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.
Come Sail Away
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set an open course for the virgin sea
Cause' I′ve got to be free,
Free to face the life that's ahead of me
On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard
We′ll search for tomorrow on every shore
And I′ll try
Oh Lord, I'll try
To carry on
A gathering of angels appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope,
And this is what they said
They said
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Let's come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me, baby
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
I thought that they were angels,
But to my surprise
We climbed aboard their starship
We headed for the skies
Singing come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me, let′s
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away (Oh!)
Come sail away, come sail away (Oh oh oh)
Come sail away with me
Come sail away (Woah!)
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me (Sail away with me)
Come sail away (Baby)
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me (Sail away with me)
Come sail away (Woah!)
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
In the song "Come Sail Away" by the Glee Cast, the lyrics describe a journey of self-discovery and a quest for freedom. The singer is setting sail towards the unknown, symbolized by the "virgin sea," in search of a life unrestrained by limitations. The idea of being free to face whatever challenges may come their way is emphasized, as well as taking control of their own destiny as the captain of their ship. The lyrics convey a sense of determination to move forward and embrace what lies ahead, despite uncertainties.
The arrival of a gathering of angels above the singer's head introduces a mystical element to the narrative. These celestial beings offer a message of hope and encouragement through a song, urging the singer to join them on a journey towards a brighter future. The repeated invitation to "come sail away" with them signifies a call to leave behind the past and embark on a new adventure filled with possibilities. The singer is enticed by the idea of letting go of earthly burdens and ascending to new heights, both physically and metaphorically.
As the singer boards the starship with the angels, a sense of wonder and disbelief prevails. What was initially perceived as heavenly beings turns out to be a group of fellow travelers on a cosmic voyage. The fusion of reality and imagination blurs as they soar towards the skies, singing in unison the chorus of "come sail away." This moment symbolizes a departure from the mundane and an ascent towards the extraordinary, embracing the unknown with open arms and a willingness to explore uncharted territories.
The lyrics of "Come Sail Away" encapsulate a journey of self-discovery, liberation, and transcendence. The singer's decision to join the angels on their starship represents a leap of faith and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Through vivid imagery and soaring melodies, the song evokes a sense of adventure and the allure of embarking on a voyage towards a new beginning. It serves as a metaphor for the human experience of seeking freedom, hope, and the courage to chart a course towards a brighter future, guided by the belief that there is always a new horizon to discover.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sailing away
I am leaving my current situation behind
Set an open course for the virgin sea
Choose a new path towards uncharted territory
Cause I've got to be free
I need to break free and find my own independence
Free to face the life that's ahead of me
Ready to confront the challenges and opportunities in my future
On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard
I am in control and inviting others to join me on this journey
We'll search for tomorrow on every shore
Exploring different possibilities and opportunities in search of a better future
And I'll try
I will make an effort
Oh Lord, I'll try
I will put in my best effort with faith in a higher power
To carry on
To persevere despite challenges
A gathering of angels appeared above my head
I experienced a moment of divine intervention
They sang to me this song of hope
They offered me encouragement and optimism
And this is what they said
Their message to me was
Come sail away, come sail away
Embark on a journey towards a new beginning
Come sail away with me
Join me on this adventure
Let's come sail away, come sail away
Let us start this journey together
I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise
I initially believed they were divine beings, however
We climbed aboard their starship, we headed for the skies
We joined them on their spacecraft and traveled into space
Singing come sail away, come sail away
Singing about embarking on a new adventure
Come sail away with me, let's
Join me on this exciting journey
Come sail away (Oh!)
Embark on this journey with excitement
Come sail away with me (Sail away with me)
Come along with me on this voyage
Come sail away (Baby)
Join me on this journey, my dear
Come sail away (Woah!)
Experience the thrill of sailing away
Writer(s): Dennis De Young
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.