Glee

I'm just surprised they're taking this so hard.

I mean, don't get me wrong--

I will always love Whitney, too,

but you'd think,

after two months, they'd let it go.

I got this.

Is this you? Mm-hmm.

August 31, 1997.

I was about to start my senior year of high school

when tragedy struck.

I spent the next eight months

writing condolence letters to the two princes

and listening to "Candle in the Wind" on constant repeat.

Emma, I had no idea you had such a connection to her.

I didn't.

I mean, every little girl worshiped her,

but she was just a physical representation of my pain.

You know, I was scared.

It was my last year of high school.

No more living at home.

I was saying good-bye to my teachers and my friend.

Diana dying represented the loss of my childhood.

So Whitney is their Diana.

Yeah, exactly.

It was written for Diana Ross.

No, Mercedes, you are wrong, okay?

The Bodyguard was originally written for Barbra Streisand.

Actually, Rachel, it was supposed to be Diana Ross--

and Steve McQueen, back in the '70s.

Thank you, Mr. Shue.

I've been doing some research

to prepare for this week's lesson.

Oh, my God, yes.

It's about time we did a Whitney tribute!

Are we sure that's appropriate?

You did not just ask that.

I just mean, didn't Whitney

kind of have a lot of problems?

She had a hard life, Sam. And?

Look, this week isn't about passing judgment on Whitney.

It's about celebrating her legacy,

honoring her memory, her accomplishments.

Which I will happily list for you.

But I also want you guys

to use her songs

to get underneath your own feelings.

To express and explore what's really going on with you.

I don't get it, Mr. Shue.

What's really going on with us?

Well, for most of you, these next few weeks

will be your last here at McKinley.

Lots of changes coming up, lots of...

saying good-bye.

To your friends,

to your significant others,

to the last four years of your life.

For a young person, all that transition

can be overwhelming.

So it's easier to focus on other things.

Like not being able to say good-bye to Whitney Houston.

What are you talking about?

Santana, it's okay.

I get it.

You're hanging on to Whitney

because it's difficult to handle

the upheaval in your own lives.

We're hanging on to Whitney because she was incredible

and we love her, so don't put your baggage on us.

You guys, Mr. Shue's attempt to understand us,

though misguided, doesn't matter.

What matters is that I start rehearsing Whitney's version

of "The Star-Spangled Banner" immediately.

It is the Mount Everest of anthems.

How thrilled am I

for this week's assignment?

I'm going to Between the Sheets to find music.

I got to figure out what song I want to do.

I could do "So Emotional,"

which was obviously written for me,

or "One Moment in Time,"

which was also obviously written for me.

Well, you can't really go wrong.

I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.

I could do one for the assignment this week,

and then one for my NYADA audition.

You'll come with me, right?

Well, I can't today.

Okay. Boo.

Well, just text me when you're done.

Will do.

Excuse me.

I'm so sorry to bother you,

but that hippopotamus head brooch

is awesome.

Thanks. That whole outfit is amazing.

You must get compliments all the time.

I don't, actually.

Kurt Hummel.

Chandler Kiehl. I go to North Lima High.

I've got an audition next week, and I'm dying to do

"Rainbow High" from Evita, but the guy

just said they're sold out,

which is a preposterous lie.

What are you auditioning for?

Uh, the musical theater program at NYU.

That's so funny. I'm auditioning for NYADA.

My callback's in a couple weeks. NYADA callback?

Ooh-la-la! What song are you doing?

I'm not sure.

Um, I have to find the perfect Whitney Houston song.

Oh, my God! You must do "One Moment in Time."

Whitney's performance at the '89 Grammys was legend,

and no one has done that song justice since.

But then again, there's also "All the Man That I Need."

Oh, my God! That song is amazing!

You-you must do it.

Finally, a love song where it didn't have to hurt

to turn out right.

Sorry. Am I being really loud?

When I get excited, I tend to start yelling.

No, no. You're just really enthusiastic.

It's refreshing.

Infectious, actually.

Then I should quit while I'm ahead.

Nice to meet you, Kurt Hummel.

I'm sure you'll nail whatever song you pick.

Thank you. Oh, and good luck

with your NYADA callback.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

: We future New Yorkers got to stick together.

Can I get your number?

(Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" begins)