I like Glee, this is obvious. As someone who is not a huge fan of music staples such as The Beatles, Queen or Journey (I know, insert gasps of horror here), I often find their covers refreshing. Sometimes the music is amazing. Sometimes it sounds like a cat being beaten to death.
Entertainment Weekly recently posted a poll of who sang it better, the original artist or the Glee cast. I viewed the results out of curiosity and New Directions was the victor in nine of 15 songs featured. I think the secret to Glee’s success is that they take a song and make it their own i.e. Toxic, Teenage Dream or Don’t Stop Believin’. When their covers start to sound like less impressive replicas i.e. Need You Now & I’m a Slave 4 U, it becomes easier to compare the two.
So here are my least favorite Glee covers in comparison to their originals. I’m not taking into account the actual performance on the show or how crappy the song was in the first place:
Tik Tok (originally by Ke$ha): This was autotuned to hell and back. I wanted to puke like Santana and Brittany after listening to this torture. It sounds like Kidz Bop to the nth degree.
No Air (originally by Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown): Firstly, I loathe Finchel duets with a fiery passion. Secondly, I hate when singers pronounce “me” as “meh” when they sing. I’m looking at you, Cory Monteith. Thirdly, oh, Cory. You sound like a malfunctioning robot.
Bridge Over Troubled Water (originally by Simon & Garfunkel): Amber Riley easily has one of the better voices of the cast. And I love this song. But I was seriously let down. I was not a fan of the back-up gospel choir. I really like the soft rawness of the original and Amber’s voice was just way too powerful for my taste.
Bad Romance (originally by Lady Gaga): I think it would’ve been interesting to see this performed acoustic like Poker Face. Check out the Lissie cover. Quinn or Santana could have rocked the crap out of that one.
I Know What Boys Like (originally by the Waitresses): I don’t think much needs to be said here. Just listen.
Actually the Song I know what boys like is by the Waitresses
thanks for the correction!
Well, in defense of Ashley Fink, I Know What Boys Like was supposed to sound bad.
Compared to Sweet Transvestite, those are awesome.
the first 4 are good, of course not the best covers, but they are great, SPECIALLY no air, and i know what boys like was supposed to sound bad
compared to run, joey, run and personally, I loathe ‘Last Friday Night’ with a passion. but I do think tik tok doesnt belong on this list.