'Glee' Cast Smashes Elvis' Record (plus a Superbowl Episode sneak peek)
by Elizabeth Sexton
The cast of Glee is burning up the charts, becoming the fastest act to score 20 top 40 hits, smashing Elvis Presley’s U.K. pop chart record.
Martin Talbot, managing director of the U.K-based Official Charts Company tells The Independent, “The Glee cast are superstars of the digital music age.”
Talbot explains that the show's success in the pop charts highlights the power and importance of digital downloading.
The mega singing and dancing show has been captivating audiences since 2009, with stars like Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison.
After a popular tune makes its way through an episode, like Sisqó’s“Thong Song” or Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” the song becomes available for downloading on iTunes and later through other digital and mobile outlets.
Most recently, the cast’s rendition of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” smacked its way into the charts, becoming the show’s 20th hit in just 57 weeks – stepping on some blue suede shows in the process. It took Elvis Presley, the previous record holder, 88 weeks to achieve 20 hits.
Fans intoxicated by Glee’s mash ups will get an extra serving of sing-along fun with the upcoming Superbowl episode that features a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which will be released within a special EP from the show.
Check out a sneak preview of the cover, below, and listen for the creative mash with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll.”
Lea Michele, who plays the over achieving Rachel Berry, told EW.com that this is one classic that can’t be beat.
“You can never recreate something as incredible as ‘Thriller,’ and I don’t think we’re trying to. We’re making it our own,” she said.