Top 10 Best SNL Musical Performances of the Century (So Far)

"Saturday Night Live" has seen some breathtaking musical performances this century. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most memorable, groundbreaking, and all around best musical guests who have showcased their talents on this generation-defining variety show. We’re considering artists who have appeared on Saturday Night Live from the year 2000 until now. We’ll be judging them on the merit of their performances and on how well they’ve stood out amongst the treasure trove of troubadours who’ve made a stop at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Our countdown includes Prince, Childish Gambino, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, and more! Who was your favorite SNL Musical Guest? Let us know in the comments!
Watch more great "Saturday Night Live" videos here:
Top 10 SNL Cast Members Whose Careers Ended After Leaving: • Top 10 SNL Cast Member...
Top 10 SNL Feuds: • Top 10 SNL Feuds
Top 20 SNL Impressions Done In Front Of The Actual Person: • Top 20 SNL Impressions...
Have Your Idea Become A Video!
wmojo.com/suggest
Subscribe for more great content!
wmojo.com/watc...
Visit WatchMojo Club for Great Deals!
wmojo.com/Watc...
Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news on Film, TV, Video Games, Comics, Celeb, Music and Superheroes.
#SNL #SaturdayNightLive #Music #Streaming #TV #Television #NBC

[@WatchMojo]

Who was your favorite SNL Musical Guest? Let us know in the comments! Check out our featured song: "Apocalypse Now" by Paraline! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn-beHSug7SNoLs

[@thebeatlesandqueen8817]

Queen

[@thebeatlesandqueen8817]

Prince

[@codyhiginbotham6616]

The fact that Prince’s last SNL appearance was also his last television performance before his death is heartbreaking

[@jonathanedwards8696]

Yeah, funny. Check out the keyboard player on the right; he's dressed like a surgeon and he's not even playing! He's just jumping up and down!! Laughable.

[@mithrilmarauder5869]

you, good sir, are a joke of a troll. @@jonathanedwards8696

[@rishibeauty8889]

You got it wrong!!! Prince is ALWAYS number 1 ALWAYS!💜💜💜

[@Kickinthescience]

Prince a better live performer than everybody on this list

[@wtbeecher]

End of discussion. Gawd this list sucks.

[@nodythova8543]

Truth

[@shockofGod]

Damn right

[@dr.johnsuarez2330]

Prince is just better than all of them.

[@ElSantoLuchador]

Prince was a better live performer than anyone I can name off the top of my head. His solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. I think for George Harrison. That solo is mind blowing.

[@peteshelby21]

Prince #3???? Prince always shall take #1

[@izetyusein3323]

What about Radiohead’s performance in 2000? Their live performance of The National Anthem and then Idioteque is incredible.

[@alilately1013]

Absolutely!! I went to say the same thing when I saw your comment. I replay those performances often enough that they jumped in my head when I first saw this list.

[@therealpotpol4027]

This is the first thing that came to my mind

[@reginafris6822]

Prince's best SNL performance was Electric Chair, in 1989. Need to hire older writers for this article.

[@mongoardath1]

To be fair, it was stated early on that this was a list starting in 2000.

[@ElSantoLuchador]

The best performance overall was Elvis Costello in 1977 playing "Radio Radio." That's my opinion, but 1977 isn't in the range of the year 2000 to the present. So they need to hire even older writers, or stick to their own experience as millennials.

[@reginafris6822]

@ElSantoLuchador exactly. Ignoring the first 15 years is silly... They could have just looked up the shows they missed. Loved EC! Now I' m gonna have to dig out my EC & Attractions T-shirt and vinyl.

[@jonathonalexandermcgrath3366]

Arcade Fire? They’ve played 4 times, special guests too, and have always put on an amazing performance

[@1killeragogo]

Check out Prince on the Rock and roll hall of fame induction ceremony when he plays While My Guitar Slowly Weeps. It will move you to tears it's that good.

[@endorphinzz]

It had been 17 years between Prince's last appearance on SNL and his "Fury" performance, not 24...

[@DewittOralee]

I was 10 seconds from calling this list garbage but at least you got #1 right.

[@endlessnameless6480]

I can't believe you got it right. Jack White absolutely destroys on SNL.

[@christiannordby8900]

Prince performing "Fury" on SNL was on fire 🔥 ! Nothing compared 2 this beautiful, prolific and rock n roll deity of music! We'll never see another like him 💜

[@jonathanedwards8696]

Thank god for that!

