and yesterdays world for that matter) seem to find frustration when the “mainstream” so selfishly gets to decide when they will or won’t support those kinds of artists. I read what Leonard Cohen had to say about it being over played and that is probably true. But listen, about 30 million young people who like pretty much what MTV and today’s radio decides they should like at least have been given the chance to discover the genesis of that song and Leonard Cohen. Perhaps that will lead to a Josh Ritter discovery or Joe Pug, maybe John Hiatt, Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Adams, Thad Cockrell, John Prine, or heaven forbid Bob Dylan or Townes Van Zandt. So, even though I struggle with American Idol, MTV, mainstream radio, and that whole false idea on what music is – Every so often, something great comes of it and regardless of how Cohen feels about the saturation of that song. Dewyze did it justice and it will be nice to see if he knows anything about songwriting in the future. As for Leonard Cohen, I would imagine the money that has been rolling in since the first contestant on American Idol performed it has served as a pretty decent shoulder to cry one.

  5. you’re asking if it’s “played” to sing “Hallelujah” … on “American Idol”? Really?

    Fine performance. But c’mon … that’s like a double shot of “played”-ness. American Idol officially jumped the shark when they had the one celebrity guest give all the contestants a “master class”, then the dude (forget his name) proceeds to get on stage and auto-tune it up like a mofo.

    And “Hallelujah” … it’s a truly beautiful and mind-blowingly well crafted song. Then Shrek used it, and everyone and their momma jumped on the “Hallelujah” bandwagon. So yes, it’s played. Don’t make it a less great song, but indeed. It’s played like “Lady Marmalade” at this point.

  6. Hey Mr. Richards. Your just another guy who proports to disdain American Idol and then watches it anyway. Not only that, you go ahead and write about it, beating up on these kids just to show how above it you are. Go write about something you like – you will be far less unlikable. Also, this was the best version of the song I have ever heard. Oh, no! He changed it! Next time I hope they put double bass drums and lots of cow bell. Let it go.

  7. Lee, on that night, with that one song (Hallelujah) blew everyone away. I still get the chills every time I watch the video. When I first saw Crystal Bowersox perform, I thaught she would take it all. But now I have to lean towards Lee. We’ve all watched his transformation during the shows with his unique voice. They’re both great & unique. I hope whoever wins, that they both go on to become great in our lifetimes. We need their music for a long time to come in this world.

  8. I feel sorry for Leonard Cohen, he asked people not to play his song and they just wont stop.

    OK, you got me that was false pity, but you gotta feel for the guy every time he turns around someone else is singing his song, ( I’m not sure that was a 100% sympathy, but I’m trying OK?) .

    You can imagine how it must be though, day and night/ night and day – everywhere you go people are singing your song ( not really).

    Personally I would be embarrassed by all that recognition, but I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that, sorry Mr. Cohen- your on your own with this one.

    I can however see where overplay may diminish the reverence for the song, with every entry level singer and barroom singer wanting to prove themselves with with off key renditions of it , and for that you have my true sympathy. (I’m just making a funny face now, I can’t really see a downside to having written such a loved song:)

  9. Hallelujah may be the perfect song and I think it would be very difficult to sing it and, if your even half decent in the singing department, not get it right. It simply transcends the artist. The definitive version though was done by Jeff Buckley. He captured the agony of love dying which is essentially what the song is about. The emotional and physical expression of love between a man and a woman as the ultimate spiritual expression and the horrible agony when it dies. No one, even according to Leonard Cohen, has done it better than Jeff Buckley. Especially not Lee DeWyze.

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