Hallelujah (Panic! at the Disco song)

"Hallelujah" is a song by American solo project Panic! at the Disco. It was released as a single on April 19, 2015 through Fueled by Ramen[7][8][9] as the first single from their fifth studio album Death of a Bachelor.[6] "Hallelujah" debuted at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 selling over 71,000 copies, becoming the band's second top-40 hit single and the first in nine years since "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" was released in 2006.[10][11][12] It is the first single not to include drummer Spencer Smith and bassist Dallon Weekes, thus making "Hallelujah" Panic! at the Disco's first single as a solo project.

"Hallelujah"
Single by Panic! at the Disco
from the album Death of a Bachelor
ReleasedApril 20, 2015 (2015-04-20)[1]
Genre
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Imad Royal
  • Jake Sinclair[5][6]
Panic! at the Disco singles chronology
"Nicotine"
(2014)
"Hallelujah"
(2015)
"Victorious"
(2015)

It has been digitally streamed over 165 million times on Spotify alone.[10] "Hallelujah" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards.[13]

Background

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Panic! at the Disco at the 2015 Shorty Awards, where they first performed the song live.

When asked about the meaning of the song, Brendon Urie responded saying, "I mean, I grew up in a religious family and, like, that was a very big part of my life, and still, very much, is even though I don't affiliate with any specific religion. It's just, for me, you know, the spirituality of being able to own up to your sins, as they're called, and take responsibility for your actions really hit me this time around, and so that song really is about that, it's, you know, taking responsibility for things that you felt guilty for in the past and just owning it, because, now, that's a piece of you and you can't get rid of that history, so, that's really what it was. But it was a chance to, kind of also, you know, there's a little tagline in there that I throw out to our fans, I like to call them 'my sinners', and I'm a fellow sinner, and so I think that's a little special little throw-out to them."[14] Urie later stated, "When you have to own up to your mistakes, you know, praise that; as long as you take responsibility for your actions, everything else seems it can fall into place if you have that same attitude, so, that's really what it was, it's kind of a play on just, 'yeah, you know, hallelujah, I'm not a sinner', but we are, I mean the song is definitely about that".[15]

The opening of the song is taken from the Chicago song "Questions 67 and 68".[16]

It is the band's first song since the departure of drummer Spencer Smith.[17][18][19][20] Despite the song being released during Dallon Weekes's tenure in the band, it is unknown if he recorded bass on the song.

The song was performed live for the first time at the 7th annual Shorty Awards on Monday, April 20, 2015.[21] At the Shorty Awards, the band also performed the single "Miss Jackson".[22] The band also performed the single at the 2015 Alternative Press Music Awards along with a cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.[23]

Music video

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The audio video for the single features the two hands raised emoji.

An audio video was uploaded to Fueled by Ramen's YouTube channel featuring racially diverse iOS preaching emojis.[10][24]

On July 7, 2015, a music video was released for the song.[25][26][27] The video is inspired by the game Monument Valley. As of December 2022, the music video has surpassed 73 million views.

Track listing

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All tracks written by Brendon Urie, Jake Sinclair, Morgan Kibby, Aron Wright and Imad-Roy El-Amine.[28] "Hallelujah" samples "Questions 67 and 68" written by Robert Lamm and performed by Chicago.[5]

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Hallelujah"3:00

Personnel

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Panic! at the Disco

  • Brendon Urie – lead and backing vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards

Additional personnel

  • Jake Sinclair – background vocals
  • White Sea – background vocals
  • Mark Stepro – drums
  • Rob Mathes – horn arrangement

