SNL50 - Top 30 Music Performances

 

Music is a big part of SNL. It is where people get introduced to new acts and old favourites return to shine. Like most lists, this one is pretty biased because a lot of it has to do with my own music tastes. I tried to go beyond just liking the song though, I wanted to see energy and engagement with the audience. I am less impressed with the recent trend of adding lots of settings and digital screens to enhance performances. Also, in the last couple of years, as I get older, I am not the key demographic of 95% of the recent music acts, so they are not on this list. If you want to see some of the list in action, please watch Questlove’s documentary Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music. The opening montage is simply breathtaking. If you have a VPN, here is the American link: Click here.

HONORABLE MENTION
ASHLEE SIMPSON - “PIECES OF ME”
EPISODE: S30E03 (10.23.2004)
HOST: Jude Law
This is the infamous lipsync performance. I don’t know what Ashlee Simpson was planning on singing but the track for “Pieces of Me” played instead. She responded by doing a little ho-down, walking off stage and blaming others. Classic
LINK: Click here

HONORABLE MENTION
SINEAD O’CONNOR - “WAR”
EPISODE: S18E02 (10.03.1992)
HOST: Tim Robbins
Performance-wise, she is haunting and still with some nervous shaking. Of course, it is the conclusion that is noteworthy – ripping a photo of the pope in half.
LINK: Click here (large copyright overlay)

30. LADY GAGA
“ABRACADABRA”
EPISODE: S50E14 (03.08.2025)
HOST: Lady Gaga
After some “Shallows” piano stuff, Lady Gaga is back to her “Poker Face” form with something visually interesting and a catchy tune.
LINK: Click here

29. NOAH KAHAN
“STICK SEASON”
EPISODE: S49E06 (12.02.2023)
HOST: Emma Stone
It was this performance that made me aware of this artist. He had a bit of a Mumford & Sons vibe. Love the lyrics. Noah has fun despite standing still.
LINK: Click here

28. TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
“THE WAITING”
EPISODE: S08E13 (02.19.1983)
HOST: Howard Hesseman
Tom Petty has performed eight times on SNL. Every time it rocks but I like the tone of  this one the best. There is a bit more rawness to it.
LINK: Not Available

27. EMINEM
“THE REAL SLIM SHADY”
EPISODE: S26E01 (10.07.2000)
HOST: Rob Lowe
Lots of recent rap performances have a lot of tracks backing them up. This is pure Marshall Mathers.
LINK: Click here

26. TAYLOR SWIFT
“YOU BELONG WITH ME”
EPISODE: S35E05 (11.07.2009)
HOST: Taylor Swift
I know “All Too Well” is the typical pick as it is longest performance in SNL history at 10 minutes, but I like this one more. Sue me.
LINK: Click here

25. QUEEN
“UNDER PRESSURE”
EPISODE: S08E01 (09.25.1982)
HOST: Chevy Chase
Always enjoy Freddie Mercury with his shortened microphone stand. Great song.
LINK: Click here

24. COLDPLAY
“YELLOW”
EPISODE: S34E06 (10.25.2008)
HOST: Jon Hamm
While promoting “Viva La Vida”, Coldplay goes back to their first big hit with “Yellow”. Chris Martin has also been on SNL eight times.
LINK: Click here

23. SALT-N-PEPA
“WHATTA MAN”
EPISODE: S19E12 (02.05.1994)
HOST: Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart’s enthusiasm saying ‘Pepa’ is awesome. Great choreography in this song and reminds of the nineties. 
LINK: Not Available

22. BEYONCE
“CRAZY IN LOVE”
EPISODE: S28E20 (05.17.2003)
HOST: Dan Aykroyd
No longer a part of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce shows her solo dominance with this well-choreographed banger. Lots of ass shaking. Jay-Z also appears.
LINK: Click here

21. SUM 41
“FAT LIP”
EPISODE: S27E02 (10.06.2001)
HOST: Seann William Scott
I don’t know how they have the energy to jump like that, play their guitars and not lose breath when singing. Such a fun performance.
LINK: Click here (large text overlay)

20. LINKIN PARK
“BLEED IT OUT”
EPISODE: S32E19 (05.12.2007)
HOST: Molly Shannon
Such a driving rhythm that is infectious. Chester Bennington knew how to use the scream so well.
LINK: Click here

19. PEARL JAM
“ALIVE”
EPISODE: S17E17 (04.11.1992)
HOST: Sharon Stone
Eddie Vedder makes interesting facial expressions when he sings. Such a great grunge song.
LINK: Click here

