As previous editor of this fine section, it was my job to remain vaguely respectable when it came to what music I gave the thumbs up to. I dread to think what would have happened if I had given Cheryl Cole 5 stars, or highlighted Girls Aloud as the greatest lyrical poets of our time. The world would have gone crazy I tell you, people would be buying awful, awful music left, right and centre, and all, all because of ME! (After a slight hysterical/egotistical breakdown, Laura returned to finish the article with a more structured perspective).
Of course, as the accolade of Music Editor no longer hangs around my neck, I am free to express some of my more embarrassing tastes in music. This has to start with the newest television sensation, Glee! And yes, I like it. I’m not saying that it’s complex or challenging by any stretch of the imagination, but there’s something quite delightful about the absolute predictability of it all. In fact, some of it is so expected that there’s even a drinking game – drink when Rachel and Finn give each other dreamy eyes, drink when Glee club wear matching outfits or drink when a young person makes a moving speech about how we need to believe in ourselves (just these three alone would probably have you on the floor by the ad break).
However, I was sure that this Glee idea was just another over the top American tradition, but, in fact, I’m wrong. The very first glee club was founded in London, shockingly as far back as 1787, with ‘glee’ referring to a specific English song popular between 1650 and 1900, (not sure if Don’t Stop Believin’ comes under this category). The University of York even has its very own Glee Club – called the York Glee Singers – with regular concerts every term. Sadly, the kind of sassy ridiculousness of the show just isn’t reality. This is a shame, because whilst plot wise the show is pretty poor (will there ever be an episode that doesn’t revolve around Mr Schuester grabbing a random person to be in Glee club?) the sing-a-longs are actually pretty fun. Obviously completely changing a club to suit gaggling television fans who can’t hit a note (myself not included of course) would never work, but why shouldn’t there be an Over-The-Top-Singing-And-Dancing Society to be a part of? The recession isn’t over and our University fees are probably going to increase – why not sing and make exaggerated hand actions about it? All we need to do is believe in ourselves! Together we can be stronger! We need to follow our dreams! Don’t stop believing! [At this point a Glee drinking game partaker died of alcohol poisoning and the article had to finish].