Top 30 Most Amazing Grammy Performances of All Time
Turn up the volume! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best show-stopping numbers to ever grace the Grammy Awards’ stage.
Transcript
00:00 [Music]
00:08 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best
00:13 show-stopping numbers to ever grace the Grammy Awards stage.
00:16 [Music]
00:25 Number 30. Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know.
00:28 The word "performance" doesn't quite do this number justice. It's more like a confessional.
00:34 In lieu of dramatic staging or flashy choreography, Alanis Morissette just sits on a stool,
00:40 opens her mouth, and lets "You Oughta Know" sing for itself.
00:43 [Music]
00:48 To say it paid off would be putting it lightly. Morissette's signature vocal fry ensures the
00:53 ballad hits all the right emotional notes and more. Then again, by the time she performed,
00:58 Morissette had already won two Grammys that night.
01:01 [Music]
01:09 She'd go on to win another two that evening, including Album of the Year. With all that in
01:14 mind, it's no wonder this jagged little pill goes down smoothly.
01:17 Number 29. Ricky Martin - The Cup of Life.
01:22 From the moment Ricky Martin makes his over-the-top entrance,
01:25 it's clear that Grammy audiences are in for something special.
01:28 [Music]
01:34 As if to prove it, this performance almost single-handedly turned Martin from an underground
01:39 hit into a household name, and for good reason. Everything from the vocals to the instrumentation
01:46 to Martin's own physicality brims with just the right amount of flair. At a certain point,
01:51 you can practically feel how much fun they're having.
01:54 [Music]
02:01 In fact, Martin's performance left such a strong impression,
02:05 it's often credited for helping popularize Latin music worldwide. Considering its long-lasting
02:10 impact on the industry, a standing ovation is definitely in order.
02:14 Number 28. Annie Lennox & Hosier - I Put a Spell on You, Take Me to Church.
02:21 It's really saying something when Hosier's Grammy-nominated "Take Me to Church" is only
02:25 the appetizer to the main event. During the final verse of his performance,
02:30 legendary soul singer Annie Lennox joins in for a dazzling assist.
02:34 [Music]
02:38 If those harmonies somehow don't cut it, the number then transitions into a once-in-a-lifetime
02:43 rendition of "I Put a Spell on You." As you'd expect from a name like that,
02:48 the results are practically enchanting. The way Lennox controls her voice,
02:52 the stage, and the crowd all at once is truly a marvel to behold.
02:57 [Music]
03:05 Grammy or no Grammy, this chill-inducing duet is one for the history books.
03:09 Number 27. Kesha, Camila Cabello,
03:13 Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, Andra Day, and Bebe Rexha - Praying.
03:18 Based on the lineup of talent, this performance is unskippable on precedent alone. Kesha assembled
03:24 a powerhouse of female vocalists, both up-and-comers and industry veterans,
03:28 to surround her as she took to the stage for "Praying."
03:31 [Music]
03:39 And yes, it's as jaw-dropping as it sounds. Kesha's empowered singing is the very definition
03:45 of stirring, especially when supported by a chorus of her peers. By the time they all join
03:50 in for some electric harmonies, we'd bet there wasn't a single dry eye left in the audience.
03:55 [Music]
04:00 The Grammys have seen a lot of moving acts over the years,
04:03 but this group interpretation of "Praying" is one that will never be replicated.
04:08 Number 26. Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever.
04:12 No amount of set decoration or impressive effects can distract from how effortlessly Billie Eilish
04:18 rocks a live performance. Thanks to her unshakable vocals, this iteration of "Happier Than Ever"
04:23 has both style and substance to spare.
04:26 [Music]
04:33 There's thunder, there's lightning, there's actual rain,
04:36 and there's more raw emotion than we've ever seen from Eilish before.
04:40 She delivers each lyric with so much composure, it's hard to decide whether
04:45 you should respectfully watch on or rock out alongside her.
04:49 [Music]
04:57 The answer is actually both, or at least that's what the Grammys audience decided,
05:02 waiting until the final note to burst into a deserving roar of applause.
05:06 Number 25. Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone - Peace of My Heart.
05:12 It's hard to imagine any one song could ever sum up the legacy of someone like Janis Joplin,
05:17 and yet, this rousing tribute comes pretty darn close. Joss Stone's impeccable belt has
05:23 all the gravitas you'd expect from a performance of this magnitude.
05:26 [Music]
05:34 But when paired with Melissa Etheridge's signature raspiness,
05:37 the song goes from great to iconic. The key to its success is that,
05:42 despite the tragic circumstances, neither singer dips into melodrama.
