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.
Heroes
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing,
nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be Heroes,
just for one day
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be Heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns shot above our heads
(over our heads)
And we kissed,
as though nothing could fall
(nothing could fall)
And the shame was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be Heroes,
just for one day
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
Just for one day
We can be Heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying,
then you better not stay
But we could be safer,
just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh,
just for one day
The Glee Cast's version of Heroes is a cover of David Bowie's 1977 track. The song seems to be about two people who are sharing a moment of connection in the midst of chaos, perhaps a war or some kind of societal upheaval. The line "Standing, by the wall/And the guns shot above our heads" suggests that they are caught in the crossfire of a conflict. Yet despite the danger, they are able to find solace in each other's company. The repeated assertion of "We can be Heroes, just for one day" suggests that the two feel a sense of invincibility in that moment, as though they are capable of overcoming any obstacle.
The lyrics "We can beat them, for ever and ever" and "I, I will be king/And you, you will be queen" suggest that the two characters are imagining a different kind of world, one in which they are not powerless. In this imagined world, they can be whoever they want to be and accomplish anything they set their minds to. The repeated refrain of "Just for one day" implies that this kind of utopia is not sustainable. The two characters are merely imagining what it would be like to have control over their own lives and be able to create their own destinies.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I wish you could swim
I, I wish you could move forward tirelessly and gracefully without being weighed down by the constraints of the world
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Like the dolphins, like these animals whose movement in water is second to none can navigate their way through the currents of life with relative ease and without drowning
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
Even though we may be separated by distance or obstacles, we have the strength and motivation to make it work
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Despite the odds, we can come out victorious and conquer our enemies time and time again
Oh we can be Heroes, just for one day
For one day, we can be the ones who inspire others and save the day. We can be heroes
I, I will be king
I have the ambition and drive to lead and rule with power and authority
And you, you will be queen
You have the strength and grace to stand by me as an equal, together we can rule as royalty
Though nothing will drive them away
Regardless of the obstacles in our path, our bond is strong and nothing can sever it
We can be Heroes, just for one day
For one day, we can step up and achieve greatness. We can be heroes
We can be us, just for one day
For one day, we can break free from societal expectations and be true to ourselves without fear of judgment or shame
I, I can remember (I remember)
I can vividly recall in my mind a moment in time from the past
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
Physically positioned against a wall, perhaps defensively or with a tight grip
And the guns shot above our heads (over our heads)
A violent and dangerous situation where gunfire erupted around us but just barely missed us
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
Despite the chaos and danger around us, we found solace and comfort in each other's embrace
And the shame was on the other side
The one causing harm and perpetuating violence was the one who should feel ashamed, not us
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
We have the strength and courage to take on any challenge that comes our way, and emerge victorious time after time
Then we could be Heroes, just for one day
For one day, we could rise to the occasion and be the ones who come through in a time of need. We can be heroes
We can be Heroes
We have the potential to rise above our limitations and be remembered as those who made a difference in the world
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
We may be seen as insignificant and small, but there is no outside force that will come to our aid
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
There may be deceit or hidden motivations at play, and those who are close to us should be wary and reconsider their allegiance
But we could be safer, just for one day
For one day, we could put aside our differences and come together for the greater good. We could be safe, if only for a moment
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day
For one day, we can put all else aside and reach the pinnacle of human potential. We can be heroes, if only for a moment.
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carriegriffin7457
Chord's voice is so perfect for this song.
@gregconger9386
Both are.
@KickTheCJ
I understand you have your own views. But they didn't cover it with the intention to be better than David Bowie. They covered it because it fitted the scene so well. I think for song with such great achievements, they did amazing. Yes no one can do better than him, but that doesn't mean that because it wasn't better it can't be good.
@awhellyeah12
Blaine and Sam was such a good friendship
@TheBellStyle
When Darren starts it feels like home. Amazing performance!
@thecupcakestealer101
The paint fight was the most adorable thing ever. Especially the bit with Brittany and Blaine.
@AnnVeronica1010
I'm shocked how much I like this version!! What talent...
@awhellyeah12
Sam was seriously underrated he was so sweet and talented
@randohuman5084
Ikr! He's one of my favorites🥰
@BucyKalman
Chord is a really talented pop singer.