The Greatest Performances of Glee Season 4

It is only a few months longer before the final season of Glee debuts on FOX this coming Winter/Spring. Many of the stars of the series have been in the news lately. Star Matthew Morrison, who plays Glee Club leader Will Schuster just married model Renee Puente and recently threw a humongous Halloween/Birthday bash attended by Glee co-star Chris Colfer. It was also revealed that season six may bring a wedding for Santana (Naya Rivera) and Birttany (Heather Morris), Max Adler will return as Dave Karofsky , and Rachel (Lea Michele) will be headed back to Lima.

Many fans felt the show jumped the shark during the 4th season, when some of the main characters (Rachel, Finn, Puck, and Quinn etc.) graduated from high school. So, we at TV Overmind took a look back at Glee season 4 and picked our favorite performances from the 22 episodes. After reading about and watching these stellar productions again, you will forget about all the horrible parts of Glee season 4. (Yes, we are talking about you Marley).

Honorable Mention “Don’t Stop Believin'” –  performed by Finn (Cory Monteith), Rachel (Lea Michele), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Artie (Kevin McHale), and Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) in Episode 4.19 “Sweet Dreams”

This version received an honorable mention because, though it is not as good as the original version of the pilot episode, it is still one of the greatest performance from Glee season 4. Rachel cannot decide what song to sing for her Funny Girl audition. She seeks advice from Finn who tells her to pick a song that is meaningful. She chooses “Don’t Stop Believin'” and dedicates the song to her friends. We then see the original six characters who made up the Glee club on stage singing the song together.

5. “(You Drive Me) Crazy”/ “Crazy” performed by Marley (Melissa Benoist) and Jake (Jacob Artist) in Episode 4.2 “Britney 2.0”

Marley was intended to replace Rachel at McKinley High after she ventured off to New York City in Glee season 4. Unlike Rachel, Marley never thought she was good enough at anything even singing. A lot of that stemmed from the fact that her mother was the obese lunch lady that everyone made fun of. Plus, Marley lacked the likability factor that Rachel possessed making her one of the worst characters of the season. But she did shine with this song. Jake wanted Marley from the moment he set eyes on her and the two sing this mash-up on the bleachers of the school. This song showed the two were destined to be the next power couple, until young Puckerman could not keep it in his pants and cheated on her.

4. “We’ve Got Tonight” – performed by Rachel (Lea Michele) and Finn (Cory Monteith) in Episode 4.14 “I Do”

Glee season 4 was the last season Cory Monteith would star in before his death in July 2013. He would be written out in the later episodes of this season to enter a drug rehabilitation center. Before he parted the show, he was able to perform this sweet rendition of “We’ve Got Tonight” with his real-life girlfriend Lea Michele. The two reunite and get on stage at Will and Emma’s (Jayma Mays) wedding while all the show’s couples dance. Finn tells Rachel he still loves her and that they will be together someday. Rachel knows she will always love Finn and the two spend the night together in a hotel room. They are not the only ones. So do Santana and Quinn?!

3 “O Holy Night” – Performed by Rachel (Lea Michele) in Episode 4.9 “Swan Song” 

Christmas is always a special time on television and Glee season 4 is not any different. In this episode, Rachel is preparing for NYADA’s Winter Showcase. This is also Kurt’s second audition to get into the school (Spoiler alert: He gets in). This episode features guest appearances by Whoppi Goldberg as Carmen Tibideaux and Kate Hudson as Casandra July. Hudson and Michele have a dance-off to “All That Jazz.” Though that performance was in the top ten greatest moments of Glee season 4, it is Michele’s rendition of this popular Christmas tune, that truly made this episode so special. Lea Michele is an amazing singer and this song proved that to viewers once again. Though this epsiode was Kurt’s time to shine, Rachel was the one who stole the show. It made up for the completely random Christmas episode of Season 5.

2. “Nutbush City Limits” – Performed by Santana (Naya Rivera) in Episode 4.13 “Diva”

This is the second Bob Seger song to make the list of the best performances of Glee season 4. Though the concept is unlikely (Santana visits her high school with her entire college cheerleading squad to perform one two minute song during a Glee Club performance), it still was one of the top highlights of the season. Santana has come back to Lima with ulterior motives. Tina informed Santana that Brittany is now dating Sam (Chord Overstreet) and she wants to tear them apart. This seems odd since Santana broke up with Brittany just nine episodes earlier. Viewers will forget about the ridiculous storyline after watching Rivera break it down and belt out to one of Seger’s greatest hits.

1. “Mine” – Performed by Santana (Naya Rivera) in Episode 4.4 “The Break Up”

I may be somewhat bias on this one, as Santana is my favorite character. However, I do NOT like Taylor Swift, which is who orignally sings this song. In this scene, Santana and Brittany acknowledge that they do love each other, but at this point in their lives a relationship is not going to work. This song proved that Santana does have a soul as she begins crying while singing to Brittany in the empty Glee Club room. I also think this is one of only a handful of times that Naya Rivera is able to show off not only her amazing acting skills but also her powerful voice. If you did not tear up during this scene, shame on you. Santana and Brittany are the cutest and funniest couple on Glee. Anyone who can make me tolerate a Taylor Swift song deserves praise.

What is your favorite performance from Glee season 4? Tell us in the comments below.

Photo by: FOX