Top 10 Glee Covers
Script written by Nathan Sharp.
Top 10 Glee Covers
It took the world by storm and gave us original takes on popular songs. Join MsMojo as we count down our picks for Top 10 Glee Covers.
For this list, we’re basing our picks on a variety of factors, including the performance itself, the track’s success, its dramatic impact in the story, and how well they integrated their own personal twists.
#10: “Some Nights”
Sung by New Directions, with notable solos from beloved characters like Blaine, Sam, and Tina, Glee put out a terrific rendition of this indie-rock hit by Fun that was making its rounds on pop radio at the time. Clad in red for the third time in the series and harmonizing together beautifully, it’s clear that a lot of passion and care went into the cover’s performance and choreography. As Finn watches on from the seats, clearly proud of his classmates and their accomplishments, we can’thelp but smile and clap along with him.
#9: “Poker Face”
Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” is exactly what you’d expect from her: full of electronic beats, loud singing, and a dramatic delivery. However, Glee significantly scales back the production for this acoustic cover of the popular song, as Rachel and her birth mother Shelby sing together as Brad provides soft piano accompaniment to stellar results. Idina Menzel is an incredible addition to the cast, and easily matches the soulful vocals of Lea Michele with her own theatrical but powerful delivery. It’s a very interesting take on the song, and one that we absolutely adore.
#8: “Rumour Has It/Someone Like You”
Mash-ups are always welcome on Glee, and this performance perfectly blends two of Adele’s biggest hits into one gorgeous package. Taking on Adele is no easy task, but The Troubletones are more than up for it, matching her vocals nicely while bringing their own personal flairs. Naya Rivera is the star of this performance, showing off both her singing and acting chops at once, giving the song even more dramatic weight. It reached #1 on the iTunes Top 100 chart and caught the attention of Adele herself, proving the reach and success of this mesmerizing cover
#7: “Teenage Dream”
Easily one of the best performances of season 2, Blaine and the Dalton Academy Warblers’ rendition of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” works wonderfully, even if you think that it shouldn’t. Rather than containing the typical musical accompaniment, this cover is done acapella, and it’s a marvellously original take on the innocent song, catching the attention of Perry and going to #1 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart. This is the song that made Kurt, and audiences around the world, fall in love with Blaine. Talk about an entrance!
#6: “Make You Feel My Love”
This is a cover within a cover, as Rachel’s performance takes the form of Adele’s rendition of the popular Bob Dylan song. Either way, it certainly doesn’t get lost in translation, as it’s one of the most beautiful and memorable performances of the series. After Cory Monteith’s untimely death, Finn was written out of the show, prompting a horribly upset Rachel (and Lea Michele) to return to McKinley and perform this song in his honor. Singing through tears, Rachel’s vocals are heartbreaking, and everyone, both in the show and watching at home, are left in a blubbering mess.
#5: “If I Die Young”
Man, this episode is really piling on the waterworks! For this song, Santana takes center stage to vent her frustrations and emotions regarding Finn’s death, while the New Directions supply nice additional back-up vocals. Naya Rivera once again proves to be a shining star in the show’s cast, as she tearfully breaks down in the middle of the song and runs out of the room, adding significant dramatic depth to the performance and Cory Monteith’s tragic passing. If Rachel’s “Make You Feel My Love” didn’t bring out the onions, then this most certainly will.
#4: “Somebody to Love”
Okay, on to something a little more upbeat. We mean, who doesn’t love a little Queen? This performance is very early on in the series, and this song serves as the first time that the original 12 members of the New Directions performed together. They somehow manage to meet Freddie Mercury’s infectious enthusiasm, and it proved to everyone watching at home that this new show was the next big event of television. It became the eighth best selling Glee song of all time, and arguably kick-started the show on its way to worldwide fame.
#3: “Sweet Transvestite”
When Carl is denied the lead role after the school’s uproar regarding the controversial content, “Sweet Transvestite,” one of the signature songs from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is given to Mercedes to belt out in her trademark powerful voice. It doesn’t really work on a story level, as, you know, she’s actually a woman, and they change the words “transsexual” to “sensational,” but it’s still an unforgettable performance nevertheless. Mercedes is always the go-to performer for dominating vocals, and she doesn’t disappoint here, as her star turn leads to dynamic results.
#2: “Faithfully”
The opening song of the famous Journey medley from the season one finale, Finn and Rachel give an astounding performance and re-introduce the band to a teenage 21st century audience. This is the first time that Finn and Rachel perform a duet in a competition, and they certainly provide the audience with a terrific debut, as their vocals go together perfectly and dramatically serve as a cute song for the couple to sing together. It’s a perfect opener for the medley and gets the crowd excited for what’s to come.
Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
• “Jump”
• “Jessie’s Girl”
• “Bust Your Windows”
• “Empire State of Mind”
• “Anything Could Happen”
#1: “Don’t Stop Believin’”
If any song deserves to be number one, it’s easily Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Featured in the pilot episode, this was the first song released by New Directions, and we couldn’t think of a better introduction. It left audiences wanting more ofGlee, gave the original song a newfound popularity that it hadn’t quite seen before, and serves as a perfect thematic statement for the show itself. It’s the series’ most downloaded and successful song, and was the show’s signature tune, being performed five more times, including a rendition at the end of the final season. It’s the perfect summary of what Glee is all about.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favourite Glee performance? For more entertaining top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.