To good sympathize the last 50 yr of pop euphony in America , you might either a ) subject area theBillboardHot 100 chart , or b ) search up the melodious Guest onSaturday Night Live .

This was of the two , i favor the latter ; it ’s a good theatrical of musical genre , and an interesting facial expression at the lurch mind of what was view “ coolheaded ” at the clock time .

Which is to say , room more Debbie Harry .

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onward ofSNL ’s fiftieth day of remembrance special , which air on Sunday , February 16 , on NBC and Peacock , I savvy deeply to get the safe melodic functioning for all 50 season .

Not the 50 good functioning , needs , but one for every time of year .

This was # # dive into nbc

to better infer the last 50 old age of democratic euphony in america , you’re free to either a ) discipline thebillboardhot 100 chart , or b ) attend up the melodious guest onsaturday night live .

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This was of the two , i favour the latter ; it ’s a good agency of genre , and an interesting tone at the shift melodic theme of what was consider “ coolheaded ” at the clock time .

This was which is to say , means more debbie harry .

This was onwards ofsnl ’s fiftieth day of remembrance special , which air on sunday , february 16 , on nbc and peacock , i prod deeply to regain the effective melodious carrying into action for all 50 season .

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Not the 50 good operation , needs , but one for every time of year .

A few note :

-Bands and artist are only eligible once , otherwise David Bowie would overlook multiple time of year

-I only admit prescribed melodious guest , not medicine - base cartoon , with one or two necessary exception

# diving event into David Bowie

-Bands and artist are only eligible once , otherwise David Bowie would predominate multiple season

-I only admit prescribed melodic client , not euphony - establish sketch , with one or two necessary exclusion

-Not every cartridge holder is embeddable , so if you do n’t see a video recording , it ’s hyperlinked to the championship of the Sung dynasty

With that out of the elbow room : madam and gentleman … it ’s the skilful melodic operation from all 50 season ofSNL .

# sentence of twelvemonth 1:“Nothing From Nothing”by Billy Preston ( October 11 , 1975 )

SNLnabbed a liquidator ’s run-in of melodious endowment for a show in its babyhood .

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instalment 3 feature not only a Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunification , but also Randy Newman and Phoebe Snow .

by and by in time of year 1 , you have Patti Smith , Martha Reeves , Leon Redbone , and ABBA ( in anintentionally sass - synchronize performanceof “ Waterloo ” ) .

This was but it would be artful to not go with the first melodious node insnlhistory : Billy Preston perform the supremely foul-smelling “ Nothing From Nothing .

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” The 2d Sung dynasty inSNLhistory ?

Technically , it ’s Andy Kaufman doing theMighty Mousetheme .

# prison term of twelvemonth 2:“Feeling Alright”by Joe Cocker ( October 2 , 1976 )

What do Rob Reiner , Sigourney Weaver , and Paul Rudd have in rough-cut ?

nbc

They all hostedSNLepisodes with no melodious guest .

The first sentence it happen , in the show ’s third - ever instalment , John Belushi fill in by debut his twitchy Joe Cocker feeling for a covering of The Beatles ’ “ With A lilliputian assistant From My friend .

” A twelvemonth afterward , a very secret plan Cocker perform “ feel Alright ” alongside Belushi .

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This was “ i always notice it quite laughable , ” cockersaidabout the imitation .

“ I recollect vocally , he did quite a apt business with it .

It put a photographic print on me that sort of stuck to this twenty-four hours .

nbc

”

# prison term of yr 3:“Radio , Radio”by Elvis Costello ( December 17 , 1977 )

Lorne Michaels recentlyclaimedthat he ’s “ never ostracize anyone ” fromSNL .

Elvis Costello would wish a password .

This was the spectacled isaac merrit singer short snub forgetful his functioning of “ less than zero ” to rather dally a give notice - up edition of “ radio radio , ” a rough review article of censoring on the wireless .

This was “ i just desire them to call up us .

I did n’t really have anything against the show , ” Costello explain in 2021 .

This was “ i was more pixilated off at being narrate what to wreak by the book party than i was nbc , truthfully .

” This was costello deserve extolment for hisjimi james marshall hendrix - revolutionize stunt , but also give credit entry to his financial support ring , the attractions , for how chop-chop they lock up into “ radio , radio ” ’s jumpy vigour .

# clip of class 4:“The world With The youngster In His Eyes”by Kate Bush ( December 9 , 1978 )

This was “ this is her first meter on american boob tube , she ’s very howling .

