Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
EP by | ||||
Released | April 20, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 27:16 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | ||||
Glee Cast chronology | ||||
|
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna is the debut extended play (EP) by the cast of the musical television series Glee . It contains eight songs from the season one Glee episode, "The Power of Madonna", which was a tribute episode dedicated to American recording artist Madonna. She had sold the rights to her entire catalog of music to Glee in 2009, and producers of the show developed the episode called "The Power of Madonna"; the show featured a number of cover versions of Madonna's songs by the cast. The accompanying EP released with the airing of the show was called Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna.
After its release, it received generally positive reviews from the critics, who frequently cited Glee's cover version of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" as a stand-out track from the album. The EP debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, with 98,000 copies in the first week in the United States, the highest debut for a Glee soundtrack. It also reached the top of the chart in Canada, and the top ten in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The release of the EP saw an increase in the catalog sales of Madonna's albums too. All songs from The Power of Madonna were released as singles with the exception of "Burning Up". "Like a Prayer" charted highest in all regions, reaching number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and selling 87,000 digital downloads there.
In 2009, Madonna granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music, and the producers planned an episode which would feature Madonna songs exclusively. [1] Series creator Ryan Murphy had worked with Madonna in the past, and wished to produce a Glee tribute to her. Madonna agreed and "cooperated in every way possible", for the episode "The Power of Madonna". [2] The episode featured the show's fictional glee club director Will Schuester, portrayed by actor Matthew Morrison, assigning the students in the club to sing Madonna songs because the girls were being subjected to sexist treatment by the boys; he hoped the entire glee club would learn from the messages of girl-power and equality in such Madonna songs as "Express Yourself". [3]
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna, an extended play (EP) containing studio recordings of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010. [4] Its track list encompasses "Express Yourself", a mash-up of "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart", "Vogue", "Like a Virgin, "4 Minutes", "What It Feels Like for a Girl", and "Like a Prayer". [5] [6] The iTunes edition featured a bonus track, "Burning Up", which was not performed in the episode. [7] Although they were not performed by the show's cast, Madonna's "Ray of Light", [1] "Burning Up", [8] "Justify My Love", [9] and "Frozen" were also used as backing tracks in the episode. [10]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [11] |
BBC | mixed [12] |
Digital Spy | [13] |
Entertainment Weekly | A [14] |
Seattle Post-Intelligencer | positive [15] |
Star Tribune | negative [16] |
The album has received generally positive reviews from critics. Fraser McAlpine of the BBC wrote: "At its best, it's a loving homage; at worst it's like the re-made pop music retailers play in shops to avoid paying proper royalties." He felt that: "As they are essentially photocopies of the originals, the songs depend on the context of the show to make sense. So listening to the album on musical merits alone is close to pointless." [12] AllMusic's Andrew Leahey rated the album 3.5/5, writing: "It's a short release, but it also holds its ground against the two albums that preceded it, namely because the material is so compatible with the show itself. Madonna's music has always thrived on drama, and it lends itself well to Glee's theater-pop approach, which tends to bring out the cheese in even the most serious of songs." [11] Nick Levine of Digital Spy rated the EP 4/5, praising the "imaginative reworking" of "What It Feels Like For a Girl", and noting: "if the Glee treatment encourages a few younger pop fans to invest in Madonna's stellar recent hits collection, it can only be viewed as a good thing. And for those in the know, hearing five members of this thoroughly likable cast trilling "Like A Virgin" in harmony is so downright gleeful, well, it's almost like being touched for the very first time." [13]
