Dammit Janet! ‘Glee’ Sends Sales Of Original ‘Rocky Horror’ Soundtrack Soaring

Robbie Daw | October 27, 2010 2:13 pm

Last night’s “Rocky Horror Glee Show” episode of Glee was easily the best of Season 2, and arguably the most entertaining hour of the series to date. Of course, this being prime time TV, the producers altered some of the original Rocky Horror Picture Show‘s more risque lyrics (“sweet transvestite from sensational Transylvania,” anyone?) and tweaked the casting (Mercedes—a female—as Frank-N-Furter). Regardless, sales of both the tie-in Glee EP and the 1975 movie’s soundtrack are surging.

Let’s just start off by stating that the opening title sequence—”Science Fiction Double Feature/Over At The Frankenstein Place”—would have made Magenta’s wig stand on end, it was so good.

Earlier today we mentioned that the “Rocky Horror Glee Show” EP debuted at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, as it went on sale a full week before last night’s episode aired. Today, however, it’s jumped up to #2 on iTunes, only being held off the top by Taylor Swift’s expected sales juggernaut Speak Now.

Likewise, the 35-year-old Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack is now the top-selling soundtrack on Amazon. Over on iTunes, the LP has its stiletto heels firmly perched at #13 in the digital store’s album roundup.

Anyway, back to Glee. We mentioned Mercedes (Amber Riley) stepped into the role Tim Curry made famous. Here she is belting out a surprisingly soulful rendition of “Sweet Transvestite.”

Now that’s how you do a theme episode. Bonus points to Ryan Murphy & Co. for getting Barry Bostwick (who played Brad in the original film) and Meat Loaf (who made the role of Eddie famous) to make cameos at the beginning of the show.

Witty, hilarious and just a great, fresh take on a timeless classic—the entire program was simply the best treat we could have gotten this Halloween from Glee. It’s definitely going be hard to top.

Tags: ,