The Jan. 31 episode of Fox’s “Glee” paying tribute to Jackson results in five of the cast’s remakes moonwalking onto the Hot 100 (extending the troupe’s record total to 189 career entries). The cast’s take on “Smooth Criminal,” featuring 2Cellos, begins at No. 26 – marking the “Glee” ensemble’s 50th top 40 hit – while covers of “Human Nature” (Jackson’s, not Madonna’s), “Black or White,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ” and “Bad” arrive at Nos. 56, 64, 78 and 80, respectively.
Clearly, despite “Criminal” having peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 in 1989 after five singles from “Bad” had reached the chart’s summit, the song remains a favorite. (Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts manager Karinah Santiago cites the original version’s memorable video as a factor in the song’s lasting popularity, as well as its hip-hop leanings, which align well with the tastes of today’s audiences).
With the entrances of “Black or White” and “Bad,” which originally topped the Hot 100 for Jackson in 1991 and 1987, respectively, the “Glee” cast has now returned 57 former Hot 100 No. 1s to the survey.
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