Top 10 Emotional Live Music Performances That Give Us Chills

[@MsMojo]

Did we forget another performance that made YOU emotional? Let us know below, and check out our video of the Top 10 Most Emotional Singing Performances in Movies - th-cam.com/video/4MYiTggeU0M/w-d-xo.html

[@tamtam2000]

Whitney Houston's rendition of the National Anthem still gets me to this day. Same with Pink's performance of Glitter in the Air at the Grammys.

[@borisborisov4641]

Christina Aguilera- Hurt at the Rockefeller Center 😢

[@BooksWithBourbon]

How did you forget Kesha performing Praying at the 2018 Grammys? It STILL gives me chills and damp eyes!

[@anthonymonteverde4391]

Prince at the 2007 Super Bowl; Bruce Springsteen at the Oscars performing "Philadelphia"

[@Patrech]

Kasey Chambers’ cover of Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ - just breathtaking.

[@sailormoonsault]

That Heart tribute to Led Zeppelin gave me literal chills when I first saw it. Ann Wilson has one of the greatest voices in the history of rock music.

[@kissesfromcoco]

The joy on the faces of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are what make the performance truly emotional. When the choir starts singing, Jimmy nearly bounces out of his seat.

[@bethanny2421]

Jason Bonham looking up with tears in his eyes at the end, absolute tears every single time

[@kenmclemore523]

Absolutely agree... KDM

[@user-tq4zo1rr3r]

Watched the initial broadcast, tears by the end for how good the arrangement was & remembering all their great music & my youth.

[@dcrawford9258]

The only ones that could have done it and rocked it! What an honor to get their approval too!

[@sportsbabe1125]

Aretha Franklin’s singing You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman at the Kennedy Center honoring Carole King! She made a sitting President cry! That should be #1!

[@Whiskey_Jenkins]

I came here to say this. Carole King's reaction is GOLD.

[@kevinriley6320]

The most emotional live performance for me was when Big Bird sang "It's not easy being green" @ Jim Henson's funeral. When he says "thank you Kermit"

[@RutabegaNG]

So many incredible choices here.
My favorite part of the Tracy Chapman/Luke Combs performance is the way he looks at her, like he can't believe his luck that he gets to be on stage with her.
Heart's Stairway to Heaven was perfection. I was surprised when they chose to play that, and I was even more surprised that Ann Wilson made it even better.
What did you miss?
Queen at Live Aid. I mean really, how could you?
2004 Rock and Roll HOF performance of "When My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Dhani Harrison on stage surrounded by guitar Gods paying tribute to his father. That one _never_ fails to give me chills. Especially when Prince goes off on his solo. That was a bunch of brilliant musicians having a jam session that we were privileged enough to watch.

[@classicerynn8452]

When the lights came up and showed Tracy Chapman on stage with Luke Combs, I screamed in joy. ❤ The performance was amazing! ❤

[@erinwall9553]

Louis Capaldi being serenaded by his audience will always get me.

[@julienprevost5409]

Yeah. That’s a very good one

[@mariaghiglieri78]

Eric Clapton, Tears In Heaven, Grammys.

[@rosejustice]

#1? Queen at Live Aid….lets see.
What?! It’s not even in honorable mentions?!? C’mon guys…what happened?

[@malindahartley-mcdermott4966]

Should have been on the list for sure

[@kissesfromcoco]

I am guessing the inclusion of the Band Aid song from the same concert is why they omitted it although, imho, Radio Gaga 's audience participation gives me an emotional rush like nothing else.

[@Positivekitten]

I came here to say this!!!

[@FairyGodMom7]

Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center Honors for Carole King
Eminem's performance of Lose Yourself at the 2020 Oscars.
Lin Manuel Miranda's performance of My Shot and the White House before Hamilton because a juggernaut.
And I agree with those who have commented on the Luke Combs/Tracy Chapman performance. Luke's multiple looks of respect and admiration toward Chapman are priceless.

[@BClarke]

- Fleetwood Mac, “Silver Springs”, “The Dance”
- Prince et al, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, R’n’R Hall of Fame induction
- Eric Clapton, “Tears In Heaven”, MTV Unplugged
- 10,000 Maniacs, “Because the Night”, MTV Unplugged
- Pink Floyd, “Another Brick in the Wall”, Live8
- Nirvana, “About A Girl”, MTV Unplugged
- The Who, “Baba O’Riley”, The Concert for New York
- Gary Brooker, “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, Live in Denmark 2006
- Pavarotti & Clapton & East London Gospel Choir; “Holy Mother”, Live in Italy 1996

[@fyrewriter6667]

Same. Came here to mention "Silver Springs" (or "Landslide") and the "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" which I just can't get through without sobbing. I would also add Joni Mitchell's performance of "Both Sides Now" from the same Grammys as the Tracy Chapman/Luke Combs performance. What a moment. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@louisemably9340]

Adam Lambert singing Believe for Cher 41st annual Kenndy center awards. It was breathtaking!

