Glee Bigger than ELVIS ...I THINK NOT!!!!

[Broussey]

The King is dead. And he's ceded his throne to those pop princes and princesses of Glee.
The castmembers of the hit Fox series have just made music history—having already toppled (http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b204274_new_directions_now_bigger_beatles_are.html )the likes of The Beatles and Michael Jackson (http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/celebs/c114358_Michael_Jackson.html), the New Directions just passed Elvis Presley (http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/celebs/c110704_Elvis_Presley.html) and now own the record of most songs ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Glee crew's cover tunes have accounted for 113 entries on the Hot 100 since the show began releasing singles a year and a half ago (though it should be noted that fewer than one-fourth remained on the charts longer than a week). With the six tracks that debuted this week, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and company can now genuinely say they're bigger than Presley, whose record had stood at 108 songs.
Somebody better cue "Heartbreak Hotel," 'cause we're sure Elvis fans are seriously sad right about now.


Read more: http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b226560_love_em_tender_glee_officially_bigger.html #ixzz1EA4fdfSh

[Tommy]

When you think what Elvis did for music, and when he did this, music was not as accessible then, as it is now. Lots of folks didn't even own a record player, if it was back then for this Glee, what would have happened, I don't think this is significant as what Elvis did or is doing after all the years he has been gone. Plus this is a group, Elvis was a single performer.

If this was today, Elvis' record would soar above any and all entertainers in the music world.

Elvis is still the greatest entertainer that ever lived.

[Broussey]

100% AGREE!!!!! I could not believe this when i read it ......

[Albert]

How many singers are featured in Glee? 10? 15? So divide those number ones by that and we have a good start for the next discussion: how relevant is Glee compared to the King? And how important is this so-called broken record of Elvis (which I don't believe is broken yet)

[monk37]

Glee is a tv show with actors doing cover versions of songs that are established hits

that is not as impressive as a single singer charting original songs

you can;t even compare the market from the 50s to 70s with now.

the internet makes music easier to access and cheaper

people will buy far more now, because entertainment is disposable and portable

[monk37]

oh, and 33 years after Glee is off the air

they will not be the standard to beat

Elvis might not be then, but at 33 years after his death, he is still the standard to beat

and it's not likely that anyone else will ever be the standard under those conditions and for so long

[Jorge]

I am sure than none of these Glee "hits" will be remember after the season ends (May of this year). One week on the charts, that says it all.
Everybody tries to be more successful than Elvis, first Garth Brooks then Rihanna and now Glee, just to proven later than Elvis was, is and will be the King of Rock, the King of the charts, the King of Music.
Long live Elvis and his music, which will continue to be relevant today as was back in the 50-70's, indeed the King no matter what.

[Joe Car]

First of all, it's a group of people, not just one person. Secondly, the singles market is crap as sales are nil, where Elvis sold millions, upon millions. Thirdly, people can download them without leaving their house, where in Elvis' day, you had to go to the store.

[Raised on Rock]

How many singers are featured in Glee? 10? 15? So divide those number ones by that...

Yep, Glee its not an actual band or singer, so this record means in fact nothing compared to the achievments of Elvis or The Beatles in that area. On the other hand if we do the math not on how many hits, but how many weeks, Elvis is still on top.

Now, let's get serious, as you well point out how relevant is Glee to music history compared to The Bealtes or Elvis, well...

Anyway, its a good Tv show and congratulations on their success. But errr... don't take that to out of proportion statments folks. Bigger than who? lol

[Billy Budd]

Who cares about Glee? Elvis will last forever, Glee will not be remembered the same way as Elvis 33 years on from now. It is as simple as that. What I find most disturbing is that people are buying that Glee-crap. It's just disgusting.

[Lisarose]

Glee? Really? Can't add much more than everyone else has already noted here, however!
Just happy to note that the Standard they use is still Elvis!

[Steamroller Blues]

I don't like Glee, the music sounds no better than what you would hear at a high school play. Elvis's impact on the world and the Beatles too for this matter obviously go well beyond a few billboard statistics. There are lots of Elvis songs his gospel stuff for instance, that didn't hit the Billboard because they weren't with the musical trends of the time, but many of those songs are still loved today. Now would people be able to say the same thing about Glee's music in 30-40 years, probably not.

[T_J]

It's not really correct or fair for these stats to be compared with those from 40-50 years ago. Elvis, the Beatles and all other artists of the time did not and could not release several songs a week. That is the only reason Glee has racked up so many entries. The figures simply aren't comparable and therefore the stats for the old way of doing things should be preserved as untouchable in my view.

