Songs that Should be Performed on GLEE this Season
GLEE starts again next week. Tuesday, Sept. 21, to be exact. Effing finally. I can not wait for all the drama, Kurt's spectacular wardrobe and Sue Sylvester's venomous one-liners. (Oh, Sue. You're my fave.) And of course, the songs. Oh, the glorious songs. Now, I'm not one to shy away from show tunes. I used to play my Rent soundtrack while I drove my college's drunk van one weekend a month, just to mess with the wasted frat dudes. But I love, love, love how GLEE is fearless about stepping away from traditional Broadway belters and ballads to arrange pop songs into stellar choral numbers or putting a fresh twist on a solo performance.
Outside of a few leaked songs (we know Jay-Z and Alicia Key's “Empire State Of Mind” will play heavily into New Directions' quest for Nationals, which are being held in the Big Apple, and there's an entire episode dedicated to Britney Spears), most of season two's song list is a secret. I'd like to make a few suggestions to Ryan Murphy & Co. if not all of the music's been selected yet…
GYM CLASS HEROES “12th Period: Scandalous Scholastics”
12th Period Scandalous Scholastics by luxataltpress
See, I envision an entire new plot line around this song. McKinley High can introduce a slinky new teacher (sort of a female counterpart for the sexy dentist that John Stamos will be playing), who totally has the hots for Puck. If Quinn reunites with Finn, that leaves Puck home free to pick up with Ms. Cougar. This peppy Gym Class Heroes tune lends itself perfectly to a Puck lead with a New Directions backup (maybe just a few of the key players in one of those “we're filming a music video in the halls of our high school” numbers–I can't really see him busting this out in choir practice). Still, the chorus, “And I can hear ‘em talking in the hallways (let ‘em keep talking)/I’m always late for lunch/Learning dirty little lessons from you (so sexy)/Now my name is on the lips of every cheerleader in my school/Now I’m a legend in the locker room (Legendary Baby!)” reeks of GLEE perfection. Who doesn't wanna watch Puck sing “We gave a brand new meaning to after-school special”? Yeah, that's what I thought.
FOXY SHAZAM “Unstoppable”
Every underdog needs a good theme, and we got plenty of those in the first season (see: “Don't Stop Believin',” “Maybe This Time,” “My Life Would Suck Without You,” etc.). However, this season, I think New Directions need to man up in the confidence department just a little. Ryan Murphy already picked out a Queen song or three last season (but the best two were given to arch rivals Vocal Adrenaline). At this point, we think “We Are The Champions” would be a little cliche. But, that doesn't rule out the second coming of Freddie Mercury: Eric Nally and his band of merry misfits in Foxy Shazam. If “Unstoppable” was good enough for the Super Bowl, it's good enough for GLEE.
MOTT THE HOOPLE “All The Young Dudes”
All The Young Dudes by luxataltpress
Staying true to GLEE's love of classic rock, Mott The Hoople's “All The Young Dudes” would be a good addition. First, it's just got a great melody. Second, it definitely conjures up high school imagery. I initially thought that the New Directions females should sing this, but now I think it would be even better if we could somehow work it into the plot for Sue to sing. I'm really not sure what the context would be, but it would be hilarious. More Sue singing in season two, please!
ALL TIME LOW “Umbrella” (Rihanna cover)
GLEE already used a Rihanna song last season (the beautiful “Take A Bow”–still one of my favorite GLEE songs). But that's why GLEE should do All Time Low's (slightly) punkier version. I think it could easily be arranged as a duet between any young couple: Finn and Rachel? Finn and Quinn? Artie and Tina? What about a love interest for Brittany, Santana or Mercedes? Rachel and Jesse St. James? We don't really care, just make this a du-eh-eh-eh-eh-et already.
JEFF BUCKLEY “Lover You Should've Come Over”
Lover You Should Have Come Over by luxataltpress
Okay, yeah, I know this is all sad and sappy and slower than most GLEE songs. But it's also beautiful and written by Jeff Buckley, arguably one of the greatest vocalists of his generation. This could totally work as some sort of reconciliatory number that Jesse sings to Rachel (if they don't sing the “Umbrella” duet). He's emo enough to carry it off. Of course, so is Kurt. So, you know, he could sing it longingly at Finn (maybe while staring out a rain-soaked window or something).
What would be on your GLEE fantasy tracklist?
