Top 10 Underrated Glee Performances

Mercedes was hands down one of the most talented characters on the series, frequently battling Rachel Berry for solos, though she unfortunately seldom came out on top. In this performance, she sings Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” while auditioning to be the soloist at Nationals. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen her knock it out of the park with an R&B and soul song. But there’s no denying the passion and vocal prowess she brings to the number. We’d go so far as to say this is one of her best solos, and as per usual, she should’ve gotten more credit for it.

While “Glee” gave us a lot of funny and lighthearted moments, the show didn’t shy away from tackling difficult topics. One of the most heartbreaking episodes involves the New Directions helping Sue following her sister Jean’s passing. Along the way, Finn and Kurt discover that Jean loved “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” So for her funeral, they create a mini candy wonderland and sing “Pure Imagination” as a poignant slideshow plays. This is a magical moment in which everyone comes together to support Sue, someone with whom they’re often at odds. Not just that, the performance itself is deeply moving and carries great significance, so it shouldn’t be ignored.

Some of the best episodes of “Glee” feature tributes to an artist, group, or album, and the Madonna one is no exception. When both the Cheerios and the New Directions decide to dedicate their week to the “Queen of Pop,” some serious musical magic happens. However, it’s a Cheerios performance featuring two of our favorite glee clubbers that hasn’t gotten its fair share of praise. Kurt and Mercedes make the most of their chance in the spotlight as part of the cheerleading squad here. Flawlessly singing “4 Minutes,” they command the gymnasium with the perfect amount of energy and style. This being the Cheerios, the whole number also feels like an extravagant production, and we’re here for it.

Santana and Rachel undoubtedly have their ups and downs over the seasons. But one of their most wholesome moments comes near the end of their senior year when they decide to do a duet during Whitney Houston week. These two have some of the best voices of anyone on the show, and they come together beautifully with this song. What they accomplish is nothing short of invigorating. Granted, turmoil or disagreements define a lot of their relationship, especially in the series’ earlier days. But “So Emotional” cuts through that noise, and should be remembered as a pure moment that showcases how great they are when they work together.

Although Sam and Quinn win the Glee club’s season 2 duets competition with “Lucky,” it’s Kurt’s over the top performance that deserves more credit. Although it isn’t necessarily a traditional duet, per se, the tribute to Julie Andrews in “Victor/Victoria” is a quintessentially Kurt performance. He’s a one-man vocal powerhouse who doesn’t even need a partner to be a serious contender in the New Directions’ friendly competition. When we picture Kurt’s most iconic performances, we might think of “Defying Gravity” or “Not the Boy Next Door.” But this one should also be front of mind, as it’s theatrical and energetic, just like him.

Santana and Mercedes often play second fiddle to Rachel Berry, so it’s always great when they get to showcase their talents. Their rendition of “Doo Wop (That Thing)” while exploring New York’s underground shows just far-reaching those talents are. Plus, it ends up being exactly what Mercedes needs for her album. Besides their amazing vocal chops, these two have one other thing in common - they know what they want, and aren’t afraid to fight for it. That grit and determination shines through their performance, making it one to remember. A lot of the season five numbers are overlooked, and when it comes to this one in particular, that feels like a crime. It’s so fun that we think it should be held in higher regard.

Artie Abrams’ talents are not nearly appreciated enough, and we only grow more steadfast in that belief every time we see him do his thing. This number is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, as the character comes to terms with the permanent nature of his disability and its implications. The realization is made even harder by the fact that his girlfriend Tina instead dances with Mike. Yet all of that emotional weight makes the entire performance mesmerizing to watch. Artie’s voice works perfectly with the dreamy Ella Fitzgerald tune while the stage twinkles and the rest of the glee club harmonizes alongside him. If only he had been featured as a soloist more often.

It was always exciting to watch the alumni return to McKinley High School in later seasons. When Puck, Quinn, Mike, Finn, Santana, and Mercedes all come home for Thanksgiving, they perform this tear-jerking mash-up. While Kurt and Rachel don’t make good on their promise to return to Lima, we can’t help but feel emotional seeing everyone else back together in the auditorium. It’s reminiscent of all of their performances together when they were in the glee club, and their voices blend together in a way that’s absolutely spine-chilling. The gorgeous number highlights the love between everyone, making it clear that they feel at home with each other in the school that brought them together.

It’s no secret that Rachel is an exceptional soloist, and she’s proven that she has the skill and talent to make it big on multiple occasions. Her rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” for instance, has basically become a classic in its own right, and rightfully so. But we’re here to talk about this other “Funny Girl” tune, because her take on it always gives us goosebumps! “My Man” stands out as one of the best musical numbers in the whole series, even though it’s inexplicably often forgotten about. Rachel herself proclaims that it’s the hardest track she’s ever attempted to master. She pulls it off though, giving it her all and making it look effortless, thus completely drawing us in.

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

“A House Is Not a Home”, “Home”
A Poignant Number Contemplating the Meaning of Home

“One Less Bell to Answer/A House Is Not a Home”, “Home”
This Mash-up Never Fails to Get Our Attention

“The Boy Is Mine”, “Laryngitis”
An Epic Musical Battle for the Ages

“Pumpin Blood”, “Opening Night”
A Fun, Exciting Performance That Gets Our Blood Pumping

“Dancing with Myself”, “Wheels”
Artie Doesn’t Miss Here

As you’ve probably noticed by this point in the list, we think that Mercedes is one of “Glee”’s most underrated characters, never quite getting her due. There’s no one better suited to belt out Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, as she brings it to life with her velvety delivery. Through the performance, she contemplates her relationship with Sam. Watching her sing about how he makes her feel while her back-up singers harmonize is mesmerizing, to put it mildly. The dreamy carousel acting as a backdrop doesn’t hurt, either. We are again reminded of how enchanting Mercedes is as a performer, and more love is in order, STAT!