"Props"

Josh, Jen and Ed dig into #Glee’s double-header of “Props” and “Nationals!”

"Prom-asaurus"

Josh and Jen discuss proms, parties and the return of Becky in the latest episode of “GLEE” entitled “Prom-asaurus!”

"Choke"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss dreams realized and dreams delayed in “Choke,” the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE!

"Dance With Somebody"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss Whitney Houston’s legacy on the latest episode of Glee, entitled “Dance With Somebody!”

"Saturday Night Glee-ver"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss goals, Disco and Blaine in a vest in “Saturday Night Glee-ver,” the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE!

"Big Brother"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss Matt Bomer’s brotherly appearance on Glee and the aftermath of Quinn’s accident!

Episode 100

Episode 100!

"Heart"

Josh, Jen and Ed get their Valentine’s Day on to discuss Finchel, Brittana and the end of Samcedes in “Heart”, the latest episode of the FOX show “Glee!”

"The Spanish Teacher"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss spanish, high school and culture in “The Spanish Teacher,” the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE!

"Michael"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss cellos, rock salt and Michael Jackson memories inspired by “Michael,” the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE!

"Yes/No"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss proposals, marriages and all the drama in “Yes/No,” the latest episode of the FOX show Glee!

Josh & Jen's 2011 Christmas Spectacular

Josh and Jen bring our annual collection of Christmas songs. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Playlist:

1. Intro
2. Kyle Stevens, “Christmas Bells”
3. The Killers feat. Toni Halliday, “A Great Big Sled”
4. Afro Blue, “Christmas Time is Here”
5. The O’Jays, “Christmas Ain’t Christmas (Without the One You Love)”
6. Gladys Knight and the Pips, “The Christmas Song”
7. John Denver and Rolph the Dog, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
8. Regina Spektor, “My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)”
9. Kanye West, “Christmas In Harlem”
10. Michael Bublé, “Cold December Night”
11. Pomplamoose, “Always in the Season”
12. Sonos, “White Winter Hymnal”
13. She & Him, “The Christmas Waltz”
14. Big Star, “Jesus Christ”
15. Foxtails Brigade, “I’m Not Really in the Christmas Mood This Year”
16. Drive-By Truckers, “The Thanksgiving Filter”
17. Pentatonix, “We Three Kings”
18. The Tories, “Wonderful Life”
19. Chris Colfer and Darren Criss, “Let It Snow”
20. Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
21. Kate Bush, “December Will Be Magic Again”
22. Troy and Abed, “Christmas Infiltration”
23. Outro
24. McGuire Sisters, “May You Always”

"Extraordinary Merry Christmas"

Josh and Jen takes the reins to discuss plots and the lack-thereof in Glee’s second christmas special, “Extraordinary Merry Christmas!”

"Hold On To Sixteen"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss Sectionals, Trouble Tones and the latest episode of the Fox show “GLEE,” entitled “Hold On to Sixteen!”

"I Kissed a Girl"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss exploitation and redemption in “I Kissed a Girl,” the latest episode of the FOX show, “GLEE!”

"Mash Off"

Josh and Jen discuss mash-ups, Damian’s dancing and bullying in the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE, entitled “Mash Off!”

"Pot O' Gold"

Josh, Jen and Ed welcome Randy Bernstein, Casting Director for The Glee Project and discuss the latest episode of GLEE, entitled “Pot O’ Gold!”

"The Purple Piano Project"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss the Season 3 premiere of GLEE, entitled “The Purple Piano Project!”

“Hello, I Love You”
Written by Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore
Performed Most Notably by The Doors
Performed on GLEE by Cory Monteith

One of The Doors most recognizable songs, “Hello, I Love You” came from their 1968 album Waiting for the Sun. It went to #1 in the US and became the band’s first UK hit, topping out at #15. Some music fans have claimed that Robby Krieger, The Doors’ guitarist, stole the musical structure from Ray Davies, who played a similar riff on The Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night.” But, Krieger insisted in the liner notes of The Doors Box set that the song’s vibe was taken from Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.”

Josh Note: I’m still reeling with anger from that silly Doors reunion back in 2002. Krieger and Manzarek reunited with Stewart Copeland (from The Police) on drums and Ian Astbury (from The Cult) on vocals. I mean, I know Krieger and Manzarek wanna play and they wanna play the old songs, knock yourselves out. But, calling yourselves The Doors? Without Jim Morrison? Silly. Then John Densmore sued them and they became The Doors of the 21st Century. Lame-tastic.

“Gives You Hell”
Written by Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter
Performed Most Notably by The All-American Rejects
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

“Gives You Hell” was the first single from The All-American Rejects 2008 album, When the World Comes Down, and became the band’s first #1 hit and their most successful song to date. It was made into a playable song on Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Band Hero and is played at every home game for the Missouri Mavericks hocket team.

Josh Note: A couple years into the Rock Band/Guitar Hero craze, there was an article in Entertainment Weekly where artists were asked their opinions of the games. Nick Wheeler of the members of The All-American Rejects said ”It’s kind of a shame. When I was growing up, kids wanted to be in a band. Now everyone wants to play Rock Band.” I would disagree. I brought Rock Band home for Thanksgiving one year and played The All-American Rejects’ “Dirty Little Secret” with my mother. That’s an experience we couldn’t have shared as a “real band.”

“Hello”
Written by Lionel Richie
Performed Most Notably by Lionel Richie
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle and Jonathan Groff

Lionel Richie‘s 1984 hit topped the charts the year it was released in the US and the UK. Still, to a certain age group, it’s more remembered for its music video that featured Richie teaching a blind girl how to sculpt and discovers that she loves him (as he does her) when she sculpts his head. Of course, the bust looks more like Wilt Chamberlain with bee sting. It is considered Richie’s signature song.

Josh Note: This song may be Lionel Richie’s signature song, but for a while, it was David Cook‘s signature song as well. He performed it on Top 16 night of American Idol: Season 7. His version was slow and spooky and was the first time we all said “This kid could win it.” And we were right.

“Hello Again”
Written by Neil Diamond and Alan Lindgren
Performed Most Notably by Neil Diamond
Performed on GLEE by Will Shuester

A Top-10 single for Neil Diamond in 1980, it came from the soundtrack for his film The Jazz Singer, a remake of the Al Jolson movie, notable for being the first “talkie.” Diamond’s version is about a young Jewish singer who ditches his synagogue choir for a chance at rock superstardom. It received “mixed” reviews, with Diamond winning the first Razzie Award for Worst Actor. Still, the soundtrack was enormously successful, scoring three #1 hits and became Diamond’s most successful record.

Josh Note: I saw this movie when I was 9 or 10. I didn’t understand why everyone was being so mean to Neil Diamond. It’s not the worst movie, but it’s not high art. Certainly worth a watch, like A Star Is Born before it.

“Highway to Hell”
Written by Bon Scott, Angus Young and Malcolm Young
Performed Most Notably by AC/DC
Performed on GLEE by Jonathan Groff

In 2009, “Highway to Hell” won Most Played Australian Work Overseas at the Australasian Performing Right Association Awards, so what’s left to be said. The single was released in 1979 on an album of the same name. The band said the lyrics described what life was like on tour, however it (and its cover) inspired rumors that the band were satanists, which is almost too predictable to stand.

Josh Note: I’ll just leave this here.

“Hello, Goodbye”
Written by Lennon/McCartney
Performed Most Notably by The Beatles
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Though the songwriting credit is Lennon/McCartney, “Hello, Goodbye” was solely written by Paul McCartney. From Wikipedia, according to Steve Turner’s A Hard Day’s Write, “Alistair Taylor, who worked for the Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, had asked McCartney how he wrote his songs, and McCartney took him into his dining room to give him a demonstration on his harmonium. He asked Taylor to shout the opposite of whatever he sang as he played the instrument—black and white, yes and no, stop and go, hello and goodbye. Taylor later said, ‘I wonder whether Paul really made up that song as he went along or whether it was running through his head already.’”

Josh Note: That note is better than anything I can think of.

Faberry?

