Ah, Glee, the show that musical dramedy targeted for teens and young adults that became wildly popular, although it's buzz has worn off remarkably since the show's second season. The primary thing that makes Glee stand out from most of the other shows on mainstream television is the performances, it's like a musical movie turned into a television show. The purpose of this blog is to contain my own reviews, criticisms, and praises of the song's musical numbers. If you have suggestions, comments, complaints, or any "you suck"s, then post them below please.
Respect by
Aretha Franklin sung by Mercedes Jones
The very first audition for the Glee club is remarkably strong, Mercedes' vocals in this song has a lot of power behind it, and her breath control is almost flawless. The song is sung live, so you gave to give Amber props for her that. It's a shortened cut of the full song, which was unfortunately not released. This song also has Mercedes' first "wail" on the show, so if you didn't like that belt, then good luck.
Grade:
B
Mr. Cellophane from
Chicago sung by Kurt Hummel
Kurt's audition for the Glee club is interesting, it's a different take on the song, because the pitch slowly drops in the original version, but Kurt's pitch increases bit by bit. The original character (Amos Hart) is supposed to be a baritone, but you can clearly notice that Kurt is a countertenor, a large range difference. Anyway, this song is also sung live on the show, and the only complaint I have about Kurt's take on the song is that the last note of the song sounds jarring, but that's just me, I guess. Anyway, Kurt's so adorable with his mini hair-flip, the inner grandma in me wants to pinch his cheeks so badly.
Grade:
C+
I Kissed A Girl by
Katy Perry sung by Tina Cohen-Chang
Next we have the lovely Tina. Unlike the previous two songs, this song is quite new. I personally think the song choice was bad for Glee club auditions, but Tina's vocals sound pretty great despite having only a piano backing her up for an auto-tuned pop song. The karate chop is hysterical, and the highlight of the performance. The song is also sung live, like the two auditions before this one.
Grade:
C
On My Own from
Les Miserables sung by Rachel Berry.
The first released song from Glee, and it was recorded in the studio, and not sung live like the 3 other auditions before that. Rachel's take on it is beautiful, but it doesn't feel "raw" enough for me, it was edited in the studio, so I felt like that took away a bit of the authenticity of the performance. Rachel's vocals are great, and it's a great song choice to introduce the star of Glee to the audience. A bit cheesy and over dramatic, but what can you do about it.
Grade:
B+
Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat from
Guys and Dolls sung by Artie Abrams, Kurt Hummel, and Tina Cohen-Chang with the New Directions.
The first group number of the "New Directions", this is the first we get to hear Artie, and he sounds pretty good. His vocals are on-point, but the song's tempo gets off-beat pretty quickly. The choreography for the performance was awful, but the vocals aren't "that bad". Still, here's to hoping that the "New Directions" shape up sooner or later..
Grade:
D+
Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon sung by Finn Hudson
An interesting song, it was lovely, but I was bothered by Will. Finn's vocals in the performance was great, but he got auto-tuned the heck out of him the studio version. You can tell that he's not as good of a singer, but for a kid who secretly sings in the shower, not bad at all. Also, the water looks scalding, ouch.
Grade:
B-
Rehab by
Amy Winehouse sung by Vocal Adrenaline.
A fantastic performance that introduces the rivals of the New Directions, Vocal Adrenaline. The song starts off with choral chanting of "Ohio", which is not there in the original. The New Direction's reactions are justified, they really are doomed at this rate.
Grade:
A-
Leavin' On A Jet Plane by
John Denver sung by William Schuester
Will's first song on the show, and he proves that he is indeed a capable singer himself. The vocals were nice, but the song was rather forgettable for me. There's not really much to say about the song for me, the performance was only included in the director's cut of the pilot.
Grade:
B-
Don't Stop Believin' by
Journey sung by Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry with the New Directions.
A hair-raising, monumental performance by the New Directions. Finn and Rachel are singing lead with the rest of the Glee club singing back-up. "Something" makes the Glee cover of the overplayed Journey hit stand out from the tons of other drunken karaoke covers. The Glee version added something new, the "Da-da-da" in the background. I think that detail is the something that made the cover stand out. Rachel's vocals really impressed me in this song, it's powerful and emotional. Finn's singing also seems have improved, but maybe it's just the atmosphere, naked in the shower vs fully clothed in the auditorium with friends. Anyway, the performance is simply phenomenal, and even now it's one of the most iconic songs of Glee.
Grade:
A
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