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.
I've Gotta Be Me
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am
I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
The dream that I see makes me what I am
That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all
I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me
That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all
I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me
The song "I've Gotta Be Me" by the Glee Cast is a powerful anthem in which the singer declares his desire to be true to his own identity and pursue his own dreams, regardless of what others may think or expect of him. The singer acknowledges that he may not always make the right choices or find his place in the world, but emphasizes that he is simply being true to himself and the unique vision of life that sustains him. He expresses his determination to pursue his dreams and desires, even if that means going it alone and facing the possibility of failure or disappointment. Ultimately, he asserts that he must be free to be himself and take risks, because that is the only way to truly live.
The lyrics of "I've Gotta Be Me" are notable for their powerful message of individuality and self-determination, which has resonated with audiences across generations. The song was originally written by Walter Marks for the 1968 Broadway musical "Golden Rainbow," and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. The Glee Cast's version was featured in the show's fifth season and received critical acclaim for its emotional delivery and uplifting message. Overall, "I've Gotta Be Me" is a timeless tribute to the human spirit and the power of self-belief and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Regardless of whether I make the right or wrong decisions
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
Whether I fit in or not, whether I find a place to belong or not
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
I have to be true to myself, I have to be who I am
What else can I be but what I am
I cannot be anyone else but myself
I want to live, not merely survive
I want to experience life to the fullest, not just go through the motions
And I won't give up this dream
I will not abandon my aspirations
Of life that keeps me alive
My dreams of a fulfilling life give me purpose
The dream that I see makes me what I am
My dreams shape who I am and what I do
That far-away prize, a world of success
The ultimate goal of achieving success in life
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
Success is attainable if I pursue it with determination
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
I refuse to compromise on my goals and aspirations
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all
I will keep striving for success as long as there is a chance of achieving it
I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I will pursue my goals independently if necessary
I can't be right for somebody else
I cannot fulfill someone else's expectations at the cost of my own desires
If I'm not right for me
If I am not true to myself
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
I must have the freedom to pursue my own goals and dreams
Daring to try, to do it or die
I am willing to take bold, fearless steps to achieve my dreams
I've gotta be me
I must always be true to myself
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michellemckinnon2529
This is the most adorable performance of Finn's. his dimples were everything
@charlotted1321
i find the fact that mike helped him out super cute
@blueberrynaya
this is one of my favorite Finn performances and it is so UNDERATEDD it shows us a totally different side of Finn!
@conneraiello2480
THANK YOU🙌🙌🙌 it’s such an awesome Finn moment!!!! If not my favorite
@khairunnisahmustamin5266
0pplppppp
@braxton5264
when i heard this song my jaw dropped. i’ve never heard finn sing this well before. his best performance, point blank period.
@aromaticchicken518
He had grown so much as a singer from season 1...
@DeeL3
Rewatching this makes me wish that Mike Chang had done a dance tribute to Finn in The Quarterback.
@MissSjer
That whas a amazing idea..
@NN-if2vu
That's sick dancing.....dancing......dancing