Five years ago, no one could have guessed that a musical TV series about the dramatic lives of high school glee club singers would be Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award worthy. But here we are, in 2012, with FOX’s Glee still going strong. What’s even more of an enigma is how successful the Glee cover songs themselves have become. In a way, they’re an entire second element that can (and does) exist entirely out of context of the show. (Soundtracks have accompanied the seasons – the latter two of which debuted at number one in U.S. album charts.) Put simply, you can still be a fan of Glee songs without ever having to watch the series. And on top of that, they tend to cover some pretty fantastic songs of all genres.
Here are some of the songs we like.
ROLLING IN THE DEEP (ADELE)
Reimaging this song as a duet is a fantastic idea. Check out the lyrics. It’s perfect for the tension between two lovers who have lost each other and feel the pain of a breakup. Of course, the two actors can’t quite top the original, with Adele’s booming voice and clear heartache, but Lea Michele does bring a sadness to it that’s lovely to listen to, all the same.
TEENAGE DREAM (KATY PERRY)
If you thought this song couldn’t be any catchier, you clearly haven’t heard or seen the Glee version. First of all, it’s sung entirely by an a capella group of cute guys in prep uniforms. Second, there’s dancing. In sync. The effect is less teen pop and more sweet love song, and it’s a perfect take on Katy Perry’s Lyrics.
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ (JOURNEY)
Classic song, and classic Glee. This was actually the first full-cast number on the show, and it continues to be a favorite. It’s difficult to dislike the original version and we find that the cover has the same likeability. Needless to say, this version is a little more pop, a little less rock ‘n roll, but it holds its own as a pop song, and it stands out as an unsurprisingly excellent choice for many voices. Get the song here.
DEFYING GRAVITY (FROM “WICKED”)
Last but not least, we like this rendition of “Defying Gravity” that was written – literally – for musical theatre. Not quite as outrageous as the previous covers, but there’s something fantastic about watching Chris Colfer’s character sing his heart out in this song. His falsetto is unreal, and it’s songs like this that showcase his true talent (in combination with his poignant portrayal of high schooler, Kurt Hummel). Colfer was on Time magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in 2011, and it’s not at all difficult to see why.