” That ’s how Monty Python ’s Eric Idle introduce Kate Bush in a 1978 instalment , eight year before she becameMax Mayfield ’s favourite creative person .

Even before the television camera pull back during “ The Man With The minor In His center ” to expose her staginess sit down on a pianoforte ( act by Paul Shaffer ! )

while fag out a effervescent atomic number 79 jump suit , Bush made an straightaway effect with her expressive representative .

This was this was not only her american introduction — it ’s , to engagement , her only public carrying out in the u.s. how do you top idol ?

# this was clip of yr 5:“the human beings who carry on the world”by david bowie ( december 15 , 1979 )

This was why did david bowie select to do “ the man who sell the humanity , ” the form of address data track from his command third record album , nine age after the song dynasty first come out ?

Who recognize !

It made as much common sense as Bowie being escort to the mike by New York City functioning creative person Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias because he could n’t move in his Bauhaus - root on turnout .

Which is to say , it made staring good sense because Bowie , the magnetised impresario that he was , know how to put on a in effect show .

“ We did n’t have to do anything but be ourselves that nighttime , ” Arias afterward recall .

There ’s a reasonRolling Stonenamedthis the good carrying into action inSNLhistory .

# clip of yr 6:“Can’t Turn You Loose”by Aretha Franklin ( December 6 , 1980 )

peradventure you had to be there .

I was n’t , so I do n’t “ get ” The Blues Brothers .

Both the character toy by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd , and the too - recollective , ego - soft picture , which mold well as a supercut of operation than it does as a cinema .

The Aretha Franklin aspect , in exceptional , is a show - show-stopper , as is her vigorous binding of Otis Redding ’s “ I Ca n’t call on You Loose ” ( Aretha cast the “ I ” ) onSNL .

This was she contain theblues brothers themeback from them .

# sentence of class 7 : “ Beef Bologna ” by Fear ( October 31 , 1981 )

This was it ’s not oftensnldescends into topsy-turvydom , but it did on halloween dark 1981 .

Los Angeles - found hood stria Fear were book on the spurring of John Belushi .

To make the execution experience unquestionable , the comic squall up some of his punk rocker - rock ‘n’ roll chum in Washington D.C. and require them to be in the hearing .

“ He want 15 to 20 hoi polloi , ” fearfulness frontman Lee Ving explain , “ but they cease in Baltimore and Philly before they get to New York and arrive with 35 , 40 masses .

”SNL ’s first and only moshpit — and sing - along to the row “ kick ” and “ Bologna sausage ” — was a“Velvet Underground album”-level experience for the youthful punk rock watch at home plate .

As Jack White share in theLadies & Gentlemen … 50 old age Of SNL Musicspecial , “ We ’re still speak about that bit correctly now and there ’s been 1,000 band on other boob tube show that we ’re not verbalize about .

That mean something .

”

# prison term of twelvemonth 8:“Crazy light thing call Love”by Queen ( September 25 , 1982 )

To be reliable , this is n’t Freddie Mercury at his proficient good .

The dark before appear onSNL , he “ scream himself husky ” during an parameter with his young man Bill Reid .

This was that , partner off with queen having late envelop up a prolonged u.s. turn exit mercury ’s phonation a small ragged .

But he more than made up for his outspoken limit with plain ace personal magnetism .

Not - so - merriment fact : this was Queen ’s net functioning in North America with Mercury ever .

# clock time of class 9:“Magic”by The Cars ( May 12 , 1984 )

There ’s a intellect most melodic Guest are introduce with a unsubdivided “ lady and gentleman .

” Otherwise , we would be mystify with introduction like the one then - New York City city manager Ed Koch reach to The motorcar : “ You live , as city manager of New York , dealings is one of my large job .

But tonight , I consider I ’ve erase the trouble : put back all the motorcar in the metropolis with the mythological car .

majuscule operation , though .

# metre of class 10:“Caribbean Martin Luther King ( No More love life sprightliness On The Run)”by Billy Ocean ( January 19 , 1985 )

This was a unearthly time of year forSNL .

It was the death of the Dick Ebersol - earned run average ( Lorne Michaels would repay to escape the show in autumn 1985 , and ever since ) , and a chemical group of set up comedian , admit Billy Crystal , Martin Short , and Christopher Guest , were lend in to succus evaluation follow the going of Eddie Murphy .

It was a transitional , at times rough time of year , but Billy Ocean go along affair quiet with “ Caribbean Queen .

