Comments on: “Hallelujah” All Over the UK Charts http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm American Idol - I Love This Cheesy Show Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Hazehel http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-175263 Hazehel Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:36:00 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175263 The publishing rights (I think as well as everything else) of all Leonard Cohen's older songs including "Hallelujah" was sold by Leonard Cohen to Sony-BMG. Simon's company Syco is part of Sony-BMG, and I suspect there is some kind of confusion by the writer of that article and misattributed the ownership of those recordings. The publishing rights (I think as well as everything else) of all Leonard Cohen’s older songs including “Hallelujah” was sold by Leonard Cohen to Sony-BMG. Simon’s company Syco is part of Sony-BMG, and I suspect there is some kind of confusion by the writer of that article and misattributed the ownership of those recordings.

]]> By: oceana http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-175045 oceana Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:51:55 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175045 It's a great song, and exposure on Idol never hurts a song at all. I love all the versions that I'm aware of, including k. d. Laing's, and Brandi Carlyle's recent rendition. It's always fun watching songs jump up on the itunes chart as soon as they're performed on Idol. I actually remember Jeff Buckley's fans being amazed when his song jumped into the top songs, and they didn't know why at first. Talk about scratching heads. Jolene I understand what you mean about Simon and I feel the same way. He's a shrewd businessman, but like you I put art before profit. In our culture I think we've temporarily forgotten the inherent value of art for art's sake. It’s a great song, and exposure on Idol never hurts a song at all. I love all the versions that I’m aware of, including k. d. Laing’s, and Brandi Carlyle’s recent rendition. It’s always fun watching songs jump up on the itunes chart as soon as they’re performed on Idol. I actually remember Jeff Buckley’s fans being amazed when his song jumped into the top songs, and they didn’t know why at first. Talk about scratching heads.

Jolene I understand what you mean about Simon and I feel the same way. He’s a shrewd businessman, but like you I put art before profit. In our culture I think we’ve temporarily forgotten the inherent value of art for art’s sake.

]]> By: gingerly http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-175038 gingerly Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:39:39 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175038 I like Ms. Burke's voice better than Leona's which tends to be too divaish for my taste. However, I find this to be a horrible rendition of an amazing song. That so many people have bought it just proves to me that many people have all their taste in their mouth. I believe Jason chose the song to sing all by himself. Simon, being the businessman he is, saw how well it went over. I have a bit of a problem with him choosing a song for the X Factor winner that he owns, but it's not illegal and doesn't really surprise me. After all, one can't have too many million dollar cars ;) Maybe they should have a coronation single...let's see what she can do with magic rainbows. I like Ms. Burke’s voice better than Leona’s which tends to be too divaish for my taste. However, I find this to be a horrible rendition of an amazing song. That so many people have bought it just proves to me that many people have all their taste in their mouth.

I believe Jason chose the song to sing all by himself. Simon, being the businessman he is, saw how well it went over. I have a bit of a problem with him choosing a song for the X Factor winner that he owns, but it’s not illegal and doesn’t really surprise me. After all, one can’t have too many million dollar cars ;) Maybe they should have a coronation single…let’s see what she can do with magic rainbows.

]]> By: jpfan http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-175037 jpfan Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:28:35 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175037 I understand that it's the music business but I also feel a little queasy about Simon not only owning the shows that make the stars,but the stars and the rights to the music they sing as well. For some reason, I thought the rights to the songs was the only piece of the pie he didn't get. Greedy guy. I wonder if the guy who wrote TOML made much $ off that song or if the rights are owned by Simon as well. I understand that it’s the music business but I also feel a little queasy about Simon not only owning the shows that make the stars,but the stars and the rights to the music they sing as well. For some reason, I thought the rights to the songs was the only piece of the pie he didn’t get. Greedy guy.

I wonder if the guy who wrote TOML made much $ off that song or if the rights are owned by Simon as well.

