Glee Beats Out Elvis on the Billboard Charts: Has the World Lost its Mind?

The King, the King of Pop, and half of the Fab Four are spinning in their graves. Somehow, in these terribly confused times, the Glee singers managed to place on the Billboard Hot 100 with the more songs than... You're sitting down? Good, 'cause this sucks: anyone ever. The only possible explanation...

By Liz Tracy

February 17, 2011

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The King, the King of Pop, and half of the Fab Four are spinning in their graves. Somehow, in these terribly confused times, the Glee singers managed to place on the Billboard Hot 100 with the more songs than... You're sitting down? Good, 'cause this sucks: anyone ever.

The only possible explanation is that the universe has gone completely insane. In only a year and a half, these irritating teenaged crooners have managed to break the record, beating out Elvis' 108 with their 113, counting six new additions this week alone.

Here are four questions keeping us up at night.

4. Is the Whole Country My Mom and Her Middle-Aged Gay Friends?

This is not to disrespect the moms or the gays. But seriously, look at this clip below. It's a mashup of one of the most delightful show tunes ever, "Singin' in the Rain," and one of the more danceable R&B songs of the last few years, Rihanna's "Umbrella." It goes straight for the queer Broadway heartstrings.

It's odd that most of the country still won't accept two men in a legal union, but this is what those 'phobes are listening to while driving to work.

3. Did No One's Parents Make Them Listen to Elvis or the Beatles?
 Sure, it's your job as a parent to feed and clothe your children, but you also need to impart upon them good taste. Seriously. You're responsible for introducing your children to Sgt. Pepper, Billie Jean and a Big Hunk O' Burning Love. Gen Xers were raised listening to their parents' Motown, we appreciate good music. What are these young people growing up with? Billy Ray Cyrus? God help us all. Put on the oldies station for fuck's sake.

2. Has imitation trumped creative talent?  

Not only does it seem like Justin Bieber is bigger than Jesus (beating out the Beatles, of course), but people pretending to be Bieber are even bigger than bigger than Jesus! Holy smokes. It's like everyone wants to skip the delicious feast and go straight to a vile sticky sweet dessert.

To offer the King more credit, he was two years into his career when the Billboard charts were launched. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have fallen so easily to these show tunes-y monsters. Still, though, the most frightening part is that they've managed to beat out Elvis in under two years. This is a travesty, which leads us to our next question...

1. Is this proof that the impending apocalypse is well-deserved?

There is no question that this proves we deserve it. Fuck global warming. The fact that Rachel Berry's version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" is more popular than "Love Me Tender" is proof it's time to STOP believing. The reason the birds are falling out of the sky and the fish are flinging themselves ashore isn't firecrackers or disease, it was Rachel's siren wails, heralding the end of days. Those of us who still have discerning tastes will spend the last few years of our lives remembering good old music in Heartbreak Hotel. The rest of you can go screw yourselves to the tune of "Umbrella/Singin' in the Rain."

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Liz Tracy is a culture and health journalist whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Glamour, and Vox. Previously, she served as New Times Broward-Palm Beach's music editor for three years. Wherever she goes, she brings a little bit of Miami with her.

Contact: Liz Tracy

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