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…
