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.
Copacabana
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
And while she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar
Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the Copa... they fell in love
(Copa Copacabana)
His name was Rico, he wore a diamond
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancin' there
And when she finished, he called her over
But Rico went a bit too far, Tony sailed across the bar
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
There was blood and a single gun shot
But just who shot who?
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the Copa... she lost her love
(Copa. . Copacabana)
(Copa Copacabana) (Copacabana, ahh ahh ahh ahh)
(Ahh ahh ahh ahh Copa Copacabana)
(Talking Havana have a banana)
(Music and passion... always the fash--shun)
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola
Still in the dress she used to wear, faded feathers in her hair
She sits there so refined, and drinks herself half-blind
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Now she's lost her mind!
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the Copa... don't fall in love
(Copa) don't fall in love
Copacabana
Copacabana
The song "Copacabana" by the Glee Cast tells the story of Lola, a showgirl with big dreams, and Tony, a bartender who supports her. The opening lines immediately paint a vivid picture of Lola, with yellow feathers in her hair and a revealing dress. She is a talented dancer, but despite her efforts to become a star, she remains at the nightclub where Tony works. The two fall in love while working long hours together, and they enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Copa nightclub.
However, their world is turned upside down when Rico, a wealthy man, becomes infatuated with Lola. After a brawl breaks out, the song leaves the fate of the characters ambiguous. The final verse reveals that Lola has lost everything – her youth, her love, and her sanity. The nightclub that was once her home is now nothing but a distant memory, and the song ends with a warning not to fall in love at the Copa.
Overall, "Copacabana" is a tragic tale of love and loss set against the backdrop of a lively nightclub. The lyrics capture the glamour and excitement of the Copa before turning darker, showing that even the most exciting worlds can be fraught with danger and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
There was a young lady named Lola who worked as an entertainer.
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would wear a dress with a very low cut and feather accessories in her hair.
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
When performing, she would entertain the crowd with merengue and cha-cha dances.
And while she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar
She aspired to become a famous performer but Tony worked as a bartender.
Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4
They would work together until the early hours of the morning in a crowded establishment.
They were young and they had each other
They were young and were in love with each other.
Who could ask for more?
They didn't need anything else when they had each other.
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
They worked at the Copacabana nightclub, which was a popular venue.
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
It was considered the most popular nightclub in the north, next to Havana.
Music and passion were always the fashion
The nightclub was known for playing lively and passionate music.
At the Copa... they fell in love
Lola and Tony fell in love while working at the nightclub.
(Copa Copacabana)
His name was Rico, he wore a diamond
A man called Rico, who was wearing a diamond, arrived at the nightclub.
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancin' there
He was shown to his seat and saw Lola performing on stage.
And when she finished, he called her over
After Lola finished her performance, Rico called her to come over to him.
But Rico went a bit too far, Tony sailed across the bar
Rico made an inappropriate advance towards Lola and Tony stepped in, resulting in a physical altercation.
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
The fight escalated and people started throwing punches and breaking chairs.
There was blood and a single gun shot
The fight ended with one gunshot and someone bleeding.
But just who shot who?
It's unclear who fired the gunshot and who was hit by it.
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
The chaos happened at the Copacabana nightclub.
Music and passion were always the fashion
The nightclub was still known for playing lively and passionate music.
At the Copa... she lost her love
Lola lost the love of her life, Tony, due to the unfortunate incident.
(Copa. . Copacabana)
(Copacabana, ahh ahh ahh ahh)
(Ahh ahh ahh ahh Copa Copacabana)
(Talking Havana have a banana)
(Music and passion... always the fash--shun)
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl
Lola was still present in the nightclub as an older woman.
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
The nightclub was different 30 years ago when Lola performed there.
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola
The nightclub had changed into a disco but Lola didn't fit in anymore.
Still in the dress she used to wear, faded feathers in her hair
Lola still wore the same dress and feather accessories from 30 years ago.
She sits there so refined, and drinks herself half-blind
Lola spends her time sitting and drinking alcohol, which has taken a toll on her health.
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Lola lost her youth and the love of her life, Tony.
Now she's lost her mind!
Lola has lost her sanity due to her circumstances.
At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana (Copacabana)
The nightclub is still called Copacabana and remains a popular spot.
Music and passion were always the fashion
The nightclub still plays lively and passionate music.
At the Copa... don't fall in love
The nightclub is a place of passion and excitement, but one should be careful not to fall in love there.
(Copa) don't fall in love
Copacabana
The nightclub's name is Copacabana.
Writer(s): Barry Manilow, Jack A. Feldman, Bruce H. Sussman Copyright: Appoggiatura Music Inc., Camp Songs Music, Universal Music - Careers
Contributed by Aaron G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Unnie
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
And while she tried to be a star
Tony always tended bar
Across the crowded floor, they worked from eight til four
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?
At the copa (co) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (co) Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa they fell in love
Copa, Copacabana
His name was Rico
He wore a diamond
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancing there
And when she finished, he called her over
But Rico went a bit to far
Tony sailed across the bar
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
There was blood and a single gun shot
But just who shot who?
At the copa (co) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (co) Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa, she lost her love
(Copa, Copacabana)
(Copa, Copacabana)
(Copacabana)
like in Havana
(Copa, banana)
Music and passion were always in fashion
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl
But that was thirty years ago, when they used to have a show
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola
Still in dress she used to wear
Faded feathers in her hair
She sits there so refined, and drinks herself half-blind
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Now she's lost her mind
At the copa (co) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (co) Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa don't fall in love
don't fall in love
(Copacabana)
(Copacabana)
Source: LyricFind
Alexandra Brown
This was actually a reeeeally perfect song for Sam’s voice, he really shined in this performance
Ben
Preach
participeyton
Fun fact:
Chord was supposed to be the only one dancing, but Heather asked for everyone to dance. So they did. But they didn't tell Chord so when she went up to dance he was like "oh okay," and did another shot and got it!
Nikita Rawat
participeyton mmhm and how would u know that
ese
Nikita Rawat from bts or interviews?? where else?
Megan McKnight
Nikita Rawat it was probably said sometime around when the Epsoide was filmed or sometime after so it was probably said a long time ago
thecupcakestealer101
I love that Brittany is almost always the first to get really into other people's performances.
Cepe8
we agree i see :)
kiwi :3
Same :)
Anya Conley
Where’s kitty?