Glee Wrap-Up: 35 Best Performances

Glee was the out-of-nowhere underdog when it debuted in 2009. A cast of unknowns - most of them shockingly normal looking - in a musical series was such crazy idea to begin with. I mean, it was something that hasn't been successful since, umm, never!! But for whatever reason, this scripted series just became one of the most highly talked about show in its first two seasons and I'm not going to deny that I was obsessed about the show since it's pilot.

I wrote episode reviews until Season 3 and posted the music as well. I even made a separate page for the show because it came to a point where Glee had more views in DAM NATION than American Idol. It had everything going for them until they messed up the storyline as the show eventually became too preachy and came off like a constant public service announcement.

Fast forward to 2015 and Glee aired it's final episode last week. It's bittersweet. While I did stop covering the show at the middle of Season 3 - though I came back to review The Quarterback in Season 5 -  Glee will always be part of DAM NATION. Thank you!

And now that the series came to a close with 728 musical performances under it's sleeves, it's just about right to take a look back at some of the most unforgettable interpretations of classics, showtunes, pop hits, and even obscure songs

So for the last Glee post, here's the All-Time 35 Best Performances of Glee.

G-List: 25 Favorite Glee Performances (Season 2)

Just like last season, I give to you DAM NATION's 25 Favorite Glee Performances of Season 2 - just before the new season of Glee premieres today - and somehow look back at some of the most unforgettableinterpretations of classic tunes, pop music and even obscure songs.

Personally, I found Glee's Season 2 frustratingly underwhelming and I somehow thought that it was - aside from the crappy storyline, of course - slightly because of the music. There's was hardly anything memorable like say, Don't Stop Believin' or Somebody To Love.

Yes, I did think the songs in Season 2 were weak, but you know what, I take it back now. Coming up with a list of 25 songs was extremely hard and it's annoying to not have them all in the list. Haha.

Anyway, here's my 25 Favorite Glee Season 1 Performances:

25. Friday
Sam, Artie and Puck
(Episode 20: Prom Queen)

Glee's version of this song was exponentially better than the original. I admit, I didn't hate Rebecca Black's version - thought it was undeniably crappy - but how they turned utter crap into such gold was beyond me! This was one of the most awesomely, "wildly overproduced" numbers Glee has ever done, I think. Maybe we just need to imagine it as an original song like Trouty Mouth or My Headband, you know with bad lyrics but funny. Haha.

24. Dog Days Are Over
Mercedes and Tina
(Episode 9: Special Education)

The song totally worked for them. The little montage with this number was great because I got to see happy Kurt, I felt sad for Rachel at her locker, and it was a great ending to the episode. I loved the group hug as well. Everything was genuine. Plus, Tina and Mercedes in a duet was refreshing.

23. Hell To The No 
Mercedes
(Episode 16: Original Song)

This song is ridiculously catchy! I thought she sounded amazing and the whole performance was just fun. Plus, she was incredibly sassy in this number. Oh, Mercedes how I missed you!

22. Trouty Mouth 
Santana
(Episode 16: Original Song)

Freakin' hysterical! I'm laughing all over again just thinking about it! Haha. That was just pure writing gold right there! New. Favorite. Glee. Song. EVER! Ok, maybe not.. but still!

21. Marry You 
Glee Cast
(Episode 8: Furt)

Yes, they copied the infamous YouTube "Forever Wedding" scene - just like The Office - but this performance was beyond incredible as well. I mean, I loved that everyone got to shine in this number. I enjoyed every bit of it - from Finn and Rachel, to the cuteness that was Sam and Quinn, and yes, even to Brittany and Artie even though I don't like them as a couple. But of course, Carol and Burt dancing was absolutely adorable.

20. I'm A Slave 4 U 
Brittany
(Episode 2: Brittany/Britney)

I'm dead. I must be dead. Haha. I have to give props for the incredible Heather Morris in her performance of this Britney classic because she killed it. This girl is so talented, and it was nice to see her have her moment. She can really move!!

19. As Long As You're There 
Sunshine Corazon
(Episode 22: New York)

Sunshine sounded great on this track and this single handedly beat the crap out of New Directions. it could not compete with last year's Bohemian Rhapsody by Jesse St. James, but whatever. This was just too powerful to be ignored. Seriously.

18. Empire State Of Mind 
Glee Cast
(Episode 1: Audition)

Really well done. Minus Artie's rapping, this musical number sounded really great, and I loved the way they performed it - yes, in the middle of lunchtime. I also enjoyed how they incorporated Sunshine and Sam into the scene with Rachel and Finn.

17. Light Up The World 
Glee Cast
(Episode 22: New York)

This song was actually better than Loser Than Me, their other upbeat original song. Better choreography and I was glad that they showcased even Tina and Brittany in this song. Yes, this song's a grower. I didn't think I'll like it, but their actual performance sold it to me. Very nice. 