05:46 [Music]
05:56 Stone and Etheridge didn't remember Janis Joplin with a eulogy.
06:00 They honored her with a full-on Grammy-style celebration.
06:04 We can't think of a higher note to go out on.
06:06 Number 24. Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons - Mad City Radioactive.
06:13 At the start, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a solo act.
06:16 After all, Imagine Dragons are already stealing the show with Radioactive when,
06:21 out of nowhere, Kendrick Lamar appears in a plume of smoke.
06:24 [Music]
06:31 Of course, he comes with a few beats of his own, too. Cue one of the sickest raps in
06:35 Grammy history. Radioactive and Mad City don't seem like they'd mesh well together,
06:40 but somehow the songs mix into a high-energy beat that has the whole room on their feet.
06:46 [Music]
06:53 The message is loud and clear. This is the collaboration none of us knew we needed.
06:58 Number 23. Aretha Franklin - Nessun Dorma.
07:03 Minutes into the 40th annual Grammy Awards, one of their planned performers felt seriously ill.
07:09 But as they say, the show must go on. The Grammys needed someone who could
07:13 deliver a broadcast-level performance with a split-second notice.
07:17 [Music]
07:24 A.K.A. they needed Aretha Franklin. Moments later, the Queen of Soul stepped on stage
07:29 and showed everyone why she's one of the best. Keep in mind, Nessun Dorma is an opera song,
07:35 and the arrangement wasn't written in her key either.
07:38 [Music]
07:47 It's a true testament to Franklin's natural talent that, despite those hurdles, you still
07:52 can't tell this is unrehearsed. Suffice it to say, Aretha Franklin earned a whole lot of respect that night.
07:59 [Music]
08:03 Number 22. Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Maya, and Pink with Patti LaBelle and Missy Elliott -
08:11 Lady Marmalade.
08:12 In 2001, Moulin Rouge! brought together four of the best singers in the business for an inspired
08:17 take on Lady Marmalade.
08:19 [Music]
08:28 At the following Grammys, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Maya, and Pink reunited for a performance
08:33 that deserves to be seen for itself. The incomparable energy of this live act puts
08:38 the studio version to shame.
08:40 [Music]
08:47 Especially since they got Missy Elliott and Patti LaBelle to join in,
08:51 the latter of whom appears in the second half just to show off. Not that we're complaining.
08:56 [Music]
09:01 Altogether, the 44th Grammy Awards were treated to a musical tour de force that you won't find
09:06 anywhere else.
09:08 Number 21. LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and many, many more.
09:15 50 Years of Hip Hop.
09:17 In order to properly celebrate half a century of the hip hop genre,
09:21 the Grammys brought out all of the stops.
09:23 [Music]
09:32 And we do mean all of them. Across the near 15 minute spectacle,
09:36 several iconic hip hop artists hit the stage, including Run-DMC, Ice-T, Salt-N-Pepa, Method Man.
09:44 You get the point. Seriously, we'd be here all day if we listed them all.
09:48 The medley is a total embarrassment of riches, showcasing the very best that hip hop has to offer.
09:53 Whether you're an old school fan or a total newbie, there's a little bit for everyone here.
09:58 [Music]
10:06 After such a mesmerizing achievement, we're confident saying no one will be forgetting hip
10:10 hop anytime soon.
10:12 Number 20. Shania Twain, "Man, I Feel Like a Woman."
10:16 The best part of performing at the Grammys is the prerogative to have a little fun,
10:21 and this prominent country artist did just that.
10:24 "Let's go, girls."
10:26 Rocking a striking outfit and plenty of personality,
10:30 Twain boasts an arresting control of the stage that has the audience in an
10:34 uproar before the song even hits the chorus.
10:37 [Music]
10:45 With an assist from an equally energetic band and an impossibly catchy tune,
10:50 there's simply no denying this number's pure, stylish fun.
10:55 It's also an incredibly fitting song choice for the ceremony dubbed the "Grammy Year of Women,"
11:00 since every artist nominated for Album of the Year was female.
11:04 [Music]
11:12 Twain herself was up for the prestigious award, and after a showing like this, we see why.
11:17 Number 19. The White Stripes, "Seven Nation Army, Death Letter."
11:23 It's impossible not to tap your toe to the legendary opening riff of this musical duo's
11:28 trademark anthem, but the song itself isn't even the best part of this bold act.
11:34 [Music]
11:41 While the seamless transition into the heavier "Death Letter" is also a highlight,
11:45 what really steals the show is when the lyrics fade out entirely.
11:49 In an unforgettable sequence, the garage rock band treats us to a guitar and drum duet
11:55 that's up there with some of the greatest rock and roll performances of all time.
