Have you watched Glee? I have and I totally LOVE IT!
Glee is a musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and has been a phenomenon since its first season in 2009. During its first season, Glee received generally favorable reviews from critics and won several awards, including the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (source: wiki).
I really love the show because the story alone is inspiring. It’s about a group of kids on a high school glee club, New Directions, who loves to sing! They struggled against adversity from their peers and environment, to realize their dream of winning the show choir competition. So, this movie is jammed-packed with positive messages and lesson learned that these kids have when dealing with relationships, sexuality and social issues.
In addition to the inspiring story line, Glee also features on-screen performance-based musical numbers which covers various songs from show tunes to chart hits. The music of Glee has been a commercial success, with over twenty-one million digital single sales and nine million album sales (source: wiki). Wow, that’s a lot!
Most of the songs they covered really accentuate Glee’s message, which is all about pursuing your passion and not be afraid to shine through adversity! Hence, if you are passionate about pursuing your goals and be the best that you can be, there are a lot of inspiring tunes you can really relate to. Even if you never watched the series, the great vocals and inspiring lyrics will arouse the dreamer and the fighter in you, guaranteed!
I have selected 12 best inspiring songs from Glee that will inspire you to live your best life. I have also provided the lyrics and included my personal thoughts and reflections before each video. Hopefully these songs will inspire you to believe in yourself and live your dreams!
1. Don’t Stop Believin’
(Original by Journey)
“Don’t Stop Believin“ is a popular song by the American rock band Journey, originally released as a single from their 1981 album Escape. A cover of the song was made for the first episode of Glee, “Pilot”, which debuted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (source: wiki). For me, this song definitely captures the soul of the show, and in a grand way defines in a nutshell what Glee Show is all about: Never Stop Believing.
Sometimes we have the need to break free from the bonds of our everyday lives and explore new places we have never been before, “to take the midnight train going anywhere”. It can be a new place, a new job, a new passion to explore.
Sometimes we feel lost in the world around us, looking for some kind of answers to our troubles. We work hard day by day just to get by, yet we still want that “thrill”, we keep searching for that reason to live, that opportunity to go after our dream.
Sometimes things happened the way we wanted them to be, sometimes everything just seemed to go wrong. Life goes on, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. You can only keep on living.
But in the end, don’t you stop Believing. Never give up hope, even when you don’t know what to do; even when you’re lost and the going is tough; even when you’re afraid to break free from your comfort zone to explore a new place or a new opportunity.
Listen to this song when you need something to lift you up when you are feeling down or afraid. It will remind you that everything is possible, if you just Believe.
2. Defying Gravity
(Original by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth)
This is one of many musical numbers that are performed on Glee. “Defying Gravity” is the signature song from the musical “Wicked“, originally recorded by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. In the musical, it is sung by a girl who wants to live without limits, going against the rules that others have set for her (source: wiki).
The same meaning applies in Glee, where Kurt, a member of the Glee Club, is trying to toss off the expectations of him as a boy becoming a man in high school. He is expected to act manly, not be comfortable with himself, and most importantly not be a homosexual. In this specific episode he is even denied the chance to try out for the lead on this song based solely on gender and not talent.
So, Defying Gravity is really about being yourself and not letting the limiting beliefs of your surroundings discourage or even stop you from being YOU. The ones who truly love you will accept you for what you are.
Don’t be afraid to let yourself shine! It is time you try defying gravity.
3. True Colors
(Original by Cyndi Lauper)
“True Colors” is one of my favorite songs of all time and is very dear to my heart. It is about giving encouragement to somebody to be him/herself. This song has helped me through my uncertainties and low self esteem as a teenager growing up.
Coming from a middle class family, my parent’s first priority was to give me the best education that they could afford, which then provided me the opportunity to enroll in one of the best private school in Jakarta. Being a middle-classed girl in a wealthy kid environment, where your worth was about the size of your parent’s pocket, really damaged my self worth. There were times back then when I felt that I was nothing, not good enough for my friends, just a face in the crowd whose presence would not be missed.
This song was one of my remedies whenever I hit rock bottom. It inspired me to look inside, find who I really am, and not be afraid to let it show. My private school experience turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me because it shaped me to be the confident person that I am today.
Therefore, whenever you have that feeling of insecurity, of self doubt, listen to this song. It will be like a friend telling you that what you are is beautiful, so never, ever afraid to let it show.
4. Taking Chances
(Original by Celine Dion)
“Taking Chances” is one of the many great ballads from the pop music diva, Celine Dion. At first glance, the lyrics suggest that it is a song about love. But if you thought about it in a bigger perspective, the song actually has a greater message that can be applied in every aspect of our lives.
It poses questions we all should ask ourselves to challenge every big decision that we make. The answers to these questions could probably change the course of our lives.
What do say to taking chances?
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
We never know what’s waiting for us behind every turn, every door, and every opportunity. It could be a dead end or it could turn out to be something magical beyond our wildest expectation. It can go either way, but if we don’t take that chance, we will never know. So what do you say?
Note: I was unable to find the video clip from the Glee scene because according to youtube, it was not available for viewing in my country. Hence, those of you living outside Indonesia can access the video here. That clip, showing Lea Michele singing this song on Glee, is so much better to emphasize the meaning of the song!
5. Sing
(Original by My Chemical Romance)
“Sing” is a song originally sung by the American Rock Band, My Chemical Romance. This song was performed on Glee, in the second season episode “Comeback”. It was one of the anthem songs that the Glee Club prepared for the regional show choir competition.
Sing has a very strong lyric that delivers its message in a very bold way. It encourages us to believe in ourselves, to speak our mind and let our voices be heard.
