Elvis Presley Enterprises challenges Mariah's record

This week's news that pop star Mariah Carey has surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most No. 1 singles on Billboard's U.S pop chart has now officially been challenged by Elvis Presley Enterprises. When Carey's "Touch My Body" rocketed to No. 1 on this week's chart, it gave the singer her 18th No. 1, the most by any solo artist on Billboard's Hot 100.

A pair of readers have helpfully pointed out that a post on the official Elvis website, the business entity created by the Estate of Elvis Presley and the Elvis Presley Trust, claims that the King had, in fact, 18 No. 1 singles, meaning Carey would have simply tied Presley.

But not so fast, writes Billboard's chart guru Geoff Mayfield in this week's edition of the magazine. The confusion lies with 1958 chart-toppers "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog." The Presley site lists the two songs as separate No. 1 singles.

Seemingly makes sense, except that when "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" topped the chart, they did so as one double-sided release. Writes Mayfield in his column, "Billboard's charts department and the magazine's ranking trivia expert, Fred Bronson, consider those two songs comprise but one single, and thus a singular No. 1 shared by the two songs."

And thus the debate will surely rage on.

Photo courtesy Elvis Presley Enterprises

Comments

[I_Slay_The_Dragon]

Again, we absolutely cannot deny
the sheer vocal-ability of Mariah
and the squandered potential for
so much more.

Yet,
Numbers vs. Substance, is not
even a contest.

[Dani]

Mariah Carey’s victory over Elvis in the US this week is pathetic and unfair!

One of her fansites ran a contest and offered prizes/rewards for those who downloaded “Touch My Body” from iTunes and internet sites ..the most. Fans were instructed to take a screen print or proof of purchase and email them to the webmaster. They were then entered into the lottery and then they said, the more songs you downloaded, the better your chances to win. In addition, they were also instructed to loop videos and vote for them incessantly on MTV, VH1 and BET. They were also told to call radio even if they did not live in the city the station was in. Finally, they even prepared a section for fans to vote online under special section.

I think this is unjust as Elvis did not have that advantage back in his day and yet he accomplished so much. It’s also unjust for artists especially newcomers who do no have such fan sites out there. It is especially troubling that these prizes were given to the fan site by Carey’s camp. She is soon to "beat the Beatles" and again they were a different era where #1s were much harder to attain.

This is most certainly an unfair victory and very sad. Something must be done!

[silvia]

I think Elvis' songs should be counted at two #1s. Why does it have to get Technical in order for Mariah to be on top. Really how hard is it for her to get another #1????

[sheila]

Thank God! I about died when I heard this news. Elvis Presley was talented, troubled yes, but talented. He was also humble, always saying thank you (which is now a punchline) and giving large sums of money to charity friends, really anyone who asked him. he would never have pulled the diva crap the "Mimi" pulls. This woman is not Mariah but Manipulator, she married Tommy Motolla for a reason y'all...

[WHOLETRUTHY]

nothing against Mariah who is cute in an airhead kind of way,but to say her songs will stand the test of time is to insult everyone's sensibiities...you too Madonna with your empty calorie top ten hits

[MemphisBlonde]

It is very unfair for Maiah Carey's website to offer incentives for downloading her "Touch My Body" therefore increasing her chances to attain the number 1 position on the charts. Elvis did not have the advantages that are available now in order to reach number 1 on the charts. I definitely agree with EPE that "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" should be counted as two separate entries in the charts. Elvis has been the undisputed King for more than 30 years, how many of Mariah's songs will be remembered 30 years past her death? In fact, can you name 3 of the #1 songs that Mariah Carey has chartered? You don't have to be an Elvis fan to name 3 or more of his #1 songs. What about lyrics to the songs?

[Jim Burrows]

It is not just that the double-sided monster hit "Hound Dog/Don't be cruel" topped nearly every chart in America in 1956. In fact, "Hound Dog" topped 2 out of the 4 pop charts which "Billboard" had, in addition to charting very high in all the other Billboard non-pop charts, except the Jazz and Classical charts.