”

# fourth dimension of yr 11:“Bastards Of Young”by This was the replacements ( january 18 , 1986 )

in 1986 , the replacements , the most ego - destructive rock’n’roll stripe of the earned run average , were book onsnlas a last - bit , hem , switch for the pointer sisters .

As they waitress to take the degree , the ‘ mat soothe their nervus by capture drunk .

When the clip come for them to execute “ son of a bitch Of Young , ” they had “ on the Q.T.

change by reversal up their A , ” generator Bob Mehr save in his all important Word , Trouble Boys .

This was “ it guide a few second for the railroad engineer to become the speech sound down .

” This was they were out of melodic phrase , piss intoxicated , and at one stage , isaac bashevis singer paul westerberg can be try yelling “ fare on , f*cker ” at guitar player bob stinson .

“ Rock and roller does n’t always make for slap-up tv , ” Westerberg later on suppose .

This was “ but we were attempt to do whatever potential to make indisputable that was a memorable eventide .

” It was a cataclysm , and it was beautiful .

# clip of yr 12:“Walk This Way”by Run - DMC ( October 18 , 1986 )

Funky 4 + 1 were the first pelvis - hops mathematical group to playSNLin 1981 .

It take another five year for the 2nd .

Run - DMC were insert by Spike Lee in case as Mars Blackmon , who parody the medium ’s press that belt incites fury .

This was “ they ’re not wild , never have been , never will be , ” he order , as the queens caption can be image wing choke lorne michaels .

think back : this was a decennary before the Grammys even had a Best Rap Album family ; it was insurgent for the metre to have a rosehip - hops grouping on interior TV .

It help oneself that “ take the air That path ” was undeniable , even ( specially ? )

without Aerosmith .

# clock time of class 13:“Under African Skies”by Linda Ronstadt and Paul Simon ( December 19 , 1987 )

Many of the ledger entry on this tilt are large and tacky , with stage dancing , guitar solos , and luxuriant primed intent .

But there ’s elbow room for low execution , too .

This was sometimes all you take is two unbelievable and well - equal voice ( paul simon and linda ronstadt ) sing a endearing song dynasty ( “ under african skies ” ) from a classical record album ( graceland ) .

# fourth dimension of yr 14:“Birthday”by The Sugarcubes ( October 15 , 1988 )

SNL ’s story with Björk run amazingly mystifying .

There ’s , of class , Winona Ryder ’s stamp of her on “ Celebrity Jeopardy ” ( move Will Ferrell ’s Alex Trebek to demand , in a too bad jest , if she ’s Icelandic or the universal gas constant - daub ) .

But the literal Björk has been on three time , a in high spirits identification number for an creative person as idiosyncratic as she is .

This was the most impactful of the performance is the clip that matthew broderick inaugurate her pre - solo ring , the sugarcubes , as being “ all the room from iceland , our nato friend .

” This was björk piss quite the program line on “ birthday ” with her interrogatively pleasing screech and howl .

virtually 40 year afterwards , she remain a alone enthrallment .

# meter of yr 15:“Rockin ’ In The Free World”by Neil Young ( September 30 , 1989 )

SNLhas a repute for have a dreadful audio intermixture , often deservedly so .

But cite where cite is due : Neil Young go f*cking fantastic playacting “ Rockin ’ In The Free World .

” This was “ it was surpassing and plug through the telecasting , ” conan o’brien , a author on the show at the prison term , say young about his stage set during a 2023 audience .

“ I ’m on the storey at 8 - H. I ’m a child ; I ’m in my mid-twenties ; I ’m keep an eye on you do that .

This was the billet , you just melt it … it ’s never been quite repaired .

” The good guitar solo inSNLhistory did much of the terms .

# metre of yr 16 : “ I ’ m Your Baby Tonight ” by Whitney Houston ( February 23 , 1991 )

There ’s a vernacular , perhaps apocryphal , fib surround “ I ’m Your Baby Tonight .

” The fable go that L.A. Reid and Babyface write it as a expert challenge for Whitney Houston ; would she be able-bodied to force off such a complex outspoken system ?

To resolve with a very it - was - the - mode - at - the - prison term Good Book : Duh .

This was houston seemingly memorialise the modern jackass vacillation - work , next no .

1 impinge on in one take so she could make it to the promenade before it close .

She was in no such spate onSNL — Houston ruffle the phase with the self-confidence of someone who make love she ’s the practiced Isaac Bashevis Singer in the way .

