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.
Like A Virgin feat. Jonathan Groff
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I made it through the wilderness
Somehow I made it through
Rachel & Jesse:
I didn't know how lost I was
Until I found you
I was beat, incomplete
I'd been had, I was sad and blue
But you made me feel
Rachel & Jesse:
Yeah, you made me feel shiny and new
Like a virgin
Touched for the very first time
Finn, Santana & Rachel:
Like a virgin
When your heart beats next to mine
Rachel:
Gonna give you all my love, boy
My fear is fading fast
Rachel & Jesse:
I've been saving it all for you
'Cause only love can last
Emma & Will:
You're so fine and you're mine
Make me strong, yeah you make me bold
Rachel & Jesse:
Oh, your love thawed out
Yeah, your love thawed out
What was scared and cold
All:
Like a virgin (Heee)
Touched for the very first time (Santana: Hey, yeah)
Like a virgin
With your heart beat next to mine
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (Santana: Whoa-oh-oh-oh)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (Santana: Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (Santana: Whoa-oh-oh-whoa)
Santana:
You're so fine and you're mine
Santana & Finn:
I'll be yours 'til the end of time
'Cause you made me feel
Yeah, you made me feel
I've nothing to hide
All:
Like a virgin (Santana: You make me feel like a virgin)
Touched for the very first time (Santana: Ohh baby)
Like a virgin
When your heart beats next to mine
Like a virgin
Rachel & Finn:
Ohh, like a virgin (Santana: Yeah)
Feels so good inside (Santana: So good inside)
Jesse:
When you hold me (Emma: When you hold me)
When your heart beats (Finn: When your heart beats)
When you love me (Santana: When you love me, baby)
Rachel & Finn:
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh yeah
Santana:
Oh yeah
Oh
All:
Like a virgin
In the Glee Cast's rendition of Madonna's hit song "Like a Virgin," Rachel takes the lead. She sings about how she feels like she's been lost in the wilderness and has finally found her way through the help of her partner. The song’s theme speaks of the innocence of a person’s first love and the purity that comes with it. The lyrics describe how love can give one a sense of renewal and regeneration, so much so that they feel like they have been touched for the very first time. The combination of Jesse and Rachel's voices brings a sense of shared experience, signifying the mutual affection they feel for each other.
Later in the song, Santana takes over and adds a fresh texture to the sound, leading the chorus along with Finn's and Rachel’s backup. The song takes on a more upbeat and joyous tone in the chorus, which shows how the idea of first love can be exciting and full of possibility. The entire cast comes together in the end, singing of the powerful effect love can have on a person when they are touched for the very first time.
Line by Line Meaning
I made it through the wilderness
I survived emotional struggles and challenges in my life
Somehow I made it through
Despite the difficulties, I was able to come out on the other side
I didn't know how lost I was
I was unaware of my own sense of direction and purpose
Until I found you
But then I found someone who gave me a sense of direction and purpose
I was beat, incomplete
I was broken down and lacking in something important
I'd been had, I was sad and blue
I had been taken advantage of and was feeling depressed and down
But you made me feel
However, you gave me a new sense of hope and happiness
Yeah, you made me feel shiny and new
You made me feel renewed and revitalized
Like a virgin
Like I am experiencing something for the first time
Touched for the very first time
Physically or emotionally touched in a way that is completely new and exhilarating
When your heart beats next to mine
When we are together and connected, our hearts beat in unison
Gonna give you all my love, boy
I am going to devote all of my love and affection to you, my partner
My fear is fading fast
I am becoming more comfortable and confident in our relationship and my ability to love you
I've been saving it all for you
I have been holding out on sharing my love and affection with anyone else until I found you
'Cause only love can last
I believe that true and lasting relationships are built on love
You're so fine and you're mine
You are attractive and I have claimed you as my partner
Make me strong, yeah you make me bold
Your presence in my life gives me strength and confidence
Oh, your love thawed out
Your love melted away any icy or guarded feelings I had about love and relationships
What was scared and cold
These fears and reservations were in place to protect me, but now they are unnecessary because of your love
You're so fine and you're mine
You're attractive and I have claimed you as mine
I'll be yours 'til the end of time
I am committed to being with you forever
'Cause you made me feel
Because of how you make me feel
I've nothing to hide
I am completely open and honest with you
Feels so good inside
Our connection and love for each other feels amazing and fulfilling
When you hold me
Physical touch and affection from you means so much to me
When your heart beats
Feeling the rhythm of your heart as we hold each other is a special moment
When you love me
Your love and affection is so important to me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about our relationship and connection
Oh yeah
Reinforcing the enthusiasm and excitement in the moment
Contributed by Madison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.