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Ray Charles’ rhythm and blues standard “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” is this week’s Song of the Week. “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” was released in 1956 on Atlantic Records, backed with “What Would I Do Without You,” and was one of a string of R&B hits for Charles before his crossover success at the end of the decade.

The song also appeared on Ray’s first album titled “Ray Charles” in 1957, which featured tracks recorded between 1953 and 1957. “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” remained such a popular song that when this album was re-released in 1962 it was named after that song.

Recording date/location

“Hallelujah, I Love Her So” was recorded on November 30, 1955 at Atlantic Studios in New York City at the same session that produced “Mary Ann,” “Drown In My Own Tears” and “What Would I Do Without You.”

Authorship

“Hallelujah, I Love Her So” was written by Ray Charles, but adapted from a traditional gospel hymn.

Musicians

Ray Charles was joined by the Ray Charles Orchestra on the track.

Here’s the personnel:

• Ray Charles – lead vocal, piano
• Don Wilkerson – tenor sax
• Cecil Payne – baritone sax
• Joe Bridgewater – trumpet
• Joshua “Jack” Willis – trumpet
• Paul West – bass
• Panama Francis – drums.

The track was produced by Atlantic Records head Jerry Wexler.

Chart performance

“Hallelujah, I Love Her So” reached number five on the Billboard R&B charts. The album on which it appeared, “Ray Charles,” failed to chart.

The song was actually sandwiched between two R&B number ones for Charles – “A Fool for You” and “Mary Ann.”

Covers

There have been many very high quality covers of “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” from artists of very different backgrounds. Here’s a few that I enjoy.

Stevie Wonder – “Hallelujah, I Love Her So”

Stevie Wonder was still Little Stevie Wonder when he recorded “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” for his 1962 album “Tribute to Uncle Ray.” This was Stevie’s second album, following “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie” earlier that year. Neither were a great commercial success, but he was soon to hit it big with the single “Fingertips.”

Jerry Reed – “Hallelujah, I Love Her So”

Jerry Reed recorded “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” on January 8, 1968 at RCA Studio in Nashville at a session produced by Chet Atkins. It was released on Jerry’s album “Nashville Underground” in March of 1968 and then as the B-side of the single “A Thing Called Love” in September 1969. Jerry’s version is very appealing, with his trademark guitar picking and laidback, good humoured vocal delivery.

Eddie Cochran – “Hallelujah, I Love Her So”

Eddie Cochran released “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” on single in November 1959, backed with “Little Angel.” It was also part of Cochran’s stage repertoire and he performed the song three times on the UK television show “Boy Meets Girl” in Jan/Feb 1960.

Peggy Lee – “Hallelujah, I Love Him So”

Many great female artists have performed the song as “Hallelujah, I Love Him So,” including Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee and Eva Cassidy. Here’s Peggy Lee’s jazzy version, which was released as a single in 1959 (reaching number 77 on the US pop chart) and appeared on the 1960 album “All Aglow Again.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on August 9.

“Hallelujah, I Love Her So” is available on many compilations of Ray Charles’ music, including the great single disc “Genius! – The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection” and the more comprehensive “Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings 52-59.” You can pick these up from the following online retailers:

Title
Genius! – The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings 52-59 (8 CD set)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Not available