[@benarizola8453]

That is my number 1

[@lizzybethnj617]

Kesha performing Praying at the Grammy’s made me cry

[@tarafrance8419]

Gloria Estefan performing "Coming Out Of The Dark" at the 1991 American Music Awards after her catastrophic bus accident in June 1990.
I remember watching as a little girl and crying when I saw her standing on the stage. It was truly awe inspiring.

[@erinmcguire7238]

Alan Jackson - Where were you (when the world stopped turning) 2001 CMA Awards..... Tim McGraw - If you're reading this 2007 ACM Awards

[@amberjohnson4820]

Hey there, Didn’t Alan Jackson perform that song on “a tribute to heroes”, the all-network telethon for 9/11? Just wondering….

[@mandiehague3569]

I was just about to comment Alan Jackson "When the World Stopped Turning". I actually was shocked it wasn't #1.

[@erinmcguire7238]

@@amberjohnson4820 it wouldn't surprise me if he played it on a tribute show, but the first ever performance was on the CMA's

[@greendaleforever]

Brooks & Dunn opening the show with Only in America as their guitarist played a blistering rendition of the closing lyrics to Star Spangled Banner...chills

[@E-Diva]

Janet Jackson performance of Scream after MJ's death.

[@alfredcordova7951]

Kelly Clarkson's "Piece by Piece" in American Idol 15 got me 😢

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

Absolutely 💯 %

[@seofra8252]

Shane Hawkins took those drums to therapy.

[@kamsismith]

Man in the Mirror at the 1988 Grammys. That performance never fails to bring chills to my spine.

[@kitgrrrl]

Disturbed - The Sound of Silence. Conan - 03/28/16

[@kissesfromcoco]

Brian May and the audience singing Love of My Life to Freddie Mercury's mom. Ugly cry moment, every time.

[@elisamason4836]

I watch that Linkin Park performance and bawld😢 like a baby in my mamas arms.. such a beautiful moment. ❤ under such terrible circumstances.

[@antonberg3271]

That one singel tear from the guy in the avicii tribute was the one that really broke me. There will never be another Avicii

[@atx0025]

The LP One Light performance hits so hard when you know Chester took his own life 2 months later. RIP to 2 legends that we lost decades too soon.

[@MachoXan]

Black from Pearl Jam's MTV Unplugged

[@emmyali920]

That is my most favorite video from them. There's just nothing better. You FEEL every note...

[@lesliekabew6259]

Janet Jackson "What About" from the VH1 Fashion Awards. It was so powerful.

[@user-yi4sx5vw8m]

Queen feat. Liza Minnelli (and others) - We are the Champions @Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert
Bob Geldof - I Don't Like Mondays @Live 8
Eminem - Lose Yourself @Oscars 2020
Paul McCartney - Hey Jude @Olympics 2012 closing ceremony

[@malindahartley-mcdermott4966]

Toby Keith - Don't Let The Old Man In. Shortly before his passing on 2023 Peoples Choice Country Awards

[@cheyennebrennan966]

I would say George Michael singing Somebody to Love at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert: A dedication to a great performer lost to AIDS, but also in private dedication to the love of his life, whom he would soon lose to the same disease.

[@AJ-xc4qe]

List idea: Music Careers Ruined By Record Labels
My mind immediately goes to Michelle Branch and Jojo

[@amystickle9398]

Bonnie Raitt with Bruce Hornsby, i cant make you love me

[@Joelster-og4pf]

Ok, how can Logic really be number one? You’re wallpaper paste, MsMojo.

[@allebozza]

Love of my life! Queen at Rock in Rio 1985!!! It was epic! ❤❤

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy monday, Sophia, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well

[@sockygaldamez9492]

Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs performance of Fast Car was so good and beautiful 😁❤️❤️ they did sound really great together 👍 Also that rendition of My Hero for Taylor Hawkins was very emotional 🥹

[@ThePinkDragon]

live aide will never be matched!

[@ma53jg]

Iam Tongi and James Blunt singing "Monsters" on American Idol is heartbreaking and uplifting.

[@VolatileClip]

Umm how could you not have while my guitar gently weeps from the concert for George on there? Or Pink Floyd's live 8 performance?

