Kurt & Blaine - A Journey in Song
One of the more frustrating things about shipping Kurt & Blaine has been the tendency for the writers to choose songs that could be totally ship enhancing songs, but the characters never really sang them in context. Nonetheless, I think sub-textually, these songs were chosen for a reason. There are plenty of songs that could have been chosen, but these were the songs that they sang. They do have meaning for the development of Kurt & Blaine’s relationship and I’ve attempted to outline that meaning here.
What follows may be, what you consider, an over-analysis of these songs and their placement in the narrative of Kurt & Blaine. Nevertheless, I think it holds some merit. Enjoy!
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Teenage Dream
Before you met me
I was alright, but things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life.
This song signifies a new beginning for both Blaine and Kurt - but specifically Kurt - because we’re only just meeting Blaine when Kurt does. Kurt has never had another gay peer in his life before, so meeting Blaine, and having Blaine essentially take his hand and let him into his world, is pretty powerful.
Hey Soul Sister
I knew when we collided
You’re the one I have decided is one of my kind
Kurt and Blaine have now known each other several weeks or a month. Blaine has quickly opened up to Kurt and been a support for him. He supported Kurt during his confrontation with Karofsky, he sent encouraging texts, and he and Kurt have gone to the theater together. Kurt transfers to Dalton to avoid Karofsky. This song is about Kurt and Blaine growing closer. It’s about each of them finally having someone who understands what it’s like to be a gay teen in small-town Ohio.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow
Think about life-long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you got pneumonia and died
Duet #1 - In this song, Kurt and Blaine flirt with flirtation. Kurt is in love with Blaine. What’s important about this duet is that it shows that Kurt and Blaine are not on the same page romantically. They are singing two completely different threads of conversation here. They care for each other, but it’s not time yet - it’s not right.
Bills, Bills, Bills
On the heels of Warbler popularity, this song was added as a gratuitous grab for ratings. Nothing more.
When I Get You Alone
See all these illusions just take us too long
And I want it bad
Because you walk pretty, you talk pretty
On Valentine’s Day, Blaine reveals that he is in love - or so he thinks. By the end of the episode, he realizes he’s been a total fool. His words for Jeremiah are very physical, lustful words. Blaine starts out thinking he’s in love, but ends up realizing he doesn’t have a clue what love is.
Silly Love Songs
Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs
And what’s wrong with that, I’d like to know
Cause here I go again
Though Blaine may not know what love is or how to be in love, it’s clear from this song that he doesn’t intend to run away from love. Love is something Blaine wants, needs, hopes for in the future. He doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with being the hopeful romantic. Curiously, this song comes after his talk with Kurt and he confesses to Kurt that he “really cares” about him and doesn’t “want to screw this up.” Though Blaine is not in love with Kurt yet, Blaine seems bolstered by the fact that Kurt just might love him and he’s going to be cautious, but not rule Kurt out.
Animal
Oh oh, I want some more
Oh oh, what are you waiting for?
Duet #2 - This time around, the pair is on the same page. It’s been at least a few weeks since Silly Love Songs and I have to imagine the gears in Blaine’s overactive brain have been turning a little bit, wondering if maybe he could date Kurt. This is attempt at flirting number two as well, and this time, they sing about the same things.
Misery
So scared of breaking it, that you won’t let it bend
The way it feels to be completely intertwined
Not that I didn’t care, it’s that I didn’t know
It’s not what I didn’t feel, it’s what I didn’t show.
Though Blaine’s official epiphany moment about Kurt comes during Blackbird, I think the use of Misery - in this time, in this place (come on guys, they don’t just randomly pick these songs) is a hint that Blaine has been - at least subconsciously - working through Kurt possibly meaning more to him than just a good friend since SLS. Blackbird is simply the moment he needs to really realize how deep his feelings are for Kurt and that yes - it may be scary to possibly stretch a relationship to its breaking point (admitting he has feelings for Kurt) - but it’s worth it for what they could both gain.
Blackbird
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Ever wonder why a slightly melodramatic, if beautiful, song about a bird ~moved Blaine so much? It's because, though Kurt sings this song for Pavarotti, this song is really about Blaine. Blaine is the blackbird with broken wings. With Kurt's help, he's ready to fly again.
Candles
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I’m beginning to see the light
Duet #3 - I’ve read a lot of people who seemed very confused about this song as the first duet as a couple, but in a way I think it makes a lot of sense. Yes, the song in its original context is about a couple breaking up, but I think it’s reimaged here as a dissolution of their relationship as it once was - just a friendship - and the creation of something new, a romantic relationship. Not only are they both on the same page in this duet, they sing many of the lines together and even finish each other’s sentences. Stylistically, this song signifies their cohesion as a couple. It is a far cry from them talking past each other in BICO. Interestingly, when Blaine realizes he’s in love with Kurt, Blaine doesn’t sing AT him as he sang at Jeremiah, he sings WITH Kurt. Dueting gives Kurt a voice and signifies their equality in this relationship.
Raise Your Glass
Raise your glass if you are wrong, in all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud and nitty gritty
Kurt and Blaine are gay. Kurt and Blaine are a couple. Kurt and Blaine are out and proud. This song is a big gay celebration. It’s a reassurance that neither of them (particularly not Blaine) is backing down from who they are and they have people around them (The Warblers & The New Directions cheering from the audience) who support them.
And so, Klaine begins.