"Hallelujah"
Single by Carrie Underwood and John Legend
from the album My Gift
ReleasedNovember 13, 2020 (2020-11-13)
Recorded2020
Genre
Length4:35
LabelCapitol Records Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Wells
Carrie Underwood singles chronology
"Drinking Alone"
(2019) 		"Hallelujah"
(2020) 		"If I Didn't Love You"
(2021)
John Legend singles chronology
"Minefields"
(2020) 		"Hallelujah"
(2020) 		"In My Mind"
(2021)

"Hallelujah" is a song recorded by American country music singer Carrie Underwood and R&B singer John Legend, appearing on Underwood's first full-length Christmas album, My Gift (2020).[1]

Background and composition

The song was written by Legend and Toby Gad, and sent to Underwood late into the album-making process.[2] Underwood said, "I was deep into making the album, and this one kind of came in. He sent it to us kind of at the end. It was like, 'Well, I love the song. I feel like this is a puzzle piece I didn't know was missing, but now that I've heard it, I have to have it. And so we just put the ask back, 'Thank you for sending, do you want to sing a part with me, too?'."

Critical reception

"Hallelujah" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Vinyl Chapters gave a positive review of the song, calling it a "breathtaking duet" between Underwood and Legend, and also a "notable standout track" from the album.[3] The Washington Post highlighted the collaboration in its review of the album, writing, "These two Grammy winners push each other to new and impressive heights as they raise their voices to the heavens."[4]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Hallelujah" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming Underwood's third number one on that chart, and peaked at number three on both the Adult Contemporary chart and Hot Country Songs chart. It also peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Music video

The official music video premiered on November 19.[5] It was directed by Randee St. Nicholas. It depicts Underwood in a snowy forest until she joins Legend at a piano inside an old, abandoned church. There are flashes of people in the background with candles, as they attended the church in its former glory. There are also two live doves on Legend's piano during the video.

The video received two nominations and one win from the 2021 CMT Music awards.[6] It was also nominated for Video of the Year at the 56th Academy of Country Music awards.[7]

Live performances

Underwood and Legend performed the song for Underwood's holiday special streaming on HBO Max: My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood.[8] The duo performed the song again at the Global Citizen Prize 2020, which aired on December 19, 2020.[9]

Charts

Awards and nominations

Awards
Organization Year Award Result Ref
56th Academy of Country Music Awards 2021 Video of the Year Nominated [23]
CMT Music Awards 2021 Video of the Year Won [24]
Collaborative Video of the Year Nominated [25]

References

  1. ^ Laffer, Lauren (August 27, 2020). "Carrie Underwood Reveals 'My Gift' Tracklisting". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Moore, Bobby (November 20, 2020). "Carrie Underwood + John Legend Share 'Hallelujah' Music Video". Wide Open Country. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "Carrie Underwood: My Gift - Review". Vinyl Chapters. September 25, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Get in the holiday mood with Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  5. ^ "Carrie Underwood teases magical "Hallelujah" video with John Legend - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Swag, Team NYCountry (May 13, 2021). "Here Are The CMT Music Awards 2021 Nominations - VOTE NOW". NYCS. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "ACM Awards 2021: Full list of winners and nominees". www.cbsnews.com. April 19, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Watch Carrie Underwood and John Legend sing 'Hallelujah' in 'My Gift' Christmas special clip". EW.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "John Legend Delivers 'Hallelujah' With Carrie Underwood, 'Glory' With Common for Global Citizen Prize". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  11. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  13. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  15. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 20, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  20. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  21. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  22. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  23. ^ "ACM Awards 2021: Full list of winners and nominees". www.cbsnews.com. April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  24. ^ Nicholson, Jessica. "Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert Lead '2021 CMT Music Awards' Nominees". CMT News. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  25. ^ "CMT Music Awards 2021 Nominees: Maren Morris, John Legend, Miranda Lambert and More | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
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