Top 10 Glee Songs That Give Us Chills

Top 10 Glee Songs That Give Us Chills

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the musical numbers from the Fox show that still give us goosebumps to this day.

#10: “I Know Where I’ve Been”
“Transitioning”

Recurring performer Alex Newell returns to McKinley High in splendid fashion. As Unique, Newell played the first transgender character on the show, and returned to the show when Coach Beiste underwent his own transition. Unique performs “I Know Where I’ve Been” from the musical “Hairspray,” a barnburning anthem of social progress despite struggle. Newell’s soaring vocal sails over the song, highlighting its themes of persevering through hatred and historical wrongs. Most poignant, though, is that Newell is backed by a choir made up completely of trans people. There’s a lot of history and struggle on that stage, but most importantly, a lot of strength.

#9: “To Sir With Love”
“Journey to Regionals”

Having spent the entire first season dreaming of success at a regional competition, McKinley High’s New Directions came in dead last. Knowing this means the glee club will be shuttered for good, the group sings one last song to their fearless leader, Mr. Schuester. Taken from the movie it’s named after, “To Sir With Love” is their moving thank you to him. Through teary eyes, they’re able to sing about just how much his mentorship has meant to them. By the end, they’re crying, he’s crying, we’re crying, even hard-hearted gym teacher Sue Sylvester is crying.

#8: “Pure Imagination”
“Funeral”

Sue Sylvester may always have it in for Will Schuester and his merry band of musical misfits, but even she can’t deny them after doing her this solid. When her sister passes away, she is unable to get a handle on her grief. But the glee club, whose existence she’s constantly threatening, makes a special performance in honor of her sister. Their take on “Pure Imagination” is a sonic treat. With all its beautifully layered harmonies and genuine beauty, it’s what “Glee” does best. Out of context, it’s a delight. In the context of the episode, it’s devastating.

#7: “Teenage Dream”
“The Break Up”

In a heartstring tugging callback to the day Blaine and Kurt first met, this acoustic reprise of the Katy Perry song that brought them together is so perfect and so unfair. By season 4, things were getting rocky in the show’s core relationships. Blaine had cheated on Kurt, and this stripped down version of “Teenage Dream” was his soul-baring confession. Darren Criss always had a voice like butter, but here, he trades in his usual velvety-smooth style for something more raw and aching. It’s a far cry from the effervescent version he sang with the Dalton Academy Warblers.

#6: “I’ll Stand by You”
“Ballad”

The members of New Directions are tasked with choosing ballads to sing. Finn Hudson, nervous about becoming a father, or so he thinks, chooses “I’ll Stand by You” by the Pretenders. Already a pretty song in its own right, there’s something about Cory Monteith’s naive quarterback performing it that’s really powerful. The way he sings it seems so simple, but there’s so much going on under the surface. He’s so hopeful, so sincere, and so clueless about what’s coming that it gives you all the feels at once. It’s yet another song that takes on even deeper meaning now that Monteith is no longer with us.

#5: “Keep Holding On”
“Throwdown”

Head cheerleader Quinn Fabray’s unplanned pregnancy is outed to the entire school, leaving her humiliated and isolated from her friends. “Keep Holding On” is the group’s promise to stick by her no matter what. It’s a moving moment for a lot of different reasons. Avril Lavigne’s ballad from the “Eragon” soundtrack becomes one of the first group numbers where the entire glee club really becomes whole. Up to this point, Quinn’s just been spying on the glee club for Sue Sylvester. Here, she finally lets herself become a part of them. This is old school “Glee” at its best.

#4: “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
“Grilled Cheesus”

When Kurt Hummel’s dad suffers a heart attack, the entire glee club rallies around him. They share songs and try to help Kurt take heart that his dad will pull through this crisis. But its most powerful song is the one Kurt sings himself. The slow, yearning take on the Beatles classic brings out another side to the lyrics. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” becomes a song from a son to a father who was always there. The flashbacks between the two is what really gets the waterworks going. It goes to show that since Kurt was young, instead of running from who his son was, Burt Hummel always just accepted him.

#3: “Cough Syrup”
“On My Way”

Football jock Dave Karofsky was introduced as a villain, but his journey from homophobic jerk to out and proud gay man is a hard-fought one. In season 3, he almost takes his own life when he’s outed to his teammates at his new school. The haunting scene where he prepares the deed is underscored by Darren Criss’ cover of “Cough Syrup” by alternative band Young the Giant. The sequence parallel cuts between Karofsky’s being tormented at his new school and Blaine’s song, a powerful testament to feeling lost, and still waiting out the storm for something better.

#2: “If I Die Young”
“The Quarterback”

In the aftermath of Cory Monteith’s death, the show paid tribute to him through his character, Finn Hudson, whose death is written into the show. The members of the glee club do their best to send him off with a song. Santana Lopez’s offering is especially moving. Dedicating the Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” to Finn, and accompanied by a piano and mandolin, Santana’s song is a beautiful tribute to a young life taken too soon. What we do get is absolutely shattering, and she can’t even get through the number. Naya Rivera’s cover went viral in 2020 after the actress’ own untimely death.

#1: “Make You Feel My Love”
“The Quarterback”

Bob Dylan’s love song has been recorded by several legends through the years. This one is up there with some of the best covers. The cast lost a family member when Cory Monteith died. Star Lea Michele lost her fiancé. It’s arguably the moment the line between fact and fiction became thinnest on “Glee.” As Rachel Berry, Michele had so many moments to shine. Her big belt and star power were on full display throughout its six seasons. But here, she is pared back and raw. She’s teary-eyed from the first verse, and so are we.

Did these moments give you goosebumps? Let us know in the comments.