Glee is synonymous with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" but the fame and renown of that cover version obscured what Glee's true best songs are.
Glee may be renowned for one song in particular, but that 1980s cover version actually eclipses one musical trick Glee should be more famous for. In essence, Glee was a string of high-octane musical performances loosely strung together by tales of teenage drama. Eight years after the Fox series ended with Glee season 6, said drama has been mostly forgotten in the wake of real-world tragedies and controversies among the cast, but one Glee hallmark remains deeply seared into the consciousness of pop culture - the cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" that first appeared in the pilot's final moments.
The New Directions' "Don't Stop Believin'" performance became synonymous with Glee before the major problems began, penetrating the mainstream so effectively, even those who didn't know their Schuesters from their Sylvesters were familiar with the TV cast's Journey cover. Even in 2023, Glee's "Don't Stop Believin'" is almost as famous as the original, which only returned to public prominence thanks to the efforts of William McKinley High School's fictional glee club in 2008. Despite being far and away the most iconic cover version Glee produced, its notoriety prevented better musical performances receiving the same level of attention.
Despite the many, many cover versions Glee generously sprinkled across its six-season run, the TV show's best musical weapon was actually its mashups. Rather than just giving 1980s classics a high-pitched, saccharine makeover, Glee's mashups demanded creativity, while also offering a balance of familiarity and freshness. Glee character Will Schuester famously described mashups as, "Take two songs and mash them together to make an even richer explosion of musical expression." This in-universe quote perfectly explains why Glee's mashups were its best musical offerings, relying on innovation rather than mere repetition.
Whether it be the drug-fueled adrenaline rush of the New Directions' boys mixing "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi with Usher's "Confessions Part II," or the collision of old and new that was "Singin' In The Rain/Umbrella," Glee mashups offered a welcome reprieve from the usual barrage of sanitized rock hits and modernized show tunes. Not every mashup hit the mark, of course, but that element of danger only made the payoff greater. In a show that regularly took risks with its storylines, song choices often felt strangely safe, a few notable times when Glee was pioneering aside. Mashing together songs and hoping they complimented each other added much-needed unpredictability.
In the context of the show and its core audience, Glee mashups proved a popular addition. After their introduction in Glee season 1, these examples of sonic synergy became increasingly prevalent throughout the show's six seasons. Sadly, no Glee mashup ever attained the mainstream success and presence "Don't Stop Believin'" enjoyed. A band's career can be defined by one huge hit, despite a litany of stronger songs released after. In the same vein, Glee became defined by one pale imitation of a classic rock song, despite later delivering mashups that were more unique, and a richer explosion of musical expression.
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