We Are Born Innocent [a blaine prequel fanmix]
Blaine Anderson. He's stolen my heart (and Kurt's) in twenty short minutes of screentime, but he is still such a blank slate. He may be dapper, and he may sing a mean Katy Perry, but all we really know about his backstory is that he was taunted for being gay at his old school, causing him to transfer (run away) to Dalton.
This fanmix was my attempt at exploring Blaine's past.
I start off imagining him in junior high (age 14) discovering himself with another boy for the first time, in a typical coming-of-age fashion ("Wonderful World"). They grow close, and as his orientation finally starts to make sense, he realizes that he wants to share his relationship with the rest of the world ("Wear Your Love Like Heaven").
His boyfriend, however, does not share his enthusiasm, and was much more hesitant to come out of the closet. Blaine makes a heartfelt plea, and finally convinces him ("Life Uncommon"). However, in his youthful naivete, he vastly underestimated the rejection they would experience, and their lives become a living hell ("Into the Fire"). Although at first they were determined to stand up against the persecution ("I Won't Walk Away"), they eventually succumb and separate ("Landslide").
Blaine is wracked with guilt for ruining his boyfriend's life ("Adia"). Although he resolves to stand strong ("Across the Universe"), he wonders whether there is a better place where such suffering does not occur ("Over the Rainbow"). He transfers to Dalton Academy, and begins to rediscover himself there ("Who I Am"), and live on without regret.
This backstory sets Blaine up to be the confident, out-and-proud teen that we see today. He recognizes and tries to live by the ideas of courage and freedom, but he is still haunted by the ramifications of his past actions, including his defeat at the hands of his bullies and his abandonment of his boyfriend and school.
Perhaps he sees his atonement in Kurt.
I did not want Blaine to come across as vulnerable and raw as Kurt did in Sweet Surrender. He is calm, collected, and well-intentioned -- but it was not enough. He feels pride, regret, guilt, and responsibility, but he remains firmly poised and grounded throughout.
--
[1] Wonderful World, Sam Cooke - It was a sweet, innocent schoolboy romance between two boys’ mutual journeys of self-discovery.
Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra,
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I do know one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be
[2] Wear Your Love Like Heaven, Sarah McLachlan - Happy and optimistic, Blaine wants to share their relationship with the world.
Cannot believe what I see
All I have wished for will be
All of our race proud and free
Wear your love like heaven
[3] Life Uncommon, Jewel - Although both are scared, Blaine reassures them that coming out will make a difference, and is the right thing to do.
There are plenty of people that pray for peace
But if praying were enough it would have come to be
Let your words enslave no one
And the heavens will hush themselves to hear
Our voices ring out clear with sounds of freedom
[4] Into The Fire, Bryan Adams - Unfortunately, the world does not react kindly.
Now you've done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So you stand on the mountain and shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you - the words only echo inside
Oh, shelter the flame - it may expire
Rising up from the ashes
Into the fire
[5] I Won't Walk Away, Jewel - Blaine is determined to make it work.
Wrong or right
Be mine tonight
Harsh world be damned
We'll make a stand
[6] Landslide, Fleetwood Mac - Alas, it all falls apart.
I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought it down
[7] Adia, Sarah McLachlan - Feeling responsible for the fallout, Blaine is wracked with guilt, and feels like he has let his boyfriend down.
'Cause we are born innocent
Believe me Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter
Does it matter?
[8] Across the Universe, The Beatles [Rufus Wainwright version] - Caught in a maelstrom of continuing persecution, Blaine resolves to stand his ground...
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's going to change my world
[9] Over the Rainbow, The Wizard of Oz [Glee Cast version]- ...but he buckles and transfers to Dalton.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are
Far behind me...
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me...
[10] Who I Am, Jessica Andrews - At Dalton, Blaine picks himself back up and stands proud.
So when I make a big mistake
When I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing
I will be just fine
‘Cause nothing changes who I am
--
Download link here.
This fanmix was my attempt at exploring Blaine's past.
I start off imagining him in junior high (age 14) discovering himself with another boy for the first time, in a typical coming-of-age fashion ("Wonderful World"). They grow close, and as his orientation finally starts to make sense, he realizes that he wants to share his relationship with the rest of the world ("Wear Your Love Like Heaven").
His boyfriend, however, does not share his enthusiasm, and was much more hesitant to come out of the closet. Blaine makes a heartfelt plea, and finally convinces him ("Life Uncommon"). However, in his youthful naivete, he vastly underestimated the rejection they would experience, and their lives become a living hell ("Into the Fire"). Although at first they were determined to stand up against the persecution ("I Won't Walk Away"), they eventually succumb and separate ("Landslide").
Blaine is wracked with guilt for ruining his boyfriend's life ("Adia"). Although he resolves to stand strong ("Across the Universe"), he wonders whether there is a better place where such suffering does not occur ("Over the Rainbow"). He transfers to Dalton Academy, and begins to rediscover himself there ("Who I Am"), and live on without regret.
This backstory sets Blaine up to be the confident, out-and-proud teen that we see today. He recognizes and tries to live by the ideas of courage and freedom, but he is still haunted by the ramifications of his past actions, including his defeat at the hands of his bullies and his abandonment of his boyfriend and school.
Perhaps he sees his atonement in Kurt.
I did not want Blaine to come across as vulnerable and raw as Kurt did in Sweet Surrender. He is calm, collected, and well-intentioned -- but it was not enough. He feels pride, regret, guilt, and responsibility, but he remains firmly poised and grounded throughout.
--
[1] Wonderful World, Sam Cooke - It was a sweet, innocent schoolboy romance between two boys’ mutual journeys of self-discovery.
Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra,
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I do know one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be
[2] Wear Your Love Like Heaven, Sarah McLachlan - Happy and optimistic, Blaine wants to share their relationship with the world.
Cannot believe what I see
All I have wished for will be
All of our race proud and free
Wear your love like heaven
[3] Life Uncommon, Jewel - Although both are scared, Blaine reassures them that coming out will make a difference, and is the right thing to do.
There are plenty of people that pray for peace
But if praying were enough it would have come to be
Let your words enslave no one
And the heavens will hush themselves to hear
Our voices ring out clear with sounds of freedom
[4] Into The Fire, Bryan Adams - Unfortunately, the world does not react kindly.
Now you've done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So you stand on the mountain and shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you - the words only echo inside
Oh, shelter the flame - it may expire
Rising up from the ashes
Into the fire
[5] I Won't Walk Away, Jewel - Blaine is determined to make it work.
Wrong or right
Be mine tonight
Harsh world be damned
We'll make a stand
[6] Landslide, Fleetwood Mac - Alas, it all falls apart.
I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought it down
[7] Adia, Sarah McLachlan - Feeling responsible for the fallout, Blaine is wracked with guilt, and feels like he has let his boyfriend down.
'Cause we are born innocent
Believe me Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter
Does it matter?
[8] Across the Universe, The Beatles [Rufus Wainwright version] - Caught in a maelstrom of continuing persecution, Blaine resolves to stand his ground...
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's going to change my world
[9] Over the Rainbow, The Wizard of Oz [Glee Cast version]- ...but he buckles and transfers to Dalton.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are
Far behind me...
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me...
[10] Who I Am, Jessica Andrews - At Dalton, Blaine picks himself back up and stands proud.
So when I make a big mistake
When I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing
I will be just fine
‘Cause nothing changes who I am
--
Download link here.