'Glee' may be gone, but songs play on.

AuthorInfante, Victor D.
PositionLiving

Byline: Victor D. Infante

We come not to bury "Glee,'' but to praise it. Sure, bagging on the giddy high school musical drama is a bit of a pastime, and sure, there were times we were more hate watching it than anything, but now that it's going off the air with the two-hour series finale at 8 p.m. March 20 on Fox, we have to admit: On the occasions we loved the show ... we loved it a lot. With that in mind, here's one last look at some of the show's best musical numbers.

"Don't Stop Believing'' (Episode 1.1 "Pilot''): The song that started it all. Before the show had even aired, this rendition of the Journey hit had made its way online, and without any context, it was kind of electrifying. (Remember, the song hadn't been overplayed to death yet.) The closing number to the pilot episode, this is still illustrative of "Glee'' at its best: When it's a show about holding onto dreams, and about using music to get you through hard times.

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)'' (Episode 1.4, "Preggers''): Kurt joins the football team and teaches them to dance to a Beyonce song. It is the most magnificently absurd thing to watch, and yet somehow it works amazingly well.

"Vogue'' (Episode 1.15, "The Power of Madonna''): Jane Lynch's antagonistic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester doesn't sing much in the show, but when she does, it counts. This recreation of the Madonna video is absolutely hilarious ... and surprisingly well sung.

"Loser'' (Episode 1.21 "Funk''): Bad boy Puck and good guy Finn cement their friendship while being forced to take a retail job to pay for their slashing a rival glee club's tires. The duet of the Beck hit marks a pivot in their relationship, and is just a lot of fun.

"Teenage Dream'' (Episode 2.6, "Never Been Kissed''): Blaine is singing this Katy Perry song when Curt meets them, and it's clear from the beginning that not only are they destined to be together, they're destined to be one of the most iconic gay couples in TV history.

"Go Your Own Way'' (Episode 2.19, "Rumours''): One of the things "Glee'' does well is telling a fairly complex emotional story while the characters are singing. Take this rendition of the Fleetwood Mac classic by Rachel. Not only is her...

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