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss their favorite “ships” and the latest news in the Glee-verse!

"Sectionals"

This was our first competition show. They’re practically cliche at this point, or at least comfortable, but this one will always have a special place. The New Directions broke up, rose up, and knocked it out of the park. Great television. And, it has one of the best closing numbers in the series with “My Life Would Suck Without You” re-visiting choreography from the first 13 episodes. Great television.

“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
Written by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger
Performed Most Notably by Jennifer Holliday
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley

The enduring torchsong from Eyen and Krieger‘s Dreamgirls, the song premiered with the show in 1981 with Jennifer Holliday originating the role of Effie that Jennifer Hudson would win an Oscar for playing in the 2006 film adaptation. It is sung by Effie to her manager when she’s told that their romantic and professional relationship is about to end. It won Holliday a Tony in 1981 and went #1 for her the next year, and scored a Top-20 hit for Hudson in 2006 and a #1 with the dance remix.

Josh Note: I’m not proud to say that I first heard this song when Bianca Ryan sang it to win America’s Got Talent. I wasn’t a huge fan of her’s, but the song knocked me out and it sent me on the hunt. It was a diva staple before, but you can’t get away from it, now. And, that video of Holliday and Hudson “dueling it out”? Not a proud moment for either, but it’s certainly internet gold.

“Don’t Rain on My Parade”
Written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne
Performed Most Notably by Barbra Streisand
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

We go back to 1964′s Funny Girl for this one, made famous by Barbra Streisand, as it would become of her signature songs. The version performed on GLEE was featured in the show and film and was performed by Streisand in concert for years. A “Reprise Version” of the song, with alternate lyrics, which served as the finale of the stage show, was cut from the film. Streisand brought it back as an encore for her 2006/07 tour.

Josh Note: I’m out of things to say about Streisand and Funny Girl. So, let’s listen to some other versions of this classic: crooner Bobby Darin, torch singer Shirley Bassey, the rock band Japan (none of whom are asian), American Idol contestant LaToya London and show choir Only Men Aloud! (That’s their exclamation point, not mine.)

Other Josh Note: Did you know the BBC did a show in 2008 called “Last Choir Standing”? Neither did I! Somebody’s got some Googling to do.

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Written by Jagger/Richards
Performed Most Notably by The Rolling Stones
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Written primarily by Mick Jagger, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was recorded in 1968. It features the London Bach Choir on the intro and throughout. The song’s producer, Jimmy Miller, actually plays drums on the original track, rather than the Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts. Though it was, originally, a B-side to “Honky Tonk Women,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” became one of the Stones’ most popular songs.

Josh Note: There’s a story, most consider an urban legend, that in 1964, Mick Jagger was standing in line to get a prescription filled at a drug in Excelsior, Minnesota. A local named Jimmy Heutmaker was rambling nearby about how much he loved Cherry Coke, but that that morning he’d been given another flavor and “Y’know, Mr. Jagger, you can’t always get what you want…” Whether or not it’s true, I quite love that the man’s last name, pronounced with the right accent, sounds like “Hit-Maker.”

Other Josh Note: Last Choir Standing was a 2008 BBC talent-show, like American Idol for show choirs. The Judges were tenor Russell Watson, actress Sharon D. Clarke and conductor/teacher Suzi Digby. 27 choirs made it through callbacks and Only Men Aloud! took the title.

“My Life Would Suck Without You”
Written by Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly
Performed Most Notably by Kelly Clarkson
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Performed by the once-and-future American Idol on her fourth album, All I Ever Wanted, “My Life Would Suck Without You” was intended to be her “return to form” after the critical and commercial failure of her previous album, My December. The song brought the writers of “Since U Been Gone,” and became her first #1 hit since 2002′s “A Moment Like This.”

Josh Note: This is one of those annoyingly pop-perfect songs that I can only enjoy with one ear closed. The popping melody, quick tempo and epic soar in the hook are pure joy. But, it’s only barely enough to overcome how dippy that title is. “My life would suck without you?” It’s a lyric that should start with a has tag.

Other Josh Note: Check out that cheesy 80′s synth-drum roll at 2:57. Always makes my ears cringe.

“Smile”
Written by L. Allen, I. Babalola and D. Lewis
Performed Most Notably by Lily Allen
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle and Cory Monteith

“Smile” was the lead-off single from Lily Allen’s Alright, Still. It samples the Soul Brothers’ Free Soul, and was released in 2006. The song incorporates Rocksteady music with lyrics about Allen’s dealing with a lover’s betrayal and taking joy in his misery. It was a #1 hit in the UK and a Top-50 hit in the US.

Josh Note: Alright, Still was an outstanding album. Smile, LDN, Shame on You. Amazing. Honestly, get it now. The followup, It’s Not Me, It’s You was poppier and less memorable, but stuff like Everyone’s At It, The Fear and Not Fair were freakin’ great. Two records with more depth and originality than Miley Cyrus ever dreamed… and then she retired. She’s designing clothes, did some television, started a record label, but no more music. What the hell?!

“When You’re Smiling”
Written by Larry Shay, Mark Fisher and Joe Goodwin
Performed Most Notably by Louis Armstrong
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

Louis Armstrong recorded “When You’re Smiling” for the first time in 1929. He would do so again in 1932 and 1956. Since then, it’s become a jazz standard recorded by dozens of artists, including Duke Ellington, Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland on her 1961 classic Judy at Carnegie Hall.

Josh Note: Why wasn’t this episode called “Smile”? This is before the Madonna episode, the Christmas episode and the Bad Reputation episode. Just two episodes later we got Hell-O, wherein every song had the word “hell” in the title. Of course, not every song in this episode had “smile” in the name, as we’ll see in…

“Jump”
Written by Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth
Performed Most Notably by Van Halen
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Van Halen’s only #1 single, “Jump” was released in 1984 on a record called 1984. It differed from their previous work, based around a synthesizer riff, although it’s not lacking in Eddie Van Halen‘s signature guitar solo. It changed the band’s style thenceforth from being a predominantly hard rock band to one of more radio-oriented popular music and synth-driven melodies.

Josh Note: Van Halen has, probably, the most melodramatic Wikipedia entry on the site. It’s updated almost weekly, as the band’s drama seems to change that fast. First they conquered the world with David Lee Roth, then fired him and hired Sammy Hagar, who was under contract to another record company, then he left under conflicting circumstance (Hagar says he was fired, the band says he quit), the reunited with Roth for two songs, though he thought they were back for good, then hired Gary Cherone and recorded an album on which almost nobody played by Eddie (he even sang on two tracks). Since then it’s been a decade of reunions and break-ups and tours that get cancelled early. Members of the band say Eddie’s just fine, while everyone else says he’s lost his mind. They fired Michael Anthony in 2004 and brought in Eddie’s son to play bass. Now, there’s talk of a new record, with Roth back on vocals, but my guess is we’ll talk about it like we did Chinese Democracy. It’s like a Glee spin-off, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Other Josh Note: I’m a big Van Halen fan.

“Smile”
Written by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
Performed Most Notably by Nat King Cole
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” as an instrumental for the soundtrack of his 1936 film Modern Times. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons then added the lyrics in 1954 for Nat King Cole. It has become a popular standard recorded notably by Michael Jackson, Neil Sedaka, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Jim Carrey, Bobby McFerrin, Robert Downey Jr… I can go on.

Josh Note: I have no comments on this song. It’s great.

This episode brought us our first round of Mash-Ups, a trend that’s continued to inspire the show and divide the fans. Either way, this was a fun one to watch. It only had two numbers, but they’re some of the show’s most memorable. Let’s take a look.

“It’s My Life” / “Confessions Part II”
Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Max Martin / Usher Raymond, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox
Performed Most Notably by Bon Jovi / Usher
Performed on GLEE by New Directions’ Boys

“It’s My Life” was Bon Jovi’s first single off of the album Crush, from 2000. It’s, arguably, their most successful single, post their 1980′s hair-metal roots, and features several of the band’s trademarks: an anthemic chorus, Sambora’s talk box and the mention of Tommy and Gina from Livin’ on a Prayer.