11:59 [Music]
12:06 It's a head-banging number that rests not just on the excellent songs,
12:11 but the musical talents of its artists.
12:13 Number 18. Gorillaz, Madonna, and De La Soul, "Feel Good, Inc., Hung Up."
12:20 It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the queen of pop always delivers,
12:24 but when you back her up with the virtual band Gorillaz and throw in rap trio De La Soul for
12:30 good measure, you have the recipe for an iconic performance.
12:34 [Music]
12:40 Madonna struts the stage like she owns it, and the stellar mashup of her ABBA-inspired
12:45 hit with "Feel Good, Inc." matches her electric enthusiasm.
12:50 It's impossible to look away as the pop icon gives it her all,
12:53 dancing first amid the virtual projections, then live dancers.
12:57 [Music]
13:05 Number 17. Amy Winehouse, "You Know I'm No Good, Rehab."
13:10 Before she'd take home Record of the Year later in the evening, this soulful singer
13:15 delivered a combo of her iconic hits without the benefit of the official Grammy's stage.
13:20 [Music]
13:28 Broadcasting live from London didn't seem to slow her down one bit though,
13:32 and her signature vocal flair proved she was worthy of her future honor.
13:37 There's an authentic quality to Winehouse's delivery that elevates any of her performances,
13:42 although in this case, the snazzy costumes and jazz aesthetic didn't hurt either.
13:47 [Music]
13:52 It seems she didn't need the Grammy audience to hype her up,
13:55 although we'd expect nothing less from someone with this much talent.
13:59 Number 16. Beyoncé, "Love Drought, Sandcastles."
14:04 To call this nine-minute sensory spectacle memorable would be a major understatement.
14:09 Dazzling costumes, powerful direction, and Beyoncé's unmatched vocals are just the start.
14:15 [Music]
14:23 There's an undeniable cinematic quality here that single-handedly raised the bar
14:27 for what a musical performance could be. If all that wasn't impressive enough,
14:32 she accomplished all of this while pregnant with twins.
14:34 [Music]
14:43 The focus on motherhood is inspiring, especially given her candid costume and
14:48 intimate expression of love. It's ambitious in every sense of the word,
14:52 and we may never see anything quite like it grace the Grammy stage ever again.
14:57 Number 15. Eric Clapton, "Tears in Heaven."
15:01 Most would take the Grammys as an opportunity to take a live show to the next level,
15:05 but in a night full of bombastic performances, it's the reserved ones that truly stand out.
15:11 Letting the music speak for itself, Clapton and company sit solemnly,
15:15 playing with the brutal sadness the song deserves.
15:18 [Music]
15:23 Clapton decidedly avoids any stage antics that would take away from the emotional weight of
15:28 the song, especially considering the many preceding losses in Clapton's life that inspired it.
15:34 Always the epitome of class, the tuxedo-clad Clapton nails every note, and ends the song with
15:40 a quick little bow, skipping the usual accolades, which, although deserved, would damage the effect
15:46 of the performance.
15:47 [Music]
15:53 Number 14. Prince and Beyoncé, "Purple Rain," "Baby I'm a Star," "Let's Go Crazy," "Crazy in Love."
16:01 It's a treat any time either of these legendary artists take the stage,
16:05 but that's nothing compared to when you put them together.
16:07 [Music]
16:14 Their collaboration at the 2004 ceremony is everything we wanted and more. With all the
16:19 style, flair, and personality befitting a union of two of the industry's top players.
16:25 Their harmonies at the end of "Purple Rain" are iconic enough, but amazingly,
16:30 the number continues to top itself again and again with each transition,
16:34 before culminating in a final stretch that's downright cathartic.
16:38 [Music]
16:43 The medley is an excellent blend of each artist's style, but with this much raw stage power,
16:48 we would have been happy even if they sang "Happy Birthday."
16:51 Number 13. Mariah Carey, "If It's Over."
16:56 The 1992 Grammys showcased this acclaimed five-octave singer at her absolute best.
17:02 Her expert navigation of each riff, breath, and belt is a masterclass of musical technique.
17:07 [Music]
17:12 But beyond the impressive technical aspects lies an emotionally charged expression that
17:17 has weight behind each note and movement. There's an impeccable build-up and release
17:22 that rests solely on Carey's shoulders, but she proved up to the task with a
17:27 staggering display of talent and skill.
17:29 [Music]
17:35 This is more than just a vocally complex number. It's a true performance,
17:40 and in under four minutes, manages to encompass why Carey is one of the greats.
17:45 Number 12. Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, and Elvis Costello, "London Calling."