16. Tik Tok 
Brittany
(Episode 14: Blame It On The Alcohol)

Just from Mr. Figgins' introduction alone, this number was destined to be EPIC! Haha. It was fun, flirty, and the choreography was awesome. I also think Brittany owned it! Heck, her version is even better than KE-Dollar Sign-HA's. Too bad, they weren't able to finish the number though. Ha!
 

15. Happy Days Are Here Again 
Rachel and Kurt
(Episode 4: Duets)

A prefect duet for Kurt and Rachel and somehow, the best song to end the Duets episode. I love how their voices fit together really well on this song. Rachel's facial expressions during this number were kind of distracting, but I kind of get the fact that they're actually imitating how the original singers performed this. Oh, and Kurt looked so debonair. Very nice.

14. Time Warp 
Glee Cast
(Episode 5: Rocky Horror Glee Show)

From the costume to the whole production value, this performance just stood out. It was fun to watch and listen to. True, there was no plot development or point being made in this number, but it was still pretty sensational! Also, Quinn and Kurt rocked it!

13. Me Against The Music 
Brittany
(Episode 2: Brittany/Britney)

Really. Brittany + Santana = Incredible. Not only have I put this song on repeat on my playlist, but I've also played that part of the video - and Brittany's monologue directly after it - over and over again. The choreography was ridiculous and the way they recreated the music video was just as good. Of course, Britney Spears appearing at the end of the number made it so much better, I think.

12. Take Me Or Leave Me
Rachel and Mercedes
(Episode 13: Comeback)

It was everything I thought it would be and more. I mean, when was the last time we really saw Mercedes perform anything? Ha! Plus, Rachel's diva singing face has never been stronger. Amazing!

11. Songbird 
Santana
(Episode 19: Rumours)

Santana's take on this classic was just beautiful beyond words. I love that it's understated and heartfelt. Yes, Santana. Marry me please?

10. Lucky 
Sam and Quinn
(Episode 4: Duets)

As I've said before, Quinn and Sam have that serious musical chemistry!! Really. It didn't seem forced or staged. Santana was right, this was so freakin' charming. Enough said.

09. River Deep, Mountain High 
Mercedes and Santana
(Episode 4: Duets)

Fierce! I thought both of them performed the crap out of that tune. The vocals were great and the choreography was very Tina Turner. Oh, and I love the fact that Santana was able to sing and dance more on the show and act because she can do all three. I was very impressed.

08. Get It Right 
Rachel
(Episode 16: Original Song)

And I sincerely teared up during this number. How dare you Rachel Berry? Haha. This performance was just both beautiful and emotional. It was perfectly acted and the whole sequence wasn't as overdone or beaten with a stick as I expected. Absolutely gorgeous!

08. Baby, It's Cold Outside 
Kurt and Blaine
(Episode 10: A Very Glee Christmas)

This performance was so charming, I can't even stand it. Haha. Absolutely loved this performance. I thought there was a good transition to the song and it was just a delightful duet. They both sounded great together. It's fun, playful and flirty. Never expected that. Possibly one of the best numbers in this Christmas episode.

06. Toxic 
Glee Cast
(Episode 2: Brittany/Britney)

This is like Push It from last season. Haha. I think it was the best Britney performance of the episode because of the hilarity it created. Too bad, Jacob and Lauren ruined the moment. I'm also not sure if Will Schuester being part of this number is a good thing as well - it was a little creepy to me. But just the same, the arrangement of the song was kind of refreshing and I did enjoy their understated take on the song.

05. Thriller/Heads Will Roll
Glee Cast
(Epiosde 11: The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle)

EPIC! Sure, I got kind of dizzy with the camera work during this number, but everything else was excellent. The make up, the set design and the choreography. Great performance.

04. Valerie
Glee Cast
(Episode 9: Special Education)

Fan-freakin-tastic! I think Santana, Brittany and Mike killed it. Oh, and the background dancing was excellent too. Again, it was a pure, sheer, unadulterated awesomeness from New Directions. Great energy and this performance alone made them more than deserving to win Sectionals outright. Enough said.

03. I Want To Hold Your Hand 
Kurt
(Episode 3: Grilled Cheesus)

Beautiful! This made me bawl shamelessly. That little montage with little Kurt and Burt was a nice added touch to the scene and it was spectacularly executed. Bravo!

02. Forget You 
Holly Holiday
(Episode 7: The Substitute)

Possibly the most fun performance of the season without all the theatrics and whatnot. Somehow, it had that Season 1 feel to the musical performance. Now, a lot of people I know - including me - didn't like the idea of Gwyneth on the show because she "can't sing", but I have to say her rendition was amazing. If I'm being honest, I've been listening to it non-stop. Ha!

