Cynthia Erivo ‘Ain’t No Way’

Cynthia Erivo singing a Tribute to Aretha Franklin 'Ain't No Way'
BBC Proms 2022 - Royal Albert Hall

[@Blueeboi1]

Cynthia and backup singer killed it! Not many can reach the climax of this song without screaming, she did it flawlessly

[@marysalvi242]

@Alejandro Duran silky smooth...I will say it's even with Aretha's version & the high note wow!! Yeah, I'm 74 yrs old, I was 20yrs old when this came out, so I do not hesitiate, it was worth the 54 years to hear it and feel it the way it was meant to be embraced through the whole of mind/body/soul. This song is magical ~ 🕊🌠

[@mrericbell4448]

Yess ❤❤❤❤background vocal is amazing itself to

[@shaynarenee6220]

The background singer damn❤

[@dorothyesked1802]

Omg! Her the background vocals freaking amazing Aretha would be proud.

[@soulstarmusiclover1254]

Cynthia made Aretha proud. She made me proud because I’m serious about my Queen.

[@musingsnplaylists]

I don't think I have ever seen such an unselfish preformer. Like, you're the star and you're highlighting the backup singer? I cried.

[@quincycuthbert5408]

she had to that backup singer highlighted the song

[@willfrancescofini]

it's tradition when performing this song. Whitney was so good at it

[@dawnthomas7690]

I Love Exactly This About Her and the Voice!!!!!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!

[@chaero1tooler]

@@willfrancescofini im sorry but Whitney doesn't had the range for this song

[@willfrancescofini]

@@chaero1tooler you don’t have to be sorry just search Whitney Uniondale NY 1994 Ain’t No Way

[@GeeBee909]

This is not a song, it's a sermon....and it is OUTSTANDING

[@annielorson6720]

I think that too!!!

[@richardallen5434]

Say it loud!

[@keciacurtis6944]

I think that’s why I was moved to tears! Especially when she hit that crescendo! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾

[@preciousbrown7962]

Effortlessly beautiful but Cynthia looking at the sister singing high and them keeping eye contact was like an unspoken conversation like go girl ❤

[@kimweidner7351]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!

[@khalil.jcovington3802]

He

[@twilightjoi]

Right!!! I LOVED that part!!!

[@cherylanderson5450]

She can sing and her back up singer

[@fleetwood7538]

The, "let's show'em" look. 🫂😎

[@janettyler6206]

Loved the fact that Cynthia shared the spotlight with the amazing Phebe Edwards singing background vocals. She wanted everyone to realize how amazing Phebe is. What a generous and kind artist. So proud and honored to be able to see and hear this stunning performance by these 2 very blessed singers.

[@ParlayPresh]

I loved that too. She doesn’t have to hog the spotlight and she knows it.

[@ameliacampbell6679]

I love the black WOMAN magic energy

[@vitayaboy]

you lift others on your way up

[@jojoone1099]

Turning her head towards her during the performance was such a gracious gesture.

[@ingridchristmas5991]

❤❤so true

[@goddessthyme8388]

The connection between her and that backup singer... CHILLS😍 so beautiful

[@coleb2020]

❤❤❤ I love it

[@litawi7869]

She’s moved me to tears with displaying such affection for a different person that was singing with her. She perfectly and elegantly shone some of her own spotlight on her With no words…I got chills and a frog in my throat. Smh. The back up singer was also just PERFECT! ❤🥰🥰🥰

[@TheeKaylaMarieOne]

That’s what I call a pull it out partner. Yes Lord 🥰

[@johnezomo7555]

This is literally the most balanced performance of this song I've ever seen. The entire accompaniment, the back up and the lead. The clarity of those high notes 😍. Balanced, with the right amount of expression to drive the emotions of the piece home.

[@carolynsherwen7324]

Totally agree, just wonderful, so perfect

[@jhaydeecee8016]

Wendy moten does it better

[@tyrmorris8155]

⁠@@jhaydeecee8016Wendy Moten sang well, but she sang it in a lower key. Erivo sang it in Aretha’s higher key and sang it better than even Jennifer Hudson. Moten emoted better, Erivo sang better.

