Top 10 Unforgettable Musical Performances on SNL

These "SNL" musical performances are as iconic as the sketches. For this list, we’ll be looking at the best performances by musical guests in the show’s history, as well as some that are so infamous that we’ll never forget them. Our countdown includes "i," "Radio Radio," "War," and more! What's YOUR favorite "SNL" musical performance? Let us know in the comments!
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[@MsMojo]

What's YOUR favorite "SNL" musical performance? Let us know below, and check out all of our SNL videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnS5d3uHeteab8k

[@dathorndike4908]

Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" from 1989

[@alysongurganus8383]

Brandi Carlisle!

[@DKay-gl3hv]

Paul Simon performing "the Boxer" right after 9/11 is iconic and deserves to be on this list.

[@MitchMitchellStories]

I was going to say this, but since you beat me to it all I can do is applaud you. 👏

[@livvyb3583]

Nobody does a live performance like Queen! Definitely one of the best!

[@abbyhelms8056]

Prince definitely deserves his spot. What an epic performance.💜

[@dathorndike4908]

Neil Young's "Rockin' In the Free World" from 1989- the best ever!

[@Areniapixie]

Poor Sinéad O’Connor, she lost a lot of support after her amazing performance and she was 1000% right 😔

[@lisaahmari7199]

1992 she ripped apart the photo of the pope. The world owes her a huge apology. She was right. The whole fucking Church should have been ripped apart....not just a photo.

[@user-ix1rp9ff3p]

the real "They hate him because he told the truth" meme

[@heatherbesocial]

Her documentary on Showtime was amazing.

[@a.e.jabbour5003]

@@heatherbesocial Oh thanks for reminding me! I had somehow just spaced on it. Will watch it tonight. :)

[@leafnlore2712]

Sinead will always be my hero. She has courage.

[@vicattardo8258]

At the height of the pandemic and the orange president's election denial, the Foo Fighters delivered a gut wrenching, "Times Like These?" Anyone remember that? RiP Taylor Hawkins

[@boverhof3]

Counting Crows doing "Round Here" was EPIC.

[@msSweeTae]

It feels so good to see all the "old" stuff. Idk if these are the most iconic stages of SNL, but I enjoyed every single one.

[@COMPFUNK2]

For Bruno Mars and U2, I would have chosen 24K Magic and Elevation, respectively. I also would have expanded the list to a top 20 and included: He Was the King - Neil Young Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers Chasing Pavements - Adele Clap Hands - Beck Earth Intruders - Björk Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley That’s Not My Name - The Ting Tings Headlines - Drake Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay A-YO - Lady Gaga Beth/Rest - Bon Iver Fallingwater - Maggie Rogers Right on Time - Brandi Carlile How Dare You Want More - Bleachers …Wait, that’s more than 20. A top 30, perhaps?

[@mariacorrea2481]

Pretty recent but I think Brandi Carlyle belongs on an extended list.

[@martinasherman5124]

As usual, an Iconic Performance Top 10 is drowned out by excessive narration. Please. stop. talking.

[@jchow5966]

George Harrison and Paul Simon were epic.

[@lefttrunleft]

Soul Man is my all-time favorite moment from SNL. Having said that, Here Comes the Sun deserved better than just an honorable mention.

[@richardcanedo1614]

I must agree: "Here Comes the Sun" is technically much harder to play on guitar than it sounds, it is a transcendent song, and Harrison and Simon's performance made it feel like time stood still for a few minutes. It dederved to be in the Top 5 for sure.

[@user-rn5dp7of4k]

Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross 1975. Brilliant

[@botowinter2686]

Natalie merchant 1995 Carnival... should definitely be in the top five.. check it out

[@A22DNAL]

This video was 12:13 minutes of my life I will NEVER get back.🤦🏾‍♂

[@jchow5966]

The musicians who appeared in the 70s were amazing. I remember watching every Sat night & being blown away every week.

[@christopherstanko2847]

No Ashlee Simpson doing a jig?

