Glee was an American musical comedy-drama television series that aired on t… Read Full Bio ↴Glee was an American musical comedy-drama television series that aired on the Fox network in the United States from May 19, 2009, to March 20, 2015. It focused on a high school show choir, also known as a glee club, set within the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio.

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.

Smile
Glee Cast Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through, for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time (that's the time) you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Oh ooh yeah

That's the time (that's the time) you must keep on trying
Smile what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

That's the time (that's the time) you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just

You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Overall Meaning

The Glee Cast's cover of "Smile" is a song that encourages positivity and resilience in the face of difficult times. The song begins by instructing the listener to "smile though your heart is aching" and "smile even though it's breaking." This message is a reminder that even when things are tough and it feels difficult to muster up the energy to keep going, a simple smile can go a long way in lifting spirits and improving one's mood. The lyrics also acknowledge that sometimes life can be hard ("when there are clouds in the sky"), but that if you continue to smile through your pain and sorrow, perhaps tomorrow the sun will come shining through.

The chorus of "Smile" encourages listeners to "light up your face with gladness" and to hide any traces of sadness. The song acknowledges that even when someone is trying their hardest to stay positive, it can be difficult ("although a tear may be ever so near"). The lyrics emphasize the importance of persisting in the face of difficulties, even when it seems like there's no point. The repeated line, "that's the time (that's the time) you must keep on trying," drives home the idea that it's important to keep going, even when the going is tough. The song concludes by affirming that life is still worthwhile, as long as you keep smiling.

Line by Line Meaning

Smile though your heart is aching
Even when you feel heartache or sadness, try to put on a happy face and smile.

Smile even though it's breaking
Keep smiling even when you feel like everything is falling apart and you are breaking on the inside.

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you remain optimistic during difficult times, you will eventually persevere and get through it.

If you smile through your pain and sorrow
When you feel pain and sorrow, try to put on a brave face and smile.

Smile and maybe tomorrow
By smiling, you may be able to turn your tomorrow into a brighter day.

You'll see the sun come shining through, for you
If you remain positive, good things will come your way.

Light up your face with gladness
Make an effort to show happiness and joy on your face.

Hide every trace of sadness
Don't let sadness show on your face when you are around others.

Although a tear may be ever so near
Even though you may be close to crying, don't let it show.

That's the time (that's the time) you must keep on trying
During tough times, it's important to keep trying and never give up.

Smile, what's the use of crying
There is no use crying over things that cannot be changed, so try to smile instead.

You'll find that life is still worthwhile
Even with its ups and downs, life is still worth living.

If you just smile
Simply smile and things will start to look up.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons, Charles Chaplin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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