The Finn Hudson Auditorium, previously named the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, is where most of Glee's numbers happen. The New Directions have sole ownership of the venue after April Rhodes pays off Principal Figgins. Nearly half of the show's 700+ musical performances took place in the auditorium, most of the time with Mr. Schuester as the only spectator.
The Auditorium bears witness to plenty of New Directions' numbers that made no sense, like "Roar," as well as some of the most outrageous performances, like "Bad Romance." The New Directions also do some of their best work in there, performing many songs that would define an entire generation of Gleeks.
Some Nights
"Some Nights" is the first and only performance from the season 4 newbies that managed to capture the same magic of the original New Directions. The new characters were absurdly talented, especially Marley, but they lacked any development beyond their initial conceptions.
Still, "Some Nights" is one of New Directions' best performances and, perhaps, the highlight of season 4. It's a dynamic, exciting number that uses nearly every member of the club. The result is an explosion of voices that give a whole new vibe to an already great song. Everyone gets the chance to stand out, delivering a worthy cover that arguably surpasses the original.
Cool Kids
By season 6, there was a completely new rooster of kids in New Directions, except for Kitty. The season 6 newbies got even less time than season 4's, but thanks to some very likable actors with out-of-this-world pipes, they managed to make an impression.
"Cool Kids" is the first number performed by the new New Directions, and it's a stand-out of season 6. Like "Some Nights," it perfectly captures the essence of Glee. There's no fancy production, no props or costumes. Instead, the song is about a bunch of kids singing their hearts out and having fun.
Time Warp
Broadway show tunes were Glee's bread and butter. Throughout six seasons, the show covered everything from Les Mis to Dreamgirls with varying degrees of success. The Rocky Horror tribute episode was hit-and-miss, but there's no denying that their version of "Time Warp" is one for the ages.
Propelled by Chris Colfer doing an excellent Riff Raff and Diana Agron's surprisingly on-point take on Magenta, "Time Warp" perfectly blends Glee's sensibilities with Rocky Horror's unique camp. Everyone, except for Rachel, Mike, and Sam, gets a moment under the spotlight, but this song definitely belongs to Kurt and Quinn.
Dog Days Are Over
Mercedes and Tina's voices were pure dynamite together. The former's sheer power fused effortlessly with the latter's softer mezzo, creating harmonies unlike any other on the show. It's no surprise that these two were usually together during the earlier seasons, elevating songs like "Bad Romance" and "Proud Mary" with their successful partnership.
"Dog Days Are Over" is New Directions' annual we-won-Sectionals celebration number. Mercedes and Tina lead the performance, their alliance providing an upbeat tone in contrast to Florence Welch's more ethereal rendition. There is no choreography or elaborate production, granting the girls' voices center stage.
Sing
Sue Sylvester, eternal rival to the Glee club, joins the New Directions in the season 2 episode "Comeback." She does try to sabotage the group from within at the beginning but ends up enjoying the experience. By the end of the episode, Sue even joins the kids in a performance of My Chemical Romance's anthemic tune, "Sing."
The performance showcases everything the New Directions excel at, and their undeniable enthusiasm gives the lyrics an extra punch. The song succeeds in helping the coach out of her funk. Indeed, after the performance, Sue is back to spitting more of her savage insults and attempting to destroy the Glee club.
Rumour Has It/Someone Like You
The Troubletones were really a force to be reckoned with in season 3. Led by Mercedes and Santana, the all-girl group made the New Directions sweat, providing some much-needed tension for the first half of the season. Fans knew the girls meant business with their rendition of Candyman, but it was their Adele mash-up that propelled them to the next level.
The two songs fit seamlessly together, and Mercedes and Santana's voices complement each other gloriously. Performed during Santana's coming-out struggle gives the song has even more impact, and the late Naya Rivera does some of her best acting during and after this seminal performance.
We Are Young
"We Are Young" could be an original song written for the show. The lyrics fit the plot and themes so accurately that it was a no-brainer for the New Directions to cover it. They indeed do in season 3, and the performance features the merging of the Troubletones with the New Directions.
Rachel, Finn, Sam, Quinn, Mercedes, and Santana all get solos, their voices fitting the song like a glove. Like "Dog Days Are Over," the song is a celebration, capturing the moment when a group of high school seniors enjoys one of their last triumphs before moving on to college.
The Scientist
"The Break-Up" is an episode every fan has seen, and they both hate and love it. It features the end of three fan-favorite couples, Finchel, Klaine, and Brittana. Furthermore, it clearly marks the end of the show's previous stage and confirms the new direction it would take: Lima vs. New York.
"The Scientist" is the episode's final song, a hymn performed at the couple's funeral. Everyone gets a solo, even Will and Emma. Along with the tragic performance are clips featuring the couple's happiest moments, all the first kisses and glances of complicity. More than one fan teared up during the number, enjoying the staging and vocal performances, but hating what it represented.
Somebody To Love
After "Don't Stop Believin'," "Somebody to Love" is arguably the New Directions' most famous performance. It isn't easy to match Freddie Mercury, but the Glee kids put in a solid effort, delivering the next best thing.
Rachel, Finn, and Artie lead the song, performing it with a clever mix of heart and lungs. Artie's soulful pipes are especially fitting for the tune, and Rachel's natural theatricality also lends itself nicely to the lyrics. But it's Mercedes' larger-than-life note at the song's climax that elevates the performance to a whole other level, bringing the audience to its feet, both in the show and at home.
Don't Stop Believin'
The performance that instantly stole the hearts of fans, "Don't Stop Believin'," remains an anthem for Gleeks around the world. Glee covered the song more than once, aware that it was its most recognizable tune. And each time, it managed to add something new to it, even if it never matched the heights of the original performance.
Because Glee truly caught lightning in a bottle with "Don't Stop Believin'." Rachel and Finn's voices were fresh, full of life and joyful innocence, lending new wings to Journey's bittersweet lyrics. And Glee will always have that one perfect moment when six high school kids defied all odds and sang one of rock's most iconic songs. That is the show's legacy, and it's one for the ages.