These Lady Gaga performances deserve all the applause. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most show-stopping and unforgettable live performances delivered by Lady Gaga throughout her acclaimed career.
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most show-stopping
00:08and unforgettable live performances delivered by Lady Gaga throughout her acclaimed career.
00:19Number 20.
00:20If I Ever Lose My Faith in You, the 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
00:25At the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors, English singer-songwriter Sting was one of five individuals
00:30recognized for their contributions to American culture.
00:38The ceremony featured heartfelt tributes to the honorees, including a remarkable rendition
00:42of Sting's 1993 hit If I Ever Lose My Faith in You by Lady Gaga.
00:46Decked in a platinum wig, with matching eye shadow, of course, Gaga commanded the attention
00:51of the room, delivering an impressive vocal showcase infused with some extra-soulful
00:56growls.
01:02The pop star managed to embody Sting, while still maintaining her signature high-energy
01:07style.
01:08Unsurprisingly, Gaga left such a profound impression that she brought tears to Sting's
01:12eyes.
01:13And that is how you know a tribute was perfectly executed.
01:17Number 19.
01:18Swine, South by Southwest Music Festival.
01:21Absolutely no one could have predicted this astonishing spectacle.
01:31Following the release of her polarizing album Artpop, Lady Gaga took the South by Southwest
01:35Music Festival by storm, delivering a mesmerizing mix of her hits and deep cuts.
01:40But it was her rendition of Swine that got everyone talking.
01:53Gaga first invites a strange lady named Millie on stage, who just stands awkwardly drinking
01:58a green liquid while she sings.
02:00However, as the dubstep-laden chorus kicks in, Millie regurgitates all the green substance
02:05onto Gaga's body.
02:07Then the two climb onto a mechanical bull and repeat the process with black paint.
02:11It was equal parts impressive and unsettling.
02:14And we couldn't think of a better description of Lady Gaga.
02:22Number 18.
02:23Joanne Medley, The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
02:26Throughout the years, Lady Gaga has proven to not only be a music sensation, but also
02:31a fashion trendsetter.
02:42So there was no one more appropriate to perform at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2016.
02:49Gaga kicks things off with a stirring rendition of Million Reasons, belting out impressive
02:53notes as she interacts with the runway models.
02:56Transitioning to Ayo, she dazzles in a glittering catsuit, flanked by dancers executing a flawless,
03:01flawless routine.
03:10For the last number, John Wayne, Gaga dons her iconic Joanne hat, employing every element
03:15on stage for a show-stopping finale.
03:24And what better way to wrap things up than by strutting down the runway like a true fashion
03:29icon would?
03:30No doubt about it, she owns the world.
03:33Number 17.
03:34Speechless, Vivo Launch Event.
03:37Simplicity can sometimes be incredibly powerful.
03:40You need not look further than this performance for proof.
03:51While the studio version of Speechless has a rock-heavy sound, Gaga opted for a stripped-down
03:56rendition at the Vivo Launch Event in December 2009.
04:00Performed with just her piano and her extraordinary voice, Gaga treated the audience to a raw
04:05showcase of emotions they would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
04:16This song holds special meaning for Gaga as it's dedicated to her father, and her performance
04:21beautifully captures that personal connection.
04:23Of course, it would not be a Gaga show without the signature leg-up-on-the-piano move.
04:28We dare you to watch this without being moved to tears.
04:37Number 16.
04:38Till It Happens To You, The 88th Academy Awards.
04:41In 2016, Lady Gaga was nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar for Till It Happens To
04:47You off the documentary The Hunting Ground, which shed light on sexual assaults on college
04:51campuses.
04:53During the ceremony, Gaga, clad in an all-white ensemble, sat at a white piano and delivered
04:58an emotional rendition straight from the heart.
05:06To describe it as incredibly moving would be an understatement.
05:10Gaga's solo performance would have been poignant all on its own, but when she was joined on
05:14stage by dozens of sexual assault survivors, it became a remarkably powerful moment unlike
05:22any the Oscars stage had ever seen before.
