The release of Burke’s "Hallelujah" sparked an unprecedented event in the UK music scene. Music fans, many of whom were critical of The X Factor's commercial nature, launched an internet campaign to propel of the song to the top spot instead.
Burke’s version sold 576,000 copies in its first week, dwarfing Buckley’s 81,000. Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah
It became the European record holder for the most singles sold in 24 hours, with 105,000 copies sold in one day. It became the European record holder for the
The popularity of the covers also brought Cohen’s 1984 original into the UK Top 40 for the first time, reaching number 36. Record-Breaking Sales 000 copies in its first week
By January 2009, it had sold over one million copies, making Alexandra Burke the first British female solo artist to achieve a million-selling single in the UK.