Two of the world’s most soul-stirring voices — separated by time, but united by legacy — are about to come together in a way no one expected. Susan Boyle, the humble Scottish singer who stunned the globe with I Dreamed a Dream, is set to make history as the first British artist ever to record a charity duet with the voice of the late Elvis Presley. The posthumous collaboration, made possible through cutting-edge audio technology and the blessing of the Presley estate, promises to be both haunting and historic — and all for a powerful cause.
Susan Boyle will have the honour of singing with Elvis Presley on her next single.
The Britain’s Got Talent star will be the first British artist to perform with the late singer, as they ‘duet’ on his 1971 Christmas hit O Come, All Ye Faithful.
Susan, 52 – and Simon Cowell – will be hoping a little sprinkle of Elvis magic will get the charity single to number one this year.
Honour: Susan Boyle is to be the first British artist to sing posthumously with Elvis Presley for charity single
Speaking at the launch event of the new song, Susan told the Sun: ‘ To sing with Elvis, I didn’t think it would be possible… isn’t technology brilliant?
In the past a number of big musical names have used the brilliant technology to bring the King back to life onstage for a song, such as Celine Dion, who appeared on the sixth season of American Idol to sing If I Can Dream with Elvis.
Presley’s daughter Lisa-Marie also sung posthumously with her father, when in 2007, she recorded his 1969 hit In The Ghetto to raise money for the Presley Foundation, and saw it reach number one on the iTunes chart in the US upon its release.
Excited: The single will be Elvis’s 1971 Christmas hit O Come, All Ye Faithful, and proceeds will go to Save The Children
Remembered: Since his death a number of American artists of duetted with the King, including Celine Dion and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley
Susan told Sky News on Monday: ‘I remember his music being played in the house growing up quite a lot – and I used to love going to see some of his films.
And even Cowell made his presence known by sending a recorded message to the central London press conference, to say how proud he was of his Scottish star.
No one of all the people I’ve met has a bigger heart than you,’ Simon told Susan.
Securing that top spot: With Susan Boyle, The X Factor winner and Britain’s Got Talent stars all vying for the Christmas number one, Simon Cowell will be hoping for a winning festive season
No doubt with Su Bo’s release – from her fifth album – Cowell will be hoping to secure the number one sport for SyCo, as his X Factor UK winner will also be vying for the Christmas title.
Not to mention, Simon’s Britain’s Got Talent duo Richard and Adam who are also releasing their single in time for the festive chart topper.
Another ITV show hoping their acts will get the number one is The Big Reunion, which sees its reformed groups 5ive, Atomic Kitten and Blue team up for their own charity single.
Last year, the Hillsborough charity single took the Christmas top spot, pushing out X Factor winner James Arthur.
In the running: Kerry Katona and Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten will be releasing a Christmas single with The Big Reunion groups too
