These peformances are aca awesome. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times artists effortlessly commanded our attention and sent tingles down our spines, all through the sheer power of their vocals.
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00:00 [Singing]
00:06 Welcome to Ms. Mojo,
00:08 and today we're counting down our picks for the times artists effortlessly commanded our attention
00:13 and sent tingles down our spines, all through the sheer power of their vocals.
00:17 [Singing]
00:28 Whether you're a hardcore Gleek or just stumble upon the occasional YouTube video,
00:32 chances are you've hit replay on this performance.
00:35 [Singing]
00:44 Season 2 introduced Blaine Anderson, played by Darren Criss,
00:47 the frontman to rival acapella group the Dalton Academy Warblers.
00:51 It's not just one of Glee's most memorable episodes,
00:54 but also boasts an unforgettable musical highlight.
00:56 [Singing]
01:05 The arrangement, harmonies, and energy blend perfectly,
01:08 hitting deep emotional chords that still reverberate today.
01:11 It's a pivotal moment in Kurt's story and transcends its scripted context,
01:15 dominating charts and earning gold certification.
01:18 [Singing]
01:28 This cover captivated fans and left an indelible mark on the music scene,
01:32 even moving Katy Perry to tears.
01:34 Number 9 - The Longest Time - How I Met Your Mother
01:38 Billy Joel's doo-wop hit is a platinum certified bop,
01:42 but we didn't realize just how much it could move us until Ted,
01:46 Barney, and the future versions of themselves covered it
01:48 in the gut-wrenching season 8 episode "The Time Travelers."
01:51 [Singing]
01:58 The episode follows various time-hopping storylines,
02:01 culminating in the heartbreaking revelation that Ted has actually been alone
02:05 with his thoughts this whole time.
02:06 As if that wasn't enough of a punch to the gut,
02:09 he then tells his kids and the audience how he wishes he'd spent that evening.
02:13 "I want those extra 45 days. With you, I want each one of them.
02:18 Look, and if I can't have them, I'll take the 45 seconds
02:24 before your boyfriend shows up and punches me in the face."
02:26 The episode ends with Ted and his imaginary pals
02:29 nailing a breathtaking and harmonious rendition of the Billy Joel classic,
02:33 leaving us on a sentimental musical note.
02:35 [Singing]
02:35 [Singing]
02:47 We know NSYNC for their upbeat jams and slick dance moves.
02:56 However, at the 2003 Grammy Awards, they demonstrated that even stripped down,
03:01 their vocal talents could make hearts flutter.
03:03 [Singing]
03:10 They performed a Bee Gees medley in honor of the group's Legend Award,
03:14 which they received about a month after the unexpected passing
03:17 of their bandmate and brother, Maurice Gibb.
03:19 Despite the sad circumstances,
03:21 they managed to turn the stage into a celebration of the Bee Gees' achievements.
03:25 [Singing]
03:33 Their harmonies are flawless, highlighting how vocally in sync they are.
03:38 It hits even harder when you remember that this was one of their last performances as a group.
03:42 Well, until their reunion.
03:44 [Singing]
03:50 The late 2000s and early 2010s entertainment biz
03:57 arguably transformed a cappella into a mainstream sensation.
04:00 [Singing]
04:09 Who among us doesn't wish we were effortlessly talented enough for a spontaneous riff-off?
04:14 [Singing]
04:23 Pitch Perfect epitomizes the hype perfectly,
04:26 seamlessly blending tradition with a modern appeal.
04:29 Nothing shows that better than the final number, where Becca, taking the lead,
04:33 crafts a banging mashup that had many of us fighting the urge to dance along in movie theaters.
04:38 [Singing]
04:49 It's a testament to the magic a vocal group can conjure.
04:52 Sure, it might not be the most realistic depiction of the a cappella world,
04:55 but it sends tingles down our spine no matter how often we watch it.
04:59 It's ach-extraordinary.
05:01 [Singing]
05:13 Number 6. The star-spangled banner, Beyonce.
05:16 [Singing]
05:22 Remember when Beyonce was accused of lip-syncing the national anthem
05:25 at the 2013 presidential inauguration?
05:28 She later explained that she didn't feel well rehearsed,
05:31 and without time for a soundcheck, opted to lip-sync to avoid any performance glitches.
05:36 Anyway, she delivered the ultimate clapback with an impromptu a cappella performance
05:40 at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show press conference.
05:42 [Singing]
05:50 It was flawless, and certainly enough to silence her critics.
05:55 Her vocal prowess, breath control, and ease with which she navigates
05:59 this probably nerve-wracking situation are phenomenal.
06:02 Queen B came to slay.
06:04 [Singing]
06:08 She wrapped things up by coolly asking the reporters if they had any questions,
06:12 sealing the moment with the ultimate mic drop. Iconic.