[@BethMDowney]

This is one of those lists that needs to be a Top 30 (or more)

[@tod1045]

U2 Super Bowl 36 appearance, post 9/11. "Where The Streets Have No Name," where the backdrop scrolls the lives lost in the 9/11 tragedy, then when Bono opens his jacket. You missed this one!!!!!!! How could you???? Probably the best halftime show ever.

[@unhwildfan1]

100 percent this is either number one or 2 for me

[@parakeet8157]

Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs rendition of "Fast car."
Should have been mentioned"Jackson 5- Motown 25th anniversary." Also 2014 Grammy All Star perfomance of song of the year, "Get Lucky" The audience was on it's feet!

[@greendaleforever]

U2's Where the Streets Have No Name performance at 2002 Superbowl. Just as Bono started with an intro of MLK, ALL of the names of the victims from 9/11 were displayed for all to see in memoriam...I genuinely tear up every time I see that. Even though our country was going through a dark time, it still felt like we were all UNITED. Now such a moment just feels lost to time.

[@tod1045]

Bingo! I also commented on this one as well. Don't know how they could have missed this one?????????????????

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Glenn Campbell's final performances with his kids.😢

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

'My Hero' is a tear jerking tribute to Taylor Hawkins! 😮

[@paulmcraney8934]

If I Can Dream by Elvis at the end of his '68 Comeback Special is one of the greatest live performances of all time

[@arturogutierrez5934]

Bruce Springsteen is singing "The Rising"

[@mr.mealldaylong8013]

"THE DIFFICULT KIND" SHERYL CROW and SHELBY LYNNE at the GRAMMYS 😢😢😢🎉🎉❤

[@amberjohnson4820]

I’m angry that the performance of Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone is not on here. I swear, if Melissa Etheridge’s tribute to Janis Joplin at either the Grammy’s or the American Music Awards, doesn’t give you chills, then you are dead inside. She had been going through chemotherapy for breast cancer and rocked a beautiful bald head. ❤ I also LOVE when the British singer Joss Stone started the performance and eventually sang with Melissa.

[@tetepeb]

Prince guitarsolo during "While my guitar gently weeps" at the George Harrison tribute-concert.
Daft Punk with Pharrel and Stevie Wonder at the Grammys.
First Aid Kit playing "Emmylou" to Emmylou Harris at Polar Music Awards.
U2 playing "With or without you" on Glastonbury.
All of these should be on the list and the No1 was kind of a BS choice, it´s more you should feel chills according to your brain rather then you actually did feel it with your heart.

[@Lily_of_the_Forest]

Look at how encouraging David Grohl is looking at Shane Hawkins. The Foo Fighters truly were a family.

[@ma53jg]

Wow, what a list. I kept getting goosebumps.

[@MichaelMoorePDX]

Good list, but i also would have gone with Whitney's performance of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, right after we started the first Gulf War. Her rendition was so powerful, it was a real 'bring the country together' moment.

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

True. That performance had significance beyond just the amazing vocals.

[@jetziiophelia9757]

Heart playing Stairway to heaven is one of the best live performances ever.! ❤❤❤

[@Thegeneralms1]

#1 Heart
#2 Foo Fighters
You rank the rest

[@sashaelton2696]

Rest in Peace Chester and Chris xx💔

[@saskiaeland2935]

Leonard Cohen every time

[@cedgson91]

The Tracy chapman & Luke combs performance made me feel so many emotions 🥹

[@rebeccagaudette1313]

Demi Lovato - Anyone

[@ariellebotwinick1537]

“Anyone” by Demi Levato

[@raineetoneme]

Number 1 was way off. It didn't move me at all. Hearts tribute was incredible. Aretha at the Kennedy Center Honors, Whitney's performance of the national anthem, Demi's Anyone from that awards show. Kelly Clarkson Peices on AI. All were moving incredible performances. I cried at every one of them.

[@beanbag8148]

I think the Chicks and Beyonce should be on this list

[@dannysimion]

I just finished watching the I Am Celine Dion documentary and watching in retrospect the struggles she started to face for over the past decade makes watching her 2017 My Heart Will Go On performance at the Billboard Music Awards the more heartbreaking. Stiff Person Syndrome or SPS, is bit something I would wish on anyone. 😢

[@michaelmonthey5974]

Luke Combs should have a Top 30 or 100 Songs list. His songs are great.

[@fu5530]

J Cole’s David Letterman performance is a great one where a rapper showed a very emotional side.

[@felipetheodoro7]

Demi Lovato’s performance of Anyone at the Grammy’s deserved a honorable mention

[@uliDodgers88]

Eric Claptons Tears in Heaven

[@lchanceiv]

Mary J Blige's performance of No More Drama at the Grammies is amazing.

