Human Nature

The Glee Cast Takes On a Pop Classic with "Human Nature"

Imagine television in early 2012, when one show had turned the act of covering hit songs into a weekly cultural event and a Tuesday-night ritual for millions. Glee was at the height of its powers, a musical phenomenon that sent a steady stream of show-tune-flavored pop covers onto the charts. Its version of "Human Nature" was one of countless reinterpretations the cast produced, this time reaching back to one of the most beloved songs of the 1980s for inspiration.

A Chart Machine Made for Television

By 2012 Glee had become a singular force in popular music. The show charted more Billboard Hot 100 entries than almost any act in history, releasing dozens upon dozens of cover versions performed by its talented young cast. Each episode functioned as a kind of jukebox, reimagining classic and contemporary hits within its high-school storylines. The formula was wildly successful, turning the Glee Cast into a chart presence unlike anything before it. The covers were polished, energetic, and designed to send viewers straight to their digital music stores the moment an episode ended.

This was a new model of pop stardom, one built entirely on television exposure and the affection of a devoted fan base.

Reimagining a 1980s Gem

"Human Nature" was a cover of a song originally made famous by Michael Jackson. The original appeared on Jackson's landmark 1982 album Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, and remains a beloved example of his softer, more reflective side. The Glee Cast version brought the gentle, dreamy ballad into the show's world, layering it with the bright, contemporary production and earnest vocal performances that defined the series. Covering such a cherished song was a bold choice, inviting comparison with one of pop's greatest artists, but it suited the show's habit of mining the great pop songbook for emotional moments.

A Single Week on the Hot 100

The cover entered the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated February 18, 2012, at number 56. As was typical for many Glee releases, it was a brief appearance driven by the airing of its episode. The song spent just one week on the Hot 100, with that debut also serving as its peak. This pattern was common for the show's enormous output. Individual covers often charted for a single week on the strength of episode-night downloads before giving way to the next batch of songs. A number 56 debut represented a solid showing for one of the show's many weekly releases.

The fleeting chart life was less a measure of weakness than a feature of the Glee model, which prioritized constant turnover and sheer volume.

Part of a Cultural Phenomenon

The Glee Cast's "Human Nature" is best understood as one piece of an extraordinary moment in pop culture, when a television show became one of the most prolific hitmakers around. The cover introduced a new generation to a classic Michael Jackson song while showcasing the vocal talents of the show's performers. For fans of the series, it was another cherished musical highlight; for the broader chart, it was a small entry in an almost unimaginable run of placements. The song stands as a testament to Glee's unique ability to keep the great pop catalog alive for younger audiences.

Few television projects have ever connected music and storytelling as profitably or as widely as this one did at its peak.

Press Play for a Heartfelt Cover

Put on the Glee Cast's "Human Nature" and hear a beloved 1980s ballad reimagined through the bright, emotional lens of the show that defined an era of television. It is a sincere tribute to a pop classic, performed with the youthful energy that made the series such a phenomenon. The song is a reminder of how powerfully music and storytelling can intertwine.

"Human Nature" — the Glee Cast's singular moment on the 2010s charts.