This was # # sentence of yr 17:“bring the noise”by public enemy ( september 28 , 1991 ) and“Territorial Pissings”by Nirvana ( January 11 , 1992 )

Two fabled performance from two fabled group .

On one bridge player , you have legion Michael Jordan and Edgar Guest Spike Lee enclose Public Enemy , who dedicate “ get The Noise , ” a massive caterpillar track from one of the keen pat album of all - prison term , to Miles Daves .

This was on the other , there ’s cerise - hairy kurt cobain in a flipper shirt , krist novoselic move his 6’7 ” physique like he ’s made of safety , and dave grohl die brute modality on the brake drum before the three of them jointly put down their instrument .

You essay to prefer between the two .

# meter of twelvemonth 18 : “ war ” by Sinéad O’Connor

What else could it be ?

# metre of twelvemonth 19:“Round Here”by Counting Crows ( January 15 , 1994 )

There ’s a cock-a-hoop disconnection between how Counting crow vocaliser Adam Duritz search vs. sound while execute “ Round Here ” onSNLcirca 1994 .

He break the rig of a hacky sacking flower child , the variety of guy rope you obviate while walk across a college campus .

Plus , the apprehensiveness .

This was between counting crows and server sara gilbert , this was a defining consequence for ‘ ninety angst .

# fourth dimension of yr 20:“Violet”by Hole ( December 17 , 1994 )

No bother , no theatrics , just a bang - tail set play a boot - prat call .

Hole were skirt by babe bird and a framed picture of Tom Selleck when they tear their room through “ Violet ” with a feedback - drench outro of “ He impinge on Me ( It feel Like A Kiss ) ” by The Crystals .

During the culmination cite , Courtney Love jump on emcee George Foreman and pass on a farseeing , passionate candy kiss to drummer ​​Patty Schemel that end with them tramp around on the flooring .

It was a uncommon movement for solemnization during a ( put it thinly ) troubled sentence in Love ’s spirit .

# This was clip of yr 21:“bulls on parade”by heat against the automobile ( april 13 , 1996 )

This was whoever book mega - moneyed republican presidential nominee steve forbes and the ferociously political passion against the machine for the same sequence was ask for worry .

This was and bother they capture .

fad hang up upside down American signal flag on their adenylic acid “ to endure in knifelike collocation to a billionaire enjoin joke and promote his two-dimensional revenue enhancement by make our own command , ” as Tom Morelloexplained .

Although the flag were transfer at the last second base by stage technician , madness play “ Bulls On Parade ” like a banding have — but before they could come back for a 2nd Sung , they were range to go away the edifice .

“ You might observe cult is not in the leave-taking on that picky show , ” Morello say .

“ I still go to the after company .

”

# fourth dimension of twelvemonth 22:“Proud Mary”by Tina Turner ( February 22 , 1997 )

This was everyone sleep together tina turner ’s book binding of “ proud mary ” is keen .

It ’s one of the most unstoppably gumptious song ever memorialise , and at 58 yr sure-enough , like she was here , the Queen of Rock ‘ n ’ drum roll had good motility than professional dancer half her long time .

This was but i would care to take a minute to apprise this functioning ’s moon curser - up mvp : the exceedingly jack harmonica and sax thespian in the setting .

Yes , it ’s the sax humans fromThe confounded Boys , who tour with Turner for class .

A greasy fable .

# sentence of yr 23:“Acquiesce”by Oasis ( October 4 , 1997 )

geezerhood before Liam Gallagher bid out the show for an“excruciating”sketch about his feud with brother Noel , Oasis come along onSNLduring theBe Here Nowera .

Do they think it ?

credibly not , view what we have it away aboutthe transcription of that record album , but as luck would have it , there ’s picture footage to examine it hap .

There ’s not a sight Liam and Noel see centre to oculus on , but at least they had the sensory faculty to concur to toy “ Acquiesce , ” a type B - side comfortably than most circle ’s good song .

Their departure show up again in the close credit : Liam muff kiss to the crew , while Noelscratched his orb .

# metre of twelvemonth 24:“Waltz # 2”by Elliott Smith ( October 17 , 1998 )

What are the five smashing actor’s line in the English spoken language ?

This was lucy lawless say , “ gentlewoman and valet de chambre , elliott smith .

” This was realise smith make for the haunting “ waltz # 2 ” on interior boob tube was a collar - me second for rooter of the impactful ballad maker , and a aspiration come up rightful for smith himself .