05:30She may have lost the award that night, but she undoubtedly won our hearts.
05:35Number 15.
05:36Bad Romance and Speechless, The 37th Annual American Music Awards.
05:41Bad Romance is arguably the most iconic song in Lady Gaga's discography, and one of the
05:46first times she ever performed it live was at the 2009 American Music Awards.
05:58Whatever expectations the audience must have had going in were completely shattered.
06:03Incorporating signature moves from the music video, Gaga elevated the spectacle with a
06:08dystopian-inspired costume and sensual floor gyrations.
06:14To segue into her next song, the pop star took a decidedly non-subtle approach.
06:19She smashed a glass box housing a piano with her microphone stand, before launching into
06:23a fiery rendition of Speechless.
06:26This was one of the moments that defined Lady Gaga as an artist, and it's great to see she
06:31still hasn't lost that essence.
06:38Number 14.
06:39Million Reasons, The Royal Variety Performance.
06:42Lady Gaga typically puts on the most elaborate performances, but she opted for simplicity
06:46when performing for the British royal family in 2016.
06:57Dressed in an elegant floor-length pink gown, Gaga took to the stage to deliver a stirring
07:01rendition of Million Reasons, accompanied by a live orchestra.
07:05While the studio version of the song is powerful, the orchestra's backing here elevates her
07:10voice, infusing each word with a myriad of emotions.
07:17Gaga has proven to be a real master at rearranging her songs to suit different settings.
07:22Whether she's performing for British royalty or at a tiny dive bar in Nashville, she always
07:27gives us more than a million reasons to fall in love with her.
07:36Number 13.
07:37Bang!
07:38Bang!
07:39My Baby Shot Me Down.
07:40Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Cheek to Cheek Live.
07:43To promote their 2014 album Cheek to Cheek, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett organized a TV
07:48special featuring live performances of the songs, as well as a few additional surprises.
07:57The show-stopping number of the night was arguably Gaga's jazzed-up cover of the Cher
08:01classic Bang!
08:02Bang!
08:03My Baby Shot Me Down.
08:04The original song was praised for its dramatic tension, but something about Gaga's rendition
08:09truly ups the ante, with her sky-high notes and masterful interpretation of the lyrics.
08:20This shouldn't be surprising, anyway.
08:22She is a trained actor and singer, after all.
08:24In the future, when we reflect on Gaga's groundbreaking career and wide array of performances, this
08:29one will surely stand out as a highlight.
08:41Number 12.
08:42Shallow with Bradley Cooper, the 91st Academy Awards.
08:45After losing the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2016, Gaga was nominated again for Shallow,
08:51the hit single from the A Star is Born soundtrack.
08:58During the ceremony, Gaga and her co-star Bradley Cooper delivered their first-ever
09:02performance of the song on television.
09:04The pair began on opposite ends of a piano, gazing into each other's eyes as they sang.
09:10As the tune reached its explosive climax, Cooper joined Gaga at the keyboard, wrapping
09:14her up in a soft embrace as they closed out the number.
09:26Their performance was captivating, displaying as much if not more chemistry as their characters
09:31in the film.
09:32There could be 100 people in a room, and only these two would have given us such an electrifying
09:37show.
09:43Number 11.
09:44The Sound of Music Tribute, the 87th Academy Awards.
09:47Today, Lady Gaga has performed multiple times at the Academy Awards, but her debut at the
09:5287th edition in 2015 remains arguably her best.
10:00That night, she faced a challenging task, performing a medley of songs from the beloved
10:05family classic The Sound of Music.
10:06At the time, Gaga was mostly known for her eccentric persona, and had only recently begun
10:12earning respect among industry veterans with 2014's Cheek to Cheek.
10:16And on that stage, her evolution from pop oddity to revered musician became complete.
10:27Despite the immense pressure and complexity of the songs, Gaga delivered a flawless performance,
10:32earning a thunderous applause at the end.
10:34To top it off, she received the seal of approval from Julie Andrews herself.
10:43Number 10.
