In March 2001, Hear'Say released their first single "Pure and Simple," a cover of a little-known album track by Girl Thing. The song went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart in March 2001, selling just under 550,000 copies. "Pure and Simple" was the fastest-selling debut single at the time, as well as the fastest-selling non-charity single – a record beaten a year later by "Pop Idol" winner Will Young. The track spent two more weeks at number one. With the release of their debut album "Popstars", Hear'Say became the first act in UK chart history to simultaneously top the UK Singles Chart and UK Albums Chart with their debut releases. "Popstars" sold 306,631 copies in its first week, breaking yet another record for fastest-selling debut album. The album featured cover versions of "Monday Monday" by The Mamas & the Papas and "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, alongside original tracks purchased for the group.