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.
P.Y.T.
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know you, you make me feel so good inside. I always wanted a girl just like you, such a P.Y.T.—pretty young thing, ooh...
Where did you come from, baby?
And ooh, won't you take me there right away, won't you, baby?
Tendoroni, you've got to be
Spark my nature, sugar, fly with me
We can make it right, hit the city lights
Then tonight, ease the lovin' pain
Let me take you to the max
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
(Anywhere you wanna go)
Yes, I will, ooh...
Nothin' can stop this burnin' desire to be with you
Gotta get to you, baby
Won't you come? It's emergency
Cool my fire yearnin', honey, come set me free
But don't you know now is the perfect time?
We can dim the lights just to make it right
In the night, hit the lovin' spot
I'll give you all that I got
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there, yes I will
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
Pretty young thing
You make me sing
Pretty young thing
You make me sing
Pretty young things, repeat after me
Say, na na na (Na na na)
Na na na na (Na na na na)
I say, na na na (Na na na)
Na na na na na (Na na na na na)
Ohh, take you there, take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there, take you there, take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there, take you there, ooh
(Ad-lib fade out)
The Glee Cast's rendition of P.Y.T. is actually a cover of Michael Jackson's original song, which was released in 1983 as a single from his album, Thriller. The song was co-written by Jackson and Quincy Jones, and it became a commercial success, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The lyrics of the song are about falling in love with a young and attractive lady, referred to as a P.Y.T. or pretty young thing. Artie sings the opening lyrics, expressing how the girl makes him feel good inside and that he's always wanted someone like her. He wants to take her out and show her a good time, emphasizing that the time is perfect for them to be together and make it right. As the chorus progresses, he assures the girl that he can provide the care and attention she needs.
The song's chorus is catchy, repetitive, and danceable, with the lyrics "I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing, You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care, And I'll take you there," making it an instant hit. It's upbeat, with fast-paced music that makes you want to dance, and the vocals are clear and expressive. The song's lyrics and rhythms create a joyful, youthful vibe, typical of Michael Jackson's songs. The song's message is that everyone needs someone, and when you find that person, you'll do whatever it takes to show them care and love.
Line by Line Meaning
You know you, you make me feel so good inside.
You bring me happiness and joy.
I always wanted a girl just like you, such a P.Y.T.—pretty young thing, ooh...
You are the kind of woman I have always dreamed about, so young and beautiful.
Where did you come from, baby?
I am curious about your origins.
And ooh, won't you take me there right away, won't you, baby?
I desire to be with you immediately.
Tendoroni, you've got to be
You are sweet and attractive.
Spark my nature, sugar, fly with me
Ignite my passion, my love, my soul, so we can be together forever.
Don't you know now is the perfect time?
The present moment is ideal for us to be together.
We can make it right, hit the city lights
Together, we can enjoy the city and have a good time.
Then tonight, ease the lovin' pain
Tonight, let's make each other happy and satisfied.
Let me take you to the max
Let me give you everything I have to offer.
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
I want to love and care for you, my beautiful and youthful partner.
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
You deserve my affection and attention, my sweetheart.
And I'll take you there
I will bring you to a place of happiness, pleasure, and comfort.
(Anywhere you wanna go)
We can go anywhere you desire, my love.
Nothin' can stop this burnin' desire to be with you
I am determined and passionate about being with you.
Gotta get to you, baby
I need to be with you, my love.
Won't you come? It's emergency
Please come to me quickly, it's urgent.
Cool my fire yearnin', honey, come set me free
Calm my desire, my love, and free me from this burning passion that is consuming me.
We can dim the lights just to make it right
We can change the ambiance to make our love-making perfect.
In the night, hit the lovin' spot
In the evening, let's satisfy each other like never before.
I'll give you all that I got
I will give you everything I have, my love.
Pretty young thing
You are beautiful, youthful, and desirable.
You make me sing
You bring me joy and happiness.
Pretty young things, repeat after me
Beautiful, youthful women, please repeat what I say.
Say, na na na (Na na na)
Say the sounds 'Na na na'.
Na na na na (Na na na na)
Say the sounds 'Na na na na'.
I want to love you (P.Y.T.), pretty young thing
I want to give you my love and attention, my beautiful and youthful partner.
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.), tender lovin' care
You deserve my affection and care, my dear.
And I'll take you there, take you there, take you there
I will bring you to a place of happiness and joy, over and over again.
(Ad-lib fade out)
The song ends with ad-libbing and fades out.
Contributed by Levi E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.