...if the songs they sang had something to do with the plot, like across the universe, instead of the songs taking place in a music room or a gym?
Well, the music room and gym ARE the plot. And believe it or not, many of the songs themselves are in some way related to the plot as well.
Hm, from the episodes I've seen, which have been few and far between, only a small percentage of the songs have to do with actually adding to the plot, they're just tacked on as an audition to something or two people hanging out breaking into song like their cover of "telephone". Again, I hardly eve see the show, so my view could be skewed.