In addition, that song was seen by an estimated cumulative viewership of 202 million in 1956 alone, making the song, at each time he perform it, more and more known to the public before he record it; when that took place, that in turn made the single rack up the charts, and sales, to levels not seen before, and after, for a long, long time.

Eleven weeks at number one and 4 million copies. That record stood for over 30 years.

At the second of his 2 appearances at the Milton Berle Show (NBC), where he introduced it, the Trendex rating was about 30 million, and he did not sing "Don't be cruel" that night since he had not even heard the demo; the week after, Berle personally received in excess of 800,000 letters of protest for allowing him on the show. Even the Catholic Church had a thing or two to say, through "America", the Jesuits' weekly magazine, in an article entitled "Beware Elvis Presley" (June 23 issue).

At the Steve Allen show, at ABC, on 1 July, which received a 40 million Trendex rating, he did not sing "Don't be cruel, either, but he sang "Hound Dog", so that's 70 million viewers to which the song was projected.

Then, on the next day, on July 2, he recorded both of the songs, and sang them on the Ed Sullivan Show, in September, and in October, to Trendex ratings ranging from 62 to 60 million viewers, respectively.

The american public, during the 11 weeks the doubled-sided single spent at number 1, had reacted to his delivery of both songs, but the one that created the controversy, which in turn sparked even more sales and radio plays, was "Hound Dog" whether "Billboard" likes it or not.

An invented technicality by a savvy statistician, who either liked "Don't be cruel" more, or did not want to credit Elvis with his third and fourth number one in less than 4 months, was the result.

Also, the Madonna record for most Top Tens is also suspect, since "Love me" (not to be confused with "Love me tender", which was his fifth number one, coming in on the heels of the three above mentioned songs), reached number 2 on the strength of huge sales of the Extended play which featured it, landing at number 2 when "Hound Dog" and Don't be cruel" topped the charts, but only after Elvis sang it in front of 60 million viwers, on the first Sullivan Show.

That song was deleted from the list of Top Tens while, more than 50 years later, a single jumps to number one, and another to the Top Ten on the strenght of totally compartmentalized radio plays, as well as digital sales of less than 300,000, respectively.

That's what we are talking about. In other words, if Mariah Carey and Madonna are going to continue to hit the top, or land songs inside the Top Ten, which they will surely do, then so be it; but when "Billboard" announces to the world that they have broken not one, but 2 of the longest lasting records in phonograph/popular music/chart history, then they should be allowed that opportunity, but at the right time. Not now...

[jenglisbe/fionalive]

It doesn't matter. At the end of the day, 50 years from now people will still remember Elvis and Beatle songs. But Mariah songs will be forgotton... actually they are forgotton even now. She's only talked about when she is on the charts. Elvis and the Beatles are talked about for eternity. Thats the difference between a LEGEND and a successful act.

[Jeremiah]

Mariah won. All you dirty little Elvis fans can kiss off. Mariah won fair and square. Deal.

[Trish]

I think it's sad that Elvis fans want to insult Mariah Carey for her achievement. It took a very long time for anyone to come close to Elvis, and rightfully so. I think Elvis fans should be proud of that it took the untouchable vocal talents of Mariah Carey to tie his record. I do realize it's hard to respect someone's talent when they present themself as Mariah Carey presents herself, however she has undeniable talent as a singer and a songwriter. It hasn't been 50 years yet, but I'm still listening to records she made 18 years ago. Her accomplishment is not an insult to Elvis, or his fans. Oh, and perhaps if Elvis had only recorded and released material HE WROTE he would not have as many #1s. Mariah Carey will be and should be recognized as a legend. Get over it.

[Boidiva02]

Seriously they need to get over it, the man has been dead for years and it's time for someone else to take the title... Mariah's accomplishment is huge and they shouldn't be runing her victory.

