"Glee: The Music, Vol. 4" Soundtrack Lyrics

"Glee: The Music, Volume 4" Soundtrack Description

Overview

How do you bottle the first half of a bigger, brasher Year 2? With a front-loaded, 18-track set that moves from recruitment bops to wedding euphoria and Sectionals nerves. Released late November 2010 on Columbia/20th Century Fox TV, the album covers eight of the first nine episodes of Season 2 (the Rocky Horror hour spun off to its own EP). Runtime: about 65 minutes.

The sequencing mirrors broadcast momentum: campus-lawn swagger (“Empire State of Mind”), transfer-student spark (“Billionaire,” “Lucky”), Britney Week maximalism (“Me Against the Music,” “Stronger,” “Toxic”), faith and grief reframed as pop hymn (“I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “One of Us”), a substitute teacher flipping the room (“Forget You”), then the “Furt” wedding suite (“Marry You,” “Sway,” “Just the Way You Are”) and a Sectionals one-two (“Valerie,” “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”). Wikipedia and Apple Music align on track list, credits, release date, and chart notes; contemporary recaps pin down scene contexts.

Questions & Answers

What period of the show does Volume 4 cover?

Season 2’s first half (Episodes 1–4, 6–9). Episode 5 (“The Rocky Horror Glee Show”) is handled by a separate EP.

When did it come out and how long is it?

Late November 2010; 18 songs; ~65 minutes.

Big singles tied to this disc?

“Teenage Dream” (Warblers) was the breakout (214k U.S. first week). “Toxic,” “Billionaire,” and “Empire State of Mind” also posted strong numbers.

Who are the headline guests?

Darren Criss fronts “Teenage Dream”; Gwyneth Paltrow leads “Forget You.”

Are the wedding songs from “Furt” here?

Yes: “Marry You,” “Sway,” and “Just the Way You Are.”

Where can I verify track origins?

Wikipedia’s album page and the Season 2 song list; Apple Music for runtime/rights; episode guides for placements.

Notes & Trivia

• All 18 tracks were issued as weekly singles during fall 2010; only “Sway” missed the Hot 100 in the U.S.
• The album was Grammy-nominated (Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, 2011).
• “Empire State of Mind” and “Teenage Dream” set then-franchise download records in their first weeks.
• Japanese CDs add “Dog Days Are Over” and “Telephone.”

Genres & Themes

Hip-hop/pop spectacle → recruitment & turf: “Empire State of Mind” turns a courtyard into a stage; swagger as marketing.

Indie confession → apology as plot: “The Only Exception” softens rivalry into reconciliation.

Britney maximalism → identity cosplay: “Me Against the Music,” “Stronger,” and “Toxic” push characters into stylized fantasies to test confidence.

Old-school soul & doo-wop → chosen family: “One Love/People Get Ready” and “Just the Way You Are” make community feel literal.

Tracks & Scenes

(Episode placements cross-checked with official listings and episode guides; times vary by platform.)

“Empire State of Mind” — New Directions
Where it plays: S2E1 “Audition,” outdoor/courtyard recruitment; diegetic performance aimed at new talent.
Why it matters: Stakes the club’s claim to cool in the open air.

“Billionaire” — Sam (Chord Overstreet) with ND boys
Where it plays: S2E1 choir-room tryout; diegetic, guitar-led.
Why it matters: Introduces Sam’s tone and wins him a slot.

“Me Against the Music” — Brittany & Santana
Where it plays: S2E2 “Britney/Brittany,” dream-sequence choreography; stylized diegesis.
Why it matters: Puts Brittana front-and-center; rivalry turns into mirror play.

“Stronger” — Artie with the Titans
Where it plays: S2E2 training montage on the field and halls; diegetic pep-routine.
Why it matters: Uses a Britney hit to sell Artie’s grit (and the football subplot).

“Toxic” — New Directions
Where it plays: S2E2 school assembly; diegetic; performance shut down mid-song.
Why it matters: The cautionary line between provocative and “too far.”

“The Only Exception” — Rachel
Where it plays: S2E1 hallway/stage apology to Finn; diegetic with montage close.
Why it matters: Disarms a rivalry week and softens the premiere’s edges.

“I Want to Hold Your Hand” — Kurt
Where it plays: S2E3 “Grilled Cheesus,” auditorium solo about his father; diegetic performance.
Why it matters: Grief translated into restraint; one of Colfer’s signature moments.

“One of Us” — New Directions
Where it plays: S2E3 closing; diegetic choir-room benediction.
Why it matters: Reframes the episode’s faith debate as community.

“River Deep, Mountain High” — Mercedes & Santana
Where it plays: S2E4 “Duets,” auditorium throw-down; diegetic.
Why it matters: A power pairing that out-charms the competition.

