Musical show "Glee" adds fresh spin on enduring classics

Covering popular songs can be a tricky business. Whether the song in question is a recent hit or an enduring classic, the cover is judged against the original, and if it fails to live up to the original in any way, it is condemned. One way the popular new TV show Glee covers songs so successfully—ten of the singles released are in the top two hundred songs on iTunes—is by tweaking the songs slightly.

Thus far, “Glee” has released 23 singles. The show combines the vocal texture of a cappella with instrumental music, with an interesting result. This is most notable in “Don’t Stop Believing,” which began entirely a cappella and built by adding instruments. This layering was very effective and the a cappella arrangement made it fresh.

Queen’s songs are already very musically complex and layered, but the “Glee” cast made “Somebody to Love” their own, particularly in the very beginning and at the end. They have the guts to play with the melody and harmonies, and it pays off. Instead of being a carbon copy of a slightly inferior grade, this version has something to offer in its own right.

The mash-ups were particularly fun due to their fast pace, ebullience, and blending of two different songs into one arrangement. They cater to the short attention spans of modern audiences as each covers two songs in around two minutes. The quick pace adds to the excitement, leaving the audience wanting more.

“Sweet Caroline” was a fairly straight cover, as it was mostly a solo piece, but the infectious energy that erupts with the chorus makes it an undeniably successful cover.

“On My Own,” however, fell flat. It was sung by only one character, Rachel Berry, and although her actress, Lea Michele, is a talented Broadway singer, it was just too close to previous recordings of the song to stand out, as was “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Dianna Agron, who plays Quinn Fabray, was just too weak vocally—she was a tad breathy. Once again, the song was too close to the original.

The size of its choir is one of the show’s fortes. Their most successful pieces usually use their numbers to their advantage, adding power and complexity to the songs, like in “Keep Holding On,” which splits the group up into different parts which harmonize, echo, crescendo, and respond to each other.

The show’s fresh new takes on well-known songs resound with emotional power. Many of them are exuberant and positively gleeful—a welcome escape for many depressed by the current economy. One complaint is that some of the actors are not strong enough singers. In the show, the head of Glee Club admits that he would have to layer other voices under Quinn’s, because it would be too weak otherwise. Cory Monteith’s character, Finn Hudson, is supposed to be a novice singer, and sometimes he can sound slightly electronic, presumably due to auto-tuning.

However, all of the cast members are capable singers. Even those who sound weak next to some of the other singers in the cast can hold their own in youthful energy and optimism.

Glee airs every Wednesday on Fox at 9 pm EST.

2 comments

Cindy

Thu Nov 12 2009 15:37

Great article Remy!!! It is funny how all the songs from my highschool and college years are coming back. Don't Stop Believeing was my prom theme. I will have to watch this show someday.

Aunt Jeanne

Thu Nov 12 2009 09:13

Awesome article Rem.

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