The King could reign yet again in Britain.
Elvis Presley’s 50 Greatest Hits (Sony Music CG) is in striking distance of the U.K. chart crown, though Ed Sheeran’s Divide (Asylum) is proving a worthy challenger.
Presley’s compilation is No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart Update, though its lead over Sheeran’s second-placed Divide is paper-thin at just 200 combined chart sales.
If Presley’s set holds at the top when the chart proper is published this Friday, the late singer will extend his lead as the solo artist with the most U.K. No. 1 albums. The American rock ‘n’ roll legend last year moved ahead of Madonna to claim the record when The Wonder Of You (Legacy/RCA/Sony), with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, became his 13th bestseller. Only the Beatles have more No. 1 albums in the U.K. with 15.
There’s a good chance Presley’s compilation will enjoy a boost in the second half of this week. The singer’s stellar career will be widely celebrated on Wednesday (Aug. 16), the 40th anniversary of his untimely death in Memphis, Tennessee.
Also on the midweek chart, Glen Campbell’s final studio album Adios (UMC) soars to No. 3 following the country great’s death last Tuesday (Aug. 8) while new albums by Kesha, Dodie, Cribs, Rat Boy and Paul Draper are poised for top 10 debuts.
Meanwhile, Dua Lipa and Pink are in a tight race to No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart. Dua Lipa's "New Rules" is just 512 combined sales ahead of "What About Us" at the halfway stage in the chart cycle.