The Top 10 Best Glee Covers (Seasons 1-3)

As we settle into the fourth season of Glee, I wanted to take a look back altogether and celebrate what I think are the Top 10 BEST Glee covers from seasons 1-3. Let me know what you think is missing and what you think shouldn’t belong on here!

10.) “Something’s Coming”

From the Season 3 episode I Am Unicorn

My most favorite elements are all included in this song. 1) West Side Story is my favorite musical of all time. 2) Blaine doesn’t have those Warbler’s attached to him anymore. 3) Darren Criss is a charismatic fox! 4) That note at the end!

9.) “I Feel Pretty/Unpretty”

From the Season 2 episode Born This Way

The most poignant and meaningful mash-up coming from an unlikely duet! I mean, Lea Michele’s voice, I get THAT being in the top 10, but who would have thought that I would pick a cover with Dianna Agron? It’s a hauntingly beautiful rendition in an episode concept too big to chew. It was simple, heartfelt, and perfect. The harmonies and the fusion of an old-school musical and a throwback R&B hit all made it amazing!

8.) “Forget You”

From the Season 2 episode The Substitute

This is the cover that certainly was one of the most talked about of the season! Gwyneth Paltrow shined in her big Glee debut, busting out to some Cee-Lo Green and rocking with the Glee kids. It was fun and flirty from beginning to end!

7.) “How Will I Know”

From the Season 3 episode Dance With Somebody

One of the upsides to Whitney Houston’s unfortunate death was that her acapella version of this 80’s dance song was discovered and brought to everyone’s attention. It was a chance for everyone to truly hear just what a great vocalist she was and how beautiful her voice sounded. In true Glee fashion, they caught onto that version and turned into a heartfelt tribute to start off the Whitney episode. These ladies (yes, Kurt too) sound amazing together!

6.) “One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home”

From the Season 1 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.

5.) “Like a Prayer”

From the Season 1 episode The Power of Madonna

What do you get when you take Madonna’s song about late night pleasure, add in a gospel choir, and put in vocalists that are not JUST Finn and Rachel? You get this classic cover which did a great job 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.

4.) “Teenage Dream”

From the Season 2 episode Prom Queen

Is it any surprise that this is the best from the second season? We were introduced to Darren Criss, introduced to the lovely crush between Kurt & Blaine, and we were given the most memorable Glee cover the season had to offer!

3.) “Rumour Has It/Someone Like You”

From the Season 3 episode Mash Off

The official mash up episode every season is something to remember. This one certainly tops them all in my book! I’ve said time and time again that ADELE is a tough artist to re-do. You just can’t re-do ADELE! Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow) tried, but it was too weak. Rachel and Jesse made an attempt, but they failed miserably. Here is where Santana and Mercedes FINALLY got it right! Just watch in amazement like I do when I get to hear these two ladies sing together!

2.) “Somebody To Love”

From the Season 1 episode The Rhodes Not Taken

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 Season 1 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 all seasons so far that have us question the quality of the show we’ve come to adore and love, we will never be able to stop believing…