“Confessions Part II” tells the heart-warming story of a man confessing to his girl that he’s impregnated his mistress. It’s a continuation of “Confessions Part I” where the guy talks about the hook-up, itself. Usher insists the lyrics aren’t based on real events, but the single did reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 2004.

Josh Note: I’ve never been totally sold on mash-ups as anything more than a novelty. I mean, it’s one thing to sample a song (or lots of songs), deconstructing them and creating something new and (hopefully) greater than the sum of its parts. But, a mash-up is really just taking two recognizable things and sandwiching them together. The best ones are like Peanut Butter & Jelly, two great tastes and combine to create depth and dynamics, but the worst are like Peanut Butter and Pickles. You taste the Peanut Butter and you taste the Pickles, but, mostly, you taste crap.

“Halo” / “Walking on Sunshine”
Written by Evan Bogart, Beyonce Knowles and Ryan Tedder / Kimberley Rew
Performed Most Notably by Beyonce / Katrina and the Waves
Performed on GLEE by New Directions’ Girls

“Halo” was released to mainstream radio (as a grown, white male from Southern California, I am legally restricted from saying “it dropped”)  in 2009, the fourth single from Beyonce’s third album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce.” With melancholy lyrics and moderate tempo, co-writer Evan Bogart said it was inspired by Ray LaMontagne’s Shelter.

Kimberley Rew isn’t the Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, though he was in the band (that’s right, he) and he wrote this song for the band’s debut full-length album from 1983. It only reached #9 in the U.S., but would go on to appear in countless movies and TV shows, with royalties estimated at “$1-million per year for the ten years ending in 2010.” It’s been called “the crown jewel of EMI’s catalog.”

Josh Note: I can smell a Ryan Tedder song from a mile away. Personally, I think they all sound the same, but the biggest dust-up was in 2009, when people complained that Halo sounded too much like Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone, also written by Tedder. The former was a much bigger hit (and, arguably, a better song), but you can’t deny the similarity. I mean, it’s not Tik Tok / California Gurls, but far too close for comfort.

Other Josh Note: I was in a movie theatre the opening night of American Psycho (yeah, I’m an old-school Bale fan; straight up Newsies, yo). The reviews had said that the movie swung for the fences to re-create the 1980′s. And, on the drive to the theatre, I said “If they’re doing the ’80′s, they have to play ‘Walking on Sunshine.’” You can bet they did, while scrolling the Manhattan skyline and wearing a piano-key necktie. (I made up the last one.)

“Don’t Make Me Over”
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed Most Notably by Dionne Warwick
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley

While not her most significant single with fan or critics, Don’t Make Me Over marked the debut recording of Dionne Warwick in 1962, and was the first of over 56 singles she would place on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998. It was actually a B-side to Warwick’s “I Smiled Yesterday,” but “Don’t Make Me Over” was the one that stood the test of time. In 2000, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Josh Note: For the kids in the house, a “B-side” comes from 45′s. And, a 45 was a record that was played at 45 RPM’s. Traditionally, they were about 7-inches in diameter, with a large hole in the center (larger than a full-size 33 1/3 record). They had a song on each side: The A-side was the big hit (or what they intended to be the big hit) and the B-side was a bonus track. Still, there’s a history of B-sides that became bigger hits than the original. How Soon is Now? was actually the B-side of William, It Was Really Nothing. I Will Survive was the B-side of Substitute. And, Ice Ice Baby was the B-side of Play That Funky Music.

“Papa Don’t Preach”
Written by Brian Elliot, add’l lyrics by Madonna
Performed Most Notably by Madonna
Performed on GLEE by Dianna Agron

Madonna’s second single from her True Blue album became her fourth #1 in 1986. Brian Elliot wrote the song based on gossip he heard out his studio window which was a large plate glass window that doubled as a mirror where schoolgirls from the North Hollywood High School regularly stopped to fix their makeup.

Josh Note: I was at the laundromat once and three highschool girls walked by. One of them said “I can’t believe she’s having a baby. She’s not nearly as cool as us.”

“Crazy in Love” / “Hair”
Written by Rich Harison, Beyonce Knowles and Shawn Carter / Galt MacDermot, James Rado and Gerome Ragni
Performed Most Notably by Beyonce / The Cowsills
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

“Crazy in Love” was released in 2003 as the lead single from Beyonce’s debut solo record Dangerously in Love. It won Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (they have a category for that?!), and ranked 118th on Rolling Stone’s 2010 list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It features a sample from The Chi-Lites’ 1970 song “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So).”

“Hair” was the title track from the 1968 musical of the same name, as well as the 1979 film version. It’s performed by two hippies, explaining the importance of their coifs to their love-rock movement. The song was also major hit single for The Cowsills in 1969.

Josh Note: The Cowsills were the original family band. Bill, Bob, Barry, John, Susan and Paul Cowsill made up the group. At one point they were even joined by their mother, Barbara. Bob’s twin brother, Richard, was their road manager. In 1967, they ranged in age from 8 to 19. Not surprisingly, they were the inspiration for the 1970 TV show The Partridge Family.

“Imagine”
Written by John Lennon
Performed Most Notably by John Lennon
Performed on GLEE by New Directions and the Haverbrook Deaf Choir

The title track from Lennon’s 1971 album, Imagine only peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, though it reached #1 in Canada and Australia. Lennon said it was as good as anything he wrote with the Beatles. It ranked #3 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Josh Note: I love watching American Idol contestants give this one a whirl. David Archuleta made his mark with it in 2008. Why that’s hilarious is that the lyrics of the song are, essentially, the Communist manifesto. Lennon said Imagine was an “anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic [song].” Archuleta, conveniently, skipped the line “Nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too.”

“True Colors”
Written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg
Performed Most Notably by Cyndi Lauper
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

Billy Steinberg wrote “True Colors” about his mother, the submitted it to Tom Kelly, who changed a couple lyrics, and submitted it to Cyndi Lauper. Their demo was performed as a traditional piano based gospel balled, but Lauper stripped it down to the version we know today. It reached #1 in the U.S. and became a standard in the gay community.

Josh Note: I’ve nothing to say about “True Colors,” other than that it’s a truly beautiful pop song. Our children’s children will hum it to their kids.

“I’ll Stand By You”
Written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg
Performed Most Notably by The Pretenders
Performed on GLEE by Cory Monteith

The Pretenders most recent single, I’ll Stand By You reached #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. It was the second single from their album Last of the Independents, written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde with songwriting team Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg. They used the melody from Bach’s “Minuet for Lovers.”

Josh Note: That video creeps me out. Chrissie Hynde is bad-ass rock queen, not a pop-singer. She should be slinging an electric guitar and spitting on the audience, not caring for a sick dude. I mean, this is the woman who wrote Tattoed Love Boys. Still, the song is classic and definitely played during countless proms and first dances in the mid-90′s. Crazy to think that it came out two years after Nevermind.

“Don’t Stand So Close To Me”
Written by Sting
Performed Most Notably by The Police
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

A 1980 hit single for the British Rock band The Police, it’s the story of a schoolmaster dealing with a young student’s crush on him. It was written by Sting, who’d previously worked as an English teacher. Years later, the band formed in the studio to record a new album, but, instead, came out with a Greatest Hits collection and a new version of this song, called “Don’t Stand So Close to Me ’86.”

Josh Note: I should turn this note over to Jennifer, as The Police are her favorite band, but she’s busy. So, I’ll write her words for her: “This song is great. The band is great. Sting’s abs are great!”

“Young Girl”
Written by Jerry Fuller
Performed Most Notably by Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

This song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968, and #1 in the UK. It was written by Jerry Fuller, who discovered Gary Puckett and The Union Gap in a San Diego Bowling Alley. Fuller also wrote “Travelin’ Man,” “A Wonder Like You,” and “Young World” for Ricky Nelson, and produced the American psychedelic rock band, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy. (I’m not making that name up.)

Josh Note: I saw Gary Pucket and the Union Gap perform at the Ventura County Fair around 1995. He performed “Young Girl” three times, as well as a succesion of covers, like “That’s My Story” and “Hurts So Good.” The audience ate it up. It was the first time I realized that no matter who you are, if you have tight jeans and an amp, someone will want to have sex with you.