[elvislover5]

Elvis did not get his no.1 hits by singing on stage half naked nor did he have the advantage of videos and the internet,to put Mariah in the same class of Elvis is just insane!!!Elvis is a legend!his songs will be around alot longer than Mariah's!!!Elvis is the king,Mariah is in no way as talented as Elvis,and thats the way it is.

[JEFF]

cONGRATS TO MARIAH FOR SUCH AN ACOMPLISHMENT, ELVIS FANS, KNOW THAT MARIAH CAN NOT PUT HERSELF IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS SO LONG AGO WHEN THE VARIETY OF MUSIC WAS NOT THAT BROAD AND WIDE, TODAYS INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED AND FANS OF THE KIN SHOULD NOT BE DISMAYED, BECAUSE LIKE MAIAH NO ONE WILL REPLACE ELVIS DUE TO THIER UNIQE TALENTS AND STATISTICS!!!]
PEACE,
LAMBONE03 (hONEYBFLY.COM)

[whocares_ppl!]

OMG guys, who cares... even if they count them as two separates singles, they are still tied right? No one triumphs over the other... they are at the same level... Moving along, Mariah has good songs in her upcoming cd in which I wouldn't be surprise for another #1 song. Unfortunately Elvis has passed away and there is nothing he can provide anymore but just the memory of the great music he once produced. Mariah keeps on going, wether people like it or not, which it is obvious more people like her. So leave her alone, she writes, creates, composes her own music and that is a special trait about her. So, eventually, if Mariah still active she will surpass Elvis and The Beatles at a certain time.
So calm down people. It's all good.

[Elizabeth]

I'm sorry but I don't like Mariah Carey. How can she be #1 when she is so stuck up. Elvis Presley is will always be #1 no matter what. Mariah Carey can't sing and can't even come close to be better then Elvis Presley. Mariah Carey is stuck you got that. Mariah will always be a freaking LOSER.

[LL COOL G]

first things first.....elvis is NOT dead. he will release another #1 single next week.

i'm sure of it. *rolling my eyes*

nobody is comparing Elvis to Mariah, vocally. that's not what it's about. and if you think Elvis was popular just because he SOUNDED NICE....get the hell outta here with that mess.

ELVIS was one of the first people/artists to use sex appeal to their advantage. he was NOT that great vocally. don't get me wrong...he could sing. but there were others with better vocal talent.

but back to the situation at hand.....what Mariah has accomplished is major. whether she ties Elvis or passes his record (which I hope she does....so then people can stfu about it)....18 #1 singles is huge.

people mistake what that means. you don't get a #1 single because your song changes the world. you don't get a #1 single because your music cures cancer. you get a #1 single because your song is the most popular song in the country.....at that moment.

people are so quick to compare the two....as if that has anything to do with it.

some retard said "Elvis didn't have the internet back then....he didn't have music videos....he didn't have this....he didn't have that". okay. what is your point?

there were other (more) talented artists during Elvis' time that didn't have the luxury of being white...or good looking. it is what it is.

is it her fault that she wasn't born when he was? is it her fault he died before they could go head to head?

i can't wait until she gets to #21 or #22 (just to be safe) so all of y'all can shut up.

congratulations are in order for her success. save the comparisons and BS editorials for your grandkids.

[Danny-keystone]

I think that Mariah is a beautyful person and a great singer and i feel that we are bless to have the chance to enjoy both of their musical talents. Elvis will always be the king of rock n roll because of what he did in the begining. He open the door for what we are hearing today. Like Mariah, Elvis had a beautiful voice and his music will live forever, however he touched various types of music and thats what puts him in a league all alone. We as a nation should feel blessed that 2 of the worlds best artists came from this great country of ours. GOD BLESS American, the land of opportunity and the land of the free..

[Den]

OK, so Mariah has somehow managed to get 18 number ones in the US. What about the rest of the world?? Elvis Presley has had 21 number 1's in the UK, Mariah has only had 2, and one of those was a duet. Elvis has sold over 1 billion records worldwide. He is the greatest performer the world has ever or will ever see. Please dont kid yourselves in to believing that Mariah could ever compete with the King!!

