Just now a song played on ‘OC’. I recognise the tune from somewhere else, possibly an advert in the UK, but I am not sure. In part of it the guy sings/says hallelujah twice. It’s quite a sad song. I am convinved that the other place I heard it it was the same tune but different singer etc… and it was MUCH better.
AH ha! I remembered. It was on shrek.
I still have this nagging feeling I heard it on an andvert. Maybe I did and heard it on shrek.
I don’t watch The O.C., but could you be thinking of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen? (I linked to the lyrics from Jeff Buckley’s version because that is the set of lyrics most often used in cover versions.) John Cale’s cover of “Hallelujah” was used in both Shrek and Scrubs, so you may know it from there. Jeff Buckley’s version is also very popular, and it’s been covered by (among others) Rufus Wainwright (for the Shrek soundtrack, but it was not actually used in the movie) and Bono.
Ah, so it was John Cale’s version of “Hallelujah” from Shrek, then. 
Scrubs! That’s almost certainly the other place I’ve heard it. Thanks. 
You say the song is not in shrek. But I heard it in shrek. I am pretty sure I am not psychic, and don’t own the soundtrack.
… I STILL think I’ve heard it on an advert. And that you mention bono rings a bell. Maybe the ‘better’ version I heard was bono’s.
Sorry I misunderstood you. You were saying a particular version of it wasn’t in shrek (but the other was)
Jeff Buckley has a version out that might have been the one playing on the TV show… it’s more contemporary sounding (I haven’t seen the show, so I’m only guessing).
If it sounds like he’s speaking, my money’s on Leonard Cohen. Jeff Buckley’s voice is near operatic.
John Cale also does the speaking/singing thing, though.
Well it was tuneful. It sounded like singing, just casually though, as if he was really relaxed while he sang.
A year or two ago that song seemed to be on every damned TV show I watched. I think some of them might have been Rufus Wainright’s version (is he the one who insisted on pronouncing “you” “you” instead of “yuh” so it never rhymed with “hallelujah?”
FIfteen Iguana
Notice that the songs in Shrek are not consistent with the songs that appear on the soundtrack. The John Cale version of Hallelujah is in the movie, the Rufus Wainwright is on the soundtrack.
Btw, I signed up two days ago, and I have already encountered the song “Hallelujah” in three, four different threads here. :eek:
The O.C. played Jeff Buckleys version of Hallelujah on the episode Model Home.
It was also used on The West Wing, when CJ’s lover/Secret Service bodyguard was shot.
It’s all part of the secret plan.
(whoops. Did I say that out loud)
Welcome to the boards.
By the way. To protect my reputation. I wasn’t actually watching OC. It was just on. Honest.
It’s almost certainly the song you want. And there have been many recorded versions of it.
Leonard Cohen wrote it, and originally performed it.
It was also recorded at various points in time by (at least):
John Cale
Jeff Buckley (the best version, I believe)
**Rufus Wainwright
U2 **(for a Leonard Cohen tribute album. This version is godawful.)
Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow have both performed the song live. Seperately, of course.
Jeff Buckley sang it so it stayed sung. If you ask me, it should be retired in his honor, like Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey.
Over herewe had a nice discussion of the various versions of the song. Mr. Buckley is clearly the popular favorite, although Cale, Wainright and Cohen each have their fan clubs. Bono, no.