‘Lilo & Stitch’ Charted A No. 1 Hit In America Before The Movie Was Released

The live action/animated remake of Lilo & Stitch hit theaters in the United States on Friday, May 23. The picture reimagines the 2002 Disney classic, hopefully introducing it to a younger audience, and making them fall in love with the weird, blue creature, just as millennials did before — and a new film means new music.

Even before the movie arrived in cinemas, Lilo & Stitch already managed to make an impact on the charts. A new recording tied to the project becomes a No. 1 hit on a Billboard tally this week.

“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” Debuts at No. 1

As excitement around the movie surged, a single was issued ahead of the soundtrack’s release. A re-recording of the classic “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” was covered by Iam Tongi and the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus. The singer is best known as the winner of the twenty-first season of American Idol. The new cut instantly debuts at No. 1 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, giving the family franchise another Billboard win.

A Classic Returns

As the updated version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” arrives on the World Digital Song Sales chart, another take on the same tune also reappears. The version originally featured in the 2002 film — credited to Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu and, again, the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus — returns at No. 4. That position marks the tune’s all-time peak on the list. That placement comes after a remarkable 382 weeks somewhere on the world genre ranking.

Lilo & Stitch’s New Single

The Lilo & Stitch soundtrack dropped several days after “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” in full. It includes a score by Dan Romer, a brand new tune titled “He Lei Pāpahi No Lilo a me Stitch” written specifically for the film, and a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love,” performed by Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm.

The updated performance of the legendary tune – which was also featured in the original movie – was produced by Bruno Mars, who also happens to be the uncle of the two young talents lending their voices to the track.