[Maurice Colgan]

I guess the real difference is Elvis's hit song titles were known by adults as well as teenagers.
Popular music is now so compartmentalised it is hardly "popular music anymore". Elvis's "It's Now or Never" had grandmas and teenagers alike lining up to purchase the multi million selling disc. But as Elvis said about other entertainers, "There's room for us all".

[I_Slay_The_Dragon]

Hmmm...I wonder if homechick wrote all her hits...yeah..like she
"wrote" Fantasy?
"Genius of Love" sample
MADE that track...Wow,
she must've worked VERY hard on that TIGHT sample.
Mariah, you get
THE ASTERISK******

[Ron]

First. I am professional DJ and the only mariah song I play is Hero, its a beautiful song. I Think she has a wonderful voice "but" to mention her in comparion to Elvis is insane. Lets remeber what it took to have a number one record. 1) an artist recorded the song "with a band, not a computer", 2) they had to travel and perform the song "LIVE" for exposure, not just have someone sit at a computer and "point and click" to buy the record.
Now the contest by her website is a sad way to push your song to reach the number 1 spot, it was probably done to generate as much money as possible because of all the piracy theses days, the #1 spot happened to be a by product of the total sales, usually people by one copy not numerous copies to win a contest. Anyhow. Elvis has sold over 1.5 Billion records, a feat Mariah will never reach. As fro #1's well that cant be helped, because Elvis isnt recording anymore, but dont forget the Sun Record song were never ranked or included in any chart because it was pre- 1956. The bottom line is Elvis made an impact on music and our culture that "will never be matched" a hundred yrs from now Elvis will still be recognized for his contributions to music and history, that is the true testament to the phenomanon we call "the KING"

[EagleElvis]

Hey LL COOL G...a little fyi.. Elvis's music may not have cured cancer but his music did 'Change" the world. Shows what little you know about the histroy of pop / rock n roll music. Elvis made an impact not only on music but on our culture that is unparralelled!!!!!
About her latest #1, the contest she had is what contributed to it. People are buying multiple copies to enter the contest, most people only buy one copy..Oh yhea when I mean buy, i should say "point & click" because todays artist dont have to work near as hard to sell a record as Elvis and others did, yhea that means no internet or vidoes to help them. Your retard comment makes you look uneducated.
Believe when I say that Mariah and others are happy they dont have to go head to head with Elvis. Some Facts:
1-Elvis has sold over 1 BILLION records, and that happened back in 1986 ( add the last 22yrs in)
2- Elvis was responsible for over 50% of RCA sales in the 50's, NO ONE has ever accouted then more 7 percent of a record lable sales since then.
3- There is a reason ELvis is the KING, dont forget it.

[Col. Parker]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Allow me to present to you the undeniable facts of the case;
1. Elvis is recognized and will always be King. What is Mariah?
2. Elvis has countless blockbuster movies to his credit. Mariah has only one and it was a confirmed flop.
3. Elvis served his country during a time of crisis without preferencial treatment. Who does Mariah serve?
4. Elvis has a museum to commemorate his achievements. What does Mariah have?
5. Elvis' music spans across every genre. Mariah is good with pop.
6. Elvis is nationally recognized with a commemorative stamp. Mariah has what?
7. Elvis can sing, dance, and play the guitar. Mariah can sing.
8. Elvis' life has been depicted in movies. Mariah has a fansite.
9. Elvis was a self made man. Mariah married her manager.
10. With billions of fans, how can you not like Elvis?
P.S. Elizabeth, you don't know squate if you think Elvis doesn't have a good voice. I think your ear's clogged with crap from having been shoved up your you-know-what.

[JWGallamore]

Chart positions don't mean a thing. They are bought and sold just like everything else in this world. Elvis is the King, and always will be. Mariah Carey is a very recognized talent as well. Just leave it at that. Record companies buy mass quantities of records just to inflate sales. It's all about a buck these days.