18. COUNTING CROWS
“ROUND HERE”
EPISODE: S19E11 (01.15.1994)
HOST: Sara Gilbert
So the band credits SNL with their success. Their album sales skyrocketed after their performance as many did not know of them. Weirdly, you can only find the dress rehearsal version in reruns even though the live performance was so much more impressive. I luckily have the live performance somehow.
LINK: Click here

17. R.E.M.
“THE GREAT BEYOND”
EPISODE: S25E08 (12.11.1999)
HOST: Danny DeVito
Promoting Man on the Moon with Danny DeVito, REM does a rousing version of their new song. Always love Michael Stipe’s arm gesticulations when singing.
LINK: Click here

16. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
“MIRROR”
EPISODE: S38E16 (03.09.2013)
HOST: Justin Timberlake
Often his concert closer, Timberlake is smooth with his performance of “Mirrors”.
LINK: Click here

15. THE KINKS
“MEDLEY”
EPISODE: S02E14 (02.26.1977)
HOST: Steve Martin
The Kinks play “You Really Got Me”, “All Day and All of the Night”, “A Well Respected Man” and “Lola”. Can’t beat that.
LINK: Click here

14. KANYE WEST
“GOLD DIGGER”
EPISODE: S31E01 (10.01.2005)
HOST: Steve Carell
This one has a great intro with Lorne sending in Finesse to get Kanye ready and then Kanye bumping into Mike Myers who is still reeling from their infamous telethon appearance.
LINK: Not Available

13. MARK RONSON & BRUNO MARS
“UPTOWN FUNK”
EPISODE: S40E07 (11.22.2014)
HOST: Cameron Diaz
A slick performance. Hits all the right notes.
LINK: Click here

12. IMAGINE DRAGONS
“RADIOACTIVE”
EPISODE: S39E13 (02.01.2014)
HOST: Melissa McCarthy
They love banging on those drums! Added points for Kendrick Lamar showing up as well.
LINK: Click here

11. FOO FIGHTERS
“ALL MY LIFE”
EPISODE: S28E13 (02.22.2003)
HOST: Christopher Walken
Dave Grohl still enjoys the fact that he had Christopher Walken introduce them with the emphasis on the “Fi” in Foo Fighters. Grohl has appeared on SNL the most times with 16, either singing or behind the drum kit. Many to choose from, I like this one best.
LINK: Click here

10. DEVO
“SATISFACTION”
EPISODE: S04E02 (10.14.1978)
HOST: Fred Willard
These guys are so strange. Such a bizarre cover of the Rolling Stones hit. What else would you expect from the guys who made “Whip It”.
LINK: Click here

9. BRITNEY SPEARS
“OOPS!...I DID IT AGAIN”
EPISODE: S25E19 (05.13.2000)
HOST: Britney Spears
Just Britney being Britney. Classic performance.
LINK: Click here

8. USHER
“YEAH”
EPISODE: S29E18 (05.01.2004)
HOST: Lindsay Lohan
Love the choreography. No notes.
LINK: Click here

7. VANILLA ICE
“ICE ICE BABY”
EPISODE: S16E10 (01.12.1991)
HOST: Joe Mantegna
This is the performance that Jim Carrey make fun of on In Living Color. Such a long dance sequence.
LINK: Click here

6. RUN DMC
“WALK THIS WAY”
EPISODE: S12E02 (10.18.1986)
HOST: Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Spike Lee introduces the first rap act on SNL, after they ‘beat up’ Lorne. Such a classic. Still love the white Adidas shoes.
LINK: Click here

5. U2
“ELEVATION”
EPISODE: S26E07 (12.09.2000)
HOST: Val Kilmer
A fun U2 tune. Bono goes right up to lens a few times, jumps at the camera and gets the crown lit up. Such an energetic performance.
LINK: Click here

4. NIRVANA
“SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT”
EPISODE: S17E10 (01.11.1992)
HOST: Rob Morrow
This was a really big deal. A lot of the world is introduced to grunge and the likes of Kurt Cobain. Love this performance.
LINK: Click here

3. AEROSMITH
“SWEET EMOTION”
EPISODE: S19E03 (10.09.1993)
HOST: Jeff Goldblum
Steven Tyler always gives his all in each performance. A great Aerosmith tune during the Wayne’s World days.
LINK: Click here (large copyright overlay)

2. PAUL SIMON
“DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES
OF HER SHOES”
EPISODE: S12E05 (11.22.1986)
HOST: Robin Williams
Performing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this is just a great looking performance of a great tune. I think Paul had been on SNL around 14 times.
LINK: Not Available

1. THE BLUES BROTHERS
“SOUL MAN”
EPISODE: S04E06 (11.18.1978)
HOST: Carrie Fisher
There’s nothing more SNL than their own homegrown talent taking the stage as the official musical guest. I’m always surprised at John Belushi’s cartwheel.
LINK: Click here