Destination Jam: Five of Cory Monteith's most inspiring songs from 'Glee' that celebrate his legacy
Cory Monteith left a massive impact on the world in a very short time. With his shot to fame following his time as Finn Hudson on 'Glee', he managed to share his message of joy, positivity and hope with the world, reminding us all that no matter what struggles we were facing, we could tackle it head-on. And while he may have lost his battle, he made sure his legacy was one that helped us hold on to hope, no matter what. So in honor of Monteith, here are five songs from his time on 'Glee' that truly symbolize what he represented.
'Keep Holding On'
This Avril Lavigne power ballad was originally penned for the 2006 film 'Eragon', later featuring on her album 'The Best Damn Thing'. Despite the movie not opening to great reviews, this song was praised by critics who admired the song's vocals and instrumentation and its message of love and loyalty. The Glee cast later sang a version of the song in a 2009 episode of the show titled 'Throwdown'. Lyrically, 'Keep Holding On' is a beautiful track that sees the singer reassuring someone they love that they'll be for them no matter what happens, promising that they'll get through everything together. Monteith, throughout his career, upheld this message and was a source of hope and inspiration to all his fans.
'You Can't Always Get What You Want'
Considered one of the greatest songs of all time, this Rolling Stones track is one of the most uplifting pieces of music that reminds us to hold on to hope because even if life doesn't always work out the way we planned, the things that are meant to happen will find a way. The song's verses additionally tackled topical themes of the '60s including love, politics, and drugs. But even with darker themes, the song never loses its sense of optimism, even finding a way to hold on to that feeling during the chorus which includes the song's most popular lyrics, "You can't always get what you want / But if you try sometime, you find / You get what you need."
'Man In The Mirror'
One of Michael Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs, 'Man In The Mirror' revolves around someone deciding it was time to make a change. The title draws from this narrator recognizing that in order for the world to change, one must start with the 'man in the mirror'. Much like the mirror, the song's music and lyrics are reflective and were built on addressing one's own flaws and working on becoming a better person. Monteith was extremely vocal about his struggles, believing that in sharing his journey he could inspire others to make a change as well, so the fact that he got to sing this song as Finn Hudson truly makes it one of the most inspiring moments to come from the show.
'Girls Just Want To Have Fun'
This Cyndi Lauper tune had a special place on Glee. After all, it was sung by Monteith's character Finn, along with the New Directions Boys, as a way to show Naya Rivera's Santana that she was loved and cared for as she embarked on the journey towards coming out of the closet. Seeing Finn sitting across a teary-eyed Santana as he reassured her that her sexual orientation would not change their friendship was - and remains - one of the best moments on the show.
'Don't Stop Believin''
Is there a track more inspirational than Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin''? The song has been hailed as everything from an anthem to a "perfect rock song" featuring what Mike DeGagne of AllMusic described as "one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock." As the best-selling digital track from the 20th century, it's no surprise Glee had it featured as one of its show-stopping numbers. The show's version was praised by fans and critics alike and was one of the most popular songs when it released. Seeing Monteith and gang sing this tune with the biggest smiles on their faces will probably be the single most heartwarming memory from Glee that everyone will hold on to no matter what.
Destination Jam is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained and grooving up top in lieu of feeling drained and losing the plot. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!