“Lucky” — Sam & Quinn
Where it plays: S2E4 stage duet; diegetic; wins the duets assignment.
Why it matters: Cements the Sam/Quinn arc.

“One Love/People Get Ready” — Artie & Puck
Where it plays: S2E6 “Never Been Kissed,” hallway/commons serenade; diegetic busking vibe.
Why it matters: Friendship repair via reggae classic.

“Teenage Dream” — The Warblers (lead: Blaine)
Where it plays: S2E6 Dalton staircase; fully diegetic a cappella.
Why it matters: Franchise-level breakout that shifts Kurt’s path.

“Forget You” — Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow)
Where it plays: S2E7 “The Substitute,” choir-room take-over; diegetic classroom jam.
Why it matters: Guest star flips the show’s energy and wins over the kids.

“Marry You” — Ensemble
Where it plays: S2E8 “Furt,” aisle-dance wedding; diegetic ceremony performance.
Why it matters: Pure communal joy; choreography as family.

“Sway” — Will Schuester
Where it plays: S2E8 reception; diegetic crooner interlude.
Why it matters: Old-school charm between bigger set pieces.

“Just the Way You Are” — Finn & ND
Where it plays: S2E8 post-wedding reconciliation; diegetic choir-room coda.
Why it matters: Affirms the group’s new family configuration.

“Valerie” — Santana with ND
Where it plays: S2E9 “Special Education,” Sectionals stage; diegetic competition number.
Why it matters: Gives Santana the mic for the win.

“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” — Sam & Quinn
Where it plays: S2E9 Sectionals duet; diegetic competition set.
Why it matters: Nostalgia lever with clean leads, balancing “Valerie.”

Music–Story Links

New leadership pressure → campus spectacle (“Empire State of Mind”). A new tenor shows up → instant chemistry tests (“Billionaire,” “Lucky”). Identity wobbles get a safe mask → Britney Week dream-staging. A health crisis forces the show to whisper, not shout → Kurt’s “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Authority goes sideways → a substitute wins the room by play (“Forget You”). Family is chosen, then legalized → the “Furt” trifecta. Finally, Sectionals split the difference: old-school romance and sharp funk (“Time of My Life” + “Valerie”).

How It Was Made

Executive production: Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk; producers/arrangers Adam Anders and Peer Åström; music supervision by PJ Bloom; additional production from Tommy Faragher. The label announced the track list in early November 2010; all cuts had rolled out as weekly singles by the time the album hit stores. Guest turns (Darren Criss, Gwyneth Paltrow) were tracked to match on-air debuts.

Reception & Quotes

Debuted #5 on the Billboard 200 (128k U.S. first week); Australia #3, Canada #6; later certified Gold in Australia. Critics were split on some early-season choices but singled out key vocals and arrangements.

“‘The Only Exception’ is gorgeous and tender.” Rolling Stone

“McHale sells ‘Stronger’ with surprising soul.” Entertainment Weekly

“‘Empire State of Mind’ felt maybe-trying-too-hard, but the opener still did its job.” The Washington Post

Additional Info

• All tracks (except “Sway”) reached both the Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian Hot 100.
• “Teenage Dream” set a then-Glee one-week download record (214k U.S.).
• Album was announced Nov 3 (track list) and Nov 9 (press release) ahead of the Nov 26/30 retail dates across regions.
• Personnel credits include leads from the full principal cast; liner notes list detailed vocal/production roles.

Technical Info

• Title: Glee: The Music, Volume 4
• Year/Type: 2010, TV soundtrack (Season 2 — fall arc)
• Label: Columbia / 20th Century Fox TV
• Length: ~65 minutes; 18 tracks
• Key placements (selected): S2E1 “Audition” (“Empire State of Mind,” “The Only Exception,” “Billionaire”); S2E2 “Britney/Brittany” (“Me Against the Music,” “Stronger,” “Toxic”); S2E3 “Grilled Cheesus” (“I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “One of Us”); S2E4 “Duets” (“River Deep, Mountain High,” “Lucky”); S2E6 “Never Been Kissed” (“Teenage Dream,” “One Love/People Get Ready”); S2E7 “The Substitute” (“Forget You”); S2E8 “Furt” (“Marry You,” “Sway,” “Just the Way You Are”); S2E9 “Special Education” (“Valerie,” “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”).
• Chart notes: U.S. #5 (Billboard 200), U.S. Soundtracks #2; AU #3; CA #6.
• Availability: Digital/CD; ℗ 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Wikipedia (album & Season 2 song list); Apple Music; Entertainment Weekly; Rolling Stone; The Washington Post; Vanity Fair (episode recaps).

November, 09th 2025