“(You’re) Having My Baby”
Written by Paul Anka
Performed Most Notably by Paul Anka
Performed on GLEE by Cory Monteith

Paul Anka wrote and released this song in 1974, recorded as a duet with Odia Coates. It rose the charts quickly and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. And, in 2006, it was voted #1 on a CNN.com poll of the “Worst Song of All Time.” The song gained criticism for having chauvinistic undertones, namely that the “baby” in question was the man’s, rather than the couple’s. In later years, Anka would perform the song as “You’re Having Our Baby.”

Josh Note: I always get bogged down in the lyrics of this song. First, she’s having the kid “to say how much you love me?” Wouldn’t a Hallmark card be easier? Later, she’s having the baby to “say that you’re thinking of me.” I’m a big fan of pie. Nothing says “you’re on my mind” like pie. Then it gets creepy: “The need inside, I see it showin’. The seed inside ya’, do you feel it growin’?” And, it finishes with a PSA: “Didn’t have to keep it; Wouldn’t put you through it; You could have swept it from your life.” Just gonna leave that one alone.

“Lean On Me”
Written by Bill Withers
Performed Most Notably by Bill Withers
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

“Lean on Me” is one of only nine songs in history to have gotten to #1 with versions recorded by two different artists: the original, by Bill Withers in 1972, and the cover by Club Nouveau in 1987. Withers said the inspiration for the song was missing the strong community ethic of growing up in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia after he’d moved to Los Angeles.

Josh Note: The definitive version of this song has to be on the 1973 Live at Carnegie Hall album. It’s one of the coolest live records you’ll ever here, recorded on a stormy night in NYC, in front of an audience that was bursting with the excitement of just getting there. You can hear them shouting, cat calling and singing along, asWithers gives it all back to them, having so much fun with Use Me that he plays it twice. It’s freakin’ awesome.

“Dancing With Myself”
Written by Billy Idol and Tony James
Performed Most Notably by Billy Idol
Version Performed on GLEE by Nouvelle Vague
Performed on GLEE by Kevin McHale

Originally recorded and released in 1980 by Billy Idol, with his band Generation X, it was remixed and re-released in 1981 when Idol went solo and became a huge success. The Idol version even featured Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols on guitar and the video (above) was directed by Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist. The song was covered in 2006 by French New Wave band Nouvelle Vague on their second album, stripping down the guitar riff, switching out the electric guitars for acoustics and giving it a Bossa Nova rhythm.

Josh Note: I’m a big fan of Nouvelle Vague. Jennifer and I even saw them open for Dead Can Dance back in 2004, after the first record came out. They specialize in covering punk and new wave pop songs in their signature bossa nova style. And, that first record was so memorable, you’ve probably heard half of it in movies and commercials, without actually knowing it. They recorded two more records (Bande a Part and 3), but with diminishing returns. By 3, the novelty of their style had passed and they were having to dig so deep into the new wave catalogue for songs to cover that the selections were mostly unknown to the casual listener. Still, that first album (and the second, if only for “Dancing With Myself” and their version of The Cramps’s “Human Fly”) are well worth your time.

“Defying Gravity”
Written by Stephen Schwartz
Performed Most Notably by Idina Menzel
Performed on GLEE by Chris Colfer and Lea Michelle

The signature song from Stephen Schwartz‘s Wicked, the Broadward musical based on Gregory Maguire‘s book, ”Defying Gravity” was originally recorded in 2003 by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith (though only Menzel’s part is featured in the GLEE version). The song comes at the end of the first act, right before intermission, when Elphaba vows to defend the Animals of Oz. The song charted at #60 on the UK Singles Chart.

Josh Note: What can be said about this track that hasn’t already been discussed on the podcast? It’s one of the most enduring Musical Theatre songs of the last 20 years, inspiring a significant mainstream following. Maybe “Memory” from Cats, is the next most recent in terms of mainstream appeal, though the “Defying Gravity” generation has probably never heard it.

“Proud Mary”
Written by J.C. Fogerty
Performed Most Notably by Ike & Tina Turner
Performed on GLEE by The Glee Cast

Tina Turner and her husband and band leader Ike Turner first covered this song in 1971, originally recorded as a roots rock song by Fogerty’s band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It would become Turner’s signature song, both in recordings and performance and reached #4 on the pop chart. Both the CCR and Ike & Tina Turner versions of the song received awards from the Grammy Hall of Fame, in 1998 and 2003, respectively.

Josh Note: “Proud Mary” has been covered a million times by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Elvis Presley to Neil Sedaka. And, endlessly, by contestants on American Idol. But, really, we’re all most curious to hear the version by Leonard Nimoy, from his album The New World of Leonard Nimoy.

“Bust a Move”
Written by Marvin Young, Matt Dike and Michael Ross
Performed Most Notably by Young MC
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

Marvin Young, better known as Young MC, made this his most memorable song. “Bust a Move” came out in 1989 and won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1990 and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It featured vocals by Crystal Blake and bass guitar by Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Josh Note: This song was a competition for us in Middle School (i.e. Junior High, for those outside California) to see who could memorize all the lyrics and recite them in time. It came after We Didn’t Start the Fire and before Baby Got Back for that distinction. I suppose the next generation played it with One Week.

“Thong Song”
Written by Mark Andrews, Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson, Desmond Child and Robi Rosa
Performed Most Notably by Sisqo
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

Formerly of Dru Hill, Sisqo released this song in 2000 and it was an immediate smash. He said it was, surprisingly, about his affection for a particular women’s undergarment. Desmond Child and Robi Rosa get songwriting credit for the inclusion of lyrics from Ricky Martin’s Livin’ La Vida Loca. The strings in the song are a sample from Wes Montgomery’s version of “Eleanor Rigby.”

Josh Note: When this song was at its peak, Sisqo went on all the talk shows explaining what a thong was, why he liked it and what made them so special. He said the perfect thong made “the outline of a heart.” A friend of mine, at the time, said “That’s unfortunate. They make my ass look like a spleen.”

“What a Girl Wants”
Written by Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche
Performed Most Notably by Christina Aguilera
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

The second single from Christina Aguilera, “What a Girl Wants” came out in 1999 and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a retooled version of the song “Ce que je suis,” performed by Ophelie Winter. Aguilera’s translation earned her five MTV Music Video Awards nominations, and a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It’s maintained as one of Aguilera’s signature songs.

Josh Note: According to this song, “what a girl wants” is time to breathe while she “(gets) it together.” Something tells me there’s a bit more to it, but I, honestly, have no idea.

“Sweet Caroline”
Written by Neil Diamond
Performed Most Notably by Neil Diamond
Performed on GLEE by Mark Salling

An anthem of bars, sporting events and Frat parties for decades, “Sweet Caroline” was released in 1969. It’s been used in countless movies and TV shows, covered endlessly and downloaded more than 1.3 million times. It was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time. Diamond would later sing it to her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007.

Josh Note: The Red Sox adopted the song in 1997 and have played it at every Fenway Park homegame in the middle of the eighth inning since 2002. It was even performed by Diamond, himself, at the 2010 season opener. Other teams play the song, too, but they don’t really matter.

“I Could Have Danced All Night”
Written by Lerner and Loewe
Performed Most Notably by Julie Andrews
Performed on GLEE by Jayma Mays

From the Lerner and Loewe musical My Fair Lady, “I Could Have Danced All Night” was published in 1956. It’s sung by the play’s heroine, Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, in order that she may pass for a proper lady. The role was originated, on Broadway, by Julie Andrews and, in the film, by Audrey Hepburn.

Josh Note: The irony of Julie Andrews, with one of the most stunningly beautiful accents in history, playing Eliza Doolittle is pretty hilarious. In the film, Audrew Hepburn, did her own talking, but her singing vocals were dubbed by Marni Nixon. Marni Nixon also provided the singing voices for actresses in The King and I, West Side Story and An Affair to Remember.