10:44The Chromatica Medley, the 37th MTV Video Music Awards.
10:48To promote her sixth album Chromatica, Lady Gaga and her team had planned an extensive
10:53campaign that was mostly abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
10:58But while the world was still reeling from the lockdowns, she performed some of its songs
11:02at the 2020 VMAs, where she received the Tricon Award.
11:15Starting off with the string interlude Chromatica 2, Gaga effortlessly transitions into an electrifying
11:20rendition of 9-1-1.
11:22The mother monster then transports us to her cyberpunk world with a flawlessly choreographed
11:27performance of the chart-topper Rain On Me alongside Ariana Grande.
11:36She closes the epic affair by singing Stupid Love at the top of her lungs, proving that
11:41she is, indeed, a Tricon.
11:51Number 9.
11:52Applause, the 30th MTV Video Music Awards.
11:56The 2013 VMAs will remain notable for Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke's highly controversial
12:02display.
12:03But long before the twerking and grinding began, Lady Gaga kicked off the ceremony like
12:07only she can.
12:16Performing the lead single from her third album, Art Pop, she got everyone's attention
12:20with perfect vocals and mesmerizing choreography, flanked by an array of dancers in identical
12:26bodysuits.
12:27And what a story she told through a series of colorful wigs and costumes.
12:39We felt like we were watching as Gaga shed her previous personas to usher in the sheer
12:43absurdity that was the Art Pop era.
12:46And we couldn't love her more for it.
12:53Number 8.
12:54Theme from New York, New York, Sinatra 100, an all-star Grammy concert.
13:00At the 2015 all-star Grammy concert, Lady Gaga joined a star-studded lineup to pay homage
13:05to the late entertainer Frank Sinatra.
13:15Donning the legend's signature tuxedo and fedora, she proves herself to be a true New
13:19Yorker, belting out the Sinatra standard her way.
13:23For this tribute, she leaves behind her intricately choreographed numbers and eccentric costume
13:28choices, showing off a different-than-lesser-known side of herself.
13:45Everything about it, from her pitch-perfect vocals to the dazzling Sinatra-esque mannerisms,
13:49proves what a top-notch entertainer Gaga is.
13:52We're sure the chairman of the board would have been proud.
14:04Number 7.
14:05The Star-Spangled Banner, Super Bowl 50.
14:14Singing the national anthem is a huge task, especially at the Super Bowl.
14:19The chosen singer's performance tends to be closely scrutinized, after all.
14:23But Lady Gaga's delivery of the Star-Spangled Banner ahead of the game between the Denver
14:27Broncos and the Carolina Panthers certainly proved any naysayers wrong.
14:32Decked out in a gorgeous red ensemble and rocking glittery eyeshadow, Gaga delivers
14:36a near-perfect rendition of the revered song.
14:51Even though she keeps things relatively simple here, you can't help but feel the emotion
14:55she puts into every word.
14:57It's an impeccable performance that's only made better by the positive reaction she receives
15:02from the crowd.
15:18Number 6.
15:19Hair, Paul O'Grady Live.
15:21On June 17, 2011, Lady Gaga appeared on Paul O'Grady Live for a performance of her promotional
15:28single Hair, pretty much without any of it.
15:37The singer looked completely bald on the show, belting out a stripped-down version of the
15:41disco jam.
15:43Surrounded by smoke and fire, Gaga is accompanied only by the black and white keys of her piano,
15:48which is covered in brown hair.
15:56She then puts on a turquoise wig and powers through the song's poignant conclusion.
16:00Gaga uses all the elements on stage to her advantage, making a powerful statement about
16:05using our hair, or lack thereof, as a form of self-expression.
16:09Number 5.
16:22You and I, the 28th MTV Video Music Awards.
16:27After making waves in an outfit made entirely out of meat the previous year, Lady Gaga stormed
16:31the 2011 BMAs as her male alter-ego Joe Calderon.
16:44During the show, Calderon walks on stage and delivers an Oscar-worthy monologue complaining
16:49about his relationship with Gaga.
