LORDI - HARD ROCK HALLELUJAH

Released: May 19, 2006

Charted:  UK: #25 

"Hard Rock Hallelujah" by Lordi gained immense popularity after representing Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, ultimately securing the country's first and only victory in the competition. The song topped the charts in Finland and achieved top 10 positions in eight other European countries. Despite its success, it reached only number 25 in the United Kingdom.

Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah" caused a stir when it won the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, surprising many with its unconventional style. Lordi's triumph with a record 292 points defied expectations. As a Finnish monster rock band, Lordi's entry was met with controversy and some skepticism, viewed by some as more of a novelty act. Their victory marked Finland's first win in Eurovision history, despite the country's previous lackluster performances. 

In spite of being labeled a heavy metal band by the British media, Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah" showcased a more melodic rock sound that fit well within the Eurovision Song Contest. While the song retained elements of their signature style, it was not strictly heavy metal. To adhere to Eurovision standards, the song was slightly edited down from its original duration of over four minutes, ensuring it remained engaging for the contest format.

The music video for "Hard Rock Hallelujah" depicts a shy female hard rock fan navigating through her school corridors while listening to the song on her headset. Upon reaching the gym, she observes cheerleaders practicing before a sudden power outage and gust of wind occur. Mr. Lordi, the lead singer of Lordi, bursts into the gym, causing chaos and ultimately transforming the cheerleaders into zombies. Despite initial fear, the fan embraces her newfound confidence and leads the zombies through the school halls. Directed by Pete Riski, the video stars Leina Ogihara as the fan.