Emotion in real time. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most spine-tingling, moving, and/or powerful live performances.
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00:001, 2, 3, go!
00:03Stop shouting your way!
00:06Welcome to Ms Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most
00:11spine-tingling, moving, and all-powerful live performances.
00:17And every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah!
00:25Number 10, Foo Fighters with Shane Hawkins' My Hero, Taylor Hawkins' tribute concert.
00:37In the wake of a tragedy, several musicians came together to celebrate the life and work of Taylor Hawkins.
00:44This was best exemplified by a special performance of My Hero with the drummer's son.
00:50It's incredibly touching to watch Shane Hawkins sit behind the kit, honoring his father in more ways than one.
01:03His presence alone gives this version of the song a new energy, but he can also play the drums with style.
01:11Foo Fighters have to try to keep up with this young artist in an overwhelming moment.
01:21Taking on a whole different meaning, this track will never sound the same again.
01:37Number 9, Brandi Carlile, River, the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
01:44From this performance alone, it's clear that Brandi Carlile loves Joni Mitchell.
01:50This soulful rendition of River includes some lovely piano accompaniment,
01:55but it's the incredible vocals from the younger musician that really tug at the heart.
02:02Truly living up to the word tribute, Carlile makes you believe every single lyric as she serenades the honoree.
02:10It's even more powerful given the singer's ongoing help in reviving Mitchell's live career.
02:32Using one of the legend's greatest compositions, the performer encapsulates the love an entire fanbase feels for a titan of music.
02:41She balances the track's delicate nature with her own singular sensibility.
02:47Number 8, Band Aid, Do They Know It's Christmas, Live Aid.
02:58During one of the biggest concerts of the 20th century, some of the biggest hits of the 20th century
03:04were performed at the Kennedy Center.
03:08During one of the biggest concerts of the 20th century, some of the biggest UK acts came together to sing this charity single.
03:16Many original singers from the Band Aid recording show up as well as many notable guests.
03:28It's all for a good cause, reminding viewers of the power of live aid.
03:33There's also the fact that so many musical luminaries share the same microphones.
03:39With everyone from David Bowie to Freddie Mercury there, you can't help but feel like this is a piece of music history.
03:47Do They Know It's Christmas has never sounded better or more profound than in that moment.
04:04It's a staggering performance, just beating out iconic sets from the likes of Queen.
04:11Number 7, Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah, Live in London.
04:24Nobody can sing quite like Leonard Cohen.
04:28Even in his later career, the performer could wow a crowd with his renditions of his incredible songs.
04:35This version of his iconic Hallelujah has all the power of his original recording, but he digs down even deeper into the lyrics.
04:44It's not a cry that you hear tonight, it's not some pilgrim who claims to have seen the light, no.
04:52There are plenty of great covers of this song, which is tribute to what a powerful piece of writing it is.
04:58But Cohen clearly has a special relationship to it.
05:02It's a cold and it's a very lonely Hallelujah.
05:09With a talented backing band, the artist hangs on each note in a performance bordering on perfection.
05:15His poetic words have never sounded better, as he gives the audience a spiritual experience.
05:33Number 6, Linkin Park, One More Light, Jimmy Kimmel Live.
05:40Were the signs I ignored.
05:45Chris Cornell was a hero to many people in the music industry,
05:49with Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington an especially close friend to the artist.
05:54Cornell's untimely death came not long before this appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
06:00The band decided to press on with emotions on full display, with the frontman taking the news the hardest.
06:07Who cares if one more light goes out, in the sky of a million stars.
06:15Bennington's brave and vulnerable work here can't be understated.
06:20The vocalist doesn't hold back, singing through what must have been a difficult array of emotions.
06:26Who cares when someone's time runs out, if the moment is all we are.
06:34He and the entire group deserve credit for turning One More Light into a tribute to a fallen icon.
06:41Considering Bennington's sudden death that same year, this video becomes even harder to watch.
06:54Number 5, Chris Martin and Ariana Grande, Don't Look Back in Anger, One Love, Manchester.
