Take Me or Leave Me from Rent is featured in Comeback, the thirteenth episode of Season Two. It is sung by Mercedes and Rachel.
They sing it as a diva-off after Sue attempts to make them argue, claiming they had both badmouthed the other. At first they angrily sing the song to one another, but as it draws to a close they laugh and hug, showing that they forgive each other and that their friendship is a strong one.
Rachel:
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say, “Baby’s so sweet”
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls
I can’t help it baby
So be kind and don’t lose your mind
Just remember
That I’m your baby
Mercedes:
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
Rachel:
And if you give a damn
Mercedes and Rachel:
Take me baby or leave me
Rachel:
Take me baby or leave me
Mercedes:
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage
Baby, let’s have fun!
You are the one I choose
Folks would kill to fill your shoes
You love the limelight too, now baby
So be mine and don’t waste my time
Cryin’, “Oh Honeybear are you still my, my, my baby?”
Rachel:
Take me for what I am
Mercedes:
Who I was meant to be
Mercedes and Rachel:
And if you give a damn
Mercedes:
Take me baby or leave me
No way, can I be what I’m not
Rachel:
But hey, don’t you want your girl hot?
Mercedes:
Don’t fight, don’t lose your head
Rachel:
‘Cause every night, who’s in your bed?
Mercedes and Rachel:
Who?
Mercedes:
Who’s in your bed?
Rachel:
Kiss, pookie
Mercedes and Rachel:
That’s it! (Rachel: The straw that breaks my back)
I quit! (Mercedes: Unless you take it back)
Women, (Rachel: What is it about them?)
Can’t live with them or without them!
Take me for what I am
Mercedes:
Who I was meant to be
Rachel:
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Mercedes:
And if you give a damn ya better
Take me baby or leave me
Rachel:
Oh, take me baby or leave me
Mercedes and Rachel:
Take me baby!
Or leave me!
Guess I’m leaving
I’m gone!
Trivia[]
One major difference in the song is that Joanne's solo verse is cut from the song, and Mercedes and Rachel share Maureen's part in the beginning. Towards the end, Mercedes takes over Joanne's part (where it begins "Who I was meant to be").
Rachel sings Maureen's part. Coincidentally, Idina Menzel, who originally played Maureen in the Broadway version of Rent (as well as the movie version), plays Shelby, Rachel's biological mother in the series.