Overall Score: 2/5
Catchiness: 1/5
Lyrics: 4/5
The song begins by crooning by Benjamin Clementine singing "Hallelujah Money"- it's a creepy, slightly eerie song, with a gothic and scary-movie feel. Damon Albarn then croons "How will we know when the morning comes" in his signature electro-pop synth sound in the background. The melody contains a choir singing in the background, not unlike the Blur single 'Tender'- but it's very, very different.
The song wins in it's lyrics- it's the best part of the song. The song's a slam to the regime of US President Donald Trump, as well as a rant on being human and the world we are living in. The message is clear- it's quite anti-Trump, anti-money and anti-capitalism. Period.
However, the song loses out in it's melody and tune. It lacks a tune, to put it simply. It's quite dead beat, and the tune lacks some of the oomph which makes Gorillaz what they are- a catchy band with top melodies. This song disappoints in terms of it's tune- it sounds like listening to a radio broadcast rather than an actual song. Even the song Doncamatic, released a few years ago by the band, seems much better.
All in all, it's a disappointing song, albeit one that carries a strong message. It's a bit like songs from Gorillaz's epic iPad album- only we have to say that we prefer Damon's iPad fiddlings much, much more.
On the other hand, check out Damon Albarn's genius lyrics below.
Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz
Song Lyrics
Verse 1: Benjamin Clementine]
Here is our tree
That primitively grows
And when you go to bed
Scarecrows from the far east
Come to eat
Its tender fruits
And I thought the best way to perfect our tree
Is by building walls
Walls like unicorns
In full glory
And galore
And even stronger
Than the walls of Jericho
But glad then my friend
Out in the field we shall reap a better day
What we have always dreamt of having
Are now for the starving
It is love, that is the root of all evil
But not our tree
And thank you my friend
For trusting me
[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)
[Bridge: 2-D]
How will we know?
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?
[Spoken Verse: Benjamin Clementine]
Don't worry, my friend
If this be the end, then so shall it be
Until we say so, nothing will move
Ah, don't worry
It's not against our morals
It's legally tender
Touch my friend
While the whole world
And whole beasts of nations desire
Power
[Bridge 2: 2-D]
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?
[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah
Hallelujah money!
[Outro: Spongebob Squarepants]
(Cries)