]]> By: abbysee http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175031 abbysee Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:35:44 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175031 Hell, I applaud Simon for being the savvy businessmen that he is. There is absolutely no reason not to make money on music. And this is so not a monopoly of any kind. Curse him for being astute. For the record, this song was on Simon's radar way before Jason sang it on idol. I was youtubing the other day and he was not the first idol to sing the song. Yes, because of him, it rose up the charts, but this song has had this intereseting afterlife and will probably continue to do so. That Simon was smart enough to obtain the rights it a testament to him having the pulse of the people. Say what you will about Ms. Burke's version, nobody is forcing anyone to purchase the song, and the amount of hard copies she moved means she has intrigued someone. I thought it was overblown and bombastic, but I think she is an amazing singer, and with some care, she may meet and exceed Leona Lewis' fame across the pond. She is a fascile singer, with an edge. One of the soul music blogs that I read have their eye on her already. It will be interesting to see what developes for her. Hell, I applaud Simon for being the savvy businessmen that he is. There is absolutely no reason not to make money on music. And this is so not a monopoly of any kind. Curse him for being astute. For the record, this song was on Simon’s radar way before Jason sang it on idol. I was youtubing the other day and he was not the first idol to sing the song. Yes, because of him, it rose up the charts, but this song has had this intereseting afterlife and will probably continue to do so. That Simon was smart enough to obtain the rights it a testament to him having the pulse of the people.

Say what you will about Ms. Burke’s version, nobody is forcing anyone to purchase the song, and the amount of hard copies she moved means she has intrigued someone. I thought it was overblown and bombastic, but I think she is an amazing singer, and with some care, she may meet and exceed Leona Lewis’ fame across the pond. She is a fascile singer, with an edge. One of the soul music blogs that I read have their eye on her already. It will be interesting to see what developes for her.

]]> By: BootStar http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175026 BootStar Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:22:44 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175026 There are such things as monopolies and unfair trade. No doubt Simon has extremely well-paid attorneys who tend his interests, so I'm going to assume he hasn't broken any laws. Nonetheless, I have to agree with Jolene that what Simon is doing here doesn't exactly pass the whiff test. OTOH, he's never pretended to be anything but shallow and greedy. There are such things as monopolies and unfair trade. No doubt Simon has extremely well-paid attorneys who tend his interests, so I’m going to assume he hasn’t broken any laws. Nonetheless, I have to agree with Jolene that what Simon is doing here doesn’t exactly pass the whiff test. OTOH, he’s never pretended to be anything but shallow and greedy.

]]> By: Jolene http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175025 Jolene Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:07:27 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175025 Oh, jimmyboyd2, I know all about capitalism. I'm actually all for it, believe it or not. Sorry my comment made you scratch your head, I hope you didn't hurt yourself. Maybe I'm just being childish and naive, but I think there's a fine line, and I think that line between art and commerce is being trampled here, that's all. Wait, I must be crazy talking about art in an AI blog. If Simon can pretty much choose whichever song he wants to become the next big hit, I don't like the idea that he goes and buys the rights to said song ahead of time from the artist/musician's rogue business manager in a calculated effort. He sets the rules of the game that allows his own win. Kudos to him for having that kind of power, I'm still free to say I find it manipulative. I don't think that makes me an idiot, maybe a little too idealistic. Oh, jimmyboyd2, I know all about capitalism. I’m actually all for it, believe it or not. Sorry my comment made you scratch your head, I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.

Maybe I’m just being childish and naive, but I think there’s a fine line, and I think that line between art and commerce is being trampled here, that’s all. Wait, I must be crazy talking about art in an AI blog.

If Simon can pretty much choose whichever song he wants to become the next big hit, I don’t like the idea that he goes and buys the rights to said song ahead of time from the artist/musician’s rogue business manager in a calculated effort. He sets the rules of the game that allows his own win. Kudos to him for having that kind of power, I’m still free to say I find it manipulative. I don’t think that makes me an idiot, maybe a little too idealistic.

]]> By: jimmyboyd2 http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175021 jimmyboyd2 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:51:36 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175021 Jolene, Ever heard of the concepts "personal property" and "capitalism?" Of course, someone who has the rights to something can do with it as he/she wishes, including making money with it. The entire free world is built on it. Would you rather have socialism or communism instead? What is so strange to you about this concept? <em>edit: Read the guidelines before you post again. Do not question the motives of, criticize or mock your fellow posters. Keep your remarks focused on the topic.</em> Jolene,

Ever heard of the concepts “personal property” and “capitalism?” Of course, someone who has the rights to something can do with it as he/she wishes, including making money with it. The entire free world is built on it. Would you rather have socialism or communism instead? What is so strange to you about this concept?

edit: Read the guidelines before you post again. Do not question the motives of, criticize or mock your fellow posters. Keep your remarks focused on the topic.

