Glee featured multiple major and secondary roles who have contributed vocals to the show: Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Dianna Agron, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Jayma Mays, Jane Lynch, Chord Overstreet, Darren Criss, Harry Shum, Jr., Damian McGinty, Vanessa Lengies, Samuel Larsen, Blake Jenner, Alex Newell, Melissa Benoist, Jacob Artist, and Dean Geyer. Numerous special guests have also featured on tracks, including Jonathan Groff, Kristin Chenoweth, Grant Gustin, Olivia Newton-John, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Idina Menzel, Charice, Gwyneth Paltrow, k.d. lang, Ricky Martin, Matt Bomer, Kate Hudson, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The pilot episode of the show was broadcast on May 19, 2009 and the first season began airing on September 9, 2009. The show was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. Murphy selects all music featured within the series himself, with the intent of maintaining a balance between show tunes and chart hits. Songs featured on the show are available for digital download through iTunes up to two weeks before new episodes air, and through other digital outlets and mobile carriers a week later.
Their debut single, "Don't Stop Believin'", a cover of the 1981 Journey song, was a top ten hit, and was certified platinum in Australia and gold in the US. The group's cover of The All-American Rejects' "Gives You Hell" reached number one in Ireland, giving them their first number one single.
There has been Nineteen soundtracks released through Columbia Records: Glee: The Music, Volume 1, Glee: The Music, Volume 2, Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers, Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, Glee: The Music, Volume 4, Glee: The Music, Volume 5, Glee: The Music, Volume 6, Glee: The Music, Volume 7 and Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2,Glee: The Music, Volume 7,Glee: The Music, The Graduation Album,Glee: The Music, Season 4, Volume 1,Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 3,Glee Sings the Beatles and Glee: The Music - Celebrating 100 Episodes.
Nineteen EPs have also been released: Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna, Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals,Glee: The Music, The Rocky Horror Glee Show.Glee: The Music, The Rocky Horror Glee Show,Glee: The Music, Love Songs,Glee: The Music, The Rocky Horror Glee Show,Glee: The Music, Love Songs,Glee: The Music, Dance Party,Britney 2.0,Glee: The Music Presents Glease,The Quarterback (Music from the TV Series),A Katy or a Gaga (Music from the Episode),Movin' Out,Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 4,City of Angels,New New York,Glee: The Music, Bash,Glee: The Music, Tested,Glee: The Music, Opening Night,Glee: The Music, the Back Up Plan,Glee: The Music, Old Dog, New Tricks,Glee: The Music – The Untitled Rachel Berry Project,Glee: The Music – Loser Like Me and Glee: The Music – Homecoming.
The cast is second behind The Beatles for most chart appearances by a group act in the Billboard Hot 100's history, and holds the record of sixth overall among all artists, with sixty-nine appearances. The cast has sold over thirty six million and over eleven million albums worldwide. The series' cover versions have also had a positive effect on the original recording artists, with sales of Rihanna's "Take a Bow" increasing by 189 percent after the song was covered in the Glee episode "Showmance".
The series features covers of numerous songs sung on-screen by the characters. Musical segments typically take the form of performances, as opposed to the characters singing spontaneously, as the intention is for the series to remain reality-based. Murphy is responsible for selecting all of the songs used, and strives to maintain a balance between show tunes and chart hits, as: "I want there to be something for everybody in every episode. That's a tricky mix, but that's very important — the balancing of that." Song choices are integral to script development, with Murphy explaining: "Each episode has a theme at its core. After I write the script, I will choose songs that help to move the story along."
Glee is choreographed by Zach Woodlee, and features five to eight production numbers per episode. Once music rights are cleared, songs are arranged and pre-recorded by the cast. Woodlee constructs the accompanying dance moves, which are then taught to the cast and filmed. Numbers can take several weeks to prepare, depending on complexity. Each episode costs at least $3 million to produce, and can take up to 10 days to film as a result of the elaborate choreography.
America
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Puerto Rico
My heart's devotion
Let it sink back in the ocean
Always the hurricanes blowing
Always the population growing
And the money owing
And the sunlight streaming
I like the island Manhattan
Tina (Rosalia):
I know you do
Santana (Anita):
Smoke on your pipe
And put that in!
Girls:
I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
Puck (Bernardo):
For a small fee in America
Santana:
Buying on credit is so nice
Puck:
One look at us and they charge twice
Tina:
I have my own washing machine
Rory (Indio):
What will you have not to keep clean?
Tina:
Skyscrapers bloom in America
Cadillacs zoom in America
Industry boom in America
Boys:
Twelve in a room in America
Santana:
Lots of new housing with more space
Puck:
Lots of doors slamming in our face
Tina:
I'll get a terrace apartment
Puck:
Better get rid of your accent
Tina:
Life can be bright in America
Boys:
If you can fight in America
Girls:
Life is all right in America
Boys:
If you're a white in America
Everyone:
Lalala America
America
Lalala America
America
Girls:
Here you are free and you have pride
Boys:
Long as you stay on your own side
Girls:
Free to be anything you choose
Boys:
Free to wait tables and shine shoes
Girls:
I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
Puck:
For a small fee in America
Girls:
I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
Puck with Boys:
For a small fee in America
Everyone:
Lalala America
Lalala America
Lalala America
Lalala Americaaaa
The song "America" from the musical "West Side Story" is performed in the Glee episode "Journey to Regionals." The song is sung by the character Santana, who plays Anita in a local theater production of "West Side Story," along with other members of the Glee club. The song is a commentary on the American Dream and the desire for immigrants to come to America to have a better life. The lyrics reference the contrasting realities of life in Puerto Rico versus life in America, with the characters highlighting the economic opportunities and freedom that America offers.
Santana kicks off the song by reminiscing about Puerto Rico, but quickly redirects her focus to the benefits of living in America. The other members of the group chime in, each showcasing an aspect of American life that they enjoy, such as industry, housing, and the freedom to be anything you choose. However, the characters also acknowledge the challenges of living in America, such as prejudice and discrimination.
Overall, "America" is a commentary on the complex, contradictory nature of life in America for immigrants. It celebrates the opportunities and freedoms that the American Dream promises, but also acknowledges the harsh realities of racism and economic inequality that many immigrants face.
Line by Line Meaning
Puerto Rico
Santana is from Puerto Rico and is expressing her pride for her homeland.
My heart's devotion
Santana's love and commitment to her home island.
Let it sink back in the ocean
Santana is expressing her disapproval of the treatment her home gets from the U.S.
Always the hurricanes blowing
Santana acknowledges that hurricanes are a natural disaster hazard in Puerto Rico.
Always the population growing
The population of Puerto Rico is constantly increasing which creates more challenges for the government to provide for its people.
And the money owing
Puerto Rico owes billions of dollars in debt to the U.S. and other countries.
And the sunlight streaming
Puerto Rico enjoys good weather and lots of sunshine.
And the natives steaming
Santana is referencing the racial tension that exists between Puerto Ricans and Americans in her home country.
I like the island Manhattan
Santana is expressing her admiration for Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe
Anita invites Bernardo to ponder what she has just said.
And put that in!
Anita is confident in the message she has just delivered.
I know you do
Tina acknowledges that Santana loves Puerto Rico.
Buying on credit is so nice
Santana and Puck acknowledge how easy credit makes it to buy things in America.
One look at us and they charge twice
Puck is referencing the discrimination that he and Santana face in America because of their race/ethnicity.
What will you have not to keep clean?
Rory is asking Tina to think about the things she will have to give up to live in America.
Skyscrapers bloom in America
Tina is acknowledging the development and thriving infrastructure in America.
Cadillacs zoom in America
The American economy-buoyed by capitalism-allows for great luxury, like expensive cars.
Industry boom in America
The U.S. is known for its advanced industry and technological prowess.
Twelve in a room in America
The negative side effects of American industrialization, as immigrants live in overcrowded, unsafe conditions.
Lots of new housing with more space
Santana acknowledges there is more space in American housing.
Lots of doors slamming in our face
Puck is acknowledging the discrimination against he and Santana in America.
I'll get a terrace apartment
Tina has lower expectations for her housing accommodation.
Better get rid of your accent
Puck advises Santana to lose her accent to avoid discrimination in America.
Life can be bright in America
Tina is stating the potential for positive experiences and opportunities in America.
If you can fight in America
The American dream is only for those who work hard and fight for it.
Life is all right in America
The potential for a good life is achievable within the American system.
If you're a white in America
Life is particularly good in America if you are white.
Lalala America
The chorus is again acknowledging America as a location full of potential.
Here you are free and you have pride
The singers are acknowledging the freedom and sense of pride that Americans feel they have.
Long as you stay on your own side
The singers are acknowledging racial tension and divide in America.
Free to be anything you choose
The singers acknowledge another aspect of freedom in America.
Free to wait tables and shine shoes
The reality of frequent dead-end jobs in America for those of marginalized backgrounds.
Lalala Americaaaa
The final line of the song is just reiteration of the previous message of the land of opportunity.
Contributed by Allison T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
oboh emma
Love this song RIP mark and naya
4lejandro
Only Naya
JHÃØ
@4lejandro And Mark, he also died in 2018
just live
@JHÃØ i think it's because of who Mark really was ...
Tykiara D.
cory and naya**
just live
Rory accent 🤣
vowel hero balance
Ever as United out of states oonn