Hallelujah- Idol and X-Factor Video Performances, Including Lee DeWyze

This is my third of four hubs showcasing performances of Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah, popularized on the world stage in part by countless performances in auditions and in competition on Idol and X-Factor. My first hub in this series, Hallelujah- 10 Performance Videos of Leonard Cohen’s Much-Loved Song, features the most prevalent lyrics to the song, as well as some of the historically significant performances. Please see my first hub for these performances, and brief biographies on Leonard Cohen and Jason Castro. My second hub, Hallelujah- More Performance Videos of Leonard Cohen’s Much-Loved Song features performances by well known artists like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow and Bono, as well as some lesser known artists. This hub features Idol and X-Factor performances of Hallelujah, all of which are quite respectable.

Performances in this hub:

Leonard Cohen

Lee DeWyze

Jason Castro

Alexandra Burke

JLS

Eoghan Quigg

Diana Vickers

Lisa Hordijk

Amanda Jenssen

Damien Leith

Stan Walker

I think it is a fitting tribute to include a performance by Leonard Cohen on each hub.  Each performance is different as are the pictures featured in each hub. 

Leonard Cohen

Born:  Sept 1934, Montreal

Singer, songwriter, poet, novelist

Leon James “Lee” DeWyze was born in April 1986 in Mount Prospect Illinois. He worked as a paint salesman at the time of his Season 9 audition for American Idol. He already had two album releases, So I’m Told from 2007, and Slumberland from 2010.

Lee is the Season 9 Idol winner.

Jason Castro

Born March 1987 Dallas Texas

Finished 4^th in 7^th season American Idol

Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah hit #1 iTunes download 2 weeks after Jason performed the song on Idol. 

Alexandra Burke is the 5^th season winner of Great Britain’s The X-Factor.  She was born in Islington England, the daughter of Melissa Bell, formerly of Soul II Soul.  Alexandra entered Star for a Night, a BBC talent show, at age 12, and was a finalist, but lost to Joss Stone.  She auditioned for the 2^nd season of The X-Factor, but did not make the cut for the show.  Highlights of her 2008 winning season include a performance with Beyoncé, and her interpretation of Hallelujah.  Her recording of the song became the best-selling Christmas single within one week.  Disappointingly, she has been reported as saying that she was not particularly inspired by the song. 

JLS is the brain-child of Oritsé Williams, who meticulously hand-picked his bandmates Marvin Humes, Ashton Merrygold and JB (Jonathan Benjamin Gill).  The British popular boy band names Jodeci and Boys II Men and the New Jack Swing movement as their inspirations, and subsequently their name derived from Jack the Lad Swing.  They were well on their way to being well connected, and therefore reluctant to audition for X-Factor, but ultimately acquiesced.  They placed 2^nd in Britain’s 2008 X-Factor.  The four finalists recorded Hallelujah, the “winner’s song”.  Their debut album was released November 2009. 

Eoghan Quigg was born in Northern Ireland in 1992.  He began singing at a young age in school and local events.  He auditioned for Britain’s 2008 X-Factor and impressed with his performance of Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven.  Though an early favorite, he finished third, and as a finalist, recorded Hallelujah.  His romance with Diana Vickers also fueled his popularity.  He was the top vote getter in 6 of the 10 X-Factor shows he performed in.  He signed with RCA.  Eoghan’s debut album found moderate success in Britain and Ireland. 

Diana Mae Vickers was born in England in July of 1991. She studied theater and singing in private school. She competed in Britain’s 2008 season of The X-Factor. Her unconventional performances earned her positive and negative reviews. She drew attention with her relationship with fellow competitor Eoghan Quigg. She performed Hallelujah during the show’s Boot Camp, and as a finalist recorded the “winner’s song”, but was eliminated in a 4^th place finish. She has appeared in a theater production. Her debut album and tour are projected for 2010.  Check Amazon periodically for Hallelujah Import single availability. 

Lisa Hordijk was born in June 1987 in the Netherlands.  She was in a band, Left Lane Lisa, which was popular in her hometown of Wageningen, Netherlands.  She was the second season winner of her country’s X-Factor.  Post-win, she changed her name to Lisa Lois.  Her single, Hallelujah hit number 1 on the Dutch Top 40.  Her debut album Smoke, was released in the Netherlands November 2009.  Her song, Do You Love Me, was featured in the US TV series Privileged. 

Jenny Amanda Katarina Jenssen, was born with the surname Bengtsson, in September 1988 in Sweden.  She started her career as a singer for the bands Oh Hollie Neverdays and Amanda and the Papas.  She entered Swedish Idol in 2007 and was a close runner-up to the winner, Marie Picasso, with 48.7% of the vote.  Post-Idol, she had 7 singles that placed on the charts.  Her debut album Killing My Darlings was a top seller.  She was nominated for multiple Swedish Grammys. 

Damien Leith was born in January of 1976 in Ireland.  His father’s work as an engineer took the family to locales around the world when Damien was growing up.  As a teen, he formed the band Leaf with his siblings.  He was working as a chemist when he was convinced by friends to try out for Australian Idol.  Considered an unlikely front-runner, he impressed judges with his falsetto and guitar accompaniment, particularly on Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game and Cohen’s Hallelujah.  He won Australian Idol 2006.  His first single and LP were instantly successful in Australia. 

Stanley Roto Walker was born in October 1990 in Melbourne Australia to New Zealander parents.  Stan first caught the attention of judges with a John Legend audition number for the 7^th season of Australian Idol.  He impressed from the beginning, ultimately taking the title for the 2009 Idol as the first New Zealander to win.  His debut album was released in December 2009 and contains Idol performance songs including Prince’s Purple Rain and Cohen’s Hallelujah. 

Hallelujah- 10 Performance Videos of Leonard Cohen’s Much-Loved Song

Hallelujah- More Performance Videos of Leonard Cohen’s Much-Loved Song

Hallelujah- Idol and X-Factor Video Performances of Leonard Cohen’s Song

Hallelujah- Video Performance Gems of Leonard Cohen’s Song by International Artists

Romantic Songs- Favorite Country Music Love Songs

Country Songs of Love Gone Wrong Part I

Love Gone Wrong Songs (with Videos) Part I

Irish Rock Bands: Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats

My Favorite British Rock Bands (with videos), Part I- The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath

My Favorite British Rock Bands (with videos), Part II- Zeppelin, Queen, the Who, and the Stones

Paul Anka’s You’re Having My Baby- Romantic or Chauvinistic?

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