Glee – I take a stab at music direction

Last week, Glee set a pretty high bar with the “Power of Madonna.” All of the music worked, we got some great storylines, and, well, in a word, “Vogue.” You would think that with Lost taking a week off, and a chance to really drive ratings, that they would bring it again this week. Unfortunately, they didn’t. I don’t understand why they didn’t time their return such that “Madonna” ran this week, or, as Keith pointed out in our Live-Blog/Chat, just re-run that episode.

The problem with tonight’s episode, in the humble opinion of this blogger, was the music selection. Anytime you get a guest star like Kristen Chenoweth, you know that she’s going to get a couple solos, and it was great to see more out of Kurt and Mercedes (Though still want Tina, Artie, and Quinn more), but I think the song choice trended a little less contemporary than I would have thought. So, if Julia can play Sue Sylvester (freakingly well, I might add) I’ll try to play Glee music director, and offer what I would have changed.

Song One – “Fire” (The Pointer Sisters): I start with a cheat (because if you know me, you know that I always cheat with my lists). This is the one song I liked. Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison have great chemistry together here, and seemed to have a ton of fun performing this number.

Song Two – “A House is Not a Home” (The 5th Dimension, Dionne Warwick): A beautiful song, don’t get me wrong, but out of place here. If you’re going to own the awkwardness felt by the rest of new directions, then just go all out. My suggestion, “Giving  Him Something He Can Feel” – En Vogue

Song Three – “One Less Bell to Ring”/”A House is Not a Home” (Barbara Streisand): It’s tough to beat covering an actual mash-up. As much as Amy Grant and Peter Cetera’s “The Next Time I Fall” makes more sense within the context of the scene, I just don’t care about silly things like that. I want to hear Chenoweth belt out this classic instead. My suggestion: “Unforgettable” – Natalie and Nat King Cole

Song Four – “Beautiful” (Christina Aguilera): I can’t think of a song that so perfectly nails the sentiment than what was chosen, but “Beautiful” has got to be one of the most overplayed songs of my lifetime. So, since nothing works perfect, I think you make it a duet with Kurt, and take this, and change the words a bit. My suggestion: “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt

Song Five – “Home” (The Wiz): You’ve got to know that there was a little wink wink, nudge nudge going on when you have Glinda from Wicked sing a song from The Wiz. But, as I said before, if you’re going to do something, go all out. We’ve already had one song from Wicked used before, but I say, instead of referencing it, go for it.  My suggestion: “For Good” – Wicked

Notes & Quotes:

• “I live in a closet. There’s cowboy paper on the walls.” – Finn
• “I’m pretty sure my cat’s been reading my diary.” – Brittany
• If it wasn’t for Brittany, Becky would be, by far, my favorite Cheerio … she’s adorable!
• “You were conceived on a pinball machine!” – Finn’s Mother
• “Weren’t those outlawed in like 1981 for being totally lame?” – Santana

Clacked by Ivey West
on Apr 28, 2010 @ 08:28 EST5EDT