Sahar Ghosh from Seattle Post-Intelligencer felt that the best songs on the EP were "What It Feels Like for a Girl" and "Like a Prayer", saying that "the lyrics Madonna sang in 2001 [for 'What It Feels Like for a Girl'] still (unfortunately) ring true today, but they acquire a new poignancy as they are sung by the boys in Glee Club. [...] But the best performance of the album is definitely 'Like a Prayer'. The talented voices of the Glee cast, backed by a full choir, masterfully carry the lyrics to greater heights." [15] Mikael Wood from Entertainment Weekly gave it an "A" rating, explaining "Sue hilariously revises the spoken-word bit on 'Vogue', and the Glee guys give a surprisingly tender reading of 'What It Feels Like for a Girl'. Go ahead — open your heart." [14] David Hiltbrand from Star Tribune gave a negative review of the EP saying that "things go downhill as soon as Jane Lynch starts camping up the spoken portion of 'Vogue'. By the time you get to 'Like a Virgin' and '4 Minutes', the songs sound overproduced and melodramatic, more show tune than disco." [16]
In its first week of release in the United States, Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna reached number one on the Billboard 200, with 98,000 copies sold. It became the first album by the Glee cast to debut at the top of the chart, also the first number one album consisting totally of covers of one artist's songs, since the all-ABBA Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack reigned for a week in August 2008. [7] [17] According to Nielsen SoundScan, 75 percent of the sales were due to digital downloads from online stores. [18] It was also the Top Digital and Top Soundtrack album of the week. [19] The release of the EP also had its impact on Madonna's own catalog. Her Celebration greatest hits album re-entered Billboard 200 at number 86 with sales of 6,000 (up 219%). Her total catalog of albums saw a 44% jump in sales, selling 17,000 that week. Her digital song download tally also got a boost with total tracks sold being 108,000, up 169% compared to the week previous (40,000). Her two biggest-selling songs of the week were "4 Minutes" and "Like a Prayer"—each selling 12,000 with gains of 183% and 267%, respectively. [20]
In Canada, the album debuted at the top of the Canadian Albums Chart, with sales of 23,000 according to Nielsen SoundScan. [21] In Australia, the EP debuted at number 14 on the Australian Albums Chart. After two weeks it reached a peak of number 10, and was present for a total of seven weeks on the chart. [22] In Belgium's Wallonia region and in the Netherlands, the EP charted at the lower strata of the chart. [23] [24] It was more successful in Mexico, where it debuted at number 47 on the Mexican Albums Chart, and reached a peak of 34, the next week, staying on the chart for a total of eight weeks. [25] After its release in United Kingdom, Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna entered The Official UK Albums Chart at number four. However, it had sharp drops for the next weeks, and was present for a total of eight weeks. [26] In Ireland the EP debuted at number 22 on the Albums Chart, and moved to its peak of number five the next week. [27]
All songs on the EP, apart from the bonus track, were also released as singles, available for digital download. [28] Among the releases, Glee's version of "Like a Prayer" became the highest selling song of the bunch. [20] It sold 87,000 copies of digital downloads to enter the Hot Digital Songs chart at number 10, also charting on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 27. [20] "Like a Prayer" also charted at number 27 on the Canadian Hot 100, and number 28 in Australia. [29] "Like a Prayer" was also successful in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, and was present for four weeks. Other songs charting there included "4 Minutes", "Like a Virgin" and "Borderline / Open Your Heart" at positions 42, 58 and 66 respectively. [26]
Information is taken from Liner Notes [30]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Express Yourself" | Madonna | 4:01 | |
2. | "Borderline" / "Open Your Heart" | Reggie Lucas /
| Madonna | 2:18 |
3. | "Vogue" |
| Madonna | 5:15 |
4. | "Like a Virgin" (featuring Jonathan Groff) | Madonna | 3:17 | |
5. | "4 Minutes" | Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland | 3:11 | |
6. | "What It Feels Like for a Girl" |
| Madonna | 4:32 |
7. | "Like a Prayer" (featuring Jonathan Groff) |
| Madonna | 5:22 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
8. | "Burning Up" (featuring Jonathan Groff) | Madonna | Madonna | 3:06 |
|
|
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] | Silver | 60,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Release date | Format |
---|---|---|
Canada [4] | April 20, 2010 | |
Ireland [40] | ||
United States [41] | ||
Australia [42] | April 23, 2010 | |
United Kingdom [43] | April 26, 2010 | |
Taiwan [44] | May 20, 2010 | |
Japan [45] | June 8, 2010 | |
Brazil [46] | August 3, 2010 | |
Germany [47] | April 8, 2011 | |
Poland [48] | May 13, 2011 |
"Like a Prayer" is a song by American singer Madonna from her 1989 fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single on March 3, 1989, by Sire Records. Written and produced by both Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song heralded an artistic and personal approach to songwriting for Madonna, who believed that she needed to cater more to her adult audience. Thematically, the song speaks about a passionate young girl in love with God, who becomes the only male figure in her life.