[MichelleC78]

Who cares about Glee? Elvis will last forever, Glee will not be remembered the same way as Elvis 33 years on from now. It is as simple as that. What I find most disturbing is that people are buying that Glee-crap. It's just disgusting.

I couldnt have said it better myself!!!

[Tigerman1975]

That show is rediculous.

[KPM]

Everyone who seriously looks at these things knows the record for Glee is no where near on par with what Elvis did "alone"
Plus how many singles have actually been sold in total-I'm sure they do not challenge Elvis.
How many singers had the lead vocal in this show, how many total as a group-its comparing a single fantastic one of a kind apple-to a bushel of fair oranges.

[debtdbruno]

Glee who?...........never heard of them/it..........

[Diane]

I don't care for Glee. I find the actors too hyped up, very unnatural and the voices mediocre. To compare them to Elvis is insane.

[Cliff]

"Somebody better cue "Heartbreak Hotel," 'cause we're sure Elvis fans are seriously sad right about now."

While you might not agree with what the item says, you have to agree that this part is right. The usual uptight and insecure reaction to something that might challenge Elvis. Last time it was the announcement that Maria Carey had beaten Elvis. Wise up people ! There's a whole new generation out there, and not all of them are into Elvis. I think Tommy hit the nail right on the head.
As for saying they only do covers of songs how many originals did Elvis do. It would be interesting to do some research on this.
Personally I enjoy Glee and think it's wonderful to see so many talented young people. It restores my faith in this generation.
Something that struck me the other night while watching Lea Michele singing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" was that this show is exposing the young ones to the good music. This gives me a good feeling.
If it makes you feel any better, it's not actually Glee that is topping the charts but these wonderful songs from the past. They'll never die. My hat is off to Glee and it's cast. I say congratulations and well done.
Who knows, someday they may do an Elvis tribute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GCqrDktIwE

[May]

Glee who?...........never heard of them/it..........

Glad you said it Deb, I was about to!!!

[_Elvis_]

Who cares about glee silly teenagers who singing. Elvis had the moves the looks he was born too be the best entertainer who has ever lived
He has now more fans then he was alive that says it all. He is and wil be forever the best there ever set foots on the earth. Elvis sings straight from the heart. And the fact he has helped so many charities and always try to help everybody. http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn189/isakni/isa32.gif:notworthy:notworthy:clap:

[Joe Car]

Still no mention of sales figures, any numbers? Also, I'm not an insecure Elvis fan, but I want facts and numbers to be put into there correct context. Given the sales figures for today's singles charts, Glee's achievements mean are overrated, to say the least. That being said, not trying to pick on the young men and women who are on the show and their talent. At the same time, I don't want Elvis' accomplishments to be undermined either.

[KPM]

No I hope it does not appear we are downing the young people who sing on Glee-but they are all parts of a show-each is not carrying the load of Glee........they collectively make Glee a hit. Now if one of these young people breaks out on his or her own and then has over a 100 hits in a row on Billboard-that would be on par with what Elvis had done. I will be on record that it is not going to happen.

[Cliff]

If you haven't heard of them then why say anything? There's no point.
Glad you said it Deb, I was about to!!!

[May]

If you haven't heard of them then why say anything? There's no point.
Clearly there is a point.
Firstly, the title is "Glee-Bigger than Elvis?". The fact that two people, so far, haven't heard of 'Glee' makes an obvious observation that it can't be bigger than Elvis.
Secondly, I was answering someone else's post.
Thirdly, I am allowed to post an opinion
and fourthly, there is no need to be rude!

If I was going to be disrespectful I would write "there was no 'point' for your post" but I wouldn't want to be that unpleasant and, quite frankly, I don't know why you were.

[hounddog]

it may have been a better comparison chart wise to check Glee's stats against say movie/soundtrack sales. Cause after all they are a TV show.

I don't like Glee but i do like that they are doing classics. Though mind you when my niece watched the original Rocky Horror with me i think it spun her head a bit and my nephew was spun out by the lead being played by a male, he said to me that's not like in Glee. I said to him no it's not.


My niece also heard the non glee sanitized lyrics to the time warp and other songs. Not being a glee watcher i didn't know they had cleaned up the lyrics.

[Cliff]

"If I was going to be disrespectful I would write "there was no 'point' for your post" but I wouldn't want to be that unpleasant and, quite frankly, I don't know why you were."

Sorry if you thought I was being disrespectful & rude May. That was not my intention. I just get a little tired of people trashing anyone who might be a threat to Elvis. It's a big world and there's plenty of room for everyone. In our world Elvis is still tops and that's all that matters. Give it time and you won't hear anymore of Glee. The show will be axed because it has run it's course. Next time it will be someone elses turn at the top. It's a very fickle world out there but us Elvis fans are very loyal.
I'm sure if you took a poll there would be more than 2 people who haven't heard of Elvis. But by the same token there are a lot more that have.Again, my apologies to you.

