The Life and Times of Kurt Hummel
Season 4, Episode 4: BATTLE OF THE BANDS
4/22- Kurt has an epiphany at NYADA and decides to start a band. After setting up auditions, he is annoyed when only two people show; struggling artist Dani and the ambitious Starchild. Meanwhile, Sam reveals his dream to Rachel and Santana.
Kurt was sat watching the NYADA showcase he'd spent the last week helping to plan and prepare, but when the time came he wasn't paying attention to the students singing, but by those playing the instruments around them. He had been trying to think of a way to use up any spare time and distract his thoughts of Blaine. Looking at the instruments around him sparked an epiphany.
A band.
Kurt smiled as his face lit up.
-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KURT HUMMEL-
"Well, count me in. Sounds like a good way to get attention." Santana said with a sly smile as she finished cleaning a table at The Spotlight Diner after a long shift.
"Awesome! Rachel?" Kurt said, glaring at his friend.
"Um...okay. Any opportunity to showcase my glowing talent! Have you asked Sam yet?" Rachel asked. Kurt nodded.
"Yeah, but he says he no can't right now as he feels betrayed because none of the members of One Direction tweeted him back yet." Kurt said, rolling his eyes. Santana laughed.
"That boy has some serious issues, and not just the black hole where his mouth should be. Seriously, that mouth is HUGE. If he talks he looks like a cartoon." Santana snapped.
"ANYWAY," Kurt began, "I'm holding auditions this weekend. I've rented out a room at NYADA and have already put flyers up everywhere. This is just what I need to...well, to take my mind off things."
"Very wise." Rachel said with a smile. Kurt smiled back. He was happy at the thought of him running a successful band. Kurt felt in his heart it would be a success.
...
That weekend, Kurt, Rachel, Santana and Sam sat behind a desk desperately waiting for auditionees to turn up. There was silence for a long while.
"...I'm getting kinda hungry." Sam said.
"Just wait a little longer, people will come!" Kurt said.
"How many people actually signed up?" Rachel asked.
"...Two." Kurt whispered.
"Only two people auditioning? This is embarrassing." Santana said. As she did a girl with blonde hair and a guitar walked in.
"Hey, I'm Dani Harper. Is this the right place for band auditions? I signed up a few days ago." The girl said with a warm smile.
"Yes! This is the place! Thanks for coming!" Kurt said.
"You play guitar! That's very impressive!" Rachel said.
"Thanks. I love it. I love music, really; it's all I know. No matter what life throws at me if I have a guitar in my hands I'm okay. I want to break into the business and this seemed like a good place to start." Dani explained.
"Very good! Okay, what song will you be singing?" Kurt asked.
"Hummingbird Heartbeat by Katy Perry." Dani said nervously.
"I LOVE that song! I'm a HUGE Katy fan." Rachel said.
"Blaine is too!" Kurt exclaimed excitedly, then realised what he had said and was overcome with sadness.
"...I wish he could be here to see it." Kurt added almost silently.
"You okay?" Rachel whispered. Kurt nodded.
"Okay, when you're ready." Santana said. Dani took a deep breath, plugged in her guitar and started playing. Everyone was immediately impressed, and even more so when she started to sing.
"You make me feel like I'm losing my virginity Let's pollinate to create a family tree Even the seasons change You give me the hummingbird heartbeat I've flown a million miles just to find a magic seed I was on the brink of a heart attack Even the seasons change You give me the hummingbird heartbeat You love me, you love me Spread my wings and make me fly You give me the hummingbird heartbeat
The first time every time when you touch me
I make you bloom like a flower that you never seen
Under the sun we are one buzzing energy
This evolution with you comes naturally
Some call it science we call it chemistry
This is the story of the birds and the bees
Our love still stays the same
Spread my wings and make me fly
The taste of your honey is so sweet
When you give me the hummingbird heartbeat, hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
A white flower with the power to bring life to me
You're so exotic my whole body fluttering
Constantly craving for a taste of your sticky sweet
You gave me life and keep me coming back
I see the sun rise in your eyes, your eyes
We've got a future full of blue skies, blue skies
Our love still stays the same
Spread my wings and make me fly
The taste of your honey is so sweet
When you give me the hummingbird heartbeat, hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Never love me not, not, oh no
When we hear a perfect harmony
You make me sound like, like a symphony
The taste of your honey is so sweet
When you give me the hummingbird heartbeat, hummingbird heartbeat
Spread my wings and make me fly
The taste of your honey is so sweet
When you give me the hummingbird heartbeat, hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat
Oh oh
Hummingbird heartbeat."
The song ended and everyone applauded.
"WOW! That was amazing! You're so in!" Kurt said and Dani smiled.
"Thank you so much!" Dani said.
"Do you wanna stay and watch the next auditionee?" Kurt asked. Dani nodded and sat next to Santana, who smiled at her.
"Anyone else think she looks like Sonny from 'Sonny With A Chance'?" Sam whispered to Rachel and Kurt. Their thoughts were disturbed by a guy walking in with a glittery suit and top hat.
"Hey! I'm here for the band audition." The man said.
"Yeah, I take it you're, um...Starchild?" Kurt asked. Santana looked appalled at the sound of the name.
"Wow, you're parents have weird choices for names. Do you have a sister called Moonkid or something?" Sam asked. Starchild laughed.
"No, it's a stage name. My real name is Elliott Gilbert." Elliott explained.
"Okay, well let's look past your blindingly bright outfit and get to the song." Kurt said, intimidated by Starchild's presence.
"Okay, I chose a song from one of my favourite artists who inspires me every day to be who I am and be proud of it, no matter what anyone thinks." Elliott said, glaring at Kurt. He walked up to a speaker and plugged in his phone, starting the music. He walked to the centre of the room and threw of his hat, just missing Kurt. The music kicked in and he started to sing.