In our lives, we may have met people who try to discourage us from voicing our opinions, who make us feel small or tell us what we say do not matter. Don’t let them stop us to stand up for what is right. A change is possible. But if you don’t make your voices heard nothing can be done.
Sing it from the hearts. Sing it till you’re nuts.
Sing it out for the ones that’ll hate your guts.
Sing it for the deaf. Sing it for the blind.
Sing it for the world. (Sing lyrics)
6. Over The Rainbow
(Original by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole)
“Over the Rainbow” is a classic ballad which was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz. This song is definitely one of the greatest songs of all time. It is so influential that Over the Rainbow is number one in the “Songs of the Century” list compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts (source: wiki).
This song speaks about something great in the distance, a place where troubles are far behind and dreams come true. It is about the search for something good, believing that there is a better place out there which you will find if you persist and never give up hope.
Life is filled with ups and down. You will not always have happy endings. But life is not about outcome; life is about the journey. The important thing is to stay true to yourself, your vision, your goals, your passion and just carry on. Sooner or later, you will find that place over the rainbow after the difficult journey through the storm.
Embrace the journey and know that the journey is what makes life most valuable.
7. Fireworks
(Original by Katy Perry)
This is one of the chart hits number that was performed on Glee, originally sung by Katy Perry. Katy Perry herself described this song as a self-empowerment anthem with inspirational lyrics for people to listened to and feel proud about themselves (source: wiki).
Firework is basically about staying true to yourself and not being afraid to express who you really are on the inside. Each of us in this world is different, unique, special, and significant in our own way. Our strengths and weaknesses combined are what made us extraordinary individuals, that have enriched the lives of the people around us. It is up to us now to make an impact to our surrounding and really prove that the world is a better place because of us.
Love your self and believe that in this moment, you are special, just the way you are.
Go ahead and shine!
8. Listen
(Original by Beyonce)
“Listen” is a 2006 R&B-Soul song recorded by American singer Beyonce, for the soundtrack of the musical film “Dreamgirls”. When I heard it the first time in the movie, I got goose bumps all over. The lyrics are so strong and straightforward that you can not help but be moved by it.
This song is about independence, about finding your own voice and fight for your rights to be heard.
Like the previous song “Sing”, this song is a great reminder for each of us to always speak our mind and let our voices be heard.
We have a voice. Let’s use it.
9. Looser like Me
(Original by Glee Cast)
Different from other songs which were cover versions of the original, “Loser like Me” was an original song sang by the Glee Cast. In the show, this song was the output of their frustration from being considered losers and treated badly by their schoolmates. Through this song they want to give a shout to all their haters that they don’t care, because they believe one day the wheel will turn and they will come on top.
This is a fun song, with amusing lyrics and positive message of self-empowerment. In being true to ourselves and pursuing our dreams, we may not live to other people’s expectation. They may label us as nothing, losers, or zeros. Just keep your head held high and remember..
.. every hero, start from zero. 
Sing this song to all your haters, would you?
10. Start Me Up / Livin on a Prayer
(Original by The Rolling Stones/Bon Jovi)
“Start Me Up / Livin on a Prayer” is one of several musical experiments done on the Glee Show, which they call a mash-up.
A mash-up is when you take two songs and mash them together to make an even richer explosion of musical expression – Will Schuester (Glee Season 1)
This song is a mash-up between two classic rock songs, Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones and Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.
Start Me Up / Livin on a Prayer is about holding on no matter how tough the situation might seem. Just ‘start your self up’, go back at it again and again, and never give up. If we keep persisting, keep striving, we will definitely achieve whatever we set out to achieve.
11. Keep Holding On
(Original by Avril Lavigne)
“Keep Holding On” is one of my favorite songs on Glee. This song is about facing difficulties and challenges together. It’s about the power of that person standing next to you, holding your hand, giving you strength when you need it the most, cheering you up, pushing you forward, and believing in you, sometimes more than you believe in yourself. That kind of support is what keeps us going.
I really believe in the power of a good support system to help you live your best life, which is non other than your friends and family. We can only go so far on our own, but having that support from the people who loves us will push us farther, longer, higher, better.
Start developing that support system around you, and what better way to do that than by first offering your support to others? If right now you don’t have a support system around you, you should start asking yourself: What have I done for others? How may I be of helped to my friends and family?
Start by being the support that others need, because in the end, you only get what you give.
12. Smile
(Original by Nat King Cole)
This last song is a classic feel good song for all ages. “Smile” is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. The song was originally sung by Nat King Cole, charted in 1954, and after that has been covered by various artist, including the great Michael Jackson (source : wiki).
The lyrics are simple and uplifting. It encourages us to cheer up because there is always a brighter tomorrow if we just smile. Play this tune whenever you are feeling down and need some comfort. Listen to the words, absorbs, and sing a long. Trust me, you’ll be smiling and feeling much better by the end of the song.
SMILE! 
I hope you like this compilation of inspiring songs from Glee. If you found this beneficial, be sure to click the Facebook “like” button and share it with your friends/family via the social media buttons below.
Thank you – I really appreciate it!
Related posts:
on 
on 
on 
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
Thank you very much momochii. I’m glad you like it. Have a great day!
nice post. thanks.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already
Cheers!
Interesting stuff as per usual, thank you very much. I certainly hope this sort of thing gets more eyeballs.
Brilliant! except, ‘Over the Rainbow’ was sung originally by Judy Garland, not Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
Hi An, thanks for visiting. Yes, you are right about Judy Garland being the original singer. But the Glee version of ‘Over the Rainbow” is more a replica of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version of the song with the melody and the use of Ukulele, that’s why I put him there instead of Judy Garland. Thank you for the reminder though. I’m glad you like this post.
Hey very cool blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I am happy to seek out a lot of useful info right here within the submit, we want work out more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .