Ever since watching the fall premiere of "Glee" another half dozen times, I haven't been able to stop listening to Lea Michele singing "Take a Bow." (Just ask the people around my desk at work about my obsession.)
Who sings it better? Rihanna (left) or Lea Michele?
Anyway, I realized I'd never heard Rihanna's original version of the song! They really couldn't be more different, even though both women are singing the same words.
Rihanna sings it as a wronged woman who's dumping the jerk who messed with her. She's strong, empowered. Michele, or rather her broken-hearted character, Rachel Berry, is lamenting that her sweetie, Finn, has a girlfriend he doesn't plan to dump. Her version is full of teen angst and torment. You really feel the loss she does; Michele is that good at singing it.
I like the "Glee" version better, obviously. Does that mean I'm a 14-year-old weepy girl? No! (But maybe I can relate for whatever reason. So what!)
Chicago Now