[@madchen521]

Except for Aretha and her sisters.

[@reneeshairdesigns3739]

Exactly! First time I heard her. Had to look her up❤❤❤❤❤

[@caroladams2074]

It's 2:43am in the morning and I am listening to all of Cynthia Erivo music and it's fabulous, her voice is just like butter.

[@janicepittman8241]

I am listening at the exact same time...days later.

[@JoshuaWilliams-kc4we]

Same 😭

[@elianahadassah1197]

same here😭

[@kirkris7563]

saaaaaame started last night at 00:00 and started it again this evening 21:30 hahaha!

[@dnealove3070]

It's 1:05 am here and I'm doing the exact same thing... she's amazing!

[@webdamico]

Phebe Edwards (the backing vocal) is just amazing. She worked with Jessie J for many years. Since then, I've been following her 💜

[@JC-yy8iv]

She killed it! Cissy Houston’s backing vocal on this song demands real talent, and it’s just as iconic as that bridge

[@jjchockey]

Yes! I knew it was her.

[@sceanic]

That whistle tone is INCREDIBLE!

[@royaldiadem_]

Cynthia gave her own stage without shoplifting her talent… as their own… like many other artists.

[@eyesofthebeast]

@@royaldiadem_ jessie j gave her flowers too

[@jinx9106]

Goosebumps!! The clarity in her voice always gets me.

[@rupenimudunavukuiii5909]

Clarity at its finest!

[@venisglover5603]

Jinx that was my very first thought YES!!!

[@litawi7869]

Me too!!!!! And it has a youthful “girly-ness” to it when she sings in chest voice. Kinda like thee Ella!

[@itsmxt]

@@litawi7869YES!

[@aloysiusmuscellajr2659]

I didn’t realize I could be crying while simultaneously givin full on stank face. She did that!!! 😭🙌🏻🔥

[@eliza8160]

Lmaoooo my exact thought at the moment!!! 😂❤❤❤❤

[@nisha3d]

Absolutely ❤

[@stevedoublen1641]

That backup singer is gonna make heaven, that's all I have to say 😂😂😂😂

[@calendarbaby]

At this point, she’s got a pile of my wigs just sitting on her doorstep. This woman GIVES EVERYTHING

[@ajwriter5699]

LMAO

[@jamesgarrett7606]

Best comment

[@laylili6]

😂

[@tonisumblin2719]

😂😅

[@jacquelinejackson1672]

I agree with the singing and background vocals soprano and her singers was beautiful can we leave the weeds off she's beautiful just the way she is.

[@alfarizait]

No comment for this perfomance ANYMORE. She never failed to bring the soul, the technique of her singing. Not every "skilled" singer can deliver this difficult song perfectly, but she did. I'm amazed how Cyhthia appreciates the wonderful backing vocalists up there. Pure talent, pure soul.

[@andremestizzo]

No comments for her..theres no.words available to

[@gromplin]

I knew she was a skilled vocalist but the soul here is so RAW. Oooo this hit something deep. I had to stop everything I was doing and be rooted

[@SB-dw3yz]

YES nothing else to be said. Flawless performance. Opened up my musical taste bud's ...

[@japhya0378]

She bought the voice. But the soul is NOT THERE....

[@mireiification]

@@japhya0378 You're right. Technically perfect but she's not in the song. Patti tho... 😉

[@mrcloudiesbestfriend]

No joke, I think this is in line with the best performances of all time. It’s quite literally an absolute perfect piece of music, and in my opinion is not only the best performance of this song, but again, one of the best performances of all time.

[@user333happyvibes]

EYE AGREE!!! YOU ARE ABUNDANTLY CORRECT!!! This performance when Eye first saw it, from the very first moment was one of the greatest performances Eye’v ever seen!!!!! Cynthia’s talent is FULL and HERE!!!

[@lindagibson24]

Cynthia and her backup singers did that!! Made Aretha proud.❤️🔥🔥🔥🎶

[@markwhitbread7383]

Yes, the voice, the backing singers and the musicians. Great. Aretha will be singing along in a much better place.

