‘Glee’: Our 25 all-time favorite performances

MANILA, Philippines – Glee finally ended its 6-season run on Friday, March 20 (Saturday, March 21 in Manila). The two-part finale brought fans back to where the show began (literally) in “2009,” which told the story of how our favorite characters were brought together. (IN PHOTOS: ‘Glee’ cast says goodbye as show tapes final episodes)

We had our 6-season fill of messed up relationships (hook-ups, break-ups, and mix-ups), old characters left and new characters came (and left just as quickly for some), and Sue Sylvester’s inconsistent behavior (did she hate the club or not? We don’t know!). (Listen to the last song Lea Michele will ever sing on ‘Glee’)

But what was so distinct about Glee was the way these guys performed – the harmonies, their acting like the whole school was their music video, their grandiose musical productions (seriously, with their budgets and call for fundraisers – they couldn’t even afford a bus at one point – how did they afford all those props, sets, and costumes?), and a lot of heart. 

Somehow, despite all the catfights, these guys are brought together by song (no, really, they drop their fights sometimes to sing together) and most of them turned out great. 

Let’s take a look back at some of the best performances from the show:

1. “Don’t Stop Believin'”

 

This is where Glee actually began – one of the first signature performances of the then 6-member club (Artie Abrams, Tina Cohen-Chang, Finn Hudson, Rachel Berry, Mercedes Jones, and Kurt Hummel), complete with harmonies and matching red shirts. This song defined the whole theme of the show, which had the members still optimistic (though they struggle) despite all the hell they’ve been put through (hello, Sue Sylvester!).

2. “It’s My Life/Confessions, pt. II” 

 

Ever since they featured mashups in the first season episode “Vitamin D,” most episodes on the show moving forward featured at least one or two songs put together (sometimes seamlessly, sometimes why-were-they-put-together-this-sounded-awful). But this performance by the Glee boys (check out Kurt’s wide-eyed stare) was full of awesome.

3. “Somebody to Love” 

 

Can we please talk about Mercedes Jones’ brief solo here? Please? This was the first performance of the New Directions together, and one that showcased quarterback Finn Hudson and ambitious diva Rachel Berry’s fast-developing chemistry as lead singers. But really, this performance has Mercedes written all over it.

4. “Faithfully”

 

The most tender moment was not when Finn and Rachel killed the duet at Regionals, but moments before that. They were waiting backstage, and Rachel said, “Break a leg.” Finn smiled and replied with, “I love you.” Their consistency as a couple would later be tested, but this song remains to be one of my favorite FinChel (Finn/Rachel) duets on the show. 

5. “Say A Little Prayer for You”

 

Ah, the Unholy Trinity. This was head cheerleader (and Sue’s main minion at the time, before she got pregnant with resident bad boy Noah Puckerman’s baby) Quinn’s audition, assisted by fellow cheerleaders Santana and Brittany Pierce.

6. “Teenage Dream”

 

Kurt finally found the love of his life in Blaine Anderson, who was then a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers, a very well-known glee club. This performance showcased the trademark a cappella approach of the Warblers. (Check out Kurt/Blaine – Klaine – love before the performance!)

7. “How Will I Know” 

 

This arrangement deviated from the more upbeat version of the original by the late Whitney Houston – plus all the divas were in it: Mercedes, Santana, Rachel, and Kurt!

8. “Single Ladies” 

 

Kurt plus Beyonce? Yes please! Kurt got to show off his Sasha Fierce skills with Tina and Brittany as his dancers. Fun fact: Heather Morris, who plays Brittany, once danced back-up for Beyonce!

9. “Hello” 

 

This was one of the first songs of Rachel and rival Vocal Adrenaline member Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff). Their voices melded perfectly together – just check out Rachel’s face! She was basically saying, “Who was this guy and why was I suddenly so taken?”

10. “Homeward Bound/Home”

 

What was very unique about this song was not the fact that the alumni came back after graduating in season 3 (believe me, they come back ALL the time), but it’s one of the few songs without Rachel Berry in it. Don’t get me wrong, Rachel Berry has an amazing voice (it’s Lea Michele, to begin with!) but her voice tends to dominate the other members.  This was a very sweet and endearing performance that finally utilized the voices of the members who used to just be in the background.

