"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is a song by American musician Ray Charles. The rhythm and blues song was written and released by Charles in 1956 on the Atlantic label. It was later included on his first album, also released on Atlantic, in 1957. The song reached number five on the Billboard R&B chart. It was inspired by the 1953 song "Get It Over Baby" by Ike Turner.
The song includes elements of Gospel music. "Hallelujah I Love Her So" shows the happiness of being in love. It features a brass instrument arrangement and a memorable saxophone solo by Don Wilkerson. Many artists, including Stevie Wonder, The Kim Sisters, Peggy Lee, Eddie Cochran, and Humble Pie, have performed the song.
Personnel
- Ray Charles – main singer
- Don Wilkerson – performed the tenor saxophone solo
- The Ray Charles Orchestra – provided the musical instruments
- Jerry Wexler – supervised the recording
Beatles cover versions
According to author Mark Lewisohn (in The Complete Beatles Chronicle, p. 362), the Beatles (originally known as the Quarrymen) performed the song regularly from at least 1960 through 1962, with Paul McCartney singing lead vocals. A very early home recording of the song, possibly from May 1960, was included on Anthology 1 and on earlier unofficial releases. The group continued playing the song regularly, including at The Star-Club in Hamburg through the end of 1962. An audience recording from that performance is included in the album Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962. Tony Sheridan later recorded the song with his backup group, The Beat Brothers, after his 1961 session with The Beatles. The song was released on Sheridan’s album My Bonnie (1962), which also included several other songs he had recorded with The Beatles in 1961. Additionally, according to author Doug Sulpy (in Drugs, Divorce And A Slipping Image, sec. 22.25), on January 22, 1969, during the Get Back sessions, the Beatles recorded a version with John Lennon singing lead vocals in a loose style. This version has never been officially released.
The Quarrymen, Paul’s home, 1960
– Paul McCartney – vocals, guitar
– John Lennon – guitar
– George Harrison – guitar
– Stuart Sutcliffe – bass
The Beatles, Star-Club recording, December 1962
– Horst Fascher (Star-Club manager) – guest lead vocal
– John Lennon – guitar
– George Harrison – guitar
– Paul McCartney – bass
– Ringo Starr – drums
Eddie Cochran version
The song "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" was adapted by Eddie Cochran. It was released as a single by Liberty Records in November 1959.
Personnel
- Eddie Cochran sings and plays guitar
- Jimmy Stivers plays piano
- Gene Riggio plays drums
- Don Myers plays electric bass
- Mike Henderson plays tenor sax
- Mike Deasy plays baritone sax
George Jones and Brenda Lee version
George Jones recorded a version of the song on his 1984 album Ladies' Choice as a duet with Brenda Lee, titled "Hallelujah, I Love You So." The song was released as a single in 1984 and reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1985.