'Glee' Cast - "Loser Like Me"

Listen

On paper, the Glee cast performing original songs in addition to their lengthy string of successful covers probably sounds like a good idea. In practice, not so much. The treacly sing song empowerment anthem "Loser Like Me" sounds like a parody of Glee's own cover versions of higher quality songs. Not to mention the revenge lyrics sound mean spirited and petty. Perhaps there are good reasons most high school show choirs do not perform original songs.

Well, it does seem like this was inevitable. The producers and musical talent behind Glee could not be satisifed with the highly successful cover versions that have sent more than 100 recordings into the Billboard charts. Why not try original songs to expand the Glee franchise further? One listen to "Loser Like Me" gives good reasons to not continue down this path.

The scratchy guitar intro sounds like an attempt to rope in a few Pink fans. However, soon we hear lyrics that are nowhere as thoughtful as "Raise Your Glass" or Katy Perry's "Firework." Those songs and Lady Gaga's #1 smash "Born This Way" are about mass empowerment. "Loser Like Me" is, sadly, a revenge fantasy. Lines like, "Cause I know one day you’ll be screamin’ my name, and I’ll just look away, that’s right" simply sound like encouragement of an eye for an eye mentality. No golden rule sentiments for Glee.

Glee and pop mastermind Max Martin clearly do better on separate paths. It is hard to imagine that this recording was inspired by much of anything beyond a corporate desire to own more of the music marketplace. Glee has an outstanding niche and has shown us there is room for creative interpretations of both classic and current pop hits. Other recording artists are handling the original material quite well on their own. I like when New Directions on Glee sound and look like the show choirs they emulate not simply like a tool of corporate music. No, I'm sorry, I don't want to be a loser like you. I much prefer for all of us to be winners.