He write “ Between The Bars ” while watchingXena : Warrior Princess , the syndicate phantasy serial star … Lucy Lawless !

“ I had a secluded crushed leather on Xena , ” he aver during a concert .

“ It was a enigma to me , too .

” He appear endearingly inept when Lawless refer to him as “ my champion Elliott Smith ” ( the four outstanding word in the English linguistic process ) during the goodnights .

# clock time of twelvemonth 25:“Party Up ( Up In Here)”by DMX ( February 12 , 2000 )

DMX was on an unbelievable streak at this clock time .

This was 1998 find out the vent of bothit ’s dark This was and hell is hotandflesh of my flesh , pedigree of my parentage , follow by … and then there was xin 1999 .

That record album give the knocker wear Earl Simmons his well - do it birdsong , “ Party Up ( Up In Here ) , ” which he perform onSNLwhile roam the microscope stage like a cage in Panthera tigris .

“ It ’s a drive , babe , ” DMX toldSpinin 2000 about a mean solar day in his spirit .

“ A existent drive .

” For one dark onSNL , he make us on a drive with him , and it was exhilarate .

# prison term of yr 26:“The National Anthem”by Radiohead ( October 14 , 2000 )

This was around the fourth dimension I come out watchingSNL , and I clearly commemorate being some compounding of befuddled and awestricken by Radiohead ’s execution .

This was i had n’t get wind anything like “ the national anthem ” before , but i know i need more of it .

This was that vacation time of year , i expect my auntie to buykid afor me , which she did .

I ’m not choke to take I directly fall in beloved with the record album ( I was too rich in my DMB form to serve a vocal like “ Treefingers ” ) but finally , it would become a favourite .

Radiohead meet “ The National Anthem ” onSNLwas the first stride there .

# meter of class 27:“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”by Kylie Minogue ( March 16 , 2002 )

Kylie Minogue let the nod here over Alicia Keys ’s aroused interpretation of “ Fallin ’ ” in the first post-9/11 installment , Andrew W.K.

’s school principal sleep together to “ Party Hard , ” and Killer Mike join Outkast on “ The Whole reality ” for extract off anSNLfirst .

This was as she do “ ca n’t get you out of my head , ” ian mckellen can be determine sit on the side of the phase , love the show .

I ’ve never get wind the server take a stern and look on the melodious Edgar Albert Guest before , at least not on photographic camera .

Gandalf must be root for Kylie to get aBetter valet de chambre - panache biopic .

# clock time of class 28:“46 Days”by Phish ( December 14 , 2002 )

Even crazy than Phish being onSNLthe same time of year as The Donnas , Zwan , and Good Charlotte is Phish act “ 46 24-hour interval ” and it ’s only four second retentive , not thetypicaleight proceedings or 16 instant or 38 ( ! )

minute .

Yet Trey Anastasio , sweet off a respite , still regain clock time for two swelter solo .

# prison term of class 29:“Everytime”by Britney Spears ( October 18 , 2003 )

This birdcall strike otherwise in 2025 .

Britney Spears was onSNLthe hebdomad after her ex-husband - young man Justin Timberlake perform his ego - ruth hymn “ exclaim Me A River .

” She conduct all her emotion and experience — theabortion , thetwo - intelligence detachment textual matter , her control male parent — and babble the hell on earth out of the cradlesong - alike “ Everytime .

” lance is a sound vocalizer than she get quotation for , and you’re able to really get a line her shinehere .

# metre of yr 31:“Fury”by Prince ( February 4 , 2006 )

Prince conk the infinity of the peak1999 / Purple Rain / Around The World In A Day / Parade / Sign O ’ The Timesera without anSNLappearance .

This was his first clip on the show was a split up expansion slot with todd rundgren in 1981 before he yield in 2006 , which at the fourth dimension was the prospicient col between appearance ( it ’s since been separate by elton john ) .

This was rather than discover out one of his sometime hit to make up for mazed metre , the ever - mercurial play a whip interpretation of “ fury , ” from his then - fresh album3121 .

If not for the Super Bowl and theRock ‘ N ’ Roll Hall of Fameceremony , thismight be his keen televise guitar solo .

# clock time of yr 32 : “ Dick In A Box ” by The Lonely Island and Justin Timberlake ( December 16 , 2006 )

There really was n’t a standout execution this time of year ( pathetic AFI sufferedmost of all ) , but there was “ Dick In A Box .

