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.
Man in the Mirror
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street, without enough to eat
Who am I, to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
And one man's soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
Nanana nanana nana
(Oh, oh)
I've been a victim of a selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home,
Not a nickel to loan
Could I be, really mean,
Pretending that they're not alone?
A willow deeply scarred (scarred), somebody's broken heart (heart)
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya see
'Cause they got no place to be that's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh, yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (change)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change (come on!)
You got to get it right, when you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart, then you close your
(your) mind!
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh, yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (change)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
Stand up!
Stand up! (Make a change!)
Stand up!
Stand up!
Left, yourself now!
Man in the mirror!
(Ooh!)
(Ooh!) Ah ah
(Ooh!) ah ah
Make that change! (Stand up! Stand up!)
You know!
You Know!
You Know! (Man in the mirror!)
You Know!
Change!
Make that change
The Glee Cast's song Man in the Mirror is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to take personal responsibility for making the world a better place. The lyrics begin by introducing the idea of change, and how it can make a significant difference in one's life. The singer emphasizes the importance of making things right and how even small changes can have a ripple effect.
The second verse brings attention to the dire circumstances faced by those less fortunate, including children in the street without enough to eat. The lyrics acknowledge the singer's privilege and position of power, highlighting the importance of not turning a blind eye to those in need.
The chorus brings everything full circle, emphasizing the importance of starting with oneself and taking personal responsibility for making a positive change in the world. The repeated phrase "take a look at yourself, and then make that change" serves as a call to action, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own actions, and how they can contribute to a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life
I am finally going to change something in my life, for the better.
It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference
The change I am making will have a positive impact and make me feel good about myself.
Gonna make it right
I will make sure to correct any past mistakes and do the right thing moving forward.
As I, turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat
I adjust my clothing to protect myself from the cold winds of change that are blowing my mind.
This wind is blowin' my mind
The idea of change can be overwhelming and disorienting.
I see the kids in the street, without enough to eat
I observe children who are struggling with poverty and hunger.
Who am I, to be blind?
I am not someone who should ignore or deny the realities of poverty and hunger around me.
Pretending not to see their needs
I have been ignoring the needs of others around me, and that needs to change.
A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
I am reminded of the negative and destructive aspects of summer, and the fragility of life.
And one man's soul
I reflect on the importance of each individual's spirit and their impact on the world.
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
People's lives are interconnected and are influenced by the events around them.
'Cause they got nowhere to go
Many people are without direction or purpose and may need help finding their way.
That's why I want you to know
I feel strongly that my message is important and worth sharing with others.
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am beginning to make changes by examining and improving myself first.
I'm asking him to change his ways
I am taking responsibility for my own actions and asking myself to do better.
And no message could have been any clearer
There is no doubt or confusion about the message of my call to action.
If you wanna make the world a better place
I believe that we can make the world a better place if we all work together and make positive changes.
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
Start by examining yourself and making the necessary changes before looking to anyone else.
Nanana nanana nana
A musical interlude.
(Oh, oh)
An expression of emotion or encouragement.
I've been a victim of a selfish kinda love
I have selfishly pursued love at the expense of others in the past.
It's time that I realize
I recognize that my past mistakes have been harmful and must be corrected.
There are some with no home,
Many people are without a safe and secure place to live.
Not a nickel to loan
Some people are so poor that they do not even have a small amount of money to borrow.
Could I be, really mean,
I question whether I have been unkind or insensitive to others who are less fortunate than myself.
Pretending that they're not alone?
I have been pretending as though people struggling with homelessness and poverty are not alone, but they are.
A willow deeply scarred (scarred), somebody's broken heart (heart)
I see the evidence of pain and suffering in the world around me.
And a washed out dream
I recognize the ways in which people's dreams and aspirations can be dashed or washed away.
They follow the pattern of the wind ya see
People's lives are often shaped and impacted by forces that are outside of their control.
'Cause they got no place to be that's why I'm starting with me
I am starting with myself because when people have nowhere to go, they need help getting started in the right direction.
Stand up!
An inspired call to action.
(Make a change!)
Encouragement to make a positive change.
Left, yourself now!
Make sure you do not leave yourself behind while working to help others.
Man in the mirror!
Reminder to focus on self-improvement before attempting to improve others.
(Ooh!)
An expression of excitement and emotion.
(Ooh!) Ah ah
A musical interlude.
(Ooh!) ah ah
A musical interlude.
Make that change! (Stand up! Stand up!)
A final call to action to start making positive changes in the world around us.
You know!
An expression of confidence and understanding.
You Know!
A reiterated expression of confidence and understanding.
You Know! (Man in the mirror!)
A reminder to focus on the person in the mirror before helping others.
Change!
An inspired call to action to make positive changes in the world around us.
Make that change
A final call to action to start making positive changes in the world around us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
emma
Both cory and Darren nailed this performance best song of all time