“Hate On Me”
Written by Jill Scott, Adam Blackstone and Steve McKie
Performed Most Notably by Jill Scott
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

The lead single from Jill Scott’s album The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, this was pretty sassy for her at the time. She says it was written about a group of people she found on the internet who didn’t like her.

Josh Note: I really hate people that write comments on the Internet (he says in an article with comments at the bottom). If you’ve ever written “You suck” in a comments box, do everyone a favor and go to hell.

“No Air”
Written by  James Fauntleroy II, Eric “Blue Tooth” Griggs, Michael Scala, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas and Steve Russell
Performed Most Notably by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

The first single that put Jordan Sparks on the map, it was featured on her first album, her debut after winning American Idol. The lyrics are pretty straight ahead, and the melody isn’t wildly fancy, but it’s a master-class in staying simple but memorable. It went Platinum in the US, New Zealand and Australia and Top 10 just about everywhere in the world.

Josh Note: Why do people keep buying Chris Brown records? Seriously, America. Even before he beat his girlfriend, then recorded a song saying it was her fault, his music was crap. The dude wrote a song and then got paid by Doublemint Gum to put their slogan in the lyrics! But, hey, we still bought 270,000 copies of F.A.M.E. in the first week… Shameful.

Other Josh Note: It took 6 people to write this song? Makes me think of that cost break-down of Rihanna’s “Man Down.”

“You Keep My Hangin’ On”
Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland
Performed Most Notably by The Supremes
Performed on GLEE by Quinn Fabray

Released in 1966, the song became The Supremes’ eighth #1 single. It has been covered numerous times by artists like Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart and Vanilla Fudge. The writers, Holland-Dozier-Holland (H-D-H) were Motown’s main production team at the time, with the song’s signature guitar part originating from a Morse code-like radio signal heard by Lamont Dozier.

Josh Note: I love Motown. Absolutely love it. If you haven’t seen it, or aren’t familiar with Motown as a brand, or a company, or a style, check out the 2002 Documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. It’s amazing.

“Keep Holding On”
Written by Avril Lavigne and Dr. Luke
Performed Most Notably by Avril Lavigne
Performed on GLEE by New Directions

The theme song from the 2005 film Eragon, it also appeared on her third album, The Best Damn Thing in 2007. Reportedly, a different version, more upbeat and rocking, was intended to be on the album, but it got pressed with the original. It went Platinum in the US, and peaked at #3 on Billboard’s US Adult Pop Songs.

Josh Note: I really hate this song, with the melody being a bit silly and the lyrics totally meaningless (“Nothing you can say, nothing you can do, there’s no other way when it comes to the truth”… what truth? Seriously, what does that mean? “Keep holding on, ’cause you know you’ll make it through”… I do? If I knew that, you wouldn’t need to be singing a song to me.) Still, the number on GLEE was my favorite Group Song of the series, when we discussed that. The scene was much larger than the sum of its parts and I cried like a baby.

Josh Groban approves!

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss the Glee Project, Comic-Con and invite listeners Andy, Molly, Jasmine and Siobhan to Beat the Gleek!

“Maybe This Time”
Written by Kander and Ebb
Performed Most Notably by Liza Minnelli
Performed on GLEE by Kristin Chenoweth

From one of GLEE’s favorite musicals, “Maybe This Time” wasn’t featured in the original production of the musical. It was added to the film, having been written previously by Kander and Ebb for their unproduced show, “Golden Gate,” and subsequently added to the play after the film won 8 Academy Awards, losing Best Picture to The Godfather.

Josh Note: There’s been plenty of debate on the podcast about Kristin Chenoweth’s performance and her character on the show. She was the first guest star and made a precedent for actors coming onto the show and derailing the plot, as April does for this episode. But, looking back, this one is a lot of fun to watch. I can’t complain. And, it was the first time the kids on the show got schooled by a serious, world-class performer, which, I think, raised their game for a while afterword.

“Alone”
Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly
Performed Most Notably by Heart
Performed on GLEE by Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison

Heart had a #1 song with “Alone” in 1987, where it appeared on their ninth album, Bad Animals, during their 80′s rock phase. However, it was actually previously recorded by John Stamos (yes, that John Stamos) on the CBS Sitcom Dreams, in the role of Gino Minelli. The song became Heart’s biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 1, and peaked at number 3 in the UK, while the video ran constantly on MTV (back when they did that kind of thing).

Josh Note: This song has really ruined every American Idol performance since 2005, when it was performed by Carrie Underwood. The judges constantly say “You need a moment like Carrie Underwood with ‘Alone.’”

Other Josh Note: A year ago, I found an LP of the Dreams soundtrack in a thrift store in Morro Bay, California, but I didn’t buy it, because I didn’t have a turntable.

“Last Name”
Written by  Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Carrie Underwood
Performed Most Notably by Carrie Underwood
Performed on GLEE by Kristin Chenoweth

A monster hit for the former American Idol, it went to #1 in the US and won Underwood the award for “Best Female Vocal Performance.” It’s been described, as the music video portrays, as a prequel to “Before He Cheats.”

Josh Note: I detest “Before He Cheats.” I’d quite like to never hear that song again. Here’s my issue: If I sang a song about trashing my lady’s stuff because she cheated on me, it’d be called whining and childish, if not out-and-out domestic violence, but when a woman sings it, all the girls cheer and say “You go girlfriend!” How is it empowering to rant and rave like a crazy person? It’s not like “Gunpowder and Lead,” about the singer preparing for her drunk, abusive husband to get home, saying “If he wants a fight, when now he’s got one.” She’s not making trouble, just ready to put it down if it comes up. That song is fucking empowering.

“Somebody To Love”
Written by Freddie Mercury
Performed Most Notably by Queen
Performed on GLEE by the Glee Cast

The first single from Queen’s “A Day at the Races,” “Somebody To Love” was another classic example of the band’s mixture of gospel, opera and hard rock. And, it all runs over lyrics about the existence of love and God. It was one of the few Queen songs that featured vocals by all four members, while the recorded version had the band’s three main vocalists multi-tracking their voices to create the impression of a 100-voice gospel choir.

Josh Note: How freakin’ amazing is Queen?! They weren’t a great album band, when they sucked, they sucked. But, when they were great, seriously, there’s never been anyone like them. Freddie just… that voice, man, it’s still as potent as the day it was recorded. Seriously, his voice was so incredible that people actually saw those teeth and that mustache and thought it was sexy. That’s a great damn voice.

"Rocky"

Josh and Jen discuss Brittana, Straight But Not Narrow and everyone’s favorite Belieber, Sam Evans.

"As Long As You're There"

Josh and Ed carry on the good fight with discussions of The Glee Project, Glee casting, and our Top 5 Least Favorite Songs of Season Two!

“This is How We Do It”
Written by Montell Jordan, Oji Pierce and Ricky Walters
Performed Most Notably by Montell Jordan
Performed on GLEE by the Acafellas

From 1995, this song personified the New Jack Swing style that was popular in the mid-nineties. It features Montell Jordan singing over a sample of Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story.” It was #1 on Billboard for seven weeks.

Josh Note: Let’s take a look at Acafellas: Matthew Morrison (as Will Schuester), Patrick Gallagher (as Ken Tenaka), Kent Avenido (as Howard) and John Lloyd Young (as Henri). You know the first, Gallagher’s done everything from Sideways, to “True Blood,” and Kent Avenido is a TV and Commercial pro. John Lloyd Young, though, is actually GLEE’s first TONY winner. He won Best Leading Actor in a Musical (and a ton of other awards) for playing Frankie Vallie in the original cast of Jersey Boys. On an unrelated note, I can’t hear this song without dancing like Kid ‘n Play, despite the fact that they were pretty cold by by the mid-nineties.

“Poison”
Written by Elliot Straite
Performed Most Notably by Bell Biv Devoe
Performed on GLEE by the Acafellas

Heading back a couple of years, Bell Biv Devoe went Platinum with this song in 1990. The song is another New Jack Swing classic, sampling from Kool G. Rap’s “Poison,” and “Jimmy” from Boogie Down Production. It’s been featured in dozens of movies, TV shows and video games and was named #60 on VH1′s 100 Greatest Songs of the 90′s.