[@daphneytennard3267]

why can't these people sing there own music...and leave ours alone...they degrade us...and mimic us at the same time. She has said a lot of nasty thing about BA.

[@OsheyBaddest]

@@daphneytennard3267 lol

[@rudolphdiaz5444]

@@daphneytennard3267 their *

[@Ijanee4806]

EXACTLY!!!

[@monicafusilier9658]

I love the way she acknowledged and honored her background vocalists. Classy!!

[@T.O.N.I.A.N.N]

I listen to this at least once a day

[@meekmeka7331]

@Toni adding it to my playlist ❤

[@aidanscott3895]

She is the best living vocalist of our time. No question.

[@kristhyandaniel893]

Cynthia is AMAZING. This is truly a GIFT. This song is SO HARD to sing and she made it look easy

[@PatriciaBoley-dh3un]

Yes she did!!

[@je5485]

This girl can sing anything and make it her own! I love the fact she shared the stage with her backup singers specially the lady who "its the high note so beautifully. And the band did a fantastic job and the soundsystemwas just impeccable!

[@i_am_peaches2rawtid]

Ain't No Way I'm still breathing after that. That performance took my breath away...😍

[@evaevgenis8664]

I thought I'd stop breathing, too, half-way thru the song. Amazing voice!

[@kendrickrodgers9435]

This is the BEST cover of this song I have ever heard… I almost brings a tear to my eye, joyful tears that is..

[@kyrobb9663]

Definitely tears! Of joy

[@stardustboy8439]

Jhud‘s version is THE BEST… this lacks soul sounds like a broadway gig.

[@kendrickrodgers9435]

@@stardustboy8439 I firmly disagree…

[@zahraaesmael342]

Stick to Jhud if you like screaming and lack of technique and dramatic choice@@stardustboy8439 Ledisi and Cynthia did it best when it comes to covers/ tributes

[@reneeshairdesigns3739]

She touched my soul❤❤❤

[@priyaverasammy7003]

The way they sang to eachother was absolutely gorgeous 😍

[@joequiller8792]

Cynthia the queen would be so pride of you and your back ground singers may God Bless you all.

[@ALEXNDAHALELE]

And the way she powered through the climax of the song with so much ease. She is a beast👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@barbarastewart8066]

Just classically beautiful and peaceful. No screaming, all trained vocals. Blessings ❤️

[@renegaderunner332]

She is the most talented performer of this most recent generation!❤

[@lyrontrayofficial820]

Until this performance, I thought it was impossible to hit those high notes without belting. This woman really killed it effortlessly. Such a silky performance, front up and back up! 💚💚💚

[@fatherbewithme]

Cynthia's head voice is beautiful and impeccable

[@channingsmith454]

It’s the way Cynthia Erivo stands there almost completely still and belts out an incredibly run like it is…NOTHING!!! God, I love this woman. I almost threw my shoe at her. I could’ve never been in person for this, I would not know how to act😂😂😂

[@lstockton8468]

Listen...that is the test of a TRUE SANGER...when you can stand there flat footed and SANG YOUR FACE OFF like you are doing nothing but breathing, you know someone can SANG! Cynthia and Phebe SANG THEIR FACES OFF!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@susanmeertens606]

🤣🤣👏🏽🙌🏻

[@anthonyphilyaw5527]

🤣🤣🤣that is too funny 😂. So many people say that...if they could sing like that they would never stop singing lol. They sound mystical

[@robertbellavance6702]

I feel you oh do I feel you❤

[@channingsmith454]

FLAT FOOTED!!!! The audience wasn't doing enough for me😂😂@@lstockton8468

[@MAKEITmakeSense-]

Cynthia is trained exceptionally well as she uses all the proper singing mechanics. You never see her external jugular vein popping bc she never strains

[@prosperthevillain]

MY GOD she’s just as gorgeous as her voice

[@siphesihlenkosi3894]

How is this not on a hundred million views??!! Wow! What vocal prowess!

[@_belloyakubu]

She’s just unique and her voice carries a lot of emotions.

