| Sing Hallelujah! | |
| Cover: | Sing_hallelujah.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Dr. Alban |
| Album: | One Love |
| B-Side: | Remix |
| Released: | 1993 |
| Genre: | Eurodance[1] |
| Length: |
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| Label: |
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| Producer: | Denniz Pop |
| Prev Title: | One Love |
| Prev Year: | 1992 |
| Next Title: | Look Who's Talking |
| Next Year: | 1994 |
"Sing Hallelujah!" is a song recorded by Sweden-based musician and producer Dr. Alban, released in 1993 as the third single from his second studio album, One Love (1992). Been described as an "discothèques anthem with dance and disco sonorities",[2] the song, written by Alban with its producer, Denniz Pop, became a hit in many European countries. It was a top-5 hit in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland and Switzerland. In the UK, it peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. Its accompanying music video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.[3] In 2005, "Sing Hallelujah!" charted again when it was re-recorded by the artist in new versions, peaking at number 12 in Finland.
Larry Flick from Billboard noted that the song already had enjoyed a very hot run through much of England and Europe. He added, "The record's peppy pop/NRG personality is enhanced by rousing handclaps, insistent piano lines, and a chirpy gospel choir. Truly irresistible tune will have you raising your hands to the sky and singing along with the wonderfully catchy chorus."[4] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "The latest single is by no means as catchy as the last, has the disadvantage of not being embedded in the psyche of drunken Brits on the Costa Del Sol during the summer and is generally not very good anyway so further chart progress is unlikely."[5] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Pulling teeth is not so painful after all, because down at the doctor's a gospel choir breaks loose on a dance beat."[6] Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty remarked that the song is "creating a buzz in the clubs".[7]
"Sing Hallelujah!" made an impact on the charts on several continents, becoming a major hit in many countries. In Europe, the song was a top-5 hit in Belgium (3), Denmark (3),[8] Finland (2),[9] Germany (4), Iceland (5),[10] Switzerland (4), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number four.[11] In Germany, it entered as number 77 and peaked seven weeks later. The song spent 33 weeks within the German singles chart. In addition, it was a top-10 hit in Austria (7), France (7), Greece (10),[12] Ireland (6), the Netherlands (6), Norway (8), Portugal (7),[13] and Sweden (6). In Sweden, the single debuted as number 32 on Sverigetopplistan, before peaking 3 weeks later. It spent 8 weeks within the Swedish singles chart.
In the United Kingdom, "Sing Hallelujah!" only reached the UK Top 20, peaking at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart on April 25, 1993, after 4 weeks on the chart. But on the Music Week Dance Singles chart and Record Mirror Club Chart, it reached numbers nine and eight.[14] [15] Outside Europe, the single was a top-5 hit in Australia, peaking at number five on the ARIA singles chart. In North America, it also peaked at number five on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart, and at numbers 15 and 20 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts.[16] In Africa, the song charted in Zimbabwe, peaking at number 11.[17]
"Sing Hallelujah!" was awarded with a gold record in Denmark (45,000), a silver record in France, with a sale of 25,000 units, and a platinum record in Australia and Germany, after 70,000 and 500,000 singles were sold.
English DJ, producer and broadcaster Dave Pearce included "Sing Hallelujah!" in his all-time top 10 in 1997, saying, "A really anthemic vibe. I play this on special occasions and when it breaks down into the chorus it always gets a top reaction. It's guaranteed to put a smile on the face and to send knickers and handbags flying thru the air!"[18]
| Chart (1993–1994) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI) | 3 | |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 4 | |
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[19] | 6 | |
| Europe (European Hit Radio)[20] | 19 | |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 2 | |
| Greece (Pop + Rock) | 10 | |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | 5 | |
| Portugal (AFP) | 7 | |
| UK Airplay (Music Week)[21] | 28 | |
| UK Dance (Music Week) | 9 | |
| UK Club Chart (Music Week) | 8 | |
| US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) | 15 | |
| US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) | 20 | |
| Zimbabwe (ZIMA) | 11 |
| Chart (1993) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] | 29 | |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[23] | 11 | |
| Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[24] | 37 | |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[25] | 14 | |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[26] | 8 | |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[27] | 25 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] | 27 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] | 40 | |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] | 8 | |
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[31] | 60 |
In 1995, Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto Records released a dance track based on an interpolation of "Sing Hallelujah!" called "Sing It (The Hallelujah Song)". Credited to an act called Mozaic, the song became a hit in the UK, debuting at its peak position of No. 14 in August 1995.[33] In 2015, Oakenfold would include the "Quivvers Dirty Dub" mix of the song on his compilation album 25 Years of Perfecto Records.[34]