[marijaep]

I find it quite contradictory that we Elvis fans always get so upset when a negative comment regarding Elvis shows up or when an other name finds itself on the first place of some kind of a list. That's when we turn into big chatterboxes and never stop talking about how these new generations should be more open-minded aboy "old" music...Then again, we are so closed to "new" music, forgetting the fact that young Elvis had difficulties breaking through just because people refused to even give him a chance. Just because he was different than what they were used to. Humans are inert by nature. We don't like changes. However, being able to win over that inertness and nostalgia, has allowed us to evolve and develop.
I keep talking in first person plural, because I behave like that as well, even though I'm only 18. I am biased, most of us are. But our bias are based mostly on facts and less on prejudices - it's undeniable that Elvis was, and still is extraordinary. I'm not saying that we should forget about Elvis and move on. All I'm saying is that we should stop considering new music as a threat to Elvis and give those young people a chance. I'm sure Elvis would have wanted that as well.

[Brian Quinn]

From This Week's 'Billboard' Magazine:

While "Glee" passes the King this week for most Hot 100 appearances, it's certainly not too early to consider how much more history the cast can write.

It does seem like a safe bet that the "Glee" cast will hold the record for most Hot 100 hits for a very long time. But, to quote the artist whose music infused Tuesday's (Feb. 15) episode, never say never.

It's hard to imagine another type of act that could boast the cache/marketing push/multi-media platform to release multiple songs week after week and enjoy enough consumer support to send them onto the Hot 100.

By the end of the second season of "Glee" this spring, if the cast continues to place tracks on the Hot 100 at its current pace, it would add another approximately 40 titles to its total, bringing it to about 150 overall.

With the series renewed for a third season, 22 episodes x five Hot 100 hits a week = another potential 100 or so chart entries.

Thus, by spring 2012, the "Glee" cast, if it maintains its release schedule and popularity, could count approximately 250 Hot 100 chart hits.

Beyond that, who knows how long the show will remain a Fox juggernaut?

With Presley at 108 and no other artist in triple digits, no artist we now know of seems in the running to top the troupe's Hot 100 record.

Of course, at this time in 2009, "Glee" had yet to debut on TV. While the series was set up to be a ratings success, having premiered after "American Idol," who could've predicted that in less than two years the cast would have passed Presley for such a prestigious honor?

Thus, if "Glee" can overthrow the King so suddenly, perhaps another TV show can do the same to "Glee" in the future.

And, just as the digital era has revolutionized the way consumers can purchase music so instantaneously, we don't know what future means of music delivery could affect chart performance many years from now.

It's also worth placing the cast's latest achievement in a broader historical chart context.

While the ensemble's feat is unquestionably impressive, a few facts in Presley's favor:

The King's career predates the Hot 100's Aug. 4, 1958, launch. Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles" book counts 31 Presley songs that reached various Hot 100 predecessor charts beginning in 1956.

So, in terms of overall Billboard chart hits, Presley's total could stand at an unofficial 139 when combining multiple song surveys.

Further breaking down the "Glee" cast's Hot 100 resume, of its 113 Hot 100 entries, just two have hit the top 10: "Don't Stop Believin' " (No.4) and "Teenage Dream" (8). (36 of the 113 have reached the top 40).

Conversely, with 80 top 40 Hot 100 hits - 25 of which reached the top 10 - Presley is far and away the leader. Elton John ranks second with 57 top 40 titles, followed by the Beatles (50). 36 top 40 entries places the "Glee" cast in a tie with R. Kelly for 15th place.

Also, Presley's 108 Hot 100 entries translate to 994 cumulative weeks spent on the chart, second-most all-time after John's 1,021.

As just 23 of the "Glee" cast's 113 Hot 100 songs have logged more than one week on the list, the troupe's total weeks count is 150.

And, of course, Presley introduced a bounty of classics to mainstream audiences, while the "Glee" cast has so far charted solely remakes (a streak that could end in upcoming weeks with the show's rumored promise of original songs).

Ultimately, the "Glee" cast's passing of Presley in one of the Hot 100 100's most sacred categories is laudable.

It's only one statistic, however, when examining the artists who have made some of the most memorable impacts in Hot 100 history.

