2015年 Mar 9日 Monday, 16:06

In 2009, the FOX network premiered the teen musical dramedy Glee, created by executive producer Ryan Murphy. The pilot episode aired after the American Idol 8 finale on May 19th, 2009. Glee aimed to shed a light on high school stereotypes, and they covered every last one of them: from the gay guy (Chris Colfer's Kurt), to the crippled kid (Kevin McHale’s Artie), to the curvy powerhouse (Amber Riley’s Mercedes), to the Gothic Asian (Jenna Uskhowitz’s Tina), to the dumb blonde (Heather Morris’s Brittany), to the dude that barely got a speaking part or even a solo, for that matter (he left after the first season to embark on the solo career that never happened).

Along the way, however, Ryan Murphy began to realize that his characters were high school students, who weren’t going to stay in the glee club forever, and he wanted to keep them on the show by any means possible.

In season four, the show split its storylines between the New Directions in Lima, Ohio, and the graduates’ college lives in New York City. The first few episodes had some positive feedback. However, faster than you can say “Don’t Stop Believin’”, the plan began to backfire. Cory Monteith, who played one of the central characters, Finn Hudson, died in July 2013, the fifth season took a full shift to New York City, and the show’s upcoming sixth season was announced to serve as its last. Efforts to boost the ratings before the finale were failing miserably. However, when the final season began, the show permanently switched back to Lima, Ohio.

As Glee takes its final bow next Friday, I decided to rank the 50 best performances on this series.

50. Rolling in the Deep
Episode: Prom Queen (2x20)
Performers: Lea Michele (Rachel) and Jonathan Groff (Jesse)
Original Artist: Adele

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mivkCd4o2E

49. Problem
Episode: Homecoming (6x02)
Performers: Dianna Agron (Quinn), Heather Morris (Brittany), Naya Rivera (Santana), and Kevin McHale (Artie)
Original Artists: Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea

Admittedly, I never watched Quinn's appearances after the season 3 finale. More accurately, I boycotted her appearances in season 4 because of all the unnecessary cameos from the graduates. More accurately, I refused to acknowledged that she was involved in that season. I did plan to watch her appearance in season 5. However, her appearances were on the episodes that the New Directions were dismantled and the show was leaving McKinley. Needless to say, I was too angered to watch that. So her appearance in Homecoming was the first time I've seen Quinn on the show since her McKinley graduation.

48. Don't Dream It's Over
Episode: Swan Song (4x09)
Performers: New Directions
Original Artist: Crowded House

I only had room for one song from season 4.

47. Valerie
Episode: Special Education (2x09)
Performer: Naya Rivera (Santana)
Original Artist: The Zutons

46. Fix You
Episode: Asian F (3x03)
Performer: Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester)
Original Artist: Coldplay

45. It's a Man's Man's Man's World
Episode: Funk (1x21)
Performer: Dianna Agron (Quinn)
Original Artist: James Brown

44. What Makes You Beautiful
Episode: Prom-asaurus (3x19)
Performers: Samuel Larsen (Joe), Damian McGinty (Rory), Kevin McHale (Artie), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), and Chord Overstreet (Sam)
Original Artist: One Direction

43. Can't Fight This Feeling
Episode: Pilot (1x01)
Performer: Cory Monteith (Finn)
Original Artist: REO Speedwagon

The audition song for Finn Hudson, played by the late Cory Monteith.

42. Go Your Own Way
Episode: Rumours (2x19)
Performer: Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artist: Fleetwood Mac

41. I Will Always Love You
Episode: Heart (3x13)
Performer: Amber Riley (Mercedes)
Original Artist: Dolly Parton

By the time Sam left McKinley at the end of season 2, he was starting to form a relationship with Mercedes. The next season started off with her entering another relationship with football player Shane Tinsley. The relationship was very steady, and Mercedes was in no desire to reconsider someone else, especially when Sam returned to the school midway through the season. By the Valentine's Day episode, however, she couldn't avoid his persistance, as well as the feelings for him. She performs I Will Always Love You, in the style made famous by Whitney Houston, to flesh out her feelings of being torn between two lovers.

What made this performance special was that it was originally written and performed as a confrontation with Mercedes and her emotional confusions, yet transformed into an unintentional tribute. Whitney Houston passed away four days before the episode was supposed to air.

40. ABC
Episode: Hold on to Sixteen (3x08)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Jackson 5

In the events before the season 3 Sectionals, the glee club lost Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany to the Troubletones, Then as part of her suspension, Rachel was forbidden to participate in the upcoming Sectionals, leaving New Directions not only without their star vocalist, but also way behind on the 12-member requirement. The group scrounged up 3 temporary members, and they also recruited foreign exchange student, Rory Flanagan. But if the New Directions would ever have a chance of defeating the Troubletones at Sectionals, they had to go outside Lima, Ohio to contact an old friend. Sam Evans was convinced to move back to Lima and return to McKinley.

With Sam back in the fold, the New Directions performed a setlist of songs from the Jackson family. The first song was the Jackson 5's ABC, and they put on a very energized, passionate cover. Extra points go to Tina and Quinn. For being the only two girls in the group, the group put them to good use.

39. One
Episode: Laryngitis (1x18)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: U2

In terms of impact with the fanbase, this performance is forgettable in comparison to the show's better tunes. However, it made my list because in the episode, the song started and ended with an acapella duet between Rachel and a paralyzed football player, Sean Fretthold. If that ending doesn't make you feel something inside, then you need to check your pulse.