[@garrettokeefe7952]

I’ve listened to this on repeat for an hour and am still getting full body chills every time through

[@cherylwyche641]

Can’t won’t stop watching this 🔥🔥 🔥

[@marilynsouthern1612]

She was mesmerizing. I can’t stop listening to her sing this song. I wish someone could get her back on track.❤️

[@vanessagillon17]

Back on track? What I miss?

[@Aundie731]

What did I miss? Back on track??

[@aubainmc]

Her voice is so clean

[@kellycumberbatch9171]

Amazing and I love how she turns to the backing singer every time she does her solo 🥰🥰💜

[@lutoph]

My. Gosh. Flawlessness. From her stunning beauty to the backup singers to the utter perfection of her vocal. Ms. Cynthia Erivo is a treasure. Go on and give the woman her damehood already.

[@lstockton8468]

I love Aretha's original...but this is my new fave of this song!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@LondonHasFallin]

Underrated as they come. Cynthia just needs that one album to bring her the recognition she deserves. I wish Adele could write her some songs. 🙌

[@ShemSidden]

Cynthia,bar none,you sang the pants off this song!Take a bow!

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

or an album of duets?

[@znomad3867]

Vocal masterclass! Kudos to the background vocals. SLAYAGE!

[@cammy60467]

The backup singer is killing it 💙

[@thadaishapatterson8794]

Chills. Tears . Chills. Simply astonishing Cynthia and the beautiful BG vocalist. BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE. 🥹❤️👏🏾

[@ayandazondo8776]

The chorus here😭😭😭😍… I’m having a job interview In the next hour stressed out listening to this soothes my soul body and mind .❤❤❤❤thank you Erivo!!!!!

[@VictoriaEPines]

Praying you got the job 🙌🏽

[@kimweidner7351]

I hope you got the job. ❤️

[@ayandazondo8776]

@@VictoriaEPines I’m starting on the 1st 😭❤️

[@ayandazondo8776]

@@kimweidner7351 yes I’m starting on the 1st😭

[@VictoriaEPines]

@@ayandazondo8776 Congratulations!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@ACKNOWLEDGEMENT85]

Yeah, I came to this section to acknowledge the entire accompaniment!! But the way she looks at her background singer each time she takes on those notes and that run…. Goosebumps! JUST AINT NO WAY I could have hit them notes! Hats off to everyone on that stage!

[@l1cent]

Beautiful done she brought me to tears 😢

[@osielisaacrodriguezsandova5554]

she has a voice like soft velvet but she also knows when to take the power out of her voice she killed this 🔥

[@Mimi4826]

She probably sang this as close to the original as I’ve heard. There wasn’t a lot of belting or over elongated notes.

[@ajedbey-el5846]

This was the best and most SMOOTH approach to this song! No need to yell and scream... ensure your notes are intentional and sweet! #BlissRe Us love you 4ever. Thanks #Cynthia u are much more than a treat! #BlissingsMySweet👁 👁💜🤲🏾

[@katiemcteague]

Cynthia is a vocal beast. Such incredible talent and versatility. Love her.

[@jaleesarobinson6432]

The funny thing is she playing through the whole song. Just having fun. She is so talented. Lawd have mercy.

[@marydansby2083]

Her voice is amazing...she actually touched my soul...what a gift from God!

[@TheKittyGirl]

The most talented vocalist I think we will ever ever see. The clarity of her tone, the effortlessness of her runs and and switching from chest and head. I’ve never seen or heard anything even close to it.

[@Lizmarie775]

Ms. Erivo has the strength and clarity to pull off ANY song in the universe. She makes it look easy.

[@shaib8284]

Cynthia’s control and artistry is out of this world! Every performance of hers is an experience!

[@doveshred]

Sitting here laughing with tears streaming down my face. She blows my mind with her effortlessness

[@beam9514]

This woman can literally sing anything and it's great! ❤

[@ShaciJames]

OK so we know that the soloist is doing everything she is supposed to do vocally but can we give some love to these background singers?! This performance was so well-rounded. Love it!