"I'm gonna marry the night I'm gonna marry the dark I'm gonna marry the night I'm gonna marry the night M-m-m-Marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night I'm gonna lace up my boots Then I'll go down to the bar I'm gonna marry the night I'm gonna marry the night M-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night Nothing's too cool Come on and run I'm gonna marry the night M-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night I'm gonna marry
I won't give up on my life
I'm a warrior queen
Live passionately tonight
Gonna make love to the stark
I'm a soldier to my own emptiness
I am a winner
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm not gonna cry anymore
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothing on these streets to explore
Oh m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night
Throw on some leather and cruise
Down the streets that I love
In my fishnet gloves
I'm a sinner
But I won't cry anymore
I'll hold my whiskey up high
Kiss the bartender twice
I'm a loser
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm not gonna cry anymore
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothing on these streets to explore
Oh m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night
To take me from you
New York is not just a tan that you'll never lose
Love is the new denim or black
Skeleton guns are wedding bells in the attic
Get Ginger ready climb to El Camino front
Won't poke holes in the seats with my heels cause that's
Where we make love
Turn the car on and run
I'm gonna burn a hole in the road
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothin' on these streets to explode
Oh m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night
Oh m-m-marry m-m-m-marry m-m-m-marry the night
Marry
I'm gonna marry
Marry
C'mon c'mon the night
The night!"
The song ended as Elliott threw the microphone away and unhooked himself from the chandelier he was hanging from. Everyone sat in shock for a moment before bursting into applause, though Kurt barely clapped his hands once, envious of Elliott's talent. Not just that, however; he was worried he could outshine him with his over the top ways.
"Bravo! I would not be ashamed to share the stage with you." Santana said.
"You were amazing, Starchild! Kurt?" Rachel asked. Kurt opened his mouth.
...
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Santana asked as the group walked back into the apartment.
"I didn't want him in the band, get over it!" Kurt said.
"But he was a rare talent. He was amazing, Kurt! Why did you say no like that? You were pretty harsh!" Rachel said.
"This is my band, okay, and my rules! I didn't want him overshadowing anyone or overshadowing me with his glitter and pom poms and sparklers or whatever! We'd all be battling each other to be noticed, and that isn't what a band is about. I don't want it to be a battle, so he's out." Kurt said bluntly and assertively.
"That's exactly how we felt about you in Glee club for all those years." Santana snapped, shocking Kurt.
"...That's called irony, right?" Sam asked. Rachel nodded and laughed at Sam punching the air and patting himself of the back.
"...Really?" Kurt asked, shocked, turning to Rachel.
"Well, yeah. Of course, you weren't as bad as me but you were there with glittery gloves and silver leggings. Plus, you were there chasing after your stepbrother." Rachel explained.
"And me, for about a week." Sam added.
"...I guess I did. I was pretty OTT, and still am." Kurt said glumly.
"But Kurt, that's what we loved about you, and STILL love about you. And that's what audiences will love about you AND Starchild, or Elliott. Please, at least give him a chance. You want this band to be the best it can be, and it would be with both Dani AND Elliott." Rachel said. Kurt stood silent for a moment before speaking.
"...I'll give him a call."
...
Kurt was talking to Elliott on the phone in his room while Rachel, Santana and Sam sat together on the couch.
"Did I tell you I got an interview with a modelling agency?" Sam asked.
"NO! That's great, Sam!" Rachel said excitedly.
"Yeah. Congrats, Trouty Mouth." Santana said.
"It's good to finally get somewhere and make progress, you know? That's my dream; being a male model and having people see me every day on the side of a bus or something...with my junk as big as a car!" Sam said.
"Well...good luck with that." Rachel said.
"Definitely need to dream for that to come true." Santana laughed.
"Laugh all you want, it's gonna happen. New York is the place I need to be right now. I love it here. I love meeting new people and making a living on my own and getting a proper job. It's great. I'm proud of myself." Sam said.
"We're proud of you too, Sam, and we're glad to have you here." Rachel smiled. He smiled back. Sam loved how New York was making him grow as a person.
...
"Okay everyone, we've learnt the song so let's run through it!" Kurt said excitedly in the living room with the band (called Pamela Lansbury thanks to a genius idea Rachel had) made up of him, Rachel, Santana, Dani and Elliott. He signalled for Sam, sat in the corner, to play the CD and the music began. Elliott sang first.
"I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming."
Dani sang.
"I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure."
The whole band sang together. "Don't wanna close my eyes 'Cause even when I dream of you
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing."
Rachel sang. "Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you're seeing."
Santana sang next.
"Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever."
The group sang together again. Kurt smiled, loving what he was hearing. "I don't wanna close my eyes 'Cause even when I dream of you
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing."
Kurt then sang. "I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this."
Kurt, Elliott and Santana sang together. "I just wanna hold you close
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For the rest of time, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
The band sang together again. "Don't wanna close my eyes 'Cause even when I dream of you I don't wanna close my eyes 'Cause even when I dream of you Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
The sweetest dream would never do
and I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss a thing."
The song ended and Sam applauded as the band all formed a group hug.
"That sounded great, guys!" Sam said enthusiastically.
"That was fun! This was a great idea, Kurt." Rachel said. Kurt smiled.
"I know, I'm so glad I did this. And I couldn't ask for a better band!" Kurt exclaimed. Everyone laughed together. Kurt eventually spoke again.
"Okay, one more time."
...
NEXT TIME…
"I can't believe it. After all this time."
Kurt opened up the book and was flooded with precious memories.
"Dear diary, today I saw a boy..."
There was a knock on the door.
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