Pop Culture ‘Hallelujahs’ Revisited

Handel’s Messiah has become synonymous with the holiday season. But for all the beautiful phrases of this piece, the one word that everyone knows is Hallelujah. This chorus is so famous that it has found its way into pop culture. Below are some memorable uses of this famous chorus in movies and TV:

 

MTV Commercial (1991)

MTV cleverly changes the lyrics to list the major music acts of the day with videos airing on the channel.

 

History of the World Pt. 1 (1981)

Mel Brooks’ classic comedy that examines the history of mankind. Cavemen discover music through pain and create a choir.

 

Scrooged (1988)

This 80s holiday classic is modern re-telling on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray plays a TV executive who finds the true meaning of Christmas and rejoices in his second chance at life. (WARNING: adult language)

 

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play lovable idiots Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne in this 90s comedy hit. Down on their luck, these two friends catch a break when a bus of models stops them on the side of the road.

 

Oscar Mayer Commercial

Oscar Mayer uses the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ to add to the holiday setting.

 

Dish Network Commercial

Dish Network plays on the religious nature of the chorus as man rejoices as his team scores a touchdown.

Don’t miss this holiday classic with the NJSO, Montclair State University Singers and a quartet of extraordinary soloists, Dec 14 at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton and Dec 16 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

» Concert info and tickets