[@stephenlandry2674]

I doubt that the most chilling live performance was the one done by Logic. Whats next 10 saddest songs by LMFAO?

[@elainamurdock3769]

Kesha's Praying performance at the Grammys should have at least made an honerable mention.

[@nepatrul6075]

Goo Goo Dolls performing Iris in the pouring rain

[@greendaleforever]

GOOD ONE!

[@bullgravy6906]

Cory Henry with North Sea Orchestra, performing “Purple Rain.”
Glycerine by Bush, at a spring break concert when it started to pour and he came out with the acoustic and rocked it.

[@ilionreactor1079]

Rush playing YYZ in Rio, finally feeling the love they deserve.

[@shelbymair5819]

Lady Gaga performing Til It Happens to you at the 2016 Oscars. I still can't believe that they let her do that just to turn around and give the award to Sam Smith..

[@c.d.9035]

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.

[@johnsansker7064]

Try his cover of "Hurt".

[@VideoKilledMyZZZ]

@@johnsansker7064 Johnny Cash didn’t need someone else’s song to be legendary.

[@joeb.evrythngEclectic5571]

U2 Superbowl performance

[@timothycasey7358]

May I suggest "Skin Deep" by Buddy Guy on David Letterman. Gives me chills. Look it up.

[@sebastianbehrendt6077]

Eric Clapton's tears in heaven, queen live aid, tracy chapman at the mandela concert...

[@TheDivaSpot101]

Chris Brown playing Tribute to Michael Jackson at the BET awards. He breaks down in tears while performing
Definitely Whitney Houston singing, "One moment in time"

[@greendaleforever]

I think that was the MTV Awards 2009 unless he did it again for BET

[@TheDivaSpot101]

@@greendaleforever It was the BET awards..You can watch it on TH-cam.

[@NoFirstNoLastName]

Celine Dion at the 2024 Olympics. That is my new number one.

[@judithvipperman5902]

Fully agree!!! That took a lot of guts!!

[@lchanceiv]

Pink and Kelly Clarkson "Everybody Hurts"

[@tjwash5118]

During the honorable mentions I was thinking great! Aretha Franklin is #1 honoring Carol King at the Kennedy Center honors! Alas..

[@salinasn3]

Linkin parks one more light is more harder to listen to but the most important

[@lchanceiv]

OOh can we get a best of the Kennedy Center Honors performances.

[@tobywankenobi103]

What you really should have added was reach out and touch ashford and Simpson ft teddy Pendergrass at live aid
Especially because it was the first live preformance since pendergrass’ vehicle accident that left him paralyzed

[@charlierubis8755]

U2 Super Bowl performance after 9/11

[@borisborisov4641]

Where’s Christina Aguilera- Hurt from Rockefeller Centre? Impossible to have top 10 without it. The song and the ice-skating are giving chills for days!

[@user-re4ig9tc7q]

Queen at live Aid

[@michaelmalaret1399]

Elton John and Eminem at the Grammys, Queen at Live Aid, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Laupet et al. at Joannie Mitchell Tribute to her career singing Big Yellow Taxi

[@centurytuna100]

Barbra Streisand singing live " you'll never walk alone" tribute to the 911 victims..u missed a big one 😮

[@JBeck33]

You mentioned Springsteen / my city of ruins, so I won't give you too much crap. But that would certainly be in my top 10.

[@michaelnewton8048]

Where is Puffy Daddy and Sting tribute to Biggie?

[@saskiaeland2935]

Still prefer Dolly Parton’s version

[@lchanceiv]

Kelly Clarkson at the Kennedy Center Honors The Dance

[@trecarufel]

The following Grammy "In Memorium" performance with Logic. Especially, besides two of my idols (Chester & Chris), I lost four other people to suicide that year.

[@queenmlocs5216]

Whitney! Chills 🙌🏾

[@cathm8523]

How is Queen at Live Aid not #1 Cmon!

[@Buggy-su4oy]

The recent video of Michael J. Fox rocking on guitar with Coldplay as well as Whitney Houston's first performance of "I Look to You" at the 2008 or 2009 Grammys.

[@slstuart519]

Alice In Chains-Nutshell, MTV Unplugged. Haunting and incredible. Also one of Layne Staley’s last appearances before his tragic death.
Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill-How Great Thou Art, Girl’s Night Out special. So powerful.
Logic at #1 is not your best choice.

[@carl65ca]

The Who at the 9/11 Tribute concert. Pink Floyd at any given concert they do. Peter Gabriel at Amnesty International.

[@Paul-eb9qj]

Comfortably Numb Pulse Tour Pink Floyd