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.
You Should Be Dancing
Glee Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby moves at midnight
Goes right on till the dawn
My woman takes me higher
My woman keeps me warm
Mike, Brittany & Blaine:
What you doin' on your back? Hahh
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
Blaine:
She's juicy and she's trouble
She gets it to me good
My woman gives me power
Goes right down to my blood
All:
What you doin' on your back? (What you doin' on your back?)
What you doin' on your back?
Aaah (Hahh)
What you doin' on your back? (What you doin' on your back?)
What you doin' on your back?
Aaah (Hahh)
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
What you doin' on your back? (What you doin' on your back?)
What you doin' on your back?
Aaah (Hahh)
What you doin' on your back? (What you doin' on your back?)
What you doin' on your back?
Aaah (Hah hah hah hah)
Dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
You should be dancing, yeah (Oooh)
You should be dancing, yeah (Hahh)
You should be dancing, yeah (Hahh)
You should be dancing, yeah (Oooh)
You should be dancing, yeah
The Glee Cast's cover of "You Should Be Dancing" is a high-energy disco track that just oozes with enthusiasm, as is typical of the genre. The lyrics, which are actually an abbreviated version of the original Bee Gees song, are relatively simple and straightforward. Blaine begins the song, singing about his partner's irresistible, seductive moves that go on until the early hours of the morning. He notes how she elevates him and keeps him warm, insinuating that he's in a long-term committed relationship. Mike and Brittany join in, interjecting with the famous line "What you doin' on your back?" before the chorus launches into an infectious rallying cry for everyone to get up and start dancing.
One interpretation of these lyrics suggests they are about abandon, letting go of one's inhibitions, and throwing themselves into the rhythm of the music. The line "What you doin' on your back?" implies that the person is lying prone, completely still, and stagnant while the world is moving forward. They should get up on their feet, get onto the dance floor, and join the party as that's what the night is all about. The verses then go on to describe the transformative power of dance, how it can make people feel powerful, alive, and just fantastic in their own skin. The lyrics combined with the upbeat disco instrumentation create a song that makes it impossible to sit still or feel anything but joy.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby moves at midnight
My significant other dances during the night hours
Goes right on till the dawn
Dances until the early morning hours
My woman takes me higher
My partner makes me feel euphoric
My woman keeps me warm
My partner provides me with comfort and happiness
What you doin' on your back? Hahh
Why are you laying on your back?
You should be dancing, yeah
You should be enjoying yourself by dancing
She's juicy and she's trouble
She is attractive and risky
She gets it to me good
She makes me feel good in many ways
My woman gives me power
My partner gives me strength and confidence
Goes right down to my blood
Affects me on a deep emotional level
Aaah (Hahh)
Vocal expression with no meaning
Dancing, yeah
Enjoying oneself by moving rhythmically to music
You should be dancing, yeah (Oooh)
You deserve to enjoy yourself by dancing
You should be dancing, yeah (Hahh)
You should be having fun by dancing
You should be dancing, yeah (Hahh)
You should be enjoying the act of dancing
You should be dancing, yeah (Oooh)
You should dance to feel happy and free
You should be dancing, yeah
It is suggested that you dance for enjoyment
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dennise AB
My baby moves at midnight
Goes right on till the dawn
My woman takes me higher
My woman keeps me warm
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
She's juicy and she's trouble
She gets it to me good
My woman gives me power
Goes right down to my blood
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
My baby moves at midnight
Goes right on till the dawn, yeah
My woman takes me higher
My woman keeps me warm
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
What you doin' on your bed on your back? Ah
You should be dancing, yeah
Dancing, yeah
Joya Johnson
The fact that Darren kept up perfectly with two professional dancers is extremely impressive. He’s such a king
Foreigner
He was actually struggling at the end. He could keep up that much, which is natural.
gk891
@Foreigner Yes, he struggled badly at the end although they tried to hide it with quick jump cuts. It was plain to see though.
Dark Phoenix
Cant you just call him blaine for gods sake
Joya Johnson
@Dark Phoenix no baby. because the actor’s name is Darren.
Bri
@Dark Phoenix no because his name in real life is Darren Chris/Cris I don’t know how they spell his last name
Taylor S
Brittany and Mike showing them how its done and Santana's face is all priceless
gk891
Yup. And it would've been even better if they had more challenging choreography and danced without Blaine. Because even with simple choreography, Blaine's timing was still noticeably slower even though they tried to hide it with quick editing cuts.
Teagan Savage
@gk891 you realize that the actors who play Mike and Brittany are professional dancers and Darren Criss
gk891
@Teagan Savage Yes, that's why I think it would been way better if they danced on their own in this number without Darren. Because they were clearly holding back to accommodate Darren who is nowhere near their level.