01. Teenage Dream 
Blaine and The Warblers
(Episode 6: Never Been Kissed)

THE performance that made Blaine a star! Yes, this was my favorite musical number of the season. I've gushed enough about this song since the preview came out a few days before it actually premiered, but crap! The fact that it was a capella really made me happy since that's VERY glee club. It sounded spectacular, and this made me a Blaine fan. Seriously. Haha. He's just freakin' adorable.

G-list: Season 1

I know. I know. It's already the start of Glee's Season 2 next week and I still can't get over the awesomeness that was Season 1. And yes, that's the same reason why it's - sort of - timely to look back at some of the G-list I posted a few months ago. Anyway, enjoy!!

G-List: 20 Best Sue Sylvester Quotes

Ok. So, aside from Brittany, who would not even notice the awesomeness of someone like Sue Sylvester?  I mean, Sue is easily one of the best - and one of my favorite - characters on the show. Plus, we all know she has, arguably, some of the best lines in the show. So what is your favorite Sue Sylvester Quote? I know you have one.

Anyway, here's my list of the 20 most evil Sue Sylvester Quotes:

20. "From Fort Wayne, Indiana, the not-at-all stupidly named, Aural Intensity!"

Episode 22: Journey

19.  "So you like show tunes. It doesn't mean you're gay. It just means you're awful."

Episode 18: Laryngitis

18. "Your hair looks like a Briar patch, I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to pop out of your hair and sing songs about living on the bayou."

Episode 22: Journey

17. "You don't deserve the power of Madonna. Simply put, you have all the sexuality of all those pandas down at the zoo who refuse to mate."

Episode 15: The Powers of Madonna

16. "That was the most offensive thing I've seen in twenty years of teaching. And that includes an elementary school production of Hair."

Episode 2: Showmance

15. "You know, the way you use your mental illness to help these kids is really inspiring. I'm shocked you're not married."

Episode 3: Acafellas

14. "All I want is just one day a year when I'm not visually assaulted by uglies and fatties. Seriously, Ohio, these retinas need a day off. So here's the dream, the Friday after Christmas, which I have off, if you're hideous stay at home. Spend the entire day watching home videos of a time when you weren't too repulsive for me to ever want to look at."

Episode 12: Mattress

13. "Oh, I will bring it, William. You know what else I'm gonna to bring? I'm gonna bring some Asian cookery to wipe your head with. Cause right now you've got enough product in your hair to season a wok. "

Episode 14: Hell-O

12. "Mercedes, your vocal chords have had more fantastic runs than a Kenyan track team."

Episode 16: Home

11. "KISS MY ASS JOSH GROBAN!"

Episode 22: Journey

10. "I'll need to see the set list for sectionals, after all. I want them on my desk warm from the laminator at 5pm. If it is one minute late, I will go to the animal shelter and get you a kitty cat. I will let you fall in love with that kitty cat. And then on some dark cold night I will steal away into your home and punch you in the face."

Episode 8: Mash Up

09. "When I heard he wanted to write himself in as Cleopatra, first I was aroused, then furious"

Episode 5: The Rhodes Not Taken

08. Glee club. Every time I try to destroy that clutch of scab-eating mouth breathers it only comes back stronger like some sexually ambiguous horror movie villain. Here I am, about to turn 30, and I've sacrificed everything only to be shanghaied by the bi-curious machinations of a kabal of doughy misshapen teens. Am I missing something, Journal? Is it me? Of course its not me. Its Will Scheuster. What is it about him, Journal? Is it the arrogant smirk? Is it the store-bought home perm? You know, Journal, I noticed something yesterday. Of course. Its coming clear to me now. If I cant destroy the club, I will have to destroy the man!

Episode 6: Vitamin D

07. "I can't stand the sight of kids getting emotional, unless it's from physical exhaustion."

Episode 7: Throwdown

06. "I may have to go out and buy you a tiny diaper because your chin looks like a baby's ass."

Episode 17: Bad Reputation

05. "I like minorities so much, I'm thinking of moving to California to become one."

Episode 7: Throwdown

04. "This is what we call a total disaster ladies. I'm going to ask you to smell your armpits. That's the smell of failure and it's stinking up my office."

Episode 3: Acafellas

03. "Look at me. Even in the heat of battle, I'm so elegant, regal. I am Ajax, mighty Greek warrior."

Episode 7: Throwdown

02. "Santana! Wheels! Gay kid! Asian! Other Asian! Aretha! Shaft!"

Episode 7: Throwdown

01. You think this is hard?

".. I'm living with hepatitis, that's hard!"

".. Try filling your own cavity, that's hard!"

".. Try being waterboarded, that's hard!" 

".. Try removing your own appendix, that's hard!"

".. Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told they're going in another direction, that's hard!" 

".. I'm passing a gallstone as we speak, that's hard!'

Episode: All season Long!!