Popular from Wicked is featured in 2009, the twelfth episode of Season Six. It is sung by Kurt and Rachel.
The next day after Kurt and Rachel introduces themselves to each other, they practice their glee club audition with this song. At the end, Kurt says it was incredible, but Rachel tells him they're not auditioning together, since she states she will shine by herself. She walks away from the auditorium, telling him it's show choir.
Lyrics[]
Rachel:
Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I
And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?
My tender heart tends to start to bleed
And when someone needs a makeover
I simply have to take over
I know, I know exactly what they need
And even in your case
Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face
Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed
Follow my lead
And yes, indeed
You will be
Kurt and Rachel:
Popular
You're gonna be popular
I'll teach you the proper ploys when you talk to boys
Little ways to flirt and flounce (Rachel: Ooh)
Kurt:
I'll show you what shoes to wear
Rachel:
How to fix your hair
Kurt and Rachel:
Everything that really counts to be popular
I'll help you be popular
Rachel:
You'll hang with the right cohorts
Kurt:
You'll be good at sports
Rachel:
Know the slang you've got to know
Kurt and Rachel:
So let's start
Cause you've got an awfully long way to go
Rachel (and Kurt):
Don't be offended by my frank analysis
(Think of it as personality dialysis)
Now that I've chosen to become a pal, a sister and adviser
Kurt:
There's nobody wiser
Rachel:
Not when it comes to
Kurt:
Popular
I know about popular
And with an assist from me
To be who you'll be
Kurt and Rachel:
Instead of dreary who you were
Kurt:
Well are
Kurt and Rachel:
There's nothing that can stop you
From becoming popular (Kurt: lar)
La la, la la
We're gonna make you popular
Rachel:
When I see depressing creatures
With unprepossessing features
Kurt:
I remind them on their own behalf
Kurt and Rachel:
To think of
Celebrated heads of state
Or specially great communicators
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Rachel:
Don't make me laugh
Haha
They were popular
Kurt:
Please
Kurt and Rachel:
It's all about popular
It's not about aptitude
It's the way you're viewed
So it's very shrewd to be
Very, very popular
Like me (Rachel: Hihihi)
Rachel:
Why?
Miss Elphaba
Look at you
You're beautiful
Kurt:
I-I have to go
Rachel:
You're welcome
And though you protest
Your disinterest
Kurt and Rachel:
I know clandestinely
You're gonna grin and bear it
Your new found popularity (Rachel: Ah)
La la la la
You'll be popular
Just not quite as popular as me
Trivia[]
- Kristin Chenoweth, who portrayed April Rhodes, performed Popular when she originated the role of Glinda in Wicked in 2003.
- Ali Stroker, who portrayed Betty Pillsbury, sung this song for her last-chance performance in the Season 2 finale of The Glee Project.
- This is the third Kurt-Rachel duet from "Wicked" after Defying Gravity and For Good.
- This is, however, the first and only song where Rachel sang the part of Glinda (as seen in the dialogue lines)
- With this song, Kurt and Rachel have a duet together in every season.
- This song was supposed to be sung by Rachel and Kurt on The Purple Piano Project, but then it was changed to Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead for unknown reasons.
- This is, chronologically, the first duet by Kurt and Rachel and the first duet of the series overall.
- The first and last duet sung by Kurt Hummel and Rachel Berry are both from Wicked.
- During the pre-production for 2009, Adam Anders, one of the music producers for Glee, tweeted about doing a song that was supposed to be in Season Four . Whilst not confirmed, this song is speculated to be Popular after several reports the song would be sung by Kitty early in the shows fourth season in regards to the eating disorder storyline. Source
- This is the last song from a musical to be covered on the show.
- Chronologically, all of the Rachel-Kurt duets from "Wicked" also take place in the order of the actual musical. Popular followed by Defying Gravity and then For Good.
- This is the final song origanally from a "Wizard of Oz" themed piece of media.