Hallelujah

[blind-fitter]

Currently nestling atop the UK hit parade:

#1 "Hallelujah" - Alexandra Burke

#2 "Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley

Two versions of the same song: hasn't happened since 1957 ("Singing The Blues" in case you're wondering, Guy Marks and Tommy Steele)

We have Simon Cowell to thank for this. Or rather, that dreadlocked guy from the last series of American Idol. He apparently did the song, sparking off a chat between Randy and Simon about Buckley's version. This brief exchange stimulated an increased commercial demand for Buckley's "Hallelujah", causing Cowell to recognise it as a nailed-on commercial success, and to earmark it for the finalists of this year's X Factor, (the UK TV talent show which brought Leona Lewis to the world). Coincidentally, the rights to "Hallelujah" are owned by Sony, so it all ties in nicely with making Cowell even richer. The downside is that the song is now cheapened forever, doomed to be repeatedly murdered by hapless talent-show wannabes. I really resent the ability of talent shows to take the "class" out of "classic", so that only the "sic" remains. "Son Of A Preacher Man" is another case in point; to be honest, there must be loads, once you think about it. Why can't these corporate-driven commercial whoremongers leave well alone, rather than butchering our musical heritage to their self-seeking ends?

"But you don't really care for music, do you?"

If this fails to spark any discussion of the points made herein, just move it to "Random Thoughts", eh?

[Levis]

I really resent the ability of talent shows to take the "class" out of "classic", so that only the "sic" remains.

The 'ick' rather

[Farin]

"But you don't really care for music, do you?"

isn't it ironic, don't you think?

to quote a really unironic song

for me it's long known that "chart success" and "quality" don't share any causality anymore - if it ever was the case...

furthermore, sadly in most cases there's not only no causality, but more a case of contradicting points

[Farin]

I like both

[blind-fitter]

It was meant to be a pun. Remove the class and the sick remains. Works better verbally.

[Farin]

as I see it, all three options are workable puns

[blind-fitter]

Which is why it's such a great jeu de mots. I'm so thrilled I thought of it.

[Levis]

Pfft, 'ick' is much better. because it's icky, what they do to those songs. Furthermore, 'classic' only has 2 ss... s's... esses... er...

[blind-fitter]

I know...and no k. Is why I said it works better verbally.

[Barry Berry]

sic v. ick

sic...origional meaning: spelling incorrect

sic...for purposes reguarding the above discussed "talent" programing : singing incorrect (as in mindless ego bellowing lacking soul in exchange for fabulous hair and a carefully chosen wardrobe)

ick...a good exclamation of disgust, but it implies a sickening sight or aroma,so it does show promise as a legit dis, but 'ick' needs a good acronym to go up against the new and improved 'sic'

sic wins by technical knockout

welcome this season's new sic Mark VII

[edna]

You don´t even mention it´s a Leonard Cohen song...

[Barry Berry]

Edna sez:

"In response to Barry Berry

You don´t even mention it´s a Leonard Cohen song... "

No argument there,Edna, as I never claimed it was

party on Garth :happybanana:

[edna]

Oh, I wasn´t answering to you, really... I was rather posting after your post...

[blind-fitter]

A Leonard Cohen song at #1 and #2 in the charts is quite surreal, isn't it? Good for Leonard!

[edna]

Thanks, BF!