Released 1956 Recorded 1956 Length 2:35 | Format 7" 45rpm Genre Rhythm and blues | |
B-side "What Would I Do Without You" | ||
"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is the debut single from American musician Ray Charles. The rhythm and blues song was written and released by Charles in 1956 on the Atlantic label, and in 1957 it was included on his self-titled debut LP, also released on Atlantic. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard R&B chart. It is loosely based on 'Get It Over Baby' by Ike Turner (1953).
Contents
"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is a testament to the joyous release of love, featuring a sophisticated horn arrangement and memorable tenor sax solo by Don Wilkerson. Several artists, including Stevie Wonder, Peggy Lee, Eddie Cochran, and Humble Pie have successfully covered the song.
Personnel
Beatles cover versions
According to biographer Mark Lewisohn (in "The Complete Beatles Chronicle" p. 362), The Beatles (first as The Quarrymen) regularly performed the song, from at least 1960 through 1962 with Paul McCartney on lead vocal. A very early home recording rehearsal (dated tentatively to May 1960) of it was included on Anthology 1 as well as on previous unauthorized releases. They continued playing it regularly including at the The Star-Club in Hamburg through the end of 1962, an audience recording was made there which is included in the album Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962. Additionally according to author Doug Sulpy (in "Drugs, Divorce And A Slipping Image" sec. 22.25) on Jan. 22, 1969 during the massive Get Back sessions they cut a version with John Lennon doing a "loose" lead vocal of it, that version has never been officially released. Lastly, in Dec. 1961 the two singer-musicians that were asked to join the Beatles namely Tony Sheridan and Roy Young did a studio version that was released on the Sheridan album My Bonnie (1962).
Eddie Cochran version
"Hallelujah, I Love Her So" is an adaption of the Ray Charles song by Eddie Cochran. It was released as a single on Liberty Records in November 1959.
George Jones and Brenda Lee version
George Jones covered the song on his 1984 album Ladies' Choice as a duet with Brenda Lee titled "Hallelujah, I Love You So". It was released as a single in 1984 and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1985.