[@planofdestiny0011]

She KILLT this...her voice is so beautiful and effortless...and Ms. Phoebe hit those notes with such perfection...this whole performance was just amazing and it is on "repeat" !

[@GlendaClarke-ir2cd]

That background vocalist is phenomenal within her own right. Shine, ladies!!! 🌹🎤

[@nellyd5852]

That is an astonishing performance by everyone involved. Cynthia’s voice is just unimaginably beautiful and something to behold. ❤️

[@lucasandreboaventura9820]

She's simply one of the best vocalists of our genation

[@kalangwakashoka5601]

THIS

[@OsheyBaddest]

Definitely

[@cortney4soul]

Y’all are gonna hate me, but she gives gives this song the clarity and justice it deserves more so than Jennifer H. She’s not just yelling it, she is finessing those notes. And I feel it, #SOULFUL

[@kendrickrodgers9435]

I concur!!!!!!!

[@Jada19791]

I TOTALLY AGREE

[@cynthiajohnson9311]

I completely agree with you.. Cynthia delivers!!

[@MsTbethea27]

Yep

[@katinacallis9762]

Definitely

[@kimweidner7351]

Classy and generous to point out that beautiful backup singer. Classy. Stunning and beautiful. Made my heart leap and my eyes sting with tearful joy.

[@mistynorman3172]

At 2:59 when Cynthia and that beautiful and amazing background vocalist shared that moment together was everything

[@hcrossley9365]

She gives me chills every time she sings, the beauty, power and tone of her voice is something else!!

[@KWd-ir9jc]

This lady can SING!! She did a much better job of portraying Aretha than the other version.

[@TheJawn_G]

I agree❤

[@veroniquemassena]

The best cover and back up singer ever watched. Everything done so effortlessly

[@tonnys453]

her voice has so much ease and control. its insane! she also makes the audience feel so comfortable whilst watching her.

[@NaiyasWorld]

I absolutely love that she gave the background singer her time to shine many people don’t do that at all 😩😍

[@EMM1908]

Cynthia will sing you up and down effortlessly!! I love her!!!❤

[@bexsee80]

The way she sung this was the first time I heard the words

[@josettebeasleycarter6885]

This is my first time viewing this and WOW!!! Cynthia is so gifted and honey, the back up vocalist gave me chills. The purity of her note...and the fact Cynthia shared the stage with her. Love the humbleness.

[@marisaorlando3658]

holy crap! her voice, stage presence, the interplay between her and the backup singers, just wow

[@lareinawhatley9509]

My people are soooooo talented!!!!!! And the music was amazing as well! Bravo to everyone involved!!!!

[@deepanshutyagi1467]

Had to stop myself from crying, was listening to this in the car on my way to work and was genuinely so moved....what an incredibly powerful performance

[@joshigg2192]

❤ Cynthia is from another galaxy. Aint no way any human can sing like her

[@linedanzer4302]

I always considered that song a *semi-duet* with Aretha and Cissy Houston. Love the song and love this rendition. Well done!!

[@lolitarichardson8500]

Yup!👍🏾

[@melaninenriched7844]

We aren't act le cousin Brenda wouldn't kill it during the live performances of this song

[@cyclingadventure1804]

OMG! One of the most beautiful rendition of this master piece of a song. Cynthia and backup are out of this world... Beautiful!

[@savedbytheblood4154]

Words cannot express how much I so absolutely adored this performance. Her voice is so smooth and pleasant. The backing vocals were spot on and the orchestra was absolutely phenomenal. Well done

[@TheMichelleRena]

Cynthia and Amber Riley are my 2 all time favs for this decade.

[@sherrydenny7158]

....and then there was Cynthia Erivo. That backup singer was Super Amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@blahk4657]

She sang the hell out of that song.

[@beautifullymastered4581]

They did it justice go head Cynthia and Phebe they need their flowers right now. Cissy Houston would be proud because she did backing vocals to the original! GOOSEBUMPS! Phebe Edward’s needs her flowers now! She did the hell out of the high note! 🎵

[@jemhenry8199]

OMG!!!!! THIS IS PROBABLY THE 100TH TIME WATCHING THIS AND I GET CHILLS EVERY SINGLE TIME. CYNTHIA AND THAT BACKGROUND SINGER??????? THESE TWO ARE FREAKING AMAZING! ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!!!

