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.
Express Yourself
Glee Cast Lyrics
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'Cause I got something to say about it
And it goes something like this
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know you know you've got to
Make him express how he feels
You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold
Fancy cars that go very fast
You know they never last no no
What you need is a big strong hand
To lift you to your higher ground
Make you feel like a queen on a throne
Make him love you 'til you can't come down
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know you know you've got to
Make him express how he feels
And maybe then you'll know your love is real
Long stem roses are the way to your heart
But he needs to start with your head
Satin sheets are very romantic
What happens when you're not in bed
You deserve the best in life
So if the time isn't right then move on
Second best is never enough
You'll do much better baby on your own
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know you know you've got to
Make him express how he feels
And maybe then you'll know your love is real
Express yourself you've got to make him
Express himself
Hey hey hey hey
So if you want it right now make him show you how
Express what he's got' oh baby ready or not
And when you're gone he might regret it
Think about the love he once had
Try to carry on but he just won't get it
He'll be back on his knees so please
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know' you know' you've got to
Make him express how he feels
And maybe then you'll know your love is real
To express yourself you've got to make him
Express himself hey hey hey hey
So if you want it right now make him show you how
Express what he's got oh baby ready or not
Express yourself, express yourself
So if you want it right now make him show you how
Show you how baby ready or not
Express yourself, express yourself
You know you know you know you
Want it right now then make him show you how
Express yourself
The Glee Cast (Featuring Jonathan Groff) song "Express Yourself" is about the importance of expressing your feelings in a relationship. The song opens with a question, addressing the girls and asking them if they believe in love. The lyrics then encourage women to make their partners express how they feel, as this will indicate if their love is real. The song advises women not to settle for second-best and to put their love to the test. It also emphasizes the fact that material possessions such as expensive cars and diamond rings cannot replace the importance of a strong emotional connection.
The song then talks about the importance of romance in a relationship, but at the same time, it warns against settling for something less than amazing. It advises women to hold out for what they deserve and not to accept anything less. The song concludes by reiterating the importance of expressing emotions and the consequences that can arise if they are not expressed in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on girls do you believe in love?
Do you have faith in the power of love, ladies?
'Cause I got something to say about it
I have something important to share on this topic
Don't go for second best baby
Don't settle for less, my dear
Put your love to the test
Measure the strength of your affection
You know you know you've got to
You're already aware that you must
Make him express how he feels
Encourage him to communicate his emotions openly
And maybe then you'll know your love is real
Only then will you perceive the genuineness of your relationship
You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold
Material possessions won't bring true happiness
Fancy cars that go very fast
Luxurious vehicles won't provide lasting satisfaction
You know they never last no no
These things are fleeting and temporary
What you need is a big strong hand
You require a supportive, dependable partner
To lift you to your higher ground
Someone who will help you succeed and be your best self
Make you feel like a queen on a throne
Treat you with the utmost love and respect
Make him love you 'til you can't come down
Make him love you so greatly that you feel like you're on top of the world
Long stem roses are the way to your heart
You appreciate romantic gestures like roses
But he needs to start with your head
However, he must first appeal to your intellect and emotions
Satin sheets are very romantic
Sleeping on soft sheets can be an intimate experience
What happens when you're not in bed
But what about when you're not having sex?
You deserve the best in life
You are worthy of the finest things life has to offer
So if the time isn't right then move on
If the moment is not opportune, then it's best to walk away
Second best is never enough
Settling for second-rate is never sufficient
You'll do much better baby on your own
You'll thrive as an independent person
Express yourself you've got to make him
You need to facilitate him to express himself
Express himself
Communicate transparently and authentically
Hey hey hey hey
An upbeat vocalization to emphasize the message
So if you want it right now make him show you how
If you desire something immediately, then urge him to demonstrate it
Express what he's got' oh baby ready or not
Reveal what he's capable of, whether he's prepared or not
And when you're gone he might regret it
Once you're no longer with him, he may lament his lost opportunity
Think about the love he once had
Reflect on the affection he once enjoyed
Try to carry on but he just won't get it
He'll endeavor to continue without you, but he won't understand it
He'll be back on his knees so please
He'll return, begging for your love and forgiveness
Express yourself, express yourself
Reiterate the importance of communicating openly and honestly
You know you know you know you
You're already certain and aware
Want it right now then make him show you how
If you desire what you want immediately, then prompt him to display it
Express yourself
Communicate your true thoughts and feelings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Pate Bray, Madonna Ciccone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind