Lee Dewyze attended an alternative high school but states that music and his teachers were his inspiration to go back to his studies. Before Idol, DeWyze worked as a paint salesclerk. His musical influences include Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, and Simon & Garfunkel.
DeWyze's career began when he was 16 or 17, after he met Louis Svitek, owner of WuLi Records, and Ryan McGuire of the Virginia Gentlemen. Lee DeWyze auditioned in Chicago for the ninth season of American Idol with the song "Ain't No Sunshine", which was also covered by Kris Allen. During Hollywood week, his group included Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox, who all made it into the Top 24. During the first week, he performed "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol, which was praised by Simon Cowell. The next week he sang "Lips of an Angel", which did not get the same response as his first performance but was good enough to get him into the top 16. His third song, "Fireflies", came as a surprise and was generally liked by the viewers, critics, and the judges.
After making it to the Top 12, DeWyze performed Beast of Burden during The Rolling Stones week. For the Top 11's theme, Billboard #1 Hits, DeWyze performed The Letter by the The Box Tops. The following week DeWyze performed Treat Her Like a Lady impressing mentor Usher and all four judges including Cowell who said that "This is the night that your life may have changed forever." For the Top 9 week Lee performed Hey Jude by The Beatles. His closest friend is his fellow roomate, Andrew Garcia.
Hallelujah
Lee DeWyze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well, it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well, Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Maybe there's a God above but, all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
Well it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who has seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah, oh-oh
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Ooh
The opening lines of Lee DeWyze's "Hallelujah" allude to the biblical figure King David, who is not only known for his triumph over Goliath but also for his musical talents. The reference to the "secret chord" that David played is said to be the combination of notes that he used in many of his psalms that were favored by God. The singer then acknowledges that the listener may not care for music at all, implying that the listener may not understand or appreciate the significance of the "secret chord" and its association with faith.
The song's first verse then leads into the chorus where the "fourth, fifth, minor and major" notes of the song are played together, culminating in the "Hallelujah" chorus. The second verse tells the story of a woman who overpowered and seduced the singer, causing him to feel helpless and bound to her will. Even though the singer's "faith was strong," he still succumbed to temptation and, as a result, felt guilty and conflicted. The "Hallelujah" that follows in the chorus is not one of praise and thanksgiving to God, but rather a testament to the strength and power of human desire and love, which can be just as compelling as faith.
The final verse of the song leaves the listener with a sense of hopelessness and despair. The singer suggests that love is not always pure and selfless as one might expect, but can instead be twisted and corrupt. The idea of love causing pain and destruction is emphasized with the lines "all I've ever learned from love was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya." The final chorus of "Hallelujah" is then sung, but this time, the word feels hollow and ironic. The song ends on a somber note, with the image of a "cold and broken Hallelujah," leaving the listener to ponder the message that DeWyze is trying to convey with his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard there was a secret chord
I've heard there's a special sequence of notes
David played, and it pleased the Lord
David played this sequence, and it brought joy to God
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
But you don't seem to appreciate music, do you?
Well, it goes like this
Well, the sequence goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The notes are the fourth and the fifth in the scale
The minor fall and the major lift
In succession, there's a sad tone and then a hopeful one
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
A puzzled king writing a song of praise
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Well, Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You had strong faith, but you wanted evidence
You saw her bathing on the roof
You saw a woman bathing on a roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
Her beauty and the moonlight overwhelmed you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She bound you to a chair in her kitchen
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
She destroyed your power and cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
And she took a song of praise from you
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Maybe there's a God above but, all I've ever learned from love
Perhaps there's a higher being, but all love has taught me is
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
How to hurt someone who hurt you first
Well it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not a sadness you hear in the night
It's not somebody who has seen the light
It's not someone who has had an epiphany
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
It's a sad and shattered song of praise
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah, oh-oh
Praise the Lord, oh-oh
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Ooh
Ooh
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bev Phillips
2019 & still the BEST version!! I voted every week for him!! Best of luck! <3
Josh Kizzire
2020 still vibing to this version. & his version of “You’re still the one” 🖤
Beam Còi (Nguyễn Trường Quân)
I've heard tons of versions of this song but only Lee's that really touches my heart :)
Angela Fleischmann
I love Lee's version of Hallelujah. When he sang it on Idol I got goosebumps and cried! He has a gorgeous voice.
Jj Lp
he does
Global sifter
This was my dads favorite song to listen to while going to get his treatment for his cancer and this song is bringing back some feels R.I.P dad - December 21, 2010
Winter Wolf
Global sifter My dad passed away March 5 2018 and he also liked this song. Sorry for your loss.
theawesomeBritGurl
this is seriously one of the best version's I have heard.. can't stop listening to it <3
Erica Balon
2019 and I’m still listening to this, loving it like I did the first time I heard it. My mom and I love Hallelujah, and Lee Dewyze’s version still gets to us
Linda Stump
The best version of this song period I listen all the time