16:52Just so we don't lose you, Gaga is dressed in drag as a man, pretending to date Gaga
16:57the woman.
16:58Well, the performer then proceeds to deliver an epic performance of You and I, the fourth
17:03single from the Born This Way album.
17:09The show is complete with hard-hitting vocals, expertly executed choreography, and a surprise
17:15appearance from Queen guitarist Brian May.
17:18Is there anything Gaga can't do?
17:29Number 4.
17:30Speechless and Your Song with Elton John, the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
17:35For her first ever showing at the Grammys, Lady Gaga performed a medley of songs from
17:39her hit The Fame album and The Fame Monster EP.
17:46Gaga, who was nominated for multiple Grammophones that night, kicked things off with her chart-topping
17:55single Poker Face before being put into a fire pit labeled Rejected.
18:00Then like a phoenix rising from the music industry's ashes, she re-emerged on stage,
18:05this time on the opposite end of a piano from Elton John.
18:17The two greats delivered a perfectly harmonized mashup of Gaga's Speechless and John's Your
18:22Song, all the while covered in soot.
18:25The only thing better than one legend on stage is two, and this performance is proof of that.
18:36Number 3.
18:41Paparazzi, the 26th MTV Video Music Awards.
18:44This was Lady Gaga's VMA debut, yet she pulled off a show that most veteran performers wouldn't
18:50have dared to.
18:51Set to her dance-pop hit Paparazzi, the world got to meet Gaga in the most extreme, powerful
18:57way possible.
19:06It wasn't only the major debut for the mother monster, but also for some of her well-known
19:10moves, from the clean choreography to her signature leg on the piano.
19:15And just when we thought it couldn't get any more intense, the blood came rushing, and
19:20Gaga was hoisted up.
19:25Naturally, this was all done to the palpable horror of the audience.
19:33This was a career-defining performance, and that is saying a lot considering she was still
19:38a new artist at the time.
19:45Number 2.
19:46Born This Way, the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.
19:50You gotta give it up for Lady Gaga, she's deeply committed to her craft, and that has
19:54kept her going throughout the years.
20:02Case in point, she arrived at the 2011 Grammys in an egg-shaped receptacle, and she kept
20:08the theme going for her performance, getting wheeled onto the stage inside a similar vessel.
20:13Soon, Gaga, in her brand new era, appeared fully formed as she sang Born This Way.
20:26Armed with her remarkable voice, incomparable dance moves, and an unforgettable organ solo,
20:32she doles out a message of freedom and empowerment.
20:35This was the Grammys at a Lady Gaga concert.
20:38You're welcome, Recording Academy.
20:47Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
20:50Telephone and Dance in the Dark, the 30th Brit Awards.
20:53Gaga gives a subdued performance in honor of the late Alexander McQueen.
21:05Imagine, European Games Opening Ceremony.
21:08Staying largely true to the original, Gaga still put her own spin on this classic.
21:17David Bowie Tribute, the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
21:21An iconic decades-long career condensed into this spectacular homage.
21:31Her Greatest Hits, The Late Late Show with James Corden.
21:35Gaga chronicles her entire career in a pitch-perfect carpool karaoke performance.
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22:02A Medley of Hits, The Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show.
22:06After her impressive rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl 50, Lady Gaga unsurprisingly
22:11was asked to headline the following year's halftime show.
22:22Gaga worked on her routine for months, detailing the entire process on social media.
22:27And clearly, all of that hard work paid off.
22:30She starts the performance atop the NRG Stadium in Texas with a mash-up of God Bless America
22:36and This Land Is Your Land.
22:43Gaga then dives hundreds of feet down to the stage, where she delivers a medley of hits
22:48from her various albums.
22:50She sings live for roughly 13 minutes, flying in the air, dancing, and changing costumes
22:56while maintaining pitch-perfect vocals.
22:59Needless to say, she's not only a pop star, but THE pop spectacle.
23:16What is your personal favorite Lady Gaga live performance?
23:19Let us know in the comments below.