[@lisaellis2593]

😂!

[@debbiefinney5779]

David Bowie how great!!

[@ladylisa8171]

Jack White’s performance was incredible 💙

[@westcountycrumudgeon5992]

Pavarotti and Vanessa Williams singing Adeste Fideles (along with the orchestra and the boys choir) is as powerful performance as you will see on SNL.

[@freddiemolinajr.8397]

great video

[@belindaspechtenhauser6621]

Yes! Blues Brothers & U2 Hands Down! 🎉🎶✨

[@StevenBoudreau]

1995 The Cranberries - Zombie on SNL was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the best performances on the show ever.

[@ellie1981]

I always thought Prince’s Electric Chair performance on the 15th anniversary show was the best

[@KHWendy28]

I love when Taylor Swift come out with the short film behind her when she was singing All too well it was so awesome It was like the best performance ever on SNL.

[@lefantomer]

Because bleating about her ex from 10 years ago with Joe Joe The Love of Her Life present is the perfect way to get all her 13 year old fangirls on board, right, Wendy?

[@KHWendy28]

@@lefantomer WHAT??? if you're going to say something bad then spell it right. So, you're not a swift fan well I wasn't too I just like the music video that's all so go bitch somewhere else.

[@greekgirl9897]

@@lefantomer NO ONE EVEN REMEMBERS JOE AND HER FANGIRLS ARE NOT 13 ANYMORE!

[@a.e.jabbour5003]

@@lefantomer Well, I'm 54, a guy, and I LOVE Taylor Swift., And although I don't think I'd call her "All Too Well" performance the Greatest Ever, I would definitely put it way up there. Let me put it this way: I've heard the song a million times; I don't know how many times I've watched that short film; and I haven't had anything resembling a romantic relationship in DECADES! And that performance STILL MAKES ME TEAR UP! Taylor put it all out there that night. It was brilliant.

[@lefantomer]

@@a.e.jabbour5003 Oh, I'm sure you do, nothing there that wouldn't make a 54 year old male feel, erm, young again. But hey, give it a try, that dishrag she's shacked up with can't be much competition and, if things go south with you, you'll have your very own "I Hate My Ex And Wish He'd Die In A Fire" song. Immortality!! There's no fool like an old fool.

[@aboogie9085]

Was fired up from the the thumbnail and the early part of the video but it was a solid list. Growing up with SNL in the the 80s and 90s I would nominate Living Colour, Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg, Beastie Boys, and probably a few more because I am old lol

[@lucapellari5985]

Bruno Mars' 24k Magic performance was fantastic too.

[@StLProgressive]

U2’s Elevation should’ve been on this list. Definitely more than an honorable mention for Vertigo.

[@esotericvoice1501]

Skid Row Monkey Business was an amazing performance.

[@joncumber2020]

Pearl Jam’s ‘Alive’, U2 ‘Elevation’, and Kanye’s ‘Black Skinhead’ ‘Runaway’ or ‘Ultralight Beam’. The list is discredited without any of those.

[@BrianDugan-vt5je]

Devo. Totally missed Devo's rendition of Satisfaction

[@bigmike4962]

Brilliant

[@anakmelayu8911]

I want to know what your rank is based on? Is it the watchmojo staff or the subscriber?

[@videoplusdvd]

What about Caleb (singer) and Monty (triangle, but “I like to sing…”)’s “Holiday Time, Holiday Cheer”?

[@johnzengerle7576]

I like James Taylor's appearance singing along with a tape player.

[@carlosfdominguez6842]

If "icononic" is the word then where was Ashlee Simpson? Talk about iconic pop moments

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

Oh yeah!

[@Pablorcct]

maybe not an iconic performance but Nick Jonas singing this is heaven is one of the best performances on the last years of the show

[@JOVONO]

No way Billie Eilish was even in the honourable mentions What about INXS’ performance??

