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.
It became the European record holder for the most singles sold in 24 hours, with 105,000 copies sold in one day. Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah
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. By January 2009, it had sold over one
Burke’s version sold 576,000 copies in its first week, dwarfing Buckley’s 81,000. Record-Breaking Sales
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