Josh Note: This is also the first episode we saw Josh Groban on the show. I’ve always found Groban’s music to be pretty silly, but the man himself is world class. When he was a Guest Host on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, he said: “Kings of Leon recently refused to appear on Glee, for fear of losing integrity. I actually appears on Glee for purely artistic reasons. I made a statue of cash.”

“Mercy”
Written by Duffy and Steve Booker
Performed Most Notably by Duffy
Performed on GLEE by Vocal Adrenaline

This was Duffy’s debut single, from her album Rockferry in 2008. She fit well with the UK’s other modern soul contemporaries, like Amy Winehouse and Adele. The song was nominated for a Grammy and achieved world-wide success.

Josh Note: The song was covered by The Fratellis and Ed’s Idol’s band, OneRepublic.

“Bust Your Windows”
Written by Jazmine Sullivan and Salaam Remi
Performed Most Notably by Jazmine Sullivan
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley

The second single for Jazmine Sullivan from her Grammy-nominated album, Fearless, Bust Your Windows was…

Josh Note: I really have nothing to say about this song. I kind of hate it.

“I Wanna Sex You Up”
Written by Dr. Freeze and Color Me Badd
Performed Most Notably by Color Me Badd
Performed on GLEE by the Acafellas

More New Jack Swing from the Acafellas brought us Color Me Badd’s giant, international hit from 1991. It was on their debut album C.M.B. and features samples of Doug E. Fresh’s “La Di Da Di,” Betty Wright’s “Tonight is the Night” and The Brothers Johnson’s “Strawberry Letter 23.” It won a Soul Train Award, and was on VH1′s “100 Greatest Songs of the 90′s” and Blender’s “50 Worst Songs Ever.”

Josh Note: This song seemed filthy, when it came out in 1991 and I was twelve. Today, with Katy Perry on the charts singing about getting wasted and having a threesome, it’s seems downright precious.

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss Theatricality on “The Glee Project,” new faces in the Writer’s Room, and our (and your) Top 5 Songs of Season 2!

10. “Get Happy” / “Happy Days Are Here Again” (Score: 22)
9.  ”Marry You” (Score: 23)
8. “Valerie” (Score: 27, 10 votes)
7. “Loser Like Me” (Score: 27, 11 votes)
6. “Get It Right” (Score: 28)
5. “Rolling in the Deep” (Score: 32)
4. “Thriller” / “Heads Will Roll” (Score: 35)
3. “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (Score: 36)
2. “Teenage Dream” (Score: 46)
1. “I Feel Pretty” / “Unpretty” (Score: 63)

5. “Thriller” / “Heads Will Roll”
4. “Firework”
3. “Valerie”
2. “Marry You”
1. “When I Get You Alone”

Jen

10. “Rolling in the Deep”
9. “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
8. “Songbird”
7. “Loser Like Me”
6. “Take Me or Leave Me”
5. “Dog Days Are Over”
4. “Just the Way You Are”
3. “River Deep, Mountain High”
2. “I Feel Pretty” / “Unpretty”
1. “Empire State of Mind”

Ed

25. “Ain’t No Way”
24. “Sing”
23. “Isn’t She Lovely”
22. “River Deep, Mountain High”
21. “Toxic”
20. “Time Warp”
19. “Lucky”
18. “Don’t You Want Me”
17. “Thriller” / “Heads Will Roll”
16. “Trouty Mouth”
15. “I Love New York” / “New York, New York”
14. “What I Did For Love”
13. “When I Get You Alone”
12. “Rolling in the Deep”
11. “Billionaire”
10. “Loser Like Me”
9. “Teenage Dream”
8. “Empire State of Mind”
7. “Forget You”
6. “Landslide”
5. “Songbird”
4. “Marry You”
3. “Valerie”
2. “I Feel Pretty” / “Unpretty”
1. “Get It Right”

“Gold Digger”
Written by Kanye West, Ray Charles and Renald Richard
Most Notably Performed by Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

From West’s second album, Late Registration, this was a huge hit, sampling Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman.” Charles’ parts were performed by Jamie Foxx, shortly after he won an Oscar for portraying the singer. West actually wrote the song without the sample for Shawnna’s album in 2004, but she passed on the song.

Josh Note: The Kanye West version was produced by West and Jon Brion. They’ve worked together a lot, which never ceases to amaze me. Jon Brion’s not really known for his Hip-Hop work, but more for producing Chamber Pop records like Fiona Apple’s “Extraordinary Machine,” Dido and Keane and music for movies like Magnolia, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

“Push It”
Written by Hurby Azor & Raymond Douglas Davies
Performed Most Notably by Salt-n-Pepa Song
Performed on GLEE by the GLEE Cast

A dance floor mainstay since its release in 1987, Salt-N-Pepa’s tribute to “gettin’ it on” established them as one of most commercially successful Hip-Hop groups in history. It actually only peaked at #19 on the U.S. charts, but paved the way for several similar songs from the group, like 1991′s “Let’s Talk About Sex.” The quote “This dance ain’t for everybody, only the sexy people” is a reference to “The Bird” by The Time.

Josh Note: Seeing this number, for the first time, at Comic-Con 2009, took me totally by surprise. I had no idea the show would go so far. I really expected it, after the Pilot, to fall somewhere between Beverly Hills 90210 and KIDS Incorporated. This number showed how far GLEE was willing to go for a joke and for a number.

“I Say a Little Prayer”
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed Most Notably by Dionne Warwick
Performed on GLEE by Dianna Agron

You can’t miss that flugelhorn in the opening that signified Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the 1960′s. These guys defined the Soul/Pop sound for everyone from Dusty Springfield to The Carpenters to The Walker Brothers. But, Dionne Warwick was their muse, recording this classic, along with “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” and many more.

Josh Note: I could probably write three blog posts about this music and the artists mentioned above. The Carpenter’s classics, Scott Walker’s Jacques Brel records and Burt Bacharach’s amazing catalogue. But, really, this song makes me think of two things: 1) the Aretha Franklin version is hilarious. I love how she only sings part of the hook (“I say a little…” Backup singers: “…prayer for you.”) I imagine her, in the studio, saying “I’m Aretha Franklin. I have don’t have to sing all the words. I’ve got enough soul to sing half!” 2) The “cover versions” of the dance number that Quinn and the Cheerios perform for Mr. Shue. Honestly, this deserves every one of its 1.5 million hits.

“Take a Bow”
Written by  Ne-Yo, T.E. Hermansen, M.S. Eriksen
Performed Most Notably by Rihanna
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

This song was the fifth single released by Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad, though it was actually included on the album’s re-release Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded. Her delivery on the track is stunning, showing the mix of strength, anger and vulnerability that makes Rihanna so damn captivating. It was Rihanna’s third #1 on the US Chart and reached the top 10 in six other countries.

Josh Note: Other songs named “Take a Bow”? Madonna had a #1 hit called “Take a Bow” in mid-nineties. Muse had a song on Black Holes and Revelations. Sister Hazel, best known for “All For You,” had one on their Release album, as well as Leona Lewis on Spirit and the Canadian metal band The Agonist.

Where Is Love?
Written by Lionel Bart
Performed on GLEE by Ben Bledsoe (I totally looked that up)

From the 1960 musical, Oliver!, this song’s been performed countless times on stage, and on screen in 1968. It’s performed by young Oliver, after he’s been bought by an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry, and sent to bed in the basement with the coffins. That’s right, coffins.

Josh Note: This song is on the short list of GLEE songs performed by no-name characters. “Yeah!” by the anonymous all-girl group and “Imagine” by the Haverbrook Deaf Choir. I’m sure there’s more that you can add in the credits.