[@tammyrodgers9770]

Prince is no doubt # 1. Hands down

[@Sparky-xk4vo]

Prince should be number one!

[@charikleia7631]

Måneskin is perfoming tonight and they are such an amazing band! I wish them to make this list in a few years!

[@landismithCOJ]

Prince FOREVER

[@soimelk]

Not sure why the Strokes are described as bringing "European cool" when they're the quintessential example of New York rock...

[@michaelcochran9685]

They are horrible if you ask me. Had maybe one good song if that

[@mattw8814]

@@michaelcochran9685 good thing no one asked you then eh

[@philipalexander4346]

Sturgill Simpson's performance of Call to Arms was the best performance all time . period.

[@chesterxman]

You are absolutely correct

[@bgmchez]

Mmmm I have thoughts! I think Lady Gaga and U2 deserve honorable mentions at the very least!

[@christinewright7347]

Prince is forever GOAT

[@andyscott1718]

Prince was on another level. Wish I could have seen him.

[@aidentan6547]

All too Well (10 Minutes Version) SNL live is forever Masterpiece!

[@damnright1766]

This is a very very arguable list. There have been so many amazing performances and this didn't even scratch the surface. But honestly billie ellish above Prince? An all around performer, singer,musician, writer,dancer, amazing stage presence and career longer than two of Billie's lifetimes. Really got that wrong. Taylor's Swift and her flat vocals and playing that guitar like a kid that's trying to learn guitar hero. Imma need better.

[@IronBeagle2003]

Justin Timberlake’s Performance of Mirrors is awesome. The Band, The Backing Vocals, JT himself. Fucking Amazing.

[@codyhiginbotham6616]

Major credit to the musical guests who also host and can actually act (ex. Justin Timberlake)

[@manchesterunitedno7]

Well, he is dubbed one the unofficial SNL member (alongside Emma Stone) for a reason.

[@kahlilpittman8404]

K-dot at 9, in comparison to some of the people above him, is criminal

[@franciscialini3576]

The best musical acts were in the seventies and eighties

[@debbieworthington5353]

I agree 100%! Nothing against the music of today. Look at QUEEN, OR LED ZEPPELIN, OR, BLACK SABBATH, I COULD GO ON AND ON, but everyone has the right to listen to who they want?! I myself grew up in the 70s, the whole era was just good back in the day, right?

[@whenimbored4825]

Hell yeah! I'm glad you guys didn't overlook Robyn, her performances are always great.

[@jamesm895]

Tragically Hip. That was a super cool moment

[@timelliott4117]

I guess ts arguable but think too many great acts were left out to make your list credible. such as AC/DC Aerosmith, Greenday, U2, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Foo Fighters, Don Henley, Phish, Shakira, Dave Mathews, Red Hot Chili Peppers,Lenny Kravitz, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, PEARL JAM, Kid ROCK, JAY-Z, E-Street band, DMX, Bon JOVI, Creed, Sum 41, the wallflowers, Usher, Prince, This is just off the top of my head

[@robwells6606]

Just my opinion but Prince should be in the top spot if not top 2. Sorry but despite how good her performance was Billie should not be over him.

[@E12-f2m4h]

they are not saying that she is better or more talented than him , is that her performance in the show was better , just that , just that one performance

[@robwells6606]

@@E12-f2m4h and I don't agree with that. I think his was better. I saw both performances and I liked his more. Like I said just my opinion. Never said anything other than that

[@christophertracy2807]

The young punks that made this video have no memory of the first time Prince played SNL in 1981 and did a song called "Partyup" - that belongs here. In fact ALL of Prince SNL performances - I think 4 in total - should be here.

[@casey4602]

My top 5 SNL performances are St Vincent, Billie Eilish, Greta Van Fleet, Kings of Leon & Bruno Mars.

[@collegebro85]

They are highly underrated, but look up Alabama Shakes performance from SNL…they should have been on this list easily!!!

[@celebvillage]

Prince forever, RIP.

[@famccormick]

The fact that Kanye West made BOTH the best and worst list and also that Jack White performances were considered "better" than the Replacements should tell you how credible these listicles are.

[@Johnny_Doe]

Where’s the U2 ‘Elevation’ performance of 2000? The whole crowd was going nuts afterwards. Name another act who did that on SNL?