]]> By: Jolene http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175013 Jolene Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:12:54 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175013 There's something very unclean about all of this. Simon has the power to make songs into hits with Idol and the X Factor, by choosing the winner's single (or various other songs for popular contestants), then all that's left is to wait and watch it shoot up the charts (or the original versions as the case may be). Basically, he's choosing the songs that will line his own pocket, right? The man has far too much power, and judging from Il Divo's version, he's not using it for good. There’s something very unclean about all of this. Simon has the power to make songs into hits with Idol and the X Factor, by choosing the winner’s single (or various other songs for popular contestants), then all that’s left is to wait and watch it shoot up the charts (or the original versions as the case may be). Basically, he’s choosing the songs that will line his own pocket, right?

The man has far too much power, and judging from Il Divo’s version, he’s not using it for good.

]]> By: cruzceleste http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175012 cruzceleste Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:11:48 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175012 <blockquote>Yeah, kudos to Jason for helping Jeff Buckleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version soar on the charts during AI last season, but à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hallelujahà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  has a long history that pre-dates Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve owned the Buckley version for years, after hearing it more than once on the soundtrack to some popular television shows, and Simon did mention the Buckley version, which even Leonard Cohen says is the definitive version, after Jason covered the song. </blockquote> I agree,is true that Jason ´s version is really popular but this song is really old and popular as a cover... it have being used for lots of movies , like Shrek and Pay it Foward, and lots of tv series... actually is surpriseme that lots of people in US seem to never have hear of it before Jason ´s performance in AI... But them again it also surpriseme that Somewhere Over the Rainbown/ What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo ´ole wasn ´t popular either (it was in the soundtrack of Finding Forrester and Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt!!!!...) and Angels by Robbie Williams... Smart of Simon to buy the right to this song... after all is a great song... and I have to said Jeff Buckleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version is beautiful and the best IMO.... <blockquote>Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a Teletubbies one out there somewhere too. </blockquote> That is just so wrong -_-U

Yeah, kudos to Jason for helping Jeff Buckleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version soar on the charts during AI last season, but à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hallelujahà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  has a long history that pre-dates Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve owned the Buckley version for years, after hearing it more than once on the soundtrack to some popular television shows, and Simon did mention the Buckley version, which even Leonard Cohen says is the definitive version, after Jason covered the song.

I agree,is true that Jason ´s version is really popular but this song is really old and popular as a cover… it have being used for lots of movies , like Shrek and Pay it Foward, and lots of tv series… actually is surpriseme that lots of people in US seem to never have hear of it before Jason ´s performance in AI… But them again it also surpriseme that Somewhere Over the Rainbown/ What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo ´ole wasn ´t popular either (it was in the soundtrack of Finding Forrester and Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt!!!!…) and Angels by Robbie Williams…

Smart of Simon to buy the right to this song… after all is a great song… and I have to said Jeff Buckleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version is beautiful and the best IMO….

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a Teletubbies one out there somewhere too.

That is just so wrong -_-U

]]> By: ggdoorsfan http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175011 ggdoorsfan Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:51:17 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175011 Michael Jackson purchased the publishing rights to most of the Beatles songs for 47.5 million dollars in 1984 - 4 songs issued on the Beatles first two singles weren't included in the package... Jackson receives 50% of the royalties generated by Beatles songs - all by virtue of him being savvy and smart enough to outbid Paul and Yoko for ownership of the publishing rights.... lots of money to be had in this arena, and I guess Leonard Cohen is just as attractive as anyone else, when folks like Simon go looking to enrich their coffers..... Michael Jackson purchased the publishing rights to most of the Beatles songs for 47.5 million dollars in 1984 – 4 songs issued on the Beatles first two singles weren’t included in the package… Jackson receives 50% of the royalties generated by Beatles songs – all by virtue of him being savvy and smart enough to outbid Paul and Yoko for ownership of the publishing rights…. lots of money to be had in this arena, and I guess Leonard Cohen is just as attractive as anyone else, when folks like Simon go looking to enrich their coffers…..

]]> By: BootStar http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175010 BootStar Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:49:27 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175010 Yeah, kudos to Jason for helping Jeff Buckley's version soar on the charts during AI last season, but "Hallelujah" has a long history that pre-dates Jason's performance. I've owned the Buckley version for years, after hearing it more than once on the soundtrack to some popular television shows, and Simon did mention the Buckley version, which even Leonard Cohen says is the definitive version, after Jason covered the song. Kurt Nilsen (World Idol 2003), Espen Lind (one of David Cook's collaborators) and two other Norwegian singers did an entire tour ("Hallelujah Live") and the recording is available here in the US (great version, IMHO). As others have mentioned, Simon's Boy Toys Il Divo have their own version, and I'm sure there's a Teletubbies one out there somewhere too. I bought Leonard Cohen's original just last week because I wanted him to get his 8 cents or whatever, since I already own 2 copies of Jeff Buckley's, Jason's, Brandi Carlile's, and the 4 Norwegians'. Now I find out it's Simon who's netting all the dough. Man is richer than God Himself. Yeah, kudos to Jason for helping Jeff Buckley’s version soar on the charts during AI last season, but “Hallelujah” has a long history that pre-dates Jason’s performance. I’ve owned the Buckley version for years, after hearing it more than once on the soundtrack to some popular television shows, and Simon did mention the Buckley version, which even Leonard Cohen says is the definitive version, after Jason covered the song.