[@bennymora3086]

I didn't think The Blues Brothers would be on the list😄

[@Cachivachevc97]

"iconics" C H O I C E S

[@alysongurganus8383]

Brandi Carlisle! ❤

[@rebeccagoris1855]

Adele doing Chasing Pavements ignited her career in the US.

[@blugreen123]

Excuse me. "All Too Well" should be higher! It was 10 minutes long for crying out loud! How is Paul Simon's post 9/11 performance of "The Boxer" not included?!

[@lefantomer]

10 minutes of whining and crying and wailing about a romance from 10 years back with the dude you're shacked up with right there?

[@jefrimiller4967]

Wow

[@jchow5966]

George Harrison was my favorite. There was one where George Harrison and Paul Simin (that is right - Pail Simon) performed together.

[@claudedeschamps5196]

Bowie , one and only

[@jchow5966]

Prince!!!!!!!!!! ☮️💟‼️

[@kenmclemore523]

Blues Brothers... 'nuff said... KDM

[@COMPFUNK2]

I thought those black contacts that Kendrick was wearing were kind of creepy. And why was he so sweaty before the performance even started?

[@crystalshaw8744]

Lmbo

[@lisaellis2593]

Cocaine.

[@leafnlore2712]

King Princess: Hit The Back!

[@rebeccabredle1226]

That’s a lot of doods

[@lefantomer]

Never say that with your real name or Princess Tay Tay will send the flying monkeys to your house...

[@lefantomer]

Sorry -- meant this to give Vonnie a thumbs up.

[@freya8133]

You mean duds.

[@freya8133]

@@lefantomer Hell I'm not afraid of them 😁😆

[@riccardoangeli802]

Billy joel Scenes From an italian Reastaurant live Long Island e Leave a tender moment alone duet with Tielemans in Wembley

[@christinesaubolle794]

Pain in stomach and empty cavities try Crest!!!

[@stonesfan285]

kendric lamar is unforgettable? ok

[@heatherbesocial]

Half of these choices are not deserving. To be iconic, they must be memorable! Where are the Foos? Gaga? RHCP? Adele? U2?

[@lefantomer]

All had to make room for Queen Tay-Tay -- or she'd write a hate song about the list.

[@trainerjoe9469]

Bobby McFerrin did Drive for his second tune back in the day, it's beyond compare and easily worthy of this list.

[@NickCC23]

Prefer "Elevation" by U2 which marked the 20th anniversary of John Lennon's murder. Also Neil Young in 1990 played "Rockin In The Free World" so hard his string broke. He followed up with "The Needle and the Damage Done" and "No More"

[@highschoolbigshot]

Meatloaf all revved up if you saw it you know what I'm talking about

[@rockinremnants510]

No one must have told EC going off script on live TV is a no-no. Everyone behind the scenes was pissed...

[@gregdonald74]

When Elvis Costello finally came back and played Radio, Radio (again), with the Beastie Boys. . . Doesn't. Get. Any. Better.

[@freya8133]

🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉

[@lh5670]

Taylor Swift’s Monologue Song is maybe even more iconic - hey, Joe.

[@freya8133]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@amymorketter2954]

stevie wonder’s performance of superstition is better than these

[@PierreSaidIDontCare]

I would have thought that Lil nas x and his pants-ripping rendition of call me by your name would have gotten an honorable mention

[@HorseMuse]

so many are gone now...sad

[@reddiver7293]

Poor Sinead O'Connor

[@CutesyBubblez]

I would've included "Swish Swish" by Katy Perry and the Ashlee Simpson jig.

[@karisgaines]

KURT COBAIN YESSSSS

[@scottsmith6631]

Would have liked to see Beck on the list. "Blue Moon" & "Say Goodbye" were awesome on SNL.

[@josephshultz6726]

this video would be enjoyable if the narrator spoke less and let the music play

[@COMPFUNK2]

Number one is either going to be Ashlee Simpson (her second performance during her first SNL appearance, anyway) or Fear.

[@COMPFUNK2]

Wow, not even honorable mentions.