Respect
Written by Otis Redding
Performed Most Notably by Aretha Franklin
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley

It became Aretha’s signature song in 1967, but it was written and performed by Otis Redding in 1965. His version has a much different flavor, with variations in the lyrics, serving as more of a plea for respect than Aretha’s demand. Either way, it’s a classic that’s been added to the Library of Congress, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and ranked #5 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Josh Note: Here’s something I just learned tonight: The line is “R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Take care… TCB.” I’ve spent 30-*cough* years thinking it was “Take out T-C-P,” which would be “R-E-S-E,” which, I’m 90% sure, is not a word. “TCB” stands for “Taking Care of Business,” and was added for the Aretha Franklin version. Who knew?!

Mr. Cellophane
Written by Kander and Ebb
Performed on GLEE by Chris Colfer

Based on a 1926 play of the same name, Chicago gave us this song, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The pair has more than two dozen shows under their belt, including Cabaret, Zorba, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Curtains. As well as the aforementioned Funny Lady. Roxie’s husband performs it in Act II, while trying to claim paternity for her (made up) pregnancy.

Josh Note: You’ve all seen the movie Chicago, or the play Chicago, and heard how this was Chris Colfer’s audition song, yada yada yada. Now, let’s talk about Bob Fosse. Actor, director and choreographer, his style defined the show and the movie that followed, and arguably, dance in the 1960′s. He won eight Tony’s for choreography and one for direction, was nominated for an Oscar four times and beat Francis Ford Coppola for Best Director (who was nominated for The Godfather). Lenny is an amazing film. Cabaret is undeniable. And, straight up, seeing All That Jazz was a seminole moment in my life.

I Kissed a Girl
Written by Katy Perry, Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Cathy Dennis
Performed Most Notably by Katy Perry
Performed on GLEE by Jenna Ushkowitz

The song that took Katy Perry from Christian popster to whore-chic was the first single off her 2008 One of the Boys. She says it’s “about the magical beauty of a woman,” also claiming it was inspired by Scarlett Johansson and a friendship Perry had with a girl when she was 15. So, yeah, take that however you want.

Josh Note: If I can die without ever hearing this song again, I’ll consider that a victory. But, if it got a few tweens to accidentally buy this song, then it’s not all bad. (I can’t take responsibility for that video, by the way. It’s oddly overclocked, but I couldn’t find a better version.)

Leaving on a Jet Plane
Written by John Denver
Performed Most Notably by Peter, Paul and Mary
Performed on GLEE by Matthew Morrison

John Denver originally wrote the song as “Oh, Babe I Hate To Go” in 1966 and recorded it on an album of demos he sent to friends as a Christmas card. His producer, Milt Okun, got it recorded by the Chad Mitchell Trio in 1967 and Peter, Paul and Mary. It was later recorded by everyone from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes to Eve 6 to New Order. Pick an artist, they’ve probably covered it.

Josh Note: The scene of Will Schuester performing this was cut from the original broadcast of the Pilot, but made it into the Director’s Cut and the DVD.

Can’t Fight This Feeling
Written by Kevin Cronin
Performed Most Notably by REO Speedwagon
Performed on GLEE by Cory Monteith

REO Speedwagon released this song in 1984, a track that pretty much defined the term “Power Ballad.” They were known as a rather standard AM Rock band before that, but you can’t argue with results. The song appeared on their 1984 album Wheels Are Turnin’, every one of their greatest hits and live records afterward and dozens of movie and TV soundtracks.

Josh Note: Speedwagon recently played The Greek in LA with Rick Springfield. Finn Hudson would’a been in heaven. Also, this link is totally unrelated, yet I enjoyed it, in my research, because I have a soft-spot for Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Don’t Stop Believing
Written by  Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry and Neal Schon
Performed Most Notably by Journey
Performed on GLEE by The Glee Cast

From the band’s 1981 album, Escape, the song has the distinction of having a hook that doesn’t actually appear until 50-seconds before the end of the track. It peaked on the US Chart at #62 when it was released, but enjoyed a serious resurgence in the 2000′s when it became the theme at sporting events, was used on numerous TV shows, and became one of the most downloaded iTunes tracks of all time.

Josh Note: We’re done with this song, right? I mean, we had our fun, we sang along and played air guitar, but, you know, time to move on. Actually, Journey as a whole, okay? You know they found their new lead singer on YouTube singing covers of Journey songs? And, they’ve only got two original members. That’s more than the current line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but still…

I Love New York/New York, New York
Written by Madonna and Stuart Price (“I Love New York”); Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green (“New York, New York”)
Performed Most Notably by Madonna (“I Love New York”); Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Jules Munshin (“New York, New York”)
Performed on GLEE by the Glee Cast

“I Love New York”was on Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor record from 2005, about the city that turned a Ballet dancer from Michigan into the Queen of Pop. Without her, Lady Gaga would still be a rock singer in the Lower East Side. Mashed up with it is “New York, New York” from the musical On the Town, about three sailors on 24-hour shore leave in New York, which sounds like the plot of its own porn-parody.

Josh Note: The latter song is not to be mixed up with Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” that defines Karaoke night across the globe. The “New York, New York” you know better was written by Kander and Ebb for Martin Scorsese’s 1977 movie of the same name. It’s a movie would looking up.

Bella Notte
Written by Oliver Wallace
Performed on GLEE by The Guys

It’s from Disney’s The Lady and the Tramp, and I wasn’t able to find who performed it in the film, but it’s, arguably, more memorable than the film itself.

Josh Note: Ryan Murphy must have a soft spot for this movie, because the song is performed during the “Spaghetti Scene,” where Tramp pushes a meatball across the plate with his nose, which of course, Brittany referenced earlier after sleeping with Artie.

For Good
Written by Stephen Schwartz
Performed Most Notably by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle and Chris Colfer

If you haven’t heard this song, or, at least, heard of the musical from whence it came,  this is, apparently, the first episode of GLEE you’ve watched. It’s, of course, from 2003′s Wicked, and comes in the second act, when Elphaba and Glinda acknowledge their friendship, just before the sh*t gets real.

Josh Note: It’s funny that both of the original performers of this song have appeared on the show before. I actually had the soundtrack long before seeing the show, and read the book, before it came to L.A., and quite loved it. When I finally saw the show, I was unprepared for how rosey it was. I expected more blood and guts. (You gotta read the book.)

The Second Seasons finale of GLEE, "New York"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss New York, original songs and the second season finale of the FOX show Glee!

Back to Black
Written by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson
Most Notably Performed by Amy Winehouse
Performed on GLEE by  Naya Rivera

The title track from Winehouse’s second album, Back to Black, this wasn’t the biggest hit on the record, but it was one of the best of the collection. With her raspy delivery, her trademark razor-blade lyrics and instrumentation by the legendary Dap Kings, this is about as good as any of them have ever been.

Josh Note: You all know this song, and probably the album it came from, but as we sit around and wait for Winehouse to put out new music (beyond a “whatever” cameo on Quincy Jones’s new album), the band on this track has put a couple amazing records with Sharon Jones. Check out I Learned the Hard Way. It’s truly outstanding.

Some People (from “Gypsy”)
Music by Jule Styne; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Performed on GLEE by Chris Colfer

From the Broadway musical “Gypsy,” which tells the story of Gypsy Rose Lee and her mother, Rose, the original “stage mother.” Rose spends the show trying to make her two daughters famous, mostly failing along the way. It also gave us “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You” and “Rose’s Turn,” which was also performed on GLEE. I think we can expect Ryan Murphy to slot the rest in before GLEE throws in the towel.

Josh Note: “Gypsy” is ”loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist.” That’s from Wikipedia, which makes me laugh for a couple reasons, not the least of which being that it insinuates there was a “famous striptease artist” in the 1950′s. I wonder what the equivalent would be today. Maybe Britney Spears? I often feel like watching her is just a game of Wardrobe Chicken. And, her stage usually includes at least one pole.

Other Josh Note: I went with the Patti Lupone version because that’s just how I roll.

Try a Little Tenderness
Written by Irving King and Harry M. Woods
Most Notably Performed by Otis Redding
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley

This was written in 1932 and performed by people like Bing Crosby, and it sounded like you’d expect from the man who gave us “Mele Kalikimaka.” But, in 1966, Otis Redding resurrected it, changed the lyrics, and sang it in front of Booker T. & the MG’s and we got the rowdy, impassioned plea that Rolling Stone and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame called one of the best songs ever recorded.