17:51 When a monumentally influential artist dies, it sends ripples through the music world,
17:56 but it also unites people in the industry. When the Clash's Joe Strummer died,
18:01 the punk world lost a giant, but when it came time to honor him, the result was intense.
18:06 [Music]
18:13 With the ferocity of fellow Brit Elvis Costello, the youthful energy of Dave Grohl,
18:18 and passionate delivery by Bruce Springsteen, the performance had enough grit and attitude
18:23 to make the late Strummer proud. Springsteen's appearance made the tribute all the more
18:28 touching, as he was both heavily inspired and admired by the late Strummer, making
18:33 Springsteen the ideal artist to give this grandfather of punk a final send-off.
18:38 [Music]
18:45 Number 11. Christina Aguilera, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World."
18:50 Once the fog clears on Aguilera's entrance, there's a refreshing simplicity to the proceedings.
18:56 No dancing, no elaborate lighting, just Aguilera,
19:00 her voice, and a spectacular tribute to the legendary James Brown.
19:04 [Music]
19:12 There's no need for anything else when her physicality and commanding vocals fill up
19:16 the auditorium. Matching the intense power of Brown's hit single, it's clear even before
19:22 she falls to her knees that Aguilera is giving it her all.
19:25 [Music]
19:31 Powerful is the word that comes to mind here, especially for the final note that takes
19:36 bringing the house down to new heights.
19:38 Number 10. Beyoncé and Tina Turner, "Proud Mary."
19:42 It would be pretty hard to top a live performance dancing with your husband,
19:46 but a duet with your idol might just do the trick. After giving a tribute to all the talented
19:51 women that inspired her career, Beyoncé introduces Turner as the magical woman who
19:56 embodied everything they stood for.
19:58 "Stand on your feet and give it up for the queen."
20:01 Returning the favor, Turner calls her back on stage to duet on "Proud Mary"
20:07 with a contagious sense of fun flowing from the stage.
20:10 [Music]
20:14 Looking on like a proud mother, Turner belts her heart out as Beyoncé does all she can
20:19 to impress her. Thanks to some epic dance moves and an over-the-top back-and-forth performance
20:25 with the pair perfectly in sync from top to bottom, this showstopper was a perfect passing
20:30 of the torch.
20:30 [Music]
20:37 Number 9. Kanye West and Daft Punk, "Stronger, Hey Mama."
20:42 Say what you will about his ego, but when it comes to putting on a performance,
20:45 few can hold a candle to Kanye West. West starts his set on a somber note,
20:50 performing a bare-bones rendition of "Hey Mama" in tribute to his recently deceased mother.
20:55 [Music]
21:00 After wiping away the tears, West switches to party mode, going right into "Stronger."
21:05 But this version has a twist. Instead of just rapping over his original sample,
21:10 West does one better, getting the real Daft Punk to perform alongside him instead
21:15 with their tour pyramid along for the ride.
21:17 [Music]
21:22 The club-style neon lighting and West's glow-in-the-dark-inspired attire
21:26 made this a complete package worthy of Grammy history.
21:29 Number 8. Radiohead, "15 Step."
21:33 It's impressive what some bands can do with access to just a little extra production value.
21:39 When it came time to perform "15 Step," Radiohead didn't go for theatrics or
21:43 parlor tricks to take their set to the next level.
21:46 [Music]
21:52 Instead, they decided to enhance the song itself.
21:55 Enlisting the help of a college marching band for a drumline, brass, and additional vocals,
22:01 they took a simple song and fleshed it out to make something unbelievably brilliant.
22:05 [Music]
22:11 With some creepy yet hypnotic dance moves from Tom York,
22:14 impressive choreography by the already busy musicians,
22:18 and a set that kept the sound at the forefront,
22:21 this performance let Radiohead show what they can do with some musical assistance.
22:25 Number 7. Kendrick Lamar, "The Black or the Berry."
22:29 All right, "Untitled 3."
22:31 Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to shocking Grammy performances,
22:35 so when he wanted to send a message across the country, he knew where to do it.
22:39 When Lamar shuffled onstage in rags,
22:41 it was clear something distinctly different was happening.
22:44 [Music]
22:50 Lamar starts his medley in a prison scene,
22:53 chained along with his inmates and band playing from their cells,
22:56 immediately making his message loud and clear.
23:00 Telling the African-American story, the performance is blunt and visceral,
23:04 going from prison to a tribal bonfire.
23:06 [Music]
23:13 Every line echoes with the pain in Lamar's heart,
23:16 and he spits each verse with reckless abandon,
23:19 closing on a picture of Compton written on a map of Africa,
23:23 leaving viewers with a lot to think about.
23:26 Number 6. Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, and Niall Rogers.