[@freya8133]

@@COMPFUNK2 because they weren't honorable.

[@scottyarbour2570]

Not a great song, but “Swish Swish” should be on here. First time anybody saw Flossing.

[@mojo3067]

Prince. Yes.

[@leahtimmymckimm3387]

Nothing like the 90s

[@thecunninlynguist]

Very disappointed Cypress Hill didn't make this list, let alone #1...they were banned after their SNL performance. If that isn't iconic...nothing is.

[@justingeofreycruz2045]

Yeaaah. Nirvana!

[@NickCC23]

David Bowie sang that Nirvana song 🤡

[@jmgibson]

Stop including Taylor Swift in each and every of your music top vids (unless you get paid for that, of course ;)

[@alysongurganus8383]

Love her!

[@annemarie1507]

Kind of hard to enjoy the performances when you're talking over the top of them the whole time. Useless clickbait.

[@jaylenharmon3552]

My favorite Prince SNL performance was with 3rdEyeGirl

[@davidponseigo8811]

Sinead was disgusting and vile and you are also for agreeing with her. She ended up like she should have.

[@mamastay164]

I disagree with the entire list! Taylor Swift had so many great performances that you could have chosen! I personally hate long songs, I literally fast-forward to the good part. Taylor's "Bejeweled" I fast-forward the entire beginning till the music starts. I disagree with your list.

[@freya8133]

🙄

[@KARYTTAH_PopMetal_Rock_BAND]

-> 🤔 Maybe We're The 1st Spiritist* Pop-Metal Or Rock Band In This World... But Don't Pay Much Attention To Our Neanderthal English, HaHa ❤ *NOTE: -> Spiritist is who professes Spiritism, the Gospel continuation It has began with the books by Allan Kardec and continued in the books by Francisco C. Xavier, the greatest and more important medium/prophet of spirits of the last centuries... *

[@freya8133]

Taylor Swift. Give me an effin BREAK....

[@ryanpadayachy9682]

What about MILEY CYRUS NUMEROUS PERFORMANCES CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED…!?

[@freya8133]

🙄

[@Regreviews]

Prince Electric Chair should have been there

[@theartandscienceofwealth]

You missed the B-52s and Devo.

[@MrTiggerr84]

🙄🙄🤢🤢🤮😂😂😂

[@vonniedemers5683]

Queen, Nirvana, David Bowie, Prince, Harrison & Simon, Blues Bros... All Iconic performances. Elish, Swift and Lamar.... Trash

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Britney Spears

[@freya8133]

🙄

[@alexhidalgo7110]

I love Taylor swift

[@lefantomer]

Have Mommy and Daddy forked over the five grand for you to go to her stadium concert yet?

[@sabrinadarnell1019]

Taylor should have been higher on the list

[@lefantomer]

Come on, the exes are already having to hide their families from her. Your ticket sales crashed the internet. What the H more do you want?

[@sabrinadarnell1019]

@@lefantomer what does any of that have to do with her talent and capability of writing a song. She is an amazing artist and a great performer.

[@lefantomer]

@@sabrinadarnell1019 You wish. And songs about Joe-Joe won't sell millions of albums and stadium seats, will they? Who was this one about? Zac Efron? Prince Harry? That Kennedy kid she tried to bird-dog before the family waved her off? Oh, no, wait... she made sure we'd know... Your Tay-Tay is not fit to carry Joni Mitchell's used guitar pick. It's just the way pop music is, now.

[@sabrinadarnell1019]

@@lefantomer is she wasn't a great artist and performer she wouldn't b the top selling artist or top streaming artist. If she wasn't great she would be selling out stadiums.

[@freya8133]

🙄

[@SG-dg6oi]

taylor swift sucks

[@karenrobinson-jacobs374]

Eh, Megan thee stallion? Lizzo?

[@freya8133]

🙄

[@joytravis1628]

id put Taylor swift's performer higher on the list

[@freya8133]

🙄