Top 10 Glee Performances That Went Hard & (We're Thankful)

In this episode, the New Directions embrace bad reputations and perform some seriously entertaining songs. But when Rachel creates a controversial music video rendition of “Run Joey Run,” she upsets Finn, Puck, and her boyfriend Jesse, who are all featured. The latter is so crushed that he breaks things off. Thus, Rachel sings “Total Eclipse of the Heart” as we go back and forth between the choir room and dance class. Finn and Puck also have some parts alongside Jesse, who eventually takes a bigger role. The heartfelt performance is brought to life as the two powerhouse vocalists do ballet alongside one another while dealing with their feelings. The entire thing is spine-chilling, to say the least.

Few characters in “Glee” are more charming than Blaine Anderson, and his first performance is one of our favorites. When Kurt goes to check out the glee club’s competition, he soon finds himself in the middle of the Warblers’ dreamy a capella performance. Their take on this Katy Perry hit is full of energy, and we can’t help but smile when we watch them. Blaine tells Kurt that the Warblers are like rock stars when they meet, and this showing proves that statement correct. Anderson also reinvents the song later in the series in a heartbreaking acoustic performance, but the original rendition really sticks with us.

The New Directions have countless memorable competition showings, and we witness one of the most momentous during Regionals in season two. After Rachel and Quinn convince the club that they’ll stand out if they write their own songs, everyone gets to work. While Rachel’s tear-jerking ballad “Get It Right” is breathtaking, the group really shows us what they can do with “Loser Like Me.” The performance encompasses what life is like as a member of the glee club. With Rachel and Finn singing lead, some fun dance moves, and a confetti-slushie finale, the New Directions prove they’re anything but losers.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday is one of the show’s most welcome guest stars. In her first episode as the substitute teacher, she helps the glee club go the extra mile. After Mr. Schue gets inspired to have them perform “Singin’ in the Rain,” he enlists the assistance of Ms. Holliday to update the number. The episode ends with Holly, Will, and the entire club performing a mash-up of the classic tune with Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” The blending of the two songs is iconic. And it’s made even better by the characters dancing in the ‘‘rain’’ and splashing water all over the stage in dapper ensembles. We love every minute of it.

While we were crushed as the glee club we know was divided when the Troubletones were formed, this mesmerizing performance made up for it. When Shelby Corcoran and Will Schuester have their respective glee clubs compete in a mash-off, the Troubletones bring it by fusing two Adele hits together in downright incredible fashion. What they accomplish here shows that you don’t need extravagant costumes or out-there dance moves to deliver a great performance. Santana and Mercedes’ vocals go together perfectly, the choreography is pristine, and everyone is clearly giving it their all. Needless to say, it’s unforgettable.

On “Glee,” Rachel eventually goes on to play Fanny Brice in a revival of the Broadway show “Funny Girl.” But long before that, she gives us a rendition of this tune from the musical that’s extra memorable. When the New Directions’ set list is stolen during their first Sectionals competition, they’re forced to improvise. Who better than Rachel to belt with little notice? She sings “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and while she hasn’t rehearsed like she probably normally would, she absolutely nails it. When she enters from the back, interacting with the crowd while making her way to the stage, it’s impossible to take your eyes off her. The picture perfect performance only gets better from there.

Speaking of the Glee Club’s first Sectionals, Mercedes was originally supposed to sing this song from “Dreamgirls.” Although Rachel is initially resistant, she has no choice but to concede after watching Mercedes do her thing. The latter is infamously underappreciated throughout the show, and here, we really get to see her impeccable talent. The masterful showing takes place in the choir room, and she slays the same way she would if there had been an entire crowd of people watching her. While Rachel does a great job at the competition following the change of plans, we do think it would’ve been nice for the huge audience to revel in Mercedes’ chops.

During season 3, Santana Lopez finds a worthy opponent in the Warblers’ villainous Sebastian Smythe. In this episode, both glee clubs want to perform Michael Jackson at Regionals, and things get heated. After Blaine is badly hurt by a slushie Sebastian throws, Santana is determined to get to the bottom of things. She and Sebastian battle it out accompanied by impassioned cello players and what we can only describe as heated tension. When the pair sings, their voices complement each other beautifully despite the hostility between them. In the end, she gets him to ‘fess up, but their performance is so mesmerizing that we honestly forgot what they were fighting about.

When Mr. Schue decides to highlight some underrated talent for Sectionals in season 2, he gives Santana a much deserved solo. She knocks it out of the park, and we can’t imagine anyone better to sing Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s version of this tune. As if her stellar voice wasn’t enough, Mike Chang and Brittany S. Pierce in particular further bring the number to life with epic moves. This isn’t one of the most beloved “Glee” performances of all time by accident. Can you imagine if characters like Santana, who were overlooked far too often, had gotten the spotlight more?!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

"I Feel Pretty / Unpretty", "Born This Way"
Quinn & Rachel Perform a Lovely Mash-Up About Insecurity & Self-Love

"Vogue", "The Power of Madonna"
Sue Sylvester Channels Her Inner Madonna

"Dream On", "Dream On"
Will Faces off with Neil Patrick Harris’ Bryan Ryan, & It’s Epic

"Bad Romance", "Theatricality"
Turning Into Great, Theatrical Little Monsters

"Time Warp", "The Rocky Horror Glee Show"
The Glee Club Performs This Spooky Musical Number, Dancing Like Nobody's Watching

Brittany S. Pierce is initially more of a background character, but that soon changes. Early in season 2, she comes into her own when the series pays homage to Britney Spears. During a trip to the dentist, Brittany has a vivid anesthesia-fuelled dream where she performs "I'm a Slave 4 U." She finds the pop star in her, getting to the heart of what makes Spears such an icon, while referencing recognizable outfits and singing/dancing her heart out. It’s an extraordinary tribute to the artist in one of the most unforgettable “Glee” performances ever. Brittany sets the bar so high, it’s hard to believe she wasn’t a regular solo-ist.