"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released in October 1981 as the second single from the group's seventh studio album, Escape (1981), released through Columbia Records. "Don't Stop Believin'" shares writing credits between the band's vocalist Steve Perry, guitarist Neal Schon, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain. A mid-tempo rock anthem and power ballad, "Don't Stop Believin'" is memorable for its distinctive opening piano riff.
Mercedes Jones is a fictional character from the Fox popular musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Amber Riley, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Mercedes was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. She is a dynamic diva-in-training who refuses to sing back-up, and is a member of the glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio.
Glee: The Music, Volume 1 is the debut soundtrack album by the cast of the musical television series Glee, which aired on Fox in the United States. It features cover versions from the first nine episodes of the first season and was released on November 2, 2009 by Columbia Records and 20th Century Fox Television Records. The album received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising large ensemble numbers, but comparing it to karaoke tracks. It went to number one on album charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and peaked at number three in Australia and number four in both Canada and the United States. Volume 1 has been certified platinum in these five countries.
Glee: The Music, Volume 2 is the second soundtrack album by the cast of the American musical television series Glee, featuring songs from episodes nine to thirteen of the show's first season. It was first released on December 4, 2009 in Australia by Columbia Records. It has been certified platinum in Canada and Australia, and gold in the United Kingdom and the United States. Volume 2 received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the vocals of cast members Lea Michele, Amber Riley, and Kevin McHale, but felt the album was weak in arrangements and similar to a collection of karaoke tracks. All tracks were released as singles and performed on the series, with the exception of "Don't Make Me Over"—only an instrumental version was used.
The Glee cast has released sixteen soundtrack albums, six compilation albums and eleven extended plays (EPs), containing 754 different performances of an individual song or a mashup of two or more songs in a single performance. Of the performances on the various albums and EPs, 460 were also released as singles. Glee features on-screen performance-based musical numbers, most of which are cover versions of popular songs, with genres ranging from R&B and pop to country and show tunes. The cast consists of fifteen main characters; some actors were cast following Broadway theatre experience while others were required to audition to prove singing and dancing capabilities. Recordings of performances on the show are sold as singles the week of broadcast, available for download.
"The Power of Madonna" is the fifteenth episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on April 20, 2010. When cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester demands that Madonna's music be played over the school intercom system, glee club director Will Schuester sets the club a Madonna-themed assignment, hoping to empower the female club members. "The Power of Madonna" was written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, and serves as a musical tribute to Madonna, featuring cover versions of eight of her songs, with the singer having granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music. Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna, an album containing studio recordings of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010.
Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals is the second extended play (EP) by the cast of musical television series Glee. Containing six songs from the season one finale "Journey to Regionals", it was released on June 8, 2010, the same day the episode aired. Half of the tracks are cover versions of songs by American rock band Journey. The EP debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 and Soundtrack charts, with first-week sales of 154,000 copies. Unlike previous Glee releases, no singles were released from this album, but all of its tracks managed to appear on multiple national charts. Songs were generally received favorably, with many enjoying the Journey covers. The setlist of Glee Live! In Concert!, the cast's first concert tour, included three songs from the Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals.
"Journey to Regionals" is the twenty-second episode and first season finale of the American television series Glee. The episode was written and directed by series creator Brad Falchuk, and premiered on the Fox network on June 8, 2010. In "Journey to Regionals", New Directions performs at Regionals in front of celebrity judges Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Rod Remington and Sue Sylvester. Club member Quinn gives birth to her daughter, Beth, whom rival glee club coach Shelby Corcoran adopts. Co-captains Finn and Rachel reunite, and director Will Schuester professes his love for guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury. Although New Directions comes in last in the competition, Sue persuades Principal Figgins not to disband the club for another year.
Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers is a soundtrack album by the cast of the American television series Glee. The album contains songs from the second half of the show's first season, except for the episodes "The Power of Madonna" and "Journey to Regionals", songs from which feature on the extended plays Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna and Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals respectively. The album was released on May 18, 2010. Two editions are available: a standard edition containing 14 songs, and a deluxe edition, featuring 20 songs. Showstoppers debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, selling 136,000 copies in the first week. On November 21, 2010, it was announced that the album won Favorite Soundtrack of the Year at the American Music Awards.
Glee: The Music, The Rocky Horror Glee Show is the third extended play (EP) by the cast of the musical television series Glee, released on October 19, 2010. It contains seven songs and accompanies the episode "The Rocky Horror Glee Show", originally aired October 26, 2010 on Fox. The Halloween episode sees the glee club recreating the 1973 comedy horror musical The Rocky Horror Show, written and composed by Richard O'Brien. Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk serve as the executive producers.
Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album is the fourth soundtrack album by the cast of the American musical television series Glee, produced by Ryan Murphy and Adam Anders. The album was released digitally on November 9, 2010, with physical copies available from November 16, 2010. It accompanies the second season episode "A Very Glee Christmas", which aired on December 7, 2010. Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk serve as the album's executive producers. The album debuted at the top position of the Billboard Soundtracks chart, and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. Songs from the album also landed on various different record charts across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The American television series Glee has generated a range of merchandise including soundtracks, DVD and Blu-ray sets, young adult novels and apparel. The show's musical releases have been a commercial success, including several number one, platinum-selling albums. A Glee karaoke game based on the series by Karaoke Revolution was released in November 2009 only on Wii, as well as the fictional autobiography of the character Sue Sylvester.
Glee: The Music, Volume 4 is the fifth soundtrack album by the cast of the musical television series Glee, which airs on Fox in the United States. It was released on November 26, 2010, by Columbia Records and features cover version performances from the first half of the second season. Executive production was handled by Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk and all tracks were released as singles. It was nominated for a Grammy Award (2011) in the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media category.
Glee: The Music, Volume 5 is the sixth soundtrack album by the cast of the musical television series Glee. Released on March 8, 2011, by Columbia Records, it was produced executively by Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk. In addition to 14 cover versions from its second season, the album contains two of the series' first original songs. The first of these, "Get It Right", was composed specifically for cast member Lea Michele, and the other, "Loser like Me", is a group number written with the Swedish songwriter Max Martin. All of its tracks have been released as singles, and have managed to place on several national record charts.
Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers is the seventh soundtrack album by the cast of Glee, a musical comedy-drama television series that aired on Fox in the United States. Released through Columbia Records on April 19, 2011, it contains thirteen covers: eleven accompanying performances from the series' second season and two exclusive to the album. Performers are portrayed on Glee as the fictional Dalton Academy Warblers, an all-male high school glee club from Westerville, Ohio. Darren Criss serves as lead vocalist, with Chris Colfer singing lead on one track and co-lead on a couple of others, while the Beelzebubs, an all-male a cappella group from Tufts University, provide background vocals. Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk serve as the album's executive producers, and its tracks have collectively sold over 1.3 million copies.
Glee: The Music, Volume 6 is the eighth soundtrack album by the cast of the American musical television series Glee, released on May 23, 2011 through the Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Columbia Records. The album serves as the sixth and final release for the series' second season, and contains three original tracks including "Light Up the World", which was co-written by Swedish songwriter Max Martin. All of its eighteen tracks have been released as singles, available for digital download.
Glee: The Quarterback is an extended play (EP) by the cast of the American musical television show Glee. It was released on iTunes on October 7, 2013, three days before the fifth season's third episode "The Quarterback". The album features six songs recorded for the episode, which ended Cory Monteith's character, Finn Hudson.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)