11. “Can’t Fight This Feeling”

 

Aside from Will Schuester’s peeping tom issues (this scene was revived in Season 6, but this time with Rachel, who was looking for the mysterious disembodied voice that actually belonged to one of the new kids Roderick (Noah Guthrie), it just goes to show that you CAN have an awesome performance in the shower.

12. “Don’t Rain On My Parade”

 

Who is Rachel without her idol Barbra Streisand? Her performance of the song from Funny Girl, which starred Barbra, was nothing short of amazing. Santana also had a great version of it in the 4th season, but Rachel just simply killed it.

13. “Highway to Hell” 

 

Vocal Adrenaline is the champion show choir for a reason, and with Jesse St. James as its lead singer, it’s no wonder they beat the New Directions for first place at Regionals in the first season. 

14. “Seasons of Love”

 

Finn’s death (and tribute episode) was a turning point of the series, due to Cory Monteith’s sudden passing in 2013. This performance, especially if you watch through ’til the end, is a very somber take on this Rent classic. 

15. “Rolling in the Deep”

 

Jesse St. James returned and surprised former flame Rachel. Their a cappella duet of this Adele anthem was very moving, and maybe even hinted at buried feelings for the both of them. 

16. “The Time of my Life/Valerie”

 

Finally, Will Schuester chose a different pair to lead them to a win at Sectionals. Quinn and Sam definitely oozed chemistry. Santana then took over for her first solo performance with Amy Winehouse’s version of “Valerie.” A highlight from the performance was the dance routine of Brittany and fellow dancer Mike Chang.

17. “Pretty/Unpretty” 

 

Quinn and Rachel never saw eye to eye throughout the series (of course, since Rachel fell hard for Quinn’s ex-boyfriend Finn, and vice-versa), but this performance – where Rachel wanted to have a nose job to get a nose like Quinn’s – showed a different side to Quinn, who urged Rachel to love herself just the way she was. 

18. “Bills, Bills, Bills”

 

Kurt as a Warbler! Kurt as a Warbler! 

19. “Telephone”

 

Enter Sunshine Corazon – played by none other than Charice Pempengco – Rachel’s eventual diva competition. What started out as Sunshine singing to herself turned into a diva-off in the bathroom with Sue telling them to shut up. But these voices were amazing, and Sunshine proved to be a definite rival for Rachel when she switched from New Directions to Vocal Adrenaline.

20. “For Good”

 

Kurt and Rachel developed a stronger friendship over the years, another cornerstone of the series. They stood by each other, especially during their trying times (Rachel and her New York dream, Kurt and his dreams as well), and this song proved to be more than just a touching performance, it was an anthem of their solid friendship and a foreshadowing of their new life ahead.

21. “We’ve Got Tonite”

 

Finn said, “We are endgame.” This prom-formance not only featured Finn’s adamant declaration of his love for Rachel, but also featured different couples in the series who joined in (Santana and Quinn hook up!). 

22. “Give Your Heart A Break”

 

This was a duet between Rachel and Brody Weston, her almost-flame in Season 4. But things didn’t last for the two, when Rachel found out that Brody was a male gigolo.

23. “Here Comes The Sun” 

 

Santana found love briefly with waitress Dani (Demi Lovato), and this was one of their first songs together. 

24. “Head Over Feet/Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”

 

Check out Kurt’s emotional reaction to the song, interspersed with clips of him and Blaine’s failed relationship. They do get back together, though, don’t worry.

25. “Dream On”

 

Who could forget Brian Brians? Rival show choir coaches Brian Brians (Neil Patrick Harris) had an epic sing-off with Will Schuester in a bar, and this was the result. 

BONUS: “Toxic”

 

The acoustic take was very unique, but really, the crowd reactions were what made the performance so hilarious. As Sue quipped, “It’s a Britney Spears sex riot!”

BONUS 2: “Push It”

 

Was your reaction more like Sue Sylvester’s or Jacob Ben Israel’s? 

Thank you, Glee, for everything.

What were your favorite performances from the show? Sound off in the comments! – Rappler.com