Josh Groban Performs Beautiful 'Hallelujah' Duet In The Shower

Apr 27, 2020 by apost team

As part of Josh Groban’s #ShowerSongs YouTube series, which he unveiled two weeks ago in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the award-winning singer performed Hallelujah with the singer and violinist Lucia Micarelli earlier this April. Groban’s Hallelujah duet is the musician’s third installment in #ShowerSongs in which he performs covers from his bathroom.

The 39-year-old dedicated his Hallelujah performance to healthcare workers across the U.S. and encouraged fans to donate to the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center COVID-19 response fund. Donations to the fund raise money either for ventilators and personal protective equipment at the hospitals, or for the “physical and emotional wellbeing” of frontline healthcare workers, according to the fund’s website.

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“Hope everyone had a nice weekend. This song is dedicated to the brave frontline workers around the country but especially those in the epicenter at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center and around NYC,” Groban wrote on YouTube.

The singer said that he chose Hallelujah — which he admits has been covered many times, though probably never in a shower — in part because Groban fans have continually requested that he sing the signature Leonard Cohen track. Lucia Micarelli, who has toured with Groban before, joined the singer virtually to play the violin and harmonize in what makes for what might be Groban’s best #ShowerSongs performance yet.

The shower performance begins with a recording of Micarelli playing pizzicato on the violin, only to have Groban join in with his lush, soothing voice. Because of the setting and the circumstances — due to social distancing measures the two don’t actually perform together but are taped separately — Groban’s #ShowerSongs version of Hallelujah is incredibly simple and stripped down. There aren’t any extra instruments, production gimmicks, or background vocalists besides the two musicians: Groban, who really does sing in his shower, and Micarelli who quietly plays her violin and sings occasional vocal harmonies.

While that may seem like a disadvantage, the two musical talents make it work to their advantage, producing a simple yet affecting and warm version of a song that has been covered by what seems like 100 different musicians. What’s more, Groban dedicated the duet to healthcare workers who are risking their lives while also calling on his fans to donate to the cause — and that makes his cover even more poignant.

But for fans of Groban that shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially given that the classically trained musician is not only an accomplished, award-winning singer and composer but is also known for his philanthropy through the Find Your Light Foundation. And for that reason, Groban is one of many artists who are doing their part to brighten up the world even amid this global health crisis.  

“In times like these I’m inspired by everyone doing their part, no matter how seemingly large or small, to make a difference,” Groban wrote to his fans on YouTube. “We can get through this. Let’s not lose our kindness and humanity while we do.”

Have you been following Groban's #ShowerSongs performances? What do you think about his cover of Hallelujah? Let us know and pass this on to all your music-loving friends and family members.