Journey, a rock band from the ‘70s and early ‘80s, released a single in 1981 called “Don’t Stop Believin’” and its message is more relevant now than ever, thanks to the musically talented cast of the TV show, Glee.
Fans have been raving about Fox’s new show since the spring pilot and subsequent fall season aired. The show has become something of a novelty, being the only TV program in recent history to be as well known for its music as for its characters and storyline.
The musical “dramedy” revolves around a group of high school students in Ohio who come together under the direction of a caring and somewhat naïve teacher to form a Glee club. The group consists of football players, an outwardly gay student, a perfectionist who longs for the spotlight and a pregnant cheerleader, among others. Each hour-long episode deals with the club’s drama as well as the teacher’s and select students’ personal problems. The characters’ issues are so numerous, complex and occasionally unrealistic that Glee could almost be called a musical soap opera.
Glee’s cast list includes many well known names, such as former Broadway stars Matthew Morrison as teacher Will Schuester and Lea Michele as student Rachel Berry. Emmy award winner Kristin Chenoweth guest starred as a former Glee member turned washed up, alcoholic high school dropout who returns in hopes of making a comeback.
A Glee staple is the group songs, one or two of which are placed on iTunes immediately following each episode for impulse purchase. Twenty-five of the ballads have been combined to make Glee: Volume 1, and Volume 2 is in the works. Both soundtracks are being sold online and in stores.
But as much as these songs are the main appeal, they lack the same heartwarming feeling that keeps many teen girls devout fans of the show. There is something about watching the kids come together to perform and learn how to integrate singing into their lives that makes you fall in love with them. Listening to the album may be enjoyable for the music, but it lacks personality; the touching voices of Glee club suddenly become faceless and nondescript, leaving nothing more than a song.
According to a Nov. 9 Reuters article, Glee has been drawing a weekly audience of 8.6 million who have helped buy the over two million songs sold thus far online. After a downturn in the economic recession resulting in a 13 percent drop in profits for this year, the music industry is pleased to see such sales, and individual artists are seeing the results. Sales for Rihanna’s single “Take a Bow” rose 189 percent after being covered on one episode and other artists have seen similar results.
The music is an eclectic mix of current popular culture and famous oldies. Featured covered artists include Eve, Jordin Sparks, REO Speedwagon, Jazmine Sullivan, Queen, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones and music from the Broadway musical Wicked.
Glee is an amazingly multitalented program that seamlessly transitions between relevant personal topics, such as teen pregnancy and homosexuality, and competitive singing. The music is exceptional and makes for a unique TV show, but the characters are the heart of it.