Chart performance

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Gold 40,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[38] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Hoyle, Hayley (April 20, 2015). "STREAM: Panic! at the Disco "Hallelujah"". InfectiousMagazine.com. Infectious Magazine. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  2. ^ "Panic! At The Disco – Hallelujah & Death Of A Bachelor – Single Reviews". September 14, 2015.
  3. ^ Chinenjan, Nate (January 13, 2016). "Review: 'Death of a Bachelor,' From Panic! at the Disco". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  4. ^ McLaughlin, David (January 9, 2016). "Panic! At The Disco - 'Death Of A Bachelor' - Reviews". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Kroq (April 27, 2015). "Brendon Urie on Weenie Roast, New Panic! At The Disco, and Meeting President Obama". Kroq 106.7. CBS. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Harms, Andy. "EXCLUSIVE: Panic! at the Disco Talk "Hallelujah" for the First Time". ALT 98.7. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  7. ^ Benjamin, Jeff. "PANIC! AT THE DISCO RETURN TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH WITH "HALLELUJAH"". Fuse.tv. Fuse. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Panic! at the Disco. "Panic! at the Disco on Facebook". Facebook.com/PanicAtTheDisco. Panic! at the Disco. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Brendon Urie [@brendonurie] (April 20, 2015). "All you sinners stand up... #Hallelujah" (Tweet). Retrieved May 2, 2015 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b c "Panic! at the Disco". Spotify.
  11. ^ Cantor, Brian (April 30, 2015). "HOT 100: DJ SNAKE & ALUNAGEORGE, PANIC AT THE DISCO REACH THE TOP 40". HeadlinePlanet.com. Cantortainment Company. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  12. ^ Billboard. "Panic at the Disco - Chart history". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  13. ^ Whitt, Cassie (March 18, 2016). "Here are the nominees for the 2016 AP Music Awards!". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  14. ^ Harms, Andy. "EXCLUSIVE: Panic! at the Disco Talk "Hallelujah" for the First Time". ALT 98.7. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2015. I mean, I grew up in a religious family and, like, that was a very big part of my life, and still, very much, is even though I don't affiliate with any specific religion. It's just, for me, you know, the spirituality of being able to own up to your sins, as they're called, and take responsibility for your actions really hit me this time around, and so that song really is about that, it's, you know, taking responsibility for things that you felt guilty for in the past and just owning it, because, now, that's a piece of you and you can't get rid of that history, so, that's really what it was. But it was a chance to, kind of also, you know, there's a little tagline in there that I throw out to our fans, I like to call them 'my sinners', and I'm a fellow sinner, and so I think that's a little special little throw-out to them.
  15. ^ Kroq (April 27, 2015). "Brendon Urie on Weenie Roast, New Panic! At The Disco, and Meeting President Obama". Kroq 106.7. CBS. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2015. When you have to own up to your mistakes, you know, praise that; as long as you take responsibility for your actions, everything else seems it can fall into place if you have that same attitude, so, that's really what it was, it's kind of a play on just, 'yeah, you know, hallelujah, I'm not a sinner', but we are, I mean the song is definitely about that
  16. ^ Zaleski, Annie (January 13, 2016). "Panic! At the Disco's fifth LP might be its best yet". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  17. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (April 20, 2015). "Listen to Panic! at the Disco's new single 'Hallelujah'". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  18. ^ Payne, Chris (April 20, 2015). "Panic! at the Disco Take Us to Church in New Song 'Hallelujah!'". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  19. ^ Carter, Emily (April 20, 2015). "PANIC! AT THE DISCO STREAM BRAND NEW TRACK, HALLELUJAH". Kerrang. Bauer Consumer Ltd. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  20. ^ McConnell, Kriston (May 21, 2015). "PANIC! AT THE DISCO STREAM "HALLELUJAH"'". Under The Gun Review. SpinMedia. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  21. ^ Crane, Matt. "Panic! At The Disco perform new song, "Hallelujah," live for the first time". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  22. ^ Carter, Emily. "WATCH PANIC! AT THE DISCO PERFORM HALLELUJAH LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME". Kerrang.com. Kerrang. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  23. ^ Whitt, Cassie (July 23, 2015). "Panic! at the Disco perform "Hallelujah" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the 2015 AP Music Awards". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  24. ^ Fueled by Ramen. "Fuled by Ramen on Facebook - "Have you heard Panic! At The Disco's new single 'Hallelujah' yet? Discover it now! ► iTunes: smarturl.it/PATDHallelujah ► Amazon: smarturl.it/hallelujah-az ► Spotify: smarturl.it/hallelujah-sp"". Facebook.com/FueledByRamen. Fueled by Ramen. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  25. ^ Carter, Emily (July 7, 2015). "Panic! at the Disco Unveil Brand-New Video For Hallelujah". Kerrang.com. Kerrang!. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  26. ^ Bagish, Corinne (July 7, 2015). "All you sinners watch Panic! at the Disco's new 'Hallelujah' music video". Mashable.com. Mashable. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  27. ^ Chatterjee, Kika (July 7, 2015). "Panic! at The Disco drop "Hallelujah" video". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  28. ^ "BMI - Repertoire Search". Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  29. ^ "Panic at the Disco 2 Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  31. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  32. ^ "Panic at the Disco 2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  33. ^ "Panic at the Disco 2 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "Hot Rock Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  35. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  36. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Panic! At the Disco – Hallelujah". Music Canada.
  37. ^ "British single certifications – Panic! At the Disco – Hallelujah". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  38. ^ "American single certifications – Panic! At the Disco – Hallelujah". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 20, 2019.