The most memorable 'Saturday Night Live' musical performances

The legendary Smith knew, and still knows, how to put on a show. Near the end of Saturday Night Live's first season, she delivered a raucous two-song performance, including The Who's "My Generation." However, it was her rendition of "Gloria" that is talked about to this day. Sporting a white shirt and black tie, starting with her hands on hips, Smith, with her stellar backing band in tow, picked up the tempo and blazed through a number that still sends chills up and down the body all these years later. 

Less than a month after Smith's legendary SNL performance, it was Carly Simon's turn. However, Simon was dealing with stage fright, so the musical performance was pre-taped. During the playing of her classic "You're So Vain," SNL cast member Chevy Chase appears with the background singers, wearing sunglasses and taping the cowbell. Thankfully, the move didn't really take away from Simon's performance, but it is a memorable moment nonetheless.

Paul Simon, a frequent musical guest of SNL, also hosted this Season Two episode. During his monologue, Simon sang "Still Crazy After All These Years" while wearing a turkey costume. However, the pre-taped duet with Harrison on the Simon & Garfunkel classic "Homeward Bound" proved to be the true musical highlight of the episode. It should have been no surprise the harmonization between these two legends with something special.

In one of the more infamous musical moments in SNL history, Elvis Costello called an audible shortly after the opening seconds of his song "Less Than Zero," which reportedly was what his record label wanted to be played and folks backstage at SNL had planned. Costello, though, halted the performance, turned to his three bandmates, shouted "Radio, Radio," then broke into the un-released tune that would become one of his signature songs. Needless to say, behind-the-scenes confusion set in, and the powers-that-be at SNL, his record company, and NBC were not happy, and Costello was banned from the show for more than a decade.

Strung out from a week of partying in New York City, the Stones were not at their best, to the say the least when it came to this infamous 1978 effort. Jagger, Richard and the boys struggled through "Beast of Burden," but eventually salvaged the night with a gritty, raw performance of "Shattered." Which, like the song states, the band was in "tatters," but managed to pull through and prove rock and roll doesn't need to be pretty.

Due to the success of the act Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi delivered on  Saturday Night Live, notably the 1978 show-opening rendition of "Soul Man," this  fictional band eventually became a massive real-life success. Backed by celebrated real-life musicians such as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and Willie "Too Big" Hall, the band remains one of the greatest collections of musical talent ever assembled. Fittingly, the late Carrie Fisher, a close friend of Belushi, who also co-starred in The Blues Brothers, hosted that November night in '78.

Rolling Stone listed Bowie's three-song appearance from this Season Five episode as the best musical performance in SNL history. To this day, it goes down as one of the most theatrical offerings, notably the performance of "The Man Who Sold the World." In which local performance artists Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias had to carry Bowie, donning an oversized, plastic tuxedo, to the microphone. On "Keep the Boys Swinging," Bowie, still a great experimenter, incorporated a green screen with his head on a marionette’s body.

The dawn of a new decade brought with it a new wave of pop rock that was exemplified by the quirky B-52's. Introduced by hot Teri Garr, the band broke into "Rock Lobster." A rousing performance and complete band effort that featured stellar organ work from a bee-hived Kate Pierson. Solid accompaniment via late guitarist Ricky Wilson and drummer Keith Strickland. And, of course, constant moving and shaking from co-vocalists Cindy Wilson and Fred Schneider, who even fell to the ground like lobsters at the bottom of the sea at one point.

Always unpredictable, The Replacements did not disappoint in that department as musical guest, in this 1986 appearance that got the group banned from future SNL performances. It started fine, beginning with a blistering opening to the classic anthem "Bastards of Young." Then frontman Paul Westerberg mouthed “Come on, f*%@#r!” to Bob Stinson for his guitar solo. That was enough to institute the band, but a messy rendition of "Kiss Me On the Bus," while highly inebriated, clinched the deal. 

From the Season 15 opener, Young helped introduce himself to a new generation of rock fans with his three-song set. Particularly, an undeniably tight version of "Rockin' in the Free World." Though steeped in middle age, Young was energetic and romping around the stage like an angst-ridden, twentysomething teenager. Not to be dismissed, Young's SNL performance of "No More" is highly underrated and worthy of a serious look. 

The Pogues on St. Patrick's Day. It doesn't get much better than that. However, the choice of playing "The Body of an American" was hardly a cheery choice to celebrate the occasion. But, by the end of the song, the band, which appeared to have worked up a decent buzz and frontman Shane MacGowan's cigarette and drink visible on stage, delivered a respectable and appreciative performance of why the Pogues are so beloved.

Saturday Night Live  kicked off its 17th season in grand fashion. Michael Jordan was the host, while Spike Lee and Rev. Jesse Jackson also appeared. Meanwhile, Public Enemy made its long-awaited debut as musical guest on the famed show and did not disappoint. While Chuck D and Flavor Flav  didn't miss a beat on "Can't Truss It," it was the performance on the anthemic "Bring the Noise" that still resonates with viewers.