23:31 Get lucky.
23:32 Daft Punk are about as mysterious as it comes,
23:35 but it still seemed a little strange when they didn't show up on stage
23:38 for their second TV performance ever.
23:40 [Music]
23:49 But after a groovy opening by Pharrell, Stevie Wonder, and Niall Rogers,
23:53 the robots appear from behind the veil to carry the song into its next chorus,
23:58 dropping samples from throughout their career along the way.
24:01 [Music]
24:07 The set switches to a party when they start mixing in Rogers' track "Le Freak"
24:11 and Wonder's "Another Star,"
24:13 turning it into the most impassioned jam session between artists ever to see the stage.
24:18 [Music]
24:26 Thanks to the contagiously fun collaboration and musicianship,
24:30 the track was one that got everyone dancing, from Beyonce to the Beatles.
24:34 Number 5. Pink, Glitter in the Air.
24:38 Even for an artist known for pushing the envelope, we think she outdid herself here.
24:42 What begins as a stirring ballad soon grows into an empowering, innovative anthem
24:48 as Pink strips nearly naked and hangs from the ceiling.
24:51 [Music]
24:58 Impressively, she maintains smooth vocals even as she's dipped in water
25:02 and is left spinning mid-air.
25:04 As technically impressive as it is captivating to behold,
25:07 this act is a testament to the artist's unwavering creative spirit
25:11 that defines why she's so popular to this day.
25:14 [Music]
25:22 Lyrical, dazzling, and historic, it's safe to say no one ever has,
25:26 or will, dangle and sing as well as this.
25:29 Number 4. Eminem and Elton John.
25:33 Stan.
25:33 Some collaborations don't have to make sense, they just work.
25:37 Eminem's dark and disturbing Stan had enough story and visual lyrics alone to make it notable,
25:43 but some artists are never satisfied.
25:45 [Music]
25:51 Eminem's performance mixes music video recreations with theatrics
25:56 to make the song come to life in a whole new way.
25:58 He doesn't stop there though.
26:00 At the first chorus, right when the Dido sample should come in,
26:03 a curtain comes up revealing Elton John at the piano,
26:07 both playing the instrumental and singing the vocals.
26:10 [Music]
26:17 It made for a show-stopping performance from a collaboration that no one expected,
26:21 outdoing the original song in one swoop.
26:25 Number 3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep.
26:28 If you have one of the most recognizable singles in decades,
26:31 it's sometimes best to just give the crowd what they want.
26:34 Hitting the stage in style, Adele turned back time and gave a performance like a classic crooner.
26:40 [Music]
26:50 Opening on a beautiful a cappella intro,
26:53 the lights drop before revealing a full band and backup singers
26:56 to fill out the sound on an already huge track.
27:00 Adele stays center stage behind her mic stand the entire song,
27:03 but doesn't let that stop her from commanding the crowd
27:06 and putting every ounce of emotion into the performance,
27:09 nailing every note along the way.
27:11 [Music]
27:22 Number 2. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You.
27:26 We could fill a whole list of Houston's Grammy appearances alone,
27:29 [Music]
27:36 but if we had to choose just one, there's no question which is the greatest.
27:40 In a performance nothing less than extraordinary,
27:43 Houston's enchanting voice makes it seem like the song was written for her.
27:47 [Music]
27:54 Just when you think she's at the edge of her range,
27:57 she effortlessly belts out another chorus
27:59 with enough conviction to leave your jaw clean on the floor.
28:02 [Music]
28:11 But the song only continues to swell,
28:14 and even after all these years, the mesmerizing finale never fails to give us chills.
28:19 After a performance like that, a standing ovation doesn't feel like enough.
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28:39 Number one, Michael Jackson, "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror".
28:44 Leave it to the king of pop to deliver the best show the stage has seen for decades to come.
28:49 Opening on his infamous dance moves to a swung version of "The Way You Make Me Feel",
28:54 Jackson doesn't stop moving, using the entire stage, often all by himself.
28:59 [Music]
29:05 After a moonwalking solo that blows his fellow dancers out of the water,
29:09 Jackson switches to a seemingly minimalist rendition of "Man in the Mirror".
29:14 [Music]
29:22 But when Michael arrives at the key change, the song hits its climax
29:27 as a full gospel choir joins in, and Jackson delivers one last memorable moment,
29:33 falling to his knees and belting out the remainder of this 10-minute long epic,
29:37 cementing him in Grammy history.
29:40 [Music]
29:45 What's your favorite Grammy performance of all time?
29:48 Let us know if it made our list in the comments below.
29:51 [Music]
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30:07 [Music]