20 year old Alexandra Burke, last night won the X-factor 2008 final with this version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. It is released as a single, and is odds on favorite to top the UK Christmas Charts.She also won a million pound recording contract, and will support Elton John for his December concerts at London's O2 Arena. For the final, she also sang a duet with Beyonce. For those of you that are interested, you can see it on Youtube. 

so great!!!!!!!!!!!!

disappointed in you mate - think you should change your profile name from funky_house to bland_recycled_pop

: )

Just happy Eoghan didn't win...

Iain...How can you call Leonard Cohen's song bland pop?

I just posted the journal for people to see, but I actually do like her version of it. I have the original LC version and Jeff Buckley's version. Hers is good too. TBH she was head and shoulders above the others, and deserved to win.

If you read my profile, my music taste does say eclectic. E.g. This morning I was listening to Paco de Lucia.

What's the matter mate? Get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning? :-)

lol - wasnt having a go at the wonderful mr cohen, or even this song. more the whole meatpop factory... : )

I shall be keeping a look out for you on Strictly Come Dancing. LOL

em...no. (one of those late night police programmes more likely!!) (or sort of in opening credits for one of the 'rave' films)

sorry ... to me that's not a worthy hommage to L.Cohen's version. Her voice is impressive and there's surely a great potential, but I feel she just didn't catch the spirit of the song. Further, I see an enormous lack of authentic performance, emotional experience and integrity. Just not enough to sing such a song believable.

Am i too hard? Well, beat me for being an old bone loving real soul music instead of plastic ;-)

Imagine a woman like Nina Simone or a contemporary young singer e.g. Lizz Wright would have sung this song ...

Nina Simone - Four Women: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCwME6Jpn3s

& another version of 4 women:

Lizz Wright - Stop:

Pls give it a try!