The fact that Glee is once again on streaming services has everyone talking about it again. With its joyful–and, at times, sentimental–approach to teenage life and its exuberant celebration of the power of song, it managed to show that there was still life left in the conventions of the traditional musical.
Obviously, one of the prime pleasures associated with the series was its use of extensive covers of famous songs. Though it covered many famous pieces during its run, the users of Ranker have helpfully identified just which of these should be regarded as the best in the history of the show.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Fighter
Blaine Anderson was one of the best characters on Glee, and he remains one of Darren Criss’s best roles. He brings his signature intensity to his rendition of Christine Aguilera’s “Fighter.” The song seethes with Blaine’s rage and fury, most of which is directed at his brother Cooper, who has repeatedly made his life miserable.
As is so often the case with the best of the Glee covers, it manages to perfectly capture the character’s state of mind, showing just how potent music is as a conveyor of emotion and feelings.
The Boy Is Mine
"The Boy is Mine" is a classic song in its own right, and it throbs with the animosity of two women fighting over the same man. Two of Glee’s fiercest characters, Santana and Mercedes, put it to good use as they spar with one another for the affections of Puck.
It’s a moment in which the cast members manage to capture both the spirit of the original–their voices complementing one another perfectly–while also adding something new. What’s more, it is the perfect distillation of the characters’ mutual hostility.
Don’t Speak
There are many important relationships in Glee, but arguably two of the most important are that between Blaine and Kurt and that between Rachel and Finn. In this song, the two couples have to navigate the fraught territory of their relationship, with each of them having to admit, through the song, their own complicated emotions.
It’s a moment that Glee did so well, allowing the music to express, in a way the characters cannot, the truth about their relationships and their feelings about where they are.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
There’s no denying that the relationship between Blaine and Kurt is one of the best LGBTQ+ representations on television. The chemistry between the two is palpable from the moment that they meet, and it is especially evident in “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
Kurt’s tenor and Blaine’s deeper voice blend perfectly together in this duet, as they each clearly express their growing attraction for one another. It is, moreover, a perfect setup for Kurt’s revelation that he truly does love Blaine already.
Shake It Out
As is always the case with musicals, it is the numbers that help to express things that the characters cannot normally speak in normal language that stand out. In this case, Mercedes, Santana, and Tina are apologizing for their behavior toward Sheldon.
As is so often the case with Glee, the song captures the complexity of feeling but also conveys, clearly, just how apologetic they are for what they have done. What’s more, it is also part of a very complex storyline involving spousal abuse.
Cold Hearted
Throughout her time on the show, Santana showed that she was one of the most formidable talents, able to sing a wide variety of musical numbers. She was particularly notable for her ability to recapture the power and intensity of the original, as she showed in her rendition of "Cold Hearted," the song by Paula Abdul.
The brilliance of Santana’s performance stems from how the song–both in its vocal delivery and in its associated performance–is a fitting homage to Abdul’s work, showing how truly talented Naya Rivera was as a singer and dancer.
Total Eclipse Of The Heart
As one of the main characters in the series, Rachel was often the center of the story, both for good and for ill. In particular, she often showed that she was capable of manipulating others; however, as was the case with this song, she would later apologize. This is a powerful cover for a number of reasons.
There is, of course, the fact that it is an excellent showcase for Lea Michele’s powerhouse vocals. Just as importantly, it also features the voices of some of the show’s leading male voices.
Smooth Criminal
The songs of Michael Jackson have left an indelible impact on the world of popular culture, and that includes Glee. In this case, the song “Smooth Criminal” makes for an excellent song for the duel between Santana and Sebastian.
Each of them brings their best vocal powers to the performance, and it is a breathlessly-paced rendition, with the two cellos providing a pulse-pounding accompaniment. It is, furthermore, a testament to Santana’s commitment and loyalty to her friends, and it shows how far she is willing to go to support them.
I Feel Pretty/Unpretty
One of the things that Glee did quite well was to use mashups, taking two popular songs and bringing them together in new and unique ways. In this case, it mixes West Side Story and TLC. It is a powerful and poignant song, particularly since it involves both Rachel and Quinn singing about how each envies the other.
Of course, neither of these characters would ever admit these things explicitly, and it is this which gives the song its poignancy and power. It’s a reminder of how Glee was at its best when it focused on its core set of characters.
Don’t Stop Believin’
In many ways, "Don’t Stop Believin’" is the series’ signature song. Drawing, of course, from the Journey song, it manages to capture so much about what made Glee such a powerful series for so many, particularly in its intensity.
With its powerful lyrics and the dynamic performances from almost all of the members of the key original cast, it would go on to become one of the most frequently performed songs in the series’ catalog.