Subcultures

Subcultures are groups of people who will hold different views, beliefs and characteristics which differ from the rest of society. Subcultures tend to be formed when the mainstream culture does not satisfy the needs or interests of particular people. In relation to "Hallelujah", Cohen and Buckley would represent a subculture, with Burke's version and portrayal of her version of the song appealing and marketed towards a more mainstream audience. Through The Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS), the idea of subcultures is expanded on. According to the CCCS, subcultures each act as a sight of resistance against the mainstream. It is proposed by authors under the CCCS, that subcultures do indeed have a degree of resistance, which in turn will help them gain their status within society. Through the pure publicity surrounding Burke's cover of "Hallelujah", this has allowed Cohen's original, and even Buckley’s version to gain greater recognition within today’s society.

The views of Adorno

Adorno’s theory focuses on culture industries and how they can encourage false needs. Culture industries will produce commodities to fulfil people’s false needs, and will exploit the public. Within Adorno’s theory he openly addresses his opinion that he feels all popular music is, to put it politely...rubbish! In relation to Alexandra Burke’s version of ‘Hallelujah’, Adorno would have little respect for her cover version, and would not even value the worth of the lyrics. His view is very old fashioned, biased and limited in terms of describing contemporary popular music. Adorno would prefer the original version of ‘Hallelujah’ and would undoubtedly hold the view that Alexandra’s version has ruined the original, and was simply released to meet society’s false needs and to exploit them further.