We examine “10 Secular Hallelujah Songs,” most of which arenât appropriate for Sunday morning church service.
Here at The Musical Hype, we love to explore a variety of themes within our playlists. Our latest playlist comprised of 10 songs is no different. This time, we go religious in the most secular way possible by compiling 10 secular hallelujah songs. There were only two considerations in assembling this list: (1) songs must feature the word hallelujah within their song title and (2) songs must be secular â no church songs! Without further ado, here are 10 Secular Hallelujah Songs featuring artists including Logic, Panic! At The Disco, and Andy Grammer.
1. Logic, âHallelujahâ
Everybody âą Def Jam âą 2017
âHallelujahâ opens Everybody epically, to say the least. Led by a grand, gradual crescendo, Logic blesses the track with quick-paced, sharp rhymes. On the hook, he affirms his own beliefs, painting the exuberant major key production masterfully: âIâm like hallelujah! / Praise God, almighty, the most high / Alpha and omega in the sky.â Throughout âHallelujah,â he plays on words, incorporating the spiritual and secular. Lengthy, a skit about death â part of the conceptual narrative â extends the length. Here, the listeners get their first taste of Neil deGrasse Tyson, playing the role of God.
2. Panic! At the Disco, âHallelujahâ
Death of A Bachelor âą Fueled by Ramen âą 2016Â
On âHallelujahâ (Death of a Bachelor), Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie asserts, âAll you sinners stand up, sing hallelujah!â Yes, on the âsanctifiedâ chorus, Urie is all about sinners everywhere allowing the spirit to move through them. Is âHallelujahâ spiritually driven? Eh. âHallelujahâ ranks among the deepest song of their career â itâs more transcendent and thought-provoking. Ultimately, it seems that this song is directed toward the audience. While Urie uses his own experiences, they are such common experiences as opposed to specific ones, anyone who listens to the song can relate. âHallelujah,â hence, is more of a âcongregational hymn.â
3. Andy Grammer, âGood to Be Alive (Hallelujah)â
Magazines or Novels â Deluxe âą S-Curve âą 2015
âIâve been grinding so long, been trying this shit for years.â Indeed, Andy Grammer, indeed. Prior to issuing the deluxe edition of Magazines or Novels, Grammer had a surefire gem on his hands with âHoney, Iâm Good.â He became even richer with another hit, âGood to Be Alive (Hallelujah).â On âGood to Be Alive,â the production work is gimmicky while Grammer sounds ebullient. Heâs thankful for the success heâs achieved, asserting, âFeels good to be alive right about now.â
4. Gorillaz, âHallelujah Moneyâ
Ft. Benjamin Clementine
Humanz âą Parlophone âą 2017
âHallelujah Moneyâ features Benjamin Clementine, speaking on the power of money. Like Humanz as a whole, President Donald Trump isnât explicitly mentioned, but an anti-Trump sentiment is easily perceptible. This is a very unique song, thanks to Clementineâs distinct vocals, the production, and the choral vocals. Perhaps imperfectly assembled, âHallelujah Moneyâ is conceptually perfect.
5. Choir! Choir! Choir!, âHallelujahâ
Ft. Rufus Wainwright
Itâs rare that a cover can give goosebumps. Often, even good covers donât pack enough punch to move the listener nearly as effectively as the original. Every now and then, thereâs a magic cover like the Rufus Wainwright and Choir! Choir! Choir! take on Leonard Cohen classic, âHallelujah.â The secret weapon â the 1500-member choir! Itâs lovely to hear a choir add such depth to this familiar song. Among the best moments are when the choir has different parts than Wainwright, which shows just how notable their presence is. Although brief, there is a wonderful a cappella section that puts the sole focus on Wainwright and choir. What more can be said than stunning?
6. Rachel Platten, âHey Hey Hallelujah
Ft. Andy Grammer
Wildfire âą Columbia âą 2016
âHey Hey Hallelujahâ ranks among the highlights from Wildfire, the major label debut album from 36-year old pop-singer-songwriter Rachel Platten. Contextually, it follows juggernauts âStand by Youâ and âFight Song.â Despite the stiff competition, âHey Hey Hallelujahâ benefits from an infectious groove and gritty vocals from Platten. Interestingly, Andy Grammer joins her for the ride â he has his own hallelujah song of course. A bit corny, but certainly enjoyable.
7. Chief Keef, âHallelujahâ
Finally Rich âą Interscope âą 2012
âBitch Iâm cooler than a cooler, big shouts out to my jeweler / Hit a lick been rich ever since / Say Chief Sosa broke thatâs a rumorâŠâ Oh Chief Keef, sigh. âHallelujahâ incorporates excellent heroic, hardcore, dark production work. Among notable features are the synthetic strings. The main rub with this particular âhallelujahâ is that it lacks depth.  The second verse in particular ends each line either on the words shit or again. Give him credit for the clever lyric, âI love when me and Ben Franklin be spending some time.â Or not.
8. The Game, âHallelujahâ
featuring Jamie Foxx
Jesus Piece âą Interscope âą 2012Â
âHalle-motherfucking-lujah/ All my real n*ggas I salute ya/ All the bad bitches Iâmma run through you.â âHallelujah,â at the version presented by The Game assisted by Jamie Foxx, isnât exactly holy or sanctified. Understatement. Fueled by sample âWe See God with the Eyes of Our Soulâ (The Dynamic Reverend Maceo Woods & Christian Tabernacle Choir), The Game is tough as nails. âBad Bitches in here, forgive me for my sins/ I ainât meant to walk inside the church cursing again/ I wanna live righteous and you know I love Jesus/ But you canât catch the holy ghost in the Prius.â True. âHallelujahâ is blasphemous and creative in one fell swoop.â
9. Fall Out Boy, âHum Hallelujahâ
Infinity on High âą Island âą 2007
âHum Hallelujahâ is a quick, inescapable attention-getter on Infinity on High, the second major label album by Fall Out Boy. Initially, the clarity of Patrick Stump is a bit suspect, while the rapid pace and sensational music speaks for itself. Things are clearer by the second verse, as the cards are revealed. While it doesnât feature the most memorable chorus ever, it is nonetheless irresistible.
10. T.I., âHallelujahâ
Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head âą Atlantic âą 2012
After a cover of the Leonard Cohen classic âHallelujahâ appeared earlier on this playlist, itâs only fitting it recurs, right? In this case, T.I. lifts off of the staple on the hook of his own âHallelujah.â But thatâs not before a sung intro that incorporates a liberal take on childhood hymn, âJesus Loves Me.â The production work is mysterious, incorporating highly rhythmic drums, strings, and vocal synths. Ultimately, itâs an appropriate closing cut for the standard edition of Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head.
Photo Credits: Atlantic, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Columbia, Def Jam, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Island, Parlophone, S-Curve