The grunge movement had taken over the mainstream rock world, and Pearl Jam was at the forefront of the movement. It's debut album Ten was a smash and when SNL came calling in Spring 1992, the band proved why it was ready for superstardom. Some of Pearl Jam's best musical moments are within the confines of a small venue, and that was the case during the performance of its signature hit "Alive" on this night. Sporting a backward cap, "LOSER t-shirt, and that maniacal glare, Eddie Vedder led the way before breaking into a head-banging romp, while bassist Jeff Ament bounced up and down in the background during Mike McCready's closing solo. 

It can be argued that this 1992 performance from the late Sinead O'Connor is among the most memorable television moments of all time. While performing an a cappella version of Bob Marley's "War," the Irish singer yelled "child abuse" several times, held up a picture of Pope John Paul II and proceeded to tear it up, as her own protest to allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic church. The backlash was swift, all-encompassing and remained the defining moment on O'Connor's public legacy. 

Perhaps fans were disappointed that Nirvana didn't anything controversial during their appearance as musical guest for the Season 19 opener, which was hosted by Charles Barkley (those of a certain age remember the promo for the episode). While Nirvana came through with a solid version of "Heart-Shaped Box," the most memorable moment was the intensity that built during the band's performance of the often chided, but highly underrated, "Rape Me," which according to grunge lore, was the song SNL expected the band to perform that night.

One week after Nirvana failed to publically rattle the SNL staff and execs, Cypress Hill got the job done. The group was rock solid during its hit "Insane in the Brain." But, the real fun, and controversy, came when Cypress Hill returned for its final number, "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That," and DJ Muggs lit a joint on stage and took some hits during the performance. To no surprise, Cypress Hill was banned from further appearing on the show, but left a lasting impression. Which was likely the point.

Less than seven months after the death of her husband and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love and her own rock outfit took the stage twice for SNL's final show of 1994. The band kicked off their performance with the dark "Doll Parts," fitting for that moment in Love's own life. However, it was when Hole ramped things up and blew the roof off 30 Rock with a full-throttled version of "Violet." It was more proof that Love could hold her own with the top rock acts of the time.

We've noted those bands who were banned from future SNL gigs, but how about pulling the plug on a group during the actual show. Prior to coming on stage for a heart-stomping performance of "Bulls on Parade," members of Rage try to hang inverted American flags in the stage area in protest of host Steve Forbes, a Republican presidential candidate at the time. Those efforts were thwarted, and the SNL/NBC brass canceled the band's second song and reportedly escorted the members from the building. 

Perhaps the most memorable moment of this particular Saturday Night Live appears from Beyoncé was the hilarious spoof of her "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," which featured Andy Samberg, Bobby Moynihan and Justin Timberlake as her background dancers , and host Paul Rudd as the clueless director . Now, Beyoncé actually performed her classic on the show with two professional dancers, one of which is Heather Morris, who went on to become a cast member of the Fox hit Glee.

Ala Fred Astaire in Royal Wedding, Eilish helped open Season 45 (perhaps the most unique in the history of the show) in unforgettable fashion by performing her hit "Bad Guy" on a rotating set, which had her singing and dancing on the walls and ceiling of the room. It was certainly something innovative for the show. Then again, it was par for the course in terms of Eilish's style and approach to her craft. 

We noted how unique SNL's 45th season was, and all because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Beginning April 11, 2020, three episodes of Saturday Night Live at Home were aired. Cast members and guests appeared remotely, most from their homes. Cyrus' eerie, yet poignant, version of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," in front of a fire and with prominent producer/guitarist Andrew Watt on guitar, was the undisputed highlighted -- from a musical standpoint -- of these three shows.

SNL was back in studio at 30 Rock, as things were starting to feel somewhat back to normal in Winter 2021. Bridgers' performance was certainly a highlight from Season 46. After doing a splendid job on "Kyoto," she outdid herself on the ballad "I Know the End." At the conclusion of the rather haunting tune, complete with trumpets blaring amid the crescendo, Bridgers goes into full-on rage mode with her guitar, which she promptly smashes on her monitor, causing sparks to fly on stage and from the studio audience. 

Later in Season 46, Rodrigo made her Saturday Night Live debut. Rodrigo was 18 at the time, but she looked, sounded and delivered like a seasoned pro. Beginning her signature hit "Driver's License" while sitting atop a piano, Rodrigo let her emotions go without a care. She then hopped down, took center stage and crooned her way to one of the best performances in SNL history, from one of its youngest performers. 

Of course Taylor Swift is going to be on this list. And, not because she's biggest music act in the world. Her 2021 performance was that good. As musical guest, Swift performed just one song -- a 10-minute version of "All Too Well." A film short, written and directed by Swift, played behind her. Swift, naturally, was at her best, churning out "Taylor's Version" of a song about being confidently vulnerable. Those snowflakes falling near the conclusion of the song only added to the theatrical dramatics of the performance.

Roan turned the Studio 8H stage into a forest jamboree frenzy, fitting for a hall somewhere in Branson to debut her song "The Giver." Complete with a checkerboard, tablecloth bikini, animatronic dancing bears, fiddlers, and that good-time, hoedown feel; this particular Roan performance might be a tough beat as the top musical moment from Saturday Night Live's 50th season. That said, she also brought the goods on "Pink Pony Club" that same night. Leading to an audience sing-a-long.