The issue of Glee covers being divisive isn't a big issue - ever since New Directions' cover of the classic Journey tune 'Don't Stop Believing', there have been huge debates on either side considering whether or not the covers of famous songs are actually up to scratch. While, admittedly, a lot of the songs aren't comparable to their epic progenitors, there's a few that have equalled the technical skill and enjoyability of the originals as well as producing their own spin and own arrangements of the songs. So here are my personal top ten for Glee's best covers which have provided an equal - if sometimes different - take on some of our favourite songs...
10. 'Shake It Out' - Florence + The Machine, 'Choke'
A recent entrance in the Glee discography, 'Shake It Out' is one of the instant stand-outs from a troubled season three - accompanying a story of domestic violence, Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Santana (Naya Rivera) and Mercedes (Amber Riley) sing this tune of overcoming dangers and demons into the light. At first it seems as though it might a carbon copy of the original, a gloriously anthemic song about shedding your past and rising into a new beginning with drums and organs galore - fortunately, it avoids this, having a largely acapella performance that showcases the talents of the singers. Ushkowitz comes off particularly well here (she's often one of the most woefully underused singers on the show) and it's a delicately bittersweet rendition, mostly because we see their calls to the abused being unheard or futile despite their attempts. A dark and beautiful moment for Glee where it doesn't try to copy and goes its own way.