07:04Don't you know you might find, a better place to play.
07:10Coming together to support the victims of the Manchester Arena attack,
07:14the One Love Manchester concert contained a tremendous outpouring of love for the city.
07:20This particular performance from Chris Martin and Ariana Grande exemplifies that supportive spirit.
07:28The artists come together to sing Oasis' Don't Look Back in Anger, with the audience eagerly behind them.
07:35It's a moving performance that features as much heart as it does musical talent.
07:46The crowd even takes over at one point, giving the chorus even more meaning in the wake of a tragedy.
07:54It's moments like this that show how music can bring people together.
08:07Number 4, Heart, Stairway to Heaven, The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
08:24While honoring Led Zeppelin at the Kennedy Center Honors, Heart pulled out all the stops for this cover.
08:31They enlisted John Bonham's son Jason to play drums and brought together a group of talented performers.
08:39Ann Wilson's powerful voice gives Robert Plant a run for his money, giving renewed life to this classic.
08:46There's also the fantastic choir that wrings even more emotion out of the music.
08:56With the excited honorees watching, this is a moment to remember.
09:09This performance reminds people of why the song endures.
09:12The wonderful arrangement puts this version of Stairway to Heaven in a class all its own.
09:30Number 3, Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You, 36th Annual Grammy Awards.
09:39On the Grammy stage, Whitney Houston proved once again that she was the voice of a generation.
09:57Her cover of I Will Always Love You has become an absolute classic.
10:02And this version is especially brilliant, showcasing the singer's undeniable strength.
10:09She hits high notes that few humans could ever hope to reach live.
10:18Raising the bar once more, the star is sheer perfection throughout this magnificent performance.
10:25And I will always love you.
10:35She even nails the difficult key change with seeming ease.
10:40During a night where she won multiple awards, Houston reminded everyone that she deserved every single ounce of praise.
10:49Love you, you, you, you.
11:08Number 2, Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs, Fast Car, 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
11:15You got a fast car, I want a ticket to anywhere.
11:20While they might come from completely different musical worlds, Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs are still able to come together for this fantastic collaboration.
11:30The latter artist scored a hit with the song that brought further attention to the original's timeless qualities.
11:36We'll move out of the shelter, buy a bigger house, live in the summer.
11:42Both performing with her and honouring her songwriting, Combs accompanies Chapman on the Grammy stage.
11:48And the audience is also clearly excited to welcome the songwriter back to the spotlight.
11:54I had a feeling that I belonged.
11:59A galvanizing and amazing performance, it gives audiences everywhere something to cheer about.
12:05You can also appreciate the amazing quality of the lyrics and music that made this moment possible.
12:26Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
12:31Avicii Tribute Orchestra, Levels, Avicii Tribute Concert.
12:36Following the producer's death, this towering track carries even more resonance.
12:49Celine Dion, My Heart Will Go On, 24th Billboard Music Awards.
12:54Singing her signature song, the performer delivers a timeless performance.
13:02Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, Barcelona.
13:07Live in Olimpiada Cultural, the Queen frontman reaches operatic heights with soaring high notes.
13:14Bruce Springsteen, My City of Ruins, America, A Tribute to Heroes.
13:19A solemn and moving tribute honouring the victims of a tragedy.
13:44Adele, Someone Like You, 31st Brit Awards.
13:49She owns the stage with the show-stopping rendition of Someone Like You.
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14:29Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, 1-800-273-8255, 34th MTV Video Music Awards.
14:44Some songs are much more than just a way to entertain.
14:49The performer Logic proves this in his 2017 MTV Video Music Awards performance.
15:06Joining forces with Alessia Cara and Khalid,
15:09the rapper celebrates life and shines a light on mental health issues.
15:23The track contains positive messages that show support for people suffering with depression or harmful thoughts.
15:31It's already emotional, but the appearance also features people personally affected by the track's topic.
15:40This all builds to the lead performer's passionate speech about equality.
15:46It's ultimately a tour de force that's hard to get through without tearing up.
16:02Did we forget another emotional performance? Let us know in the comments below.
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