July 10, 2009 8:56

Leonard Cohen: 'Too many people have covered 'Hallelujah''

However 'X Factor' cover gives singer record company revenge

Leonard Cohen believes too many people have covered his song 'Hallelujah'.

The Canadian crooner said he was happy the song was both One and Two in the UK singles chart last Christmas with version from Jeff Buckley and 'X Factor' winner Alexandra Burke, but agreed there were too many version of his song.

"I was reading a review of a movie called 'Watchmen' that uses it, and the reviewer said 'Can we please have a moratorium on 'Hallelujah' in movies and television shows?' and I kind of feel the same way," he told the Canadian Broadcasting Service. "I think it's a good song, but too many people sing it."

However, Cohen said he was pleased by the UK chart battle with the song, mainly because his record label nearly stopped him releasing it.

"I was happy the song was being used, of course," he explained. "There were certain ironic and amusing sidebars, because the record that it came from which was called 'Various Positions' – [a] record Sony wouldn't put out (it was eventually released on indie label Passport). They didn't think it was good enough.

"It had songs like 'Dance Me To The End Of Love', 'Hallelujah', 'If It Be Your Will'. So there was a mild sense of revenge in my heart."