[hewittmd]

You people need to get over it! The man is dead. Mariah will have another number 1 hit from her album, and then what are you going to say? Get real!!

[Yagnaseni Mitra]

Elvis Presley remains the undiminished 'King Of Rock n' Roll' no matter what! And I absolutely agree with I_Slay_The_Dragon that "Number v/s Substance is not even a contest". It was very rude and unhealthy of her fan site to offer prizes for downloading hes so-called "No. 1 Hit"! When 'The King' ruled from the 1950's - 1970's, days where different, where were these facilities? The victory of Mariah Carey is absolutely injustice over Elvis Presley. And a big "Thank-You" to the pair of readers who pointed out the mistake and to loyal fans like; I_Slay_The_Dragon , Dani, EagleElvis, Ron, Maurice Colgan, Elizabeth, Den, elvislover5, jenglisbe/fionalive, silvia, sheila, WHOLETRUTHY, Memphis Blonde! Thank-you all guys! Long Live the memories of "The King"!

[CORNELIUS]

YOU PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE ASHMED OF YOURSELVES! MARIAH IN NO WAY SHAPE FPRM OR FASHION COMPARES HERSELF TO "THE KING". ELVIS HAS HIS TIME IN THE '50'S AND '60'S. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT THIS IS THE YEAR 2008, IS IT NOT? WITH TIME COMES CHANGE! MARIAH'S FEAT OVER ELVIS IS BEYOND GREAT! SHE HAS WORKED SO HARD TROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND ALTHOUGH IT HAS PAID OFF LONG AGO, I THINK SHE FEELS THAT NOW SHE HAS A PLACE IN HISTORY. THIS NEW ALBUM OF HERS IS GOING TO BE HOTT! AS A MATTER OF FACT, I'M BUYING 5 OF THEM MYSELF. EVERY MARIAH FAN I KNOW IS PURCHASING MORE THAN ONE BECAUSE ONE HAS TO HAVE A COPY OF HER WORK IN THE CAR, THE HOUSE, AND AT WORK! SHE'S JUST THAT AMAZING. HAVE YOU PEOPLE SAT DOWN AND LISTENED TO "THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI"? BEAUTIFUL! IF THE ALBUM IS REALLY THAT ALBUM SQUARED, THEN WATCH OUT AMERICA....SHE JUST MIGHT TOP THE BEATLES. THEN WHAT WILL YOU PEOPLE SAY TO THAT WHEN SHE CLEARS 18 #1'S AND HIT 20 OR 21 OR 22. LET'S FACE IT, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. ALSO, AS FAR AS PEOPLE NPT LISTENING TO HER MUSIC FOR DECADES TO COME...I'M 23 AND I LISTEN TO "VISION OF LOVE", "VANISHING" AND SO MANHY SONGS SHE CREATED WHEN SHE REALLY WAS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH FAITHFULLY, EVERYDAY! BETTER MARIAH, "THE LAST DIVA STANDING" BREAK ELVIS' RECORD THAN CIARA...JENNIFER LOPEZ, BRITNEY SPEARS OR SOME ARTIST OF THAT POOR NATURE!

SORRY ELVIS FANS, BUT THERE IS A NEW QUEEN IN TOWN....QUEEN MARIAH! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

[Boidiva02]

some of you people make no sense at all mariah is "stuck up" so she can't have more #1 hits than Elvis? she uses music videos and provocative clothing so she can't have more #1 hits than Elvis? that's kind of the pot calling the kettle hot don't you think? afterall it was Elvis and his gyrations that sent adults into a near panic in his day... seriously Mariah beat him, GET OVER IT.

[I_Slay_The_Dragon]

I'm still waiting for the
"Mariah gives BACK" concert,
featuring a whole BUNCH of
"special" guests.

