While cause and effect is always a tricky proposition, it seems possible and perhaps likely that this not-spectacular performance of Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” by one Jason Castro on “American Idol” is the primary reason for Buckley’s 1994 cover becoming the #1 iTunes download.
Well, I give Jason, who seems a tad flat at the end, high marks on song selection. The pertinent stanza of Cohen’s lyrics summarizes the situation nicely.
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