Further, as onother fan points out on the http://www.elviscommunity.com forum:

"Few inventions have had as much effect on contemporary American society as television. Before 1947 the number of U.S. homes with television sets could be measured in the thousands. By the late 1990s, 98 percent of U.S. homes had at least one television set, and those sets were on for an average of more than seven hours a day. The typical American spends (depending on the survey and the time of year) from two-and-a-half to almost five hours a day watching television. It is significant not only that this time is being spent with television but that it is not being spent engaging in other activities, such as reading or going out or socializing.........

United states Population in 1955:

165,931,202

According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the resident population of the United States, projected to 02/19/11 at 18:40 UTC (EST+5) is:

310,850,439

The WORLD population by date is as follows:

1955 2.8 billion
1960 3 billion
1965 3.3 billion
1970 3.7 billion
1975 4 billion
1980 4.5 billion
1985 4.85 billion
1990 5.3 billion
1995 5.7 billion
1999 6 billion
2006 6.5 billion
2009 6.8 billion
2012 7 billion

There is no comparison....Elvis is The King for a reason...."

Finally, Marty Lacker has commented on this story at www.elvis-express.com as follows:

"The comparison of Glee and Elvis on Billboard's Hot 100 is ridiculous and it is like
comparing apples to oranges.

Elvis is a recording artist,Glee is a TV Show. Technology back then is nothing what it is today where not only can they download the music from the internet, many kids do it directly to their cell phones.

They also don't mention the fact of Elvis' number one records and many of them in the early
years were at #1 across the board, pop, Black Music and Country charts. Not to mention that Elvis changed the culture of the world in the 50's as well as being a cultural historical icon. In another few years,if not sooner, Glee will be forgotten as just another TV show that faded out and was cancelled.

All this hoopla was to get publicity for Billboard and Glee."

Brian (y)

[scarlet_nell]

I was so mad when I heard this. It was so ridiculous! How can you even compare the two?

[KPM]

Thanks for posting this Brian serves up a bigger more impressive picture of Elvis and his accomplishments in comparison to the Glee "fad".

[Cliff]

I find it quite contradictory that we Elvis fans always get so upset when a negative comment regarding Elvis shows up or when an other name finds itself on the first place of some kind of a list. That's when we turn into big chatterboxes and never stop talking about how these new generations should be more open-minded aboy "old" music...Then again, we are so closed to "new" music, forgetting the fact that young Elvis had difficulties breaking through just because people refused to even give him a chance. Just because he was different than what they were used to. Humans are inert by nature. We don't like changes. However, being able to win over that inertness and nostalgia, has allowed us to evolve and develop.
I keep talking in first person plural, because I behave like that as well, even though I'm only 18. I am biased, most of us are. But our bias are based mostly on facts and less on prejudices - it's undeniable that Elvis was, and still is extraordinary. I'm not saying that we should forget about Elvis and move on. All I'm saying is that we should stop considering new music as a threat to Elvis and give those young people a chance. I'm sure Elvis would have wanted that as well.

Such a mature and honest view for one so young. You said what I was trying to say all along. Thank goodness there is some sanity in the forums.:clap::clap::clap::clap::notworthy:notworth y:notworthy

[debtdbruno]

thanks for that info Brian, does put things into perspective................

[tcb_1835m]

I don't Believe there will Ever Be Such a Person, Singer, Actor, and Humble Human Being that Thought of His Fellow Man and Woman Before his Self. That Gave His Very Life for His Fans as Elvis did Ever Again in the Music World or in The World Period!

[cibetty]

When you think what Elvis did for music, and when he did this, music was not as accessible then, as it is now. Lots of folks didn't even own a record player, if it was back then for this Glee, what would have happened, I don't think this is significant as what Elvis did or is doing after all the years he has been gone. Plus this is a group, Elvis was a single performer.

If this was today, Elvis' record would soar above any and all entertainers in the music world.

Elvis is still the greatest entertainer that ever lived.


I agree Tommy!

[May]

I don't Believe there will Ever Be Such a Person, Singer, Actor, and Humble Human Being that Thought of His Fellow Man and Woman Before his Self. That Gave His Very Life for His Fans as Elvis did Ever Again in the Music World or in The World Period!

Nice post!

[debtdbruno]

I don't Believe there will Ever Be Such a Person, Singer, Actor, and Humble Human Being that Thought of His Fellow Man and Woman Before his Self. That Gave His Very Life for His Fans as Elvis did Ever Again in the Music World or in The World Period!

love that:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

[Steamroller Blues]

Good point T_J

[Wendy56]

Glee is a huge phenomenon here where I live. But, I saw a few episodes and even the lyrics of the musical numbers have less sense. I mean, it is just something that will pass without giving a real meaning to somebody's life. I mean, Michael, Elvis and others gave us something...
In that case, I preffer the movie: Grease over Glee series.