Burke’s version was an immediate commercial juggernaut, setting several industry milestones:
The popularity of the covers also brought Cohen’s 1984 original into the UK Top 40 for the first time, reaching number 36. Record-Breaking Sales Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah
For the first time since 1957, two versions of the same song occupied the top two spots on the UK Singles Chart. Hallelujah
Unlike the sparse, folk-inspired originals by Cohen or the haunting, guitar-led version by Buckley, Burke's "Hallelujah" was produced by as a "powerhouse prayer". Hallelujah! No 1 for Burke, and triple hit for Cohen A Historic Chart Battle Burke’s version sold 576,000
Alexandra Burke ’s rendition of remains one of the most commercially significant releases in UK chart history . Released as her winner's single following the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008, it transformed Leonard Cohen’s poetic composition into a record-breaking pop phenomenon. A Historic Chart Battle
Burke’s version sold 576,000 copies in its first week, dwarfing Buckley’s 81,000.