Best Versions of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

Most other singers try to outdo Cohen on his own song. Not here. Peter deliberately had Jackie Evancho go into her upper range high notes to set a contrast between his mellow tenor voice and hers. This makes this cover version unique to all other covers done. The crescendo they do at the 3:06 mark is one of the most dynamic you will ever hear on an A Capella recording of any song.

Peter and Jackie got together and performed this again live at Jackie's recent concert at the Newmark Theater in Portland, OR. Perfect blending of voices.

Jackie Evancho and Peter Hollens recently reprised this live on stage in Portland OR. Fantastic performance!

Jackie Evancho and Peter Hollens is the best duet of "Hallelujah" ever.

If you asked 1,000 actual random people, 900 of them will never have heard of this song at all, or will think you are talking about a Christmas song. Of the remaining 100, almost all would pick either the original by Cohen, or KD Lang's because they heard it on the Olympics. All the rest are the personal favorites of TTT voters, and isn't that the point of TTT? Buckley passed almost 20 years ago check out the late Gene Clark for more and better of the same vein.

This is the ultimate version. Beautiful, emotion-filled vocals, great guitar playing. No disrespect to anyone else, but this is by far the best version.

Is there even a question about this? Ludicrous that this is not number 1. One of the greatest covers of all time.

I shed my tears listening to this. Lol no, but seriously everyone think this is his song. Same thing happened with hurt 'by' johnny cash

Over 480 different cover versions of this, topped only by "Yesterday" and a couple of Christmas carols. Leonard Cohen makes everybody else sound like an amateur.

Original is always best, he did write it after all, I just can't figure out what is supposedly so great about the Buckley version.

Absolutely nobody can top the guy who actually composed the song, and lived the events that inspired it.

Leonard's is the original against all other versions must be judged. It spoke to me immediately.

When asked to sing this at the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver with Lang, Cohen deferred saying something along the lines of "You have KD. What do you need me for? "

The only person other than Cohen who really emotionally knows what this song is. Is it a coincidence that they are both Canadian?

Most moving and poignant performance ever done.

Her version at the 2010 Olympics tops them all!

Simply the best version.

Amazing. Should be #1.

I love this band and their songs are amazing especially Say Something and Hallelujah. Another favorite is Imagine. They truly are amazing and the song is just so precious. I hope they have fun on their tour I (I've said it a lot, I know) Love them so MUCH! they make me cry sometimes

I still get chills when I hear this version. Their skill and power is unparalleled.

When you listen with headphones the beautiful harmony is even richer!

This may be the best version of this song ever

Communicating emotion without sentimentality is an unique gift and talent of Allison Crowe. She's able to perform Leonard Cohen's song in her unique way which reaches so many people who desire such authenticity.

Gorgeous, sublimely nuanced performance

Even without "understanding" the non-English lyrics, I was crying before the end of the first verse. Their rich voices and phenomenal balance of volume is non-equaled.

Gorgeous! Just gorgeous!

This is the Clemson TakeNote a cappella singers. From their 2007 album "Now That We Have Your Attention".

Available on iTunes:

BOCA 2006: Best of College a Cappella, Track 12.

More people should hear this version!