Darren Criss’ casting on Fox’s hit television show Glee may have been one of the best decisions ever as the character of Blaine Anderson grew quickly into a huge fan favorite. In addition, the growth of the popular couple known as ‘Klaine’ between Blaine Anderson and early fan favorite Kurt Hummel (portrayed by Chris Colfer) led to a large success which kept the show afloat.
Over the past four seasons the character has gone from his dapper Dalton Warbler blue and red blazer to a member of McKinley High’s New Directions, and the last we saw of him he had moved back in with his fiancé Kurt in New York City.
Darren Criss’ covers on the show have sometimes made the show the most money as his first song “Teenage Dream” was the fastest selling single in the shows history and was certified gold in the United States. The Warblers singles sold over 1.3 million tracks, and their album came to the number two spot on the Billboard 200.
As a huge fan of Blaine Warbler, I now present the top 10 covers by Darren Criss on Glee in no particular order (except the #1 spot).
image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
[ new page = Cough Syrup ]
Cough Syrup – originally by Young the Giant
While fans had contemplated early about why the song was in the episode, it later became known that this performance played simultaneously as former bully Dave Karofsky was exposed as a gay male at his new school and prepares himself to commit suicide. Spoiler alert he does not succeed and is happy with himself now.
This performance was beautifully done by Criss as the song contains a powerful message and the shows work to meld the two storyline’s created a very dramatic and important episode which later caused debate as it never came along with a trigger warning.
[ new page = Don't Stop Me Now ]
Don’t Stop Me Now – originally by Queen
Darren Criss goes Freddie Mercury with his cover of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now,’ in one of the shows Diva themed episodes. If his performance was not enough for you to make you want to sing along and dance, perhaps the fact that Criss may have been playing the piano himself during filming will impress you. Criss had been known to play live while filming music numbers in the past so it would not be much of a surprise if he had done the same for this one.
Also, Darren Criss in a leather jacket. It was an easy fan favorite.
[ new page = Dark Side ]
Dark Side – originally by Kelly Clarkson
Criss’ character Blaine returns to his old school at Dalton to visit friends and ask for New Directions National Trophy back which Hunter, the new head Warbler, stole. In the midst Blaine has a mini identity crisis and reminisces with a song. Blaine was the lead soloist since his transfer to Dalton and left the school to be with his boyfriend Kurt.
Fans rejoiced at the news of a new Warbler number as covers done by the boys in the blue and red were some of the more popular ones. A Warbler song is always reason enough for it to make this list as Blaine Anderson will always be a Warbler at heart.
[ new page = All of Me ]
All of Me – originally by John Legend
Remember how I mentioned the whole Darren Criss playing the piano thing? In his performance he made every fan fall in love and want to cry at the same time. While his character Blaine was apologizing to fiancé Kurt about holding the truth from him, he delivered a beautiful song to demonstrate how much Blaine loves him.
This may be one of my favorite performances from Criss’ character ever as the performance comes out raw and honest making it a wonderful addiction to your iTunes playlist.
[ new page = It's Time ]
It’s Time – originally by Imagine Dragons
At the beginning of season four Kurt Hummel was lost, as he had no college plans. Then his wonderful boyfriend Blaine came along and encouraged him to follow his dreams and take on New York because hey, he’s Kurt Hummel so something good would happen eventually.
Blaine sent his boyfriend off with a classic take on Imagine Dragons ‘It’s Time’ and a classy use of cups for a beat at one point. I will willingly take on someone who wants to encourage my dreams through song.
[ new page = Fighter ]
Fighter – originally by Britney Spears
In season three every Blaine fan won the lottery with a Blaine-centered episode where his famous big brother, played by Matt Bomer, came to visit and overshadowed the, what we believe to be perfect, Blaine. The episode gave us a small inside look to the Andersons and left us begging for more, even three seasons later.
Criss delivered an excellent cover of ‘Fighter’ demonstrating Blaine’s anger towards his older brother that not only became a top performance but also gave some fans a heart attack from the shower scene during the song. Criss fans will never complain when it comes to shirtless Blaine.
[ new page = All You Need is Love ]
[ new page = It's Not Unusual ]
It’s Not Unusual – originally by Tom Jones
This was a classic as it was Blaine’s debut song/”audition” for the McKinley High New Directions as his first day since his transfer from Dalton to McKinley. Fans were overjoyed by this performance as it was his first time out of the Dalton blazer and we got a look into Blaine’s wardrobe choices.
Criss’ bouncy performance is adorable and a great start to his life at McKinley and everyone loves this song, especially when Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel-air is jamming,
[ new page = Somewhere Only We Know ]
Somewhere Only We Know – originally by Keane
It may have made you cry and that’s okay. Kurt’s transfer back to McKinley after his mini-stunt at Dalton when he felt unsafe from Karofsky was a hard time for everyone. While fans were happy Kurt was returning to where he was his best self, we also were sad that there would be less time for Kurt and Blaine together.
Criss’ performance of this song conveyed the emotional support and love from one boyfriend to another and I think it generally made all of us jealous. Plus the Warblers traveled with Blaine to serenade their former member so kudos.
[ new page = Teenage Dream ]
Teenage Dream – originally by Katy Perry
It is the song that started it all. And it is most certainly the song that has stuck with Darren Criss the most. To this day the performer will still perform the song at his concerts in homage to the beginning of his new life and love he feels for his job and fans.
It may possibly be his best performance as it is definitely the one that made us all fall in love with the brand new character that is Blaine Anderson. I still dance around to this version and prefer it to Katy Perry – sorry, not sorry.
[ new page = Honorable Mention: Piano Man ]
Piano Man – Billy Joel
This got a few nominations as Criss took on a classic during the Billy Joel episode. Everyone loves a classic.