[@marciamorgan-payne5191]

Just 'absolutely beautiful'. The best version I have heard, perfection at its best! I take my hat off to you Cynthia and your well-chosen back-up singers!

[@Singyourstyle]

Ain't no way for me to love you If you won't let me Ain't no way for me to give you all you need If you won't let me give all of me I know that a woman's duty Is to help and love a man And that's the way it was planned Oh but how can I, how can I, how can I Give you all the things I can If you're tying both of my hands? Oh, it ain't no way (Ain't no way) It ain't no way (Ain't no way) It just ain't no way, baby (Ain't no way) Ain't no way, baby (Ain't no way) It ain't no way for me to love you If you won't let me Stop trying to be someone you're not How cold and cruel is a man Who paid too much for what he got? And if you need me like you say, say you do Oh then please, please Please don't you know that I need you? Oh, it ain't no way I tell you that it ain't no way It ain't no way, it ain't no way, baby, no It just ain't no way It sure ain't no way It ain't no way for me to love you If you won't let me No way If you won't let me Ain't no way

[@kengrand5445]

Its not just the voice, its the effortlessness...its almost as if she's not even trying wow

[@emilsh1819]

Goosebumps every time when I'm watching this performance. The fact is, she make that song so easy to sing and her hand moves... Gosh I love when they work w hands when they sing.

[@keciacurtis6944]

The way I cried while listening to this rendition of the song!! Other than Aretha Franklin and Cissy Houston, I have never been moved so much by the vocalists of this song!! The background singers were phenomenal! This took my breath away! Absolutely outstanding. Cynthia Erivo and Phoebe Edwards, job well done! 🙌🏾💖💜🙏🏾

[@edgarribeirodossantos9019]

Oh my oh my Mrs. Erivo! You are one of the finest female vocals in the industry nowadays! God bless you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🌹💕

[@dollfacetay35]

the way she stands so calmly while she belts all that power from the pits of her lungs my gawd ms. lady you are greatness. Aretha would smile at this one!!

[@pamelashatteen9817]

This sister killed it!

[@coachstrong6982]

This is beyond amazing!! I mean you never hear or see her breathe!! I could listen to this song all day every day....Great job by Cynthia, the backup singers, the orchestra and Phoebe!!!

[@alexparker4369]

This girl is AMAZING, no one can top you Cynthia, may Lord bless you and your angelic voice and spirit 🙂

[@gtawebdesignseoexpert4536]

Jennifer Hudson is miles ahead of her. Cynthia is great but JHud is the GOAT of live vocals. There’s a reason why Whitney chose her to do her songs at her tribute concert. So yeah, JHud tops Cynthia any day and twice on Sunday ….

[@alexparker4369]

@@gtawebdesignseoexpert4536 I totally agree with you, but JHUD is not the one in this video, it’s about Cynthia Erivo. It’s Cynthia singing, not Jennifer Hudson 😉

[@manfromrome7710]

She is an amazing singer. More than just the insane vocals she has, I am most impressed by her storytelling.

[@reginamtate9616]

I think both Aretha and Carolyn Franklin would have been very happy with these performances! Brava!

[@dc161]

Her background singers are always always always on point!!!

[@fredamallory3697]

A Tony Grammy Emmy and Academy Awards goes to Ms Cynthia featuring Ms Phoebe, Fantastic ❤️💯

[@SoulKnightKing]

OSCAR? WHERE?!?!?

[@fredamallory3697]

@@SoulKnightKing The Most important Award, My bag😂😂❤❤Thank you!

[@bigdee12k]

Cynthia just brought tears to my eyes! Ms. Franklin would be sooooo proud of your story telling & ability to take us on this songs’ journey like she herself used to. Thank You Cynthia❤

[@PatriciaBoley-dh3un]

This woman can't only act she's an awesome singer. Never heard of her until she did that Aretha Franklin mini series. Word's can Express how Awesome she is. I'm going to definitely follow her!!