Top 10 Mercedes Jones Performances on Glee
#10: “Disco Inferno” “Saturday Night Glee-ver”
This song was a unique choice for Mercedes, but she killed it nonetheless. Amber Riley’s incredible voice brings this disco classic to a whole new level, and the energy of this show-stopping number is absolutely unmatched. It’s clear that Mercedes, along with Brittany and Santana as her backups, is having an absolute blast, from the song’s fun vocals to the feverishly upbeat choreography to match. The way Mercedes performed this solo with such confidence and sass proved that her diva-ness wasn’t just limited to her usual big belting songs, and she could bring her A-game to absolutely any song. It’s no wonder this performance got Mercedes her recording contract in the end, as she undoubtedly deserved it.
#9: “Try a Little Tenderness” “Funeral”
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This song was popularized by Otis Redding in 1966, and slayed by Mercedes Jones in 2011. Mercedes sings this song as her audition for a solo at nationals, and it’s clear the audition panel, made up of Jesse St. James and Mr. Schue, is absolutely blown away by her performance. From the clear and powerful high notes Mercedes belts out to her effortlessly perfect vocal runs, Mercedes’ energy in this song is palpable; anyone listening can hear how badly she wants this solo. It’s shocking and incomprehensible how Jesse can listen to a performance like that and still go on to say he doesn’t think Mercedes is ready for a solo, when the contrary is so painfully obvious.
#8: “Hell to the No” “Original Song”
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In this original song, Mercedes once again proves she is a strong, capable woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. “Hell to the no” being Mercedes’ catchphrase, many of the lyrics refer to things she has gone through in the past, including her rivalry with Rachel, and her struggles with her body image, but she reiterates that these things have only made her stronger. The song itself is incredibly catchy, and makes us want to get up and dance with Mercedes and the rest of the New Directions anytime we hear it. Yet, once again Mercedes’ talents are overlooked when Mr. Schue tells her the song is good, but not quite regionals material, although we’d respectfully disagree.
#7: “I’ll Stand by You” “The Quarterback”
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This song was originally covered by Finn in season one of Glee, but is sung here by Mercedes during a tribute episode to Cory Monteith after his passing. It’s a beautiful song, and the emotional weight behind it is incredibly moving. Unfortunately, it likely wasn’t difficult for Amber Riley to put on such a heart-rending performance, as she was, just like her character, dealing with the loss of a close friend at the time. The rest of the New Directions join in to sing with Mercedes at the end of the song, demonstrating in song how they will always be there to support a friend in need.
#6: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” “Grilled Cheesus”
Mercedes’ faith as a devoted Christian was brought up multiple times in the series, and this song in particular was especially important to her character. For this number, Mercedes has brought Kurt with her to church, hoping that it will bring him some comfort while his dad is in the hospital. It’s clear this moment means a lot to Mercedes, as she truly just wants to help her friend through a difficult time in his life. Additionally, one of the members of the gospel choir singing behind Mercedes is Amber Riley’s sister, adding even more personal significance to this moving performance.
#5: “Bust Your Windows” “Acafellas”
This was Mercedes’ first full solo number on Glee, and what an introduction it was. After opening up to Kurt about having a crush on him, only to find out the feeling is not mutual, Mercedes smashes in Kurt’s windshield and goes on to deliver this iconic performance. The number is full of sass and perfectly conveys that heartbroken and angry feeling. This was the audience’s first chance to really see Mercedes in action, and she really set the bar high for her later performances on Glee. Amber Riley herself has said this was her favorite Mercedes solo, and we have to agree: it’s hard not to love this song.
#4: “Beautiful” “Home”
In this episode that addresses Mercedes’ issues with her body image and self-love, the emotional climax of the episode is this incredibly moving solo. After struggling with unhealthy dieting habits because of social pressures she faced after joining the Cheerios, Mercedes realizes she doesn’t need to change anything about her body to be beautiful. She bravely performs this inspiring solo in front of the entire school during a Cheerios performance, and once again we see members of the New Directions joining in to support their friend. This song, and all the meaning behind it, is a powerful reminder of self-love and body positivity for Glee’s young audience.
#3: “Ain’t No Way” “A Night of Neglect”
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As a tribute to one of her idols, Aretha Franklin, Mercedes performs this song at a benefit concert for the Academic Decathlon team, and when she starts to sing, the whole world stands still. Mercedes’ voice is so powerful and clear, and combined with the gospel choir behind her the whole number is stunning. Once again, Amber Riley has a family member in the choir: this time her mother joins her in singing backup for this performance. Throughout the song, shots of the audience’s reaction to Mercedes’ singing pretty much sums up how anyone watching this episode feels listening to such a talented performer, and even Rachel admits in the end there’s no way she could top this song.
#2: “I Will Always Love You” “Heart”
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It takes a very brave singer to attempt to cover Dolly Parton’s iconic song because no one can do it like Whitney Houston did, but Amber Riley’s cover as Mercedes comes incredibly close. The song builds slowly, leading up to the powerful final chorus, with Mercedes looking absolutely stunning in a beautiful red dress as she belts out this song like so few performers can. She brings Sam to tears, and certainly this emotional song has made many Glee fans have a similar reaction. By coincidence, this episode aired three days after the death of Whitney Houston, and it serves as a beautiful tribute to such a talented and beloved artist. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Spotlight” / “Asian F” Mercedes Outshines Rachel in “West Side Story” Auditions “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” / “Bash” An Unsurprisingly Incredible Cover of an Aretha Franklin Classic “Hate on Me” / “Throwdown” A Fun, Energetic, and Empowering Performance “Sweet Transvestite” / “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” A Great Cover From a Cult Classic Musical “I Look to You” / “Grilled Cheesus” An Emotional Performance of Whitney Houston’s Beautiful Song
#1: “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” “Sectionals”
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This song is Mercedes at her absolute best, which is saying a lot considering some of her other incredible performances throughout the series. This song is notoriously difficult to sing, but Mercedes’ talent and passion are in full swing here and it absolutely blows us away with every rewatch. Amber Riley performed this song live during filming, and although the song was dubbed over with a studio recording, the reactions of her castmates are entirely genuine. This performance proves without a doubt Mercedes is one of the strongest singers in the glee club, and should have gotten the same level of respect and recognition that Rachel did.