[@sdey893]

Billie effing eilish over Prince is literally sacrilege 🤦

[@MichaelSevilla97]

exactly that fool is nowhere near prince's level as an artist and performer

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

Ikr, I've never hit the dislike faster than this

[@Mrbrucepurcell]

Prince's medley in 2014 is untouchable! Btw where is Black Star on this BS list?

[@dkronk426]

the tribe called quest performance was absolutely phenomenal, i remember watching it live.

[@lavenderbee3611]

There's no one better than Prince, he was breathtaking!

[@Rhonda333]

That's right

[@ginacantabene8629]

So let me get this straight…Kanye West is on your worst musical performances episode but Ye is on the best performances episode? 🙄

[@Rhonda333]

Prince should be #1

[@rebeccassweetmusic4632]

How can you do this and not mention Eddie Van Halen's iconic jam session with the guest musician on SNL in the 80s OR Joe Cocker's iconic performance featuring John Belushi impersonating him lol??? This is not a list if you exclude them lol

[@mccallosone4903]

perhaps you should read the title of the video a little more carefully

[@gtownmonarch]

Kelis and Gwen Stefani should be on this list. Kelis’s performance of Milkshake was awesome cuz she went from acapella to regular version to a rock version of the song. Plus, Stefani’s performance of Hollaback girl with the Harajuku Girls was awesome

[@BYLRPhil]

I can’t believe you left off Sturgill Simpson… that was the last great SNL performance.

[@itojimenez7341]

Nirvana... BTS... Sia... Justin Timberlake... Pearl Jam...

[@lauranguyen7732]

Yeah..where is BTS with 28 million views ?

[@lizzettorres1111]

Lol! I My family lives in GA, thts the only time I hear country music and I love that song Jolene, 2 days ago I had the tune in my head but couldn't remember the name, I was calling everybody humming it trying to find out but nobody knew wtf I was talking about, lol!!. Prince was definitely the best guest.

[@tacodsalsaza1921]

queen was the best musical guest in SNL history.

[@siats142]

the best artists, yeah, the best performance

[@MrBananaCheeks]

That performance of Times Like These alone should have put Foo Fighters in the top 10.

[@shakinstephenk]

Times Like These and any performance by Foo Fighters should be on the list...

[@paulamiles9559]

Favorite SNL Musical artist: December 1978: Kate Bush. She performed " The Man with the Child in His Eyes" and " Them Heavy People "

[@debbircrowe7090]

Crummy selections for the most part

[@rafaelinho5601]

Take out Hana Montana and replace her with Arcade Fire. They’ve had some epic SNL moments. Even backed up Mic Jagger once.

[@MTVCOPS]

Shocked NBCUniversal hasn’t pulled this down. They don’t let any SNL clips stay up.

[@fd6993]

Prince 3 this joke.

[@DarttheLegend]

Number one should be freakin DAVID BYRNE

[@feldspar3858]

He’s sucked since Talking Heads disbanded.

[@DarttheLegend]

@@feldspar3858 did you WATCH his performance of Once in a Lifetime on SNL??? It was great!

[@feldspar3858]

@@DarttheLegend - Yeah. I’ll stick with the regular TH version.

[@Jueceman15]

Im suprised Frank Ocean performing "Pyramids" with the John Mayer solo didnt make the list

[@jpb1231000]

Marty Stewart and the SUPERLATIVES..,, No LIP SYNCH, No EFFECTS ... Plugged straight in to FENDER AMPS!!!

[@Kickinthescience]

WatchMojo forgot Prince performed the batman song electric chair in 1989 on SNL. So it hasn’t been over 20 years

[@joesabourin9426]

Sturgill Simpson! not even a mention, boo!

[@tomgilbert3117]

Fear on snl is one of the most iconic musical performances ever

[@JayRo-xp1nt]

My number one is imagine dragons I’m not a big fan of theirs but this is an unbelievable must watch to the end building masterpiece . RADIOACTIVE great ensemble instrumental and great lead vocals and added strings and rap addition . Must head phone it and watch thru. I’ve never seen a better live performance on SNL . Don’t own any of their music . Like about four other songs . This is about performance and yea this song I like . They mail it !

[@mccallosone4903]

you wrote practically the exact thing i was gonna

[@Iloveyoursoul]

Jessie J's "Mama knows best" ought to be on this list. What a POWERHOUSE performance.

