Susan Boyle Goes Into Record Books With New Album

Submitted by edg on Thu, 18 Nov '10 6.42pm

Susan Boyle, the spinster from Blackburn in West Lothian, has been catapulted into the record books again as her new album The Gift goes to number one on the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

Boyle is now the first female artist to have taken the top spot on both the US and UK charts simultaneously in less than a year, something only achieved previously by The Monkees in 1967 and the Beatles in 1969.

Last year's I Dreamed A Dream was reportedly the fastest-selling album of all time.

The Gift, which was released on 8 November, features a version of the traditional Rabbie Burns song Auld Lang Syne (typically sung at Hogmanay), and carols Away In A Manger, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, and The First Noel.

It also includes, slightly incongruously for a christmas album, covers of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, Lou Reed's more melancholic Perfect Day, and Crowded House's catchy pop hit Don't Dream It's Over.

"I want to say a big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has given me their support since I entered a certain TV talent competition last year!" said Boyle today on her web site responding to the news.

"The Gift is now No1 in America and here in Britain. I am told this is quite a coup as this is the second time this happened for me within a year. I have never been one for facts and figures - I never ask about chart positions, I am just happy to be doing what I do - but that is something else! Apparently it is something of a record breaker."

The Gift (Amazon)