Josh Note: Otis Redding, people. If he doesn’t stir your soul, you don’t have one.

My Man
Music by Jule Styne; Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Performed Most Notably by Barbra Streisand
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

This is our third song from “Funny Girl” on GLEE, which, if nothing else, is better than a single song from “Funny Lady.” The original title of the show was actually “My Man,” which would’ve changed the whole timbre of its reception, one would think. The show is based on the life and career of comedienne Fanny Brice and her relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein. It was a part that made and was made for Barbra Streisand, and won everyone involved many shelves of awards.

Josh Note: It’s funny that the Wikipedia page doesn’t even mention the show’s 1975 sequel “Funny Lady,” which brought back Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif, and mixed in James Caan, Ben Vereen and Roddy McDowall. It’s not a horrible movie (the music’s by Kander and Ebb), but like most forgotten sequels (“Oliver’s Story,” “The Last Days of Patton,” “It Runs in the Family,” “Shock Treatment,” “Grease 2,” “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” I can go on…), it’s forgotten for a reason.

Pure Imagination
Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse
Most Notably Performed by Gene Wilder
Performed on GLEE by the Glee Cast

A memorable film with an equally memorable soundtrack, it’s one of those movies where just about everyone was at their best. It’s been released on every home format imaginable, performed on stage and covered countless time. Still, I think it’s inspired as many nightmares as dreams.

Josh Note: Honestly, as a child, I don’t think I ever got through this film in one sitting. It was just too damn scary. “The Rowing Song?” Seriously. Satanic cults chant that to summon the Dark One. I’ve no doubt.

Want more? Listen to our podcast about GLEE’s “Funeral!”

General Zod, The Honey Badger and Panda Express in "Funeral"

Josh, Jen and Ed put the “fun” in “funeral” and take a look at the latest episode of the FOX show GLEE!

"Friday!" from "Prom Queen"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss proms, dresses and the slap heard ’round the world on the “Prom Queen” episode of the FOX show Glee!

Jar of Hearts
Written by Christian Perri, Drew Lawrence, Barrett Yeretsian
Most Notably Performed by Christina Perri
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle

This was one originally on Perri’s The Ocean Way Sessions EP, and it eventually appeared on her debut album, Lovestrong, back in 2010. Perri says it’s about an ex-boyfriend who’s trying to reconnect.

Josh Note: Way too many songs ask “Who do you think you are?” It’s a cliched question that’s lost all meaning. “Who you think you are?!” “Obviously, I’m the triumphant Jar King Collector of Hearts!” And, that video is hilarious. It’s a ghosty-lusty-zombie-post-apocalyptic ballet.

Rolling In the Deep
Written by Adele, Paul Epworth
Most Notably Performed by Adele
Performed on GLEE by Lea Michelle and Jonathan Groff

If you haven’t heard this in the last six months, you’ve been living under a rock, beneath a house, on the moon. Twice Platinum in the US, Platinum all over Europe (oddly enough, not in the UK, where Adele is from). The song is about scorned love and a couple unable to reconcile. So, it’s about the same thing as every other Adele song.

Josh Note: I’d've enjoyed this much more before if Haley Reinhart hadn’t crushed it on American Idol a couple weeks ago. But, doing it as a duet was pretty cool.

Dancing Queen
Written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson
Most Notably Performed by ABBA
Performed on GLEE by Amber Riley and Naya Rivera

Whether you went to prom in 1981 or  2011, they played this song. It’s safe to say that every moment of every day, some where there is a prom or wedding or reunion or drag show that is performing this song. It’s gone to #1 in just about every country on the planet and it’s been covered a hundred times. But, it’s still catchy. Benny said it was “one of those songs where you know during the sessions that it’s going to be a smash hit.” Apparently, he knew right.

Josh Note: My favorite cover is a B-side by Alt-Country performer Robbie Fulks. And, if you lived in San Luis Obispo around 2000, you probably heard me play this in innumerable coffee shops.

Friday
Written by Clarence Jey and Patrice Wilson
Most “Notably” Performed by Rebecca Black
Performed on GLEE by Kevin McHale, Chord Overstreet and Mark Salling

Heavily auto-tuned and lightly written, “Friday” made Rebecca Black a YouTube superstar in three days and an internet punchline on the fourth. 135-million views, millions of iTunes sales and covers by everyone from Nick Jonas to Katy Perry is nothing to shake a stick at, especially considering the song didn’t have the help of a major label or big-money maketing machine. Black’s mother paid $4,000 to ARK Music Factory in return for the recording and the video and even kept part of the rights!

Josh Note: The lyrics barely make any sense. She spends half of it just explaining the Gregorian calendar. Am I really spending the moments before I die listening to her debate which seat to sit in? My favorite cover is this one by Matt Mulholland.

Isn’t She Lovely
Written by Stevie Wonder
Most Notably Performed by Stevie Wonder
Performed on GLEE by Kevin McHale

So, yeah, he wrote it about his daughter, Aisha, and you can even hear her playing on the original recording. But, it’s still a great love song from one of the greatest records ever recorded, “Songs in the Key of Life.”

Josh Note: If you don’t like this song, I will fight you.

I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
Written by Reggie Youngblood, Owen Holmes, Kevin Snow, Dawn Watley, Ali Youngblood
Most Notably Performed by The Black Kids
Performed on GLEE by Darren Criss

A band more noted for being noted than being good, they really get the deep catalog bump from this cover. You can find it on their 2008 album Partie Traumatic. Lead singer, Reggie Youngblood told Vice Magazine about the song: “Jacksonville is a sort of anomaly, in that despite being a somewhat culturally bereft city, we have amazing dance parties at which we dance like motherf*ckers.  So, in this environment, I’ve repeatedly found myself in situations where girls love to dance with me (cos I can move, baby) but usually go home with someone else, who can’t dance for sh*t.”

Josh Note: I’m a sucker for dance punk. That is all.

*By the way, what hell is Tina wearing?!

Links for the week of May 1st:

• Musical “Glee-Cap” of “Rumours”
• Become the GLEEk of the Week
• Matthew Morrison reveals Sting duet
• Quotes from the Episode “Rumours!”
• A Petition to add Lord Tubbington as a Series Regular?!
• “Glee! Live! 3-D!” coming to theatres
• Naya Rivera to host GLAAD Media Awards
• Lea Michele does a promo for Nike Training Club
• SPOILERS: Lea Michele and Jane Lynch Spill Prom Secrets

"Rumours"

Josh, Jen and Ed go live to discuss Fondue For Two, Cross Rhodes and “Rumours” on the FOX show Glee!

"Born This Way"

Josh, Jen and Ed discuss body modification, Gaga’s monsters and “Born This Way,” the latest episode of the FOX show “Glee!”

Check out his podcasts at The Strip and The Petcast!

Sign up there to enter!

Playlist:

1. Intro
2. The Puppini Sisters, “All I Want for Christmas”
3. Darlene Love, “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”
4. The Salsoul Orchestra, “Merry Christmas All”
5. Brooke White, “California Christmas”
6. The Platters, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”
7. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, “Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects”
8. Paul Simon, “Getting Ready for Christmas Day”
9. Glee Cast, “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year”
10. Pink Martini, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
11. Matt Morris, “My First Snow”
12. Wilson Phillips, “Sleigh Ride”
13. Los Straitjackets, “Deck the Halls”
14. Mindy Smith, “It Really is (a Wonderful Life)”
15. mojochronic, “Yuletide Zeppelin”
16. Weezer, “O’ Holy Night”
17. Billie Holiday, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”
18. Vince Guaraldi Trio, “Linus and Lucy”
19. Frank Sinatra, “I Believe”
20. Brandi Carlisle, “The Heartache Can Wait”
21. Jack Black & Jason Segel, “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy 2010″
22. Outro
23. Relient K, “Boxing Day”

And, check out Josh and Jen’s new Halloween-tastic Internet TV-Show, “Zombiewood Pines!”

And, check out Trevor Shand’s parody video “Our Favorite Show Glee!”