This middle-aged father walked onto the stage, nerves hidden behind a brave smile. He told the judges he was here to sing for them, but when he announced he’d be taking on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” a few skeptical looks passed between the judges. Some of them couldn’t help but wonder if he was aiming too high. But when he sang? Everything changed. His voice, raw and full of heart, poured out with such power that by the end, not only had the judges teared up, but his son—sitting in the audience—was hearing his dad sing for the very first time. Simon Cowell, usually hard to impress, wiped away his own tears and said, “I’ve heard that song a lot. I’ve sat in this chair a long time, and it was one of the most brilliant auditions I have ever heard.”

When Jeff Gutt walked out onto the stage of The X-Factor, he was just hoping that he could show off some skills and get a little publicity for his local singing career and make his son proud. What actually happened, however, is a truly heart-warming story.

Gutt told the judges he was there to sing for them and when he announced he’d be singing Leonard Cohen’s famous track “Hallelujah”, some of them looked at him like he was being a bit too ambitious.

As he began singing, the audience literally roared to life – completely overwhelmed by the singer’s beautiful gift for song. Gutt received the standing ovation he deserved when the song was finished and the entire crowd was in tears!

“I’ve heard that song a lot. I’ve sat in this chair a long time, and it was one of the most brilliant auditions I have heard,” Simon Cowell gushed.

“Hallelujah” was originally released in 1984 from Cohen’s album, Various Positions. In 1994, Jeff Buckley covered it on his album and it gained tremendous attention worldwide, becoming one of the most-covered songs of all time!

Watch this incredible performance of this timeless song in the video below! We are certain that Jeff’s son was so proud of his dad!