From Taylor Swift’s banjo-playing hoedown to Katy Perry’s blue and rather futuristic appearance, the 2012 GRAMMYs delivered both outstanding and downright outrageous performances. The recent death of 48-year-old icon Whitney Houston meant shout-outs and tributes paved the lineup. Here are my top four picks for best performances at this year’s show.
4. Coldplay’s “Paradise”
After Chris Martin finished his duet with Rihanna in “Princess of China,” he joined the rest of his band to please the crowd with “Paradise.” Fans responded by swaying to the song and waving neon light-up bracelets to the beat. Coldplay’s performance stirred up excitement among fans who tweeted, “This may be the best performance of the night. #Coldplay” and “#Coldplay is on another level.”
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3. Jennifer Hudson’s “I Will Always Love You” Tribute to Whitney Houston
Jennifer Hudson stole the hearts of everyone in the audience with her emotional tribute to Whitney Houston. She sang what might be Houston’s most popular song, “I Will Always Love You.” With less than 24 hours to prepare for a performance worthy of honoring a pop idol like Houston, Hudson left the audience silent in appreciation. She even ended the song saying, “Whitney, we love you.”
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2. Rihanna’s “We Found Love”
Rihanna didn’t cease to amaze fans with her hit “We Found Love.” The song really featured her strong vocals and electrifying stage presence. Complete with backup dancers and bright, flashing lights, Rihanna’s performance exceeded many critics’ expectations. Her Whitney Houston shout-out was the icing on the cake to an impressive live appearance.
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1. Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”
Sweeping the Grammys and claiming a total of six awards throughout the night, Adele definitely satisfied fans with her performance of “Rolling in the Deep.” Although this was her first performance since vocal cord surgery last November, Adele didn’t hold back. She left many a living room silent and received a standing ovation from the Grammy audience. Adele truly did “have it all” at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. She stole the show with her soulful sound and six wins, and she had everyone begging for more.