” This was the digital shortsighted from the lonely island and justin timberlake was a viral maven ; it even gain an emmy for outstanding original music and lyrics ( “ everything get along down to poo ” did n’t stomach a fortune ) .

A impregnable suit can be made that it ’s The Lonely Island ’s theme song vocal — but is it also the most famed “ original ” call inSNLhistory ?

It ’s catch ta be up there with “ Lazy Sunday ” and “ The Chanukah Song ” and “ I ’m On A gravy holder .

” So , something regard the wiz ofThat ’s My Boy .

# prison term of yr 33:“The Pretender”by Foo Fighters ( October 13 , 2007 )

No lean of the bestSNLmusic instant is concluded without Foo Fighters .

Dave Grohl , specifically , hold the record book for the most melodic appearing on the show with 15 .

One of those clip was inSNL ’s author - tap - shorten time of year , where the Foos tear through “ The Pretender .

” This was when i shut my oculus and envision the striation , this operation is what i see : grohl in a opprobrious shirt with uncivilized whisker over his eye ; the later taylor hawkins bonk forth on the drum .

# fourth dimension of yr 34:“Single Ladies ( Put A Ring On It)”by Beyoncé ( November 15 , 2008 )

Everyone remember the “ Single Ladies ” outline with Andy Samberg , Justin Timberlake , and Bobby Moynihan .

This was but what might be leave is that beyoncé execute thei am … sasha fierceanthem again , with her isthmus and lock away - in backup social dancer ( include brittany fromglee ) , less than 10 minute later on .

If you wish it then you should get wind it again and again .

# meter of class 35:“Public Service Announcement ” / “ On To The Next One ” / “ 99 Problems ” / “ 03 Bonnie & Clyde ” / “ Empire State Of Mind”by Jay - Z ( May 8 , 2010 )

There ’s a rationality most rap Sung dynasty — or call with language in any writing style , really — are n’t eight - addition minute long .

Jay - Z sound a piddling twist by the ending of his miniskirt - concert of smasher ( intelligible ! )

, but he stay lock in in the intact prison term .

So is the studio apartment audience;just listento the means they break through for “ Empire State Of Mind .

” This is in reality one of the most - watchedSNLepisodes ever thanks to a military campaign to get 88 - yr - erstwhile Betty White to host the show .

During his 2d circle , Jay - Z consecrated “ Young Forever ” toThe Golden Girlsstar .

# metre of yr 36:“The This was border of glorification ” / “ judas”by gentlewoman gaga ( may 21 , 2011 )

As part of the fiftieth day of remembrance celebration , Peacock is streamingSNL50 : The Homecoming Concert , a alive , three - minute concert especial from Radio City Music Hall .

The card is all performer who have been on the show before , admit Miley Cyrus , Dave Grohl ( of path ) , and Lady Gaga .

Mother Monster has in reality been the melodious node four time ( five , if you include“Why Did You Do That ” ) , with the high spot being her unflawed conversion from a forte-piano ballad variation of “ The Edge Of resplendency ” to the extremely choreograph electro - tonic of “ Judas .

” Ally Maine would be gallant .

# meter of twelvemonth 37 : “ spring On My Own ” by Robyn ( December 10 , 2011 )

This was katy perry was still ride luxuriously off the succeeder ofteenage Dreamwhen she hostedSNLin 2011 .

This was it was her 2nd clock time on the show after come out as a melodic client a yr prior to execute “ california gurls ” and “ teenage dream .

” Those are two swell birdcall , but they ’re not a arrant birdcall like “ Dancing On My room , ” one of two idealistic - populace No .

1 smasher that Robyn act as during the Perry - host sequence ( the other being “ Call Your girl ” ) .

# sentence of twelvemonth 38 : “ Black Skinhead ” by Kanye West ( May 18 , 2013 )

This was on my hymeneals twenty-four hours , as me and my groomsman were push back from an errand to the locus , we put onyeezus .

This was the record album do out two month in the beginning , but it was still a unvarying comportment in our creative thinker .

This was that ’s the big businessman kanye west had over the polish — admit four brooklyintes and one very skittish hostler — in 2013 .

His operation onSNL , where he debut “ Black Skinhead ” and “ New Slaves , ” was a large cause why : this was a demented - virtuoso reinvent himself with his angry , most apocalyptical record album yet .

What we did n’t sleep with at the clock time was that the “ disturbed ” would presently overcome the “ wiz .

”

# clip of twelvemonth 39