[@Kinseliplier]

12:00 why dose the lead singer of the strokes look a lot like Billy Joe Armstrong.

[@psychobillynumbnuts1]

The punk band Fear was the best performance. They got banned because it had a mosh pit that destroyed the SNL stage

[@mccallosone4903]

wasnt that in '81? they are talking THIS century

[@arboldelavidafrancesca]

You missed Harry Styles. His Lights up performance was mindblowing.

[@skye3799]

No one was better than prince on his worst day

[@bmacbride7335]

No Alabama Shakes?

[@Flickawho]

“Your *shitty* beats headphones”

[@mrs.dr.spencerreid3992]

Haven’t heard of 75% of these artists. Kayne West makes me nauseous 🤢🤮

[@ElSantoLuchador]

The best performance was many years ago (edit - 1977) when Elvis Costello played "Radio Radio" which he was explicitly told not to play. It's a real FU to the entire music industry, even though it seems tame by modern standards. Knowing that adds to the performance. He never got invited back again.

[@rohaxfx001]

future islands deserves at least a mention

[@kosemkamtsan]

Timberlake’s “Mirrors” should be on here

[@rachelthompson9324]

hw about you do a list where one can understand the words sung?

[@Gothicblackchic]

I’m number 1

[@MrJaimecoady]

Good list, but Foo Fighters needed to be on it, not just a mention.

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

🎼 HALSEY 📝

[@nealstarling5422]

SNL has been around for a very long time, the best musical performance is subjective to say the least, first you must establish an age group, then define a category and take it from there, possibly covering 5 or 6 genres and almost 5 decades, I know because I was there on my parents couch and watched the first mainstream airing of a live comedy show featuring “the not ready for prime time players” and showcasing up and coming bands some of whom would latter become famous, that is they were not there because they were already famous like today’s SNL. Those were the good old days of tv, but at least here in 2024 you got variety lots and lots of variety, something for everyone 👍

[@debbieworthington5353]

Easy... QUEEN, FOR SURE!!

[@jimbo9208]

not from this century

[@sharonmarcantel]

Sum 41 and Ludacris performing Get Back!Look er up.Worth it

[@bigfoot2708]

Rap songs I went to get a snack.

[@dannilevil]

I’m surprised Adele’s first performance wasn’t in here, that’s what put her on the map in the states

[@Dreamybloo101]

Amazing

[@MichelePleasant]

How did Halsey's painting performance not make the list?

[@racheddar]

"Watching Kanye is like watching slam poetry with an adrenaline shot" The fucking caucasity to say that smdh

[@annetteg9282]

I like your lists most of the time, but this one is a little off. I would definitely have Prince as number 1 on my list. He is a musical genius who's live performances are unmatched.

[@FernandoHernandez-jp4gt]

Frank ocean’s performance was amazing and should have been on here

[@diegoramos2701]

Ok Boys is Here 70's show is back 📺 There is a lot of eating and actors who have already participated. Also the Music 😏🎤🎵

[@alan2560]

Prince's not #1???😀 what a joke👏

[@guyarthurorigin]

Mariah Carey's Vision of Love Whitney Houston's All the Man that I Need Britney Spears' Oops I Did It Again Those performances were mind-blowing.

[@wak421]

Skid Row Monkey Business over 30 years ago still kicks ass.....

[@patriciovelizcontardo848]

Prince and Strokes are the best . Rest is pure crap

[@musicloverchicago437]

If these were the best performances post-2000 it's a statement about the very sad state of music in this century. Rihanna, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift cannot sing! St Vincent's earlier appearance singing Digital Witness was excellent, though many people found it weird.

[@jsb1964]

Foo Fighters as an honorable mention? Lame list.

[@bigfoot2708]

Swift. Was amazing.

[@pablovazquezirizarry7508]

Fear should’ve made this list.

[@anhurtorrez]

its interesting where you only pick the ones from the 2000+ considering most of the ones before the 2000 are lot better. 90% of these folks don't know how to make good music, or they have to remake songs from when music was actually good. Missed the days you had people like DEVO, Meatloaf, and The Blues Brothers

[@dollydagger7502]

There was a time when regular cast members were better musical performers than anybody on this list. Everybody knows the music industry is dead.

[@anhurtorrez]

@@dollydagger7502 lol like The Blues Brothers

[@Mmcay]

Lorde. Liability. Something that made me forget I was watching snl