38. Somebody to Love
Episode: The Rhodes Not Taken (1x05)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Queen

37. Thriller / Heads Will Roll
Episode: The Sue Sylvester Shuffle (2x11)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artists: Michael Jackson and Yeah Yeah Yeahs

36. Applause
Episode: A Katy or a Gaga (5x04)
Performers: Chord Overstreet (Sam), Darren Criss (Blaine), Kevin McHale (Artie), Blake Jenner (Ryder), and Melissa Benoist (Marley)
Original Artist: Lady Gaga

In the weeks that followed the release of Lady Gaga's Applause, I wondered how it would sound like if it was sung by a male performer.

35. Blackbird
Episode: Original Song (2x16)
Performer: Chris Colfer (Kurt)
Original Artist: The Beatles

34. Marry You
Episode: Furt (2x08)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Bruno Mars

33. Mustang Sally
Episode: Homecoming (6x02)
Performers: Noah Guthrie (Roderick) with Dianna Agron (Quinn), Heather Morris (Brittany), and Naya Rivera (Santana)
Original Artist: Wilson Pickett

After Rachel returned to McKinley, she rounded up her New Directions alumni to revive the group with some current students. A carefree performance of The Rocketboys' Viva Voce was enough to get Roderick Meeks the first seat in the new New Directions, but his official audition with Wilson Pickett's Mustang Sally assured everyone that the group's future was bright again.

32. Pretending
Episode: New York (2x22)
Performers: Cory Monteith (Finn) and Lea Michele (Rachel)

31. (I've Had) The Time of My Life
Episode: Special Education (2x09)
Performers: Chord Overstreet (Sam) and Dianna Agron (Quinn)
Original Artists: Bill Medley and Jennifer Warner

30. No Air
Episode: Throwdown (1x07)
Performers: Cory Monteith (Finn) and Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artists: Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

29. Man in the Mirror
Episode: Hold on to Sixteen (3x08)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Michael Jackson

28. Keep Holding On
Episode: Throwdown (1x07)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Avril Lavigne

27. No Surrender
Episode: The Quarterback (5x03)
Performer: Mark Salling (Puck)
Original Artist: Bruce Springsteen

This song was Mark Salling's best performance in the entire series. Heck, the entire episode was his best performance in the entire series. Of course, he would appear in several more episodes after The Quarterback, but if it had been the last time he appeared on the show, I would at least feel good knowing that he saved the best for last.

26. Turning Tables
Episode: A Night of Neglect (2x17)
Performer: Gwyneth Paltrow (Holly Holiday)
Original Artist: Adele

25. Dancing with Myself
Episode: Wheels (1x09)
Performer: Kevin McHale (Artie)
Original Artist: Billy Idol

24. Raise Your Glass
Episode: Original Song (2x16)
Performer: The Warblers
Original Artist: P!nk

23. Rumour Has It / Someone Like You
Episode: Mash-Off (3x06)
Performer: The Troubletones
Original Artist: Adele

22. Bills, Bills, Bills
Episode: The Sue Sylvester Shuffle (2x11)
Performer: The Warblers
Original Artist: Destiny's Child

21. I Wanna Sex You Up
Episode: Acafellas (1x03)
Performer: Acafellas
Original Artist: Color Me Badd

20. Stronger
Episode: Britney/Brittany (2x02)
Performer: Kevin McHale (Artie)
Original Artist: Britney Spears

19. Without You
Episode: Yes/No (3x10)
Performer: Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artists: David Guetta and Usher

18. Faithfully
Episode: Journey (1x22)
Performers: Cory Monteith (Finn) and Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artist: Journey

17. Don't Stop
Episode: Rumours (2x19)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Fleetwood Mac

16. Jessie's Girl
Episode: Laryngitis (1x18)
Performer: Cory Monteith (Finn)
Original Artist: Rick Springfield

15. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Episode: I Kissed a Girl (2x07)
Performer: Cory Monteith (Finn)
Original Artist: Robert Hazard

14. True Colors
Episode: Hairography (1x11)
Performer: Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina)
Original Artist: Cyndi Lauper

13. Don't Rain on My Parade
Episode: Sectionals (1x13)
Performer: Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artist: Barbra Streisand

12. I Feel Pretty / Unpretty
Episode: Born This Way (2x18)
Performers: Lea Michele (Rachel) and Dianna Agron (Quinn)
Original Artist: Cast of West Side Story and TLC

11. Smooth Criminal
Episode: Michael (3X11)
Performers: Naya Rivera (Santana) and Grant Gustin (Sebastian) with 2cellos
Original Artist: Michael Jackson

10. Make You Feel My Love
Episode: The Quarterback (5x03)
Performers: Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artist: Bob Dylan

9. Light Up the World
Episode: New York (2x22)
Performer: New Directions

8. Loser Like Me
Episode: Original Song (2x16)
Performer: New Directions

7. Start Me Up / Livin' on a Prayer
Episode: Never Been Kissed (2x06)
Performer: New Directions Females
Original Artists: The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi

6. Stop! In the Name of Love / Free Your Mind
Episode: Never Been Kissed (2x06)
Performer: New Directions Males
Original Artists: The Supremes and En Vogue

5. Toxic
Episode: Britney/Brittany (2x02)
Performer: New Directions with Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester)
Original Artist: Britney Spears

4. Take a Bow
Episode: Showmance (1x02)
Performers: Lea Michele (Rachel)
Original Artist: Rihanna

3. We Are Young
Episode: Hold on to Sixteen (3x08)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: fun. and Janelle Monae

2. Don't Stop Believin'
Episode: Pilot (1x01)
Performer: New Directions
Original Artist: Journey

1. Teenage Dream
Episode: Never Been Kissed (2x06)
Performer: The Warblers
Original Artist: Katy Perry