The James Kilgour BlogA Life Blog.

Alexandra Burke is this year’s winner of the nationwide talent search, the X Factor.

Her first single, a cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah has already reached the number 1 spot, and out sold Leona Lewis’ Run.

But some are not happy. Hallelujah is a special song, that took Cohen 5 years to write, and the late Jeff Buckley’s version, (which is currently number 2), is regarded as the definitive version of it. How dare Simon Cowell manufacture the song?

I disagree with their arguments. Hallelujah is an amazing song, but I think anyone has a right to sing it. That is the intended point of a song; to be sung. The song gives praise to God, and I believe this is something to be shared.

Why should she not sing it? Just because it has brought the song to the public’s attention. It’s a good version too; perhaps not as simple but effective as Buckley’s, but still a good cover. And the nation agrees.

JK