Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
The word "Glee" is written in large lowercase black letters with white outline. Instead of the letter "l", a hand covered in lace fabric and wearing bracelets has its index finger and thumb in the form of the capital letter.
EP by
Glee Cast
ReleasedApril 20, 2010 (2010-04-20)
Recorded2010
GenreDance-pop
Length27:16
LabelColumbia
Producer
Glee Cast chronology
Glee: The Music, Volume 2
(2009)		 Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
(2010)		 Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
(2010)

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.

Background

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]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
BBCmixed[12]
Digital Spy[13]
Entertainment WeeklyA[14]
Seattle Post-Intelligencerpositive[15]
Star Tribunenegative[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]

Commercial performance

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]

Singles

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]

Track listing

Information is taken from Liner Notes[30]

Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artist(s)Length
1."Express Yourself"
Madonna4:01
2."Borderline" / "Open Your Heart"Reggie Lucas /
Madonna2:18
3."Vogue"
Madonna5:15
4."Like a Virgin" (featuring Jonathan Groff)
Madonna3:17
5."4 Minutes"
Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland3:11
6."What It Feels Like for a Girl"
Madonna4:32
7."Like a Prayer" (featuring Jonathan Groff)
Madonna5:22
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna – iTunes bonus track US/UK[31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artist(s)Length
8."Burning Up" (featuring Jonathan Groff)MadonnaMadonna3:06

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted as per Allmusic credit notes.[32]

Charts

Certification

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Stack, Tim (October 21, 2009). "'Glee' Exclusive: Madonna is on board! Is Adam Lambert next?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  2. ↑ Dos Santos, Kristin (March 14, 2010). "Glee Cast and Creators Dish on Neil Patrick Harris, "Puckleberry" and Lady Gaga!". E!. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  3. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (April 15, 2010). "Madonna Gives Props To 'Gleeed Episode". MTV (MTV Networks). Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Glee: Music: Power Of Madonna". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Glee to release album of Madonna covers". BBC Radio 1. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  6. ↑ Kennedy, Gerrick (March 22, 2010). "'Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna' soundtrack to be released April 20". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  7. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (April 28, 2010). "Glee's 'Madonna' Powers To No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Ryan Murphy (writer, director) (April 20, 2010). "The Power of Madonna". Glee. Season 1. Episode 15. 12:02–14:13 minutes in. Fox.
  9. ↑ Estes, Mark O. (April 21, 2010). "Glee – "The Power of Madonna" Review". TV Overmind. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  10. ↑ Farkas, Elissa (April 21, 2010). "'Glee' Recap: The Irresistible Power Of Madonna". Starpulse. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  11. 1 2 Leahey, Andrew (April 14, 2010). "Glee: The Music, the Power of Madonna > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  12. 1 2 McAlpine, Fraser (April 27, 2010). "It's starting to look as if Glee is inventing its own alternate reality". BBC. BBC. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  13. 1 2 Levine, Nick (April 14, 2010). "'Glee': 'The Music, The Power Of Madonna'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  14. 1 2 Wood, Mikael (April 14, 2010). "Glee The Music: The Power of Madonna (2010)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  15. 1 2 Ghosh, Sahar (April 12, 2010). "Music Review: Glee: The Power of Madonna Cast Recording". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  16. 1 2 Hiltbrand, David (April 14, 2010). "CD reviews: New Pornographers; "Glee: The Music, the Power of Madonna". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  17. ↑ Wete, Brad (April 28, 2010). "Glee's Madonna tribute knocks Justin Bieber off No. 1 spot". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  18. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (April 28, 2010). "'The Power of Madonna' Pushes 'Glee' to Number One". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Glee Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 Caulfield, Keith (April 28, 2010). "Madonna's 'Glee'tastic 'Celebration' Continues on Hot 100, Digital Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  21. ↑ Williams, John (May 26, 2010). "'Glee' lifts up album charts". Jam!. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  22. 1 2 "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Glee Cast – Glee: The Music - The Power of Madonna". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  23. 1 2 "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Glee Cast – Glee: The Music - The Power of Madonna" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Glee Cast – Glee: The Music - The Power of Madonna" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  25. 1 2 "Mexicancharts.com – Soundtrack / Glee Cast – Glee: The Music - The Power of Madonna". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  26. 1 2 3 "Glee Cast | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  27. 1 2 "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 17, 2010". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  28. ↑ "'Glee' Cast Songs on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on November 17, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Glee Case – Like a Prayer (Song)". Australian Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  30. ↑ Glee Cast. “Glee...Power of Madonna”. Columbia / 20th TV. 2010.
  31. ↑ "Glee – The Music, the Power of Madonna". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna > Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Glee Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Glee Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  35. ↑ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Year End Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Year End Charts: Top Soundtrack Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Classement Singles - année 2011" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  39. ↑ "British album certifications – Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Glee: The Music – The Power of Madonna". iTunes Ireland. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna". Amazon. Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Glee: The Music – The Power of Madonna – Glee Cast". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Glee the Music: The Power Of Madonna". Amazon UK. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  44. ↑ 2010金球獎「最佳音樂/喜劇類影集」，娜姐背書保證全美收視冠軍影集 (in Korean). Sony Music Taiwan. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna (Brazil release date)" (in Japanese). Sony Music Japan. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna (US輸入盤)" (in Spanish). CDPoint.com.br. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  47. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna [Single]". Amazon Germany. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  48. ↑ "Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna". empik.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11.

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