06:15 "Any questions?"
06:19 Number 5. Lincoln Bridge, America's Got Talent.
06:22 Lincoln Bridge, a quartet hailing from West Louisville,
06:25 made their mark in season 11 of the talent contest.
06:28 They kicked off their journey with a show-stopping
06:30 "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" audition that captured our hearts instantly.
06:34 [Singing]
06:41 Each subsequent performance, including the unforgettable "Free Bird" by Leonard Skinner,
06:45 left us absolutely speechless.
06:47 Every note and lyric overflows with heart, soul, and passion,
06:51 stirring something deep within us.
06:53 [Singing]
06:59 The group dreamed of breaking free from their challenging surroundings
07:02 and changing the world through music.
07:04 This took on an even more profound meaning after the tragic loss of Jeremiah Buckner,
07:08 aka Echo, in a firearm-related incident.
07:12 Lincoln Bridge will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
07:15 [Singing]
07:22 Number 4. Gold, acapella, "Once."
07:25 In 2011, the 2007 film "Once" underwent a Broadway transformation,
07:30 delivering a soundtrack where virtually every song
07:33 possesses the power to send shivers down your spine.
07:35 One of its most awe-inspiring yet somewhat underrated moments unfolds in Act 2,
07:39 as the ensemble masterfully delivers an acapella rendition of "Gold."
07:43 [Singing]
07:49 A beautiful non-acapella version serves as the Act 1 finale,
07:53 but this one is on another level.
07:56 No instruments, just raw voices and emotions cranked up to 11.
08:00 [Singing]
08:07 It's hard not to be swept up in the atmosphere,
08:10 sharing in the ensemble's hope for their band's success.
08:12 By the final note, we needed a moment to soak up the sheer majesty of the performance.
08:18 [Singing]
08:24 Number 3. "Run to You," Pentatonix.
08:26 PTX shot into the limelight by clinching the top spot in season 3 of "The Sing-Off,"
08:31 showcasing their acapella prowess.
08:34 Since then, their genre-spanning covers have consistently dazzled audiences.
08:38 [Singing]
08:45 Yet the true gem in their repertoire might just be the PTX original "Run to You."
08:49 We knew they were masters of harmonizing, but this is on a whole other level.
08:54 [Singing]
09:01 They move smoothly through the song's shifting dynamics,
09:04 showcasing their precision and versatility.
09:07 From the deep bass to the soaring highs,
09:09 the vocal interplay among the members adds layers to their magnetic arrangement.
09:13 [Singing]
09:21 The heart-stirring performances don't stop there.
09:23 They even teamed up with Lindsey Stirling for a breathtaking cover of Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive."
09:29 [Singing]
09:36 Number 2. "Homeless," Paul Simon and Lady Smith Black Mambazo.
09:40 In Paul Simon's Grammy-winning yet controversial "Graceland,"
09:44 the song "Homeless" really stands out as something special.
09:47 [Singing]
09:54 It explores some of the struggles in South Africa during the '80s,
09:57 set to some beautiful Zulu music.
09:59 Paul Simon teamed up with Lady Smith Black Mambazo
10:02 to create this stirring piece that takes you on an emotional journey.
10:05 [Singing]
10:12 The musical details, influenced by Zulu traditions,
10:15 offer a unique listening experience.
10:17 When everything clicks, it just really hits deep in the feels,
10:21 leaving our chills with chills.
10:23 [Singing]
10:29 The mix of different styles not only enhances the meaning of the lyrics,
10:33 but also turns "Homeless" into a captivating track that you would want to play on repeat.
10:37 [Singing]
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11:00 Number 1 - The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Mbube.
11:03 Spike Lee and company, Do It Acapella.
11:05 Of course, we can't possibly talk about this song
11:08 without mentioning the original Zulu recording by Solomon Linda in 1939.
11:12 [Singing]
11:19 Yet there's an extraordinary quality to this Lady Smith Black Mambazo
11:22 and the Mint Juleps rendition.
11:24 They combine South African and Western music styles to create something truly magical.
11:28 [Singing]
11:35 The South African choral group's authentic vibes
11:37 add a rich cultural layer that really elevates the overall sound.
11:41 This collaboration goes beyond just mixing musical influences.
11:44 It shows how music can bring people together no matter where they're from.
11:48 [Singing]
11:56 It's a beautiful reminder that music has the power to break down barriers.
12:00 Notably, this song has been a favorite for countless interpretations and covers,
12:04 solidifying its enduring impact.
12:06 [Singing]
12:13 Have you ever heard an acapella performance that gives you chills just thinking about it?
12:17 Tell us about it in the comments.
12:19 [Singing]
12:31 Do you agree with our picks?
12:32 Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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12:39 [Music]