[David]

First of all, Mariah's camp was not bragging that she surpassed Elvis' record - the media just announced it and gave it that slant. If you hear her interviews she always say that she can't even imagine being compared to the Beatles and Elvis. And so what if her fans what her songs to be #!? Why, do you mean to say fans of other artists, Elvis and Beatles including, don't also want to have their idol's songs hit#1? yeah right. And it's pathetic that the Elvis camp would react... because it's only a matter of time when even Mariah would surpass the Beatle's record. So what was the use? She was even going to surpass the Beatles anytime soon anyway? And again to reiterate, it's not like Mariah's been bragging about surpassing anybody so please don't hate on her.

[Slyfox]

Mariah Carey is the perfect prototype of a musical prostitute that we see in the world of music for the past 15 to 20 years. she has talent, but she decided to be cheap... anyone ready to be vulgar can make it to the top of the chart now.

[George K]

OK! LETS LOOK AT THIS ISSUE INTELLIGENTLY! WE ARE SPEAKING OF NUMBERS AREN'T WE... YES! LETS LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
ELVIS
RECORDS SOLD WORLDWIDE APPROX 1.5 BILLION
U.S. & WORLD WIDE # 1'S
35 COUNTING SUN
RECORDS. 150 CERTIFIED RECORDS & ALBUMS, 149 IN TOP 100, 114 IN TOP 40,
90 CHARTED ALBUMS, 73 ALOHA CONCERT 1.3 BILLION VIEWERS WITH 4.5 BILLION IN POPULATION, ELVIS STAMP HAS SOLD MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN USPS HISTORY. HE SANG> ROCK, COUNTRY, GOSPEL, BLUES, VERY STRONG BALLADS. OH YES, OVER 625 ACTIVE FAN CLUBS.
M CAREY> WORLDWIDE RECORD SALES *165MILLION* WHO IS THE KING+ ELVIS, OF COURSE!

[George K]

HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A BIT MORE INFORMATION ON LAST SUBMISSION. ELVIS> MOST HOT 100 ENTRIES > 151,
MOST TOP FORTY HITS 104, 2ND PLACE E. JOHN 56,
MOST #2 HITS> ELVIS.
Elvis' RIAA gold and platinum certifications are designated using today's requirements for certification: gold single or album - 500,000 copies sold; platinum single or album - 1 million copies sold. In the era when singles were big sellers, the standard was 1 million copies for a gold single; 2 million copies for platinum single. In the old days, a gold album was awarded for a million dollars in sales, but the current requirements for a gold or platinum album have been the same for many years. Platinum status was created in the 1970s. ALSO, 40% OF HIS APPROX 1.5 BILLION SOLD, OCCURED OUTSIDE THE US, NEVER PERFORMING OUTSIDE THE U.S. MANY MORE FACTS WILL BE POSTED. THE CLOSEST COMPETITOR IS THE BEATLES, PERIOD.
IF THERE ARE ANY PERSONS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ARGUE THE BASIS OF THE PREVIOUS INFORMATION DOCUMENTED BY ME George K, PLEASE DO SO! IT WOULD BE A PLEASURE TO RE POST!

[Gary]

Comparing Elvis, the Beatles and who? Mariah Carey. LOL.
Lets see, that is like the Yankees, The Red Sox and ... er um, ah... The Brooklyn Little League

[jaovanny]

Mariah vs Elvis, two different artist, two different sounds and different target audience.
However what this blog is disputing is whether Mariah has more number one hits then Elvis.There are two Elvis songs in question, and regardless of the answer, Mariah is still alive and ticking, writing, singing and will surpass Elvis and the Beatles in her lift time. Why people have an issue and are worried about holding someones title is useless. Comparing any artist is like unless and uncompairable unless the styles are the same.

[Oscar]

WHO'S ELVIS???

[Marcela Leal Olmedo]

Elvis Presley has 20 #1 and mariah only 16 because 2 wre number ones in common with other artist. And is possible a chating from billboard that erased 3 #1 and this is so terrible. And now maria does not have who paid attention in her on her edding. Is a grat lesson to be ignored because Elvis Presley will be #1 forever

[Marcela Leal Olmedo]

Who´s Elvis: Elvis is the nost important figure forever in the history. an I am happy