Kurt Nilsen (World Idol 2003), Espen Lind (one of David Cook’s collaborators) and two other Norwegian singers did an entire tour (“Hallelujah Live”) and the recording is available here in the US (great version, IMHO). As others have mentioned, Simon’s Boy Toys Il Divo have their own version, and I’m sure there’s a Teletubbies one out there somewhere too.

I bought Leonard Cohen’s original just last week because I wanted him to get his 8 cents or whatever, since I already own 2 copies of Jeff Buckley’s, Jason’s, Brandi Carlile’s, and the 4 Norwegians’. Now I find out it’s Simon who’s netting all the dough. Man is richer than God Himself.

]]> By: jpfan http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175009 jpfan Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:41:10 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175009 I know that rights can be bought (MJ and the Beatles, for ex.). I'm just surprised Simon was interested in Leonard Cohen music. Most of it is not really very commercial. If he bought the rights years ago then I'm impressed. I wonder what other music Simon has the rights to. Cohen is back touring and making $ so I guess he won't need the Hallelujah dough that's coming Simon's way. I know that rights can be bought (MJ and the Beatles, for ex.). I’m just surprised Simon was interested in Leonard Cohen music. Most of it is not really very commercial. If he bought the rights years ago then I’m impressed. I wonder what other music Simon has the rights to. Cohen is back touring and making $ so I guess he won’t need the Hallelujah dough that’s coming Simon’s way.

]]> By: ggdoorsfan http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175008 ggdoorsfan Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:22:13 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175008 <blockquote>I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand how Simon gets the rights to a song written by Leonard Cohen. But I guess thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s how the music biz works. I think Shrek gave the song huge exposure even before Idol though.</blockquote> The same way that <strong>Michael Jackson </strong>owned rights to the <strong>Beatles</strong> catalogue for many years... not sure if he still owns the rights now or not, but ownership of catalogues and publishings rights are or can be a fluid thing..... Not sure, but I think Paul McCartney owns the rights, or may have owned them, to the works of Buddy Holley and the Crickets... happens more than we think..... ETA: We both had the same train of thought MJ! :)

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand how Simon gets the rights to a song written by Leonard Cohen. But I guess thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s how the music biz works. I think Shrek gave the song huge exposure even before Idol though.

The same way that Michael Jackson owned rights to the Beatles catalogue for many years… not sure if he still owns the rights now or not, but ownership of catalogues and publishings rights are or can be a fluid thing….. Not sure, but I think Paul McCartney owns the rights, or may have owned them, to the works of Buddy Holley and the Crickets… happens more than we think…..

ETA: We both had the same train of thought MJ! :)

]]> By: mj http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-175007 mj Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:21:51 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/hallelujah-all-over-the-uk-charts.htm#comment-175007 <blockquote>I don't understand how Simon gets the rights to a song written by Leonard Cohen.</blockquote> He buys the rights. There was an article somewhere about Cohen's unscrupulous business manager selling off the rights to his music behind his back. He had to go on tour recently because he's broke. Lots of artists don't own the rights to their own songs. The most notorious being Paul McCartney, who owns the publishing to many songs, but not his Beatles songs. Michael Jackson out bid McCartney and Yoko Ono for them back in the 80's. <strong>ETA:</strong> <blockquote>ot sure if he still owns the rights now or not, </blockquote> Michael Jackson owns the Beatles catalog in a joint venture with Sony/ATV

I don’t understand how Simon gets the rights to a song written by Leonard Cohen.

He buys the rights. There was an article somewhere about Cohen’s unscrupulous business manager selling off the rights to his music behind his back. He had to go on tour recently because he’s broke.

Lots of artists don’t own the rights to their own songs. The most notorious being Paul McCartney, who owns the publishing to many songs, but not his Beatles songs. Michael Jackson out bid McCartney and Yoko Ono for them back in the 80′s.

ETA:

ot sure if he still owns the rights now or not,

Michael Jackson owns the Beatles catalog in a joint venture with Sony/ATV

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