And now the time has come to celebrate only the best covers that came from Glee’s first season. This was a tough task to accomplish only picking ten, since there were so many to choose from this time around, but hopefully someone out there agrees with it.
10.) “Vogue”
(from the episode The Power of Madonna)
Here is the first of three songs from Glee’s best episode in both seasons that have been airing. This episode started off the theme craze, and it was perfection at its best. What made this episode the best was the fact that they worked really hard to make sure the songs tied in well with what the storylines were. This was Sue’s big make-over, presenting her new image by also paying tribute to her icon, Madonna. It was a frame by frame remake of the classic music video, but one that passes off as genius and not just a copy cat. They updated the lyrics to give a little Sue twist, and who knew Jane Lynch had such a beautiful singing voice!
9.) “Maybe This Time”
(from the episode The Rhodes Not Taken)
Before people like Gwyneth Paltrow and Neil Patrick Harris were stopping by to visit the Glee Club, it was Kristin Chenoweth who helped pave the way with this powerhouse duet she does with Rachel. What starts out as some kind of competition between who does it the best, Rachel puts up a good fight, but it’s Kristin with that last note that knocks it out of this world! God bless that voice, and here’s to hoping for more April Rhodes in the future.
8.) “Don’t Rain On My Parade”
(from the episode Sectionals)
What makes Glee a great show is not just the writing or performances, but it’s also its ability to show off classics that today’s generation may not be aware of. I would consider this to be one of Glee’s signature songs. After all that Rachel has been through (and after all the tormenting and slushies the club has received) this was a dynamite opening to their Sectionals set-list, and definitely set the bar for starting a show by walking through the audience (which also has become yet another Glee signature).
7.) “Bust Your Windows”
(from the episode Acafellas)
There’s no denying it, Mercedes can sing! And while it was obvious from the very first episode that she had the attitude to back it up, this was her big shining moment to take the entire spotlight. This happens to be one of the rare songs that sounds great originally by Jazmine Sullivan but also stands on its own by Amber Riley too. And the ending dialogue made it even more great: Kurt, “Mercedes, you busted my window!” Mercedes, “well you busted my heart!”
6.) “Like a Virgin”
(from the episode The Power of Madonna)
Another great cover from the best episode Glee has produced. “Like a Virgin” had it all: six big stars of the show all taking a big step in their sexuality, matching outfits, genius choreography, and the introduction of Santana actually singing! Everything was there, and boy did Jessie, Rachel, Will, Emma, Finn, & Santana deliver. What was even better was that last moment after this big musical fantasy when it cuts back to reality to see Emma, Finn, and Rachel taking one last look in the mirror before their big “debut”. Words can’t even begin to describe what it’s like to see Rachel’s cold stare as she tells herself she’s ready with those big, beady eyes of hers, then gently walks away.
DISCLAIMER: Due to all of the copyrights on YouTube, I tried my best to find the actual video, but sadly this was the best I could find. But after all, you should know what I'm talking about by now!
5.) “Poker Face”
(from the episode Theatricality)
It may not have been the most appropriate song for a mother-daughter duet, but it certainly stands out as one of the most memorable moments in Glee. We all knew (or at least I did) that the minute they announced Idina Menzel was going to be guest starring on Glee that she would end up being Rachel’s long lost mom. With those beautiful faces and those Broadway voices, it’s hard to determine if Lea Michele and Idina Menzel aren’t actually related in real life. Let’s just clarify though, Lady GaGa stripped down this club anthem way before Glee put its touch on it, and it was perfection that stood on its own compared to the original. But what Glee did was take it even further, taking her spontaneous cover and structuring it with beautiful harmonies between mother and daughter.
4.) “One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home”
(from the episode Home)
It was hard to tell at first where this was going with April staying in Will’s home. Were they going to hook up? Would they become an item? What happened instead was more beautiful than I expected, a special bond between two heartbroken people, trying to find solace in the midst of all their pain. What we get in return is a knock-out duet that gives me chills even just writing about it. Again, PLEASE bring back April Rhodes!
3.) “Like a Prayer”
(from the episode The Power of Madonna)
What to you get when you take Madonna’s song about late night pleasure, add in a gospel choir, and put in highlights from not just Finn and Rachel? You get this classic cover which did a great showcasing a broader range of voices, from Rachel to Kurt, from Jessie to Finn, and all the way to Mercedes to take it home! I can’t help getting teary-eyed just from the beginning cries of Rachel’s opening.
2.) “Somebody To Love [Queen Cover]”
(from the episode The Rhodes Not Taken)
The rule stood strong in the Top 10 Worst Covers list: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. But this is the exception to that rule. Queen’s original version stands on its own as one of the most original songs in music. And Glee provides this signature song that truly can stand on its own when compared to the original. We get to hear Artie really get into it for the first time, not to mention Mercedes once again taking it all the way home with her powerhouse voice. This just happens to be another one of those covers that gets me all teary-eyed.
1.) “Don’t Stop Believin’”
(from the episode Pilot)
Was it any kind of mystery as to what the #1 best song on Glee was? “Don’t Stop Believin’” has become Glee’s theme, and it’s hard to imagine that originally they wanted to use Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” instead. It was also hard to choose between the original version from the first episode, or the Regionals Version from the first season finale, since it puts up a really good fight compared to the first. But it’s better to go with the first at its best, and what a memorable moment it was! It was the beginning of the Glee takeover, the spark that created the fire in all of us Gleeks. If they could pick themselves up, not give in to negativity so easily, and never stop believing in themselves, then BY GOLLY all of us have something to look forward to as well! And while there may be moments in both seasons that have us question the quality of the show we’ve come to adore and love (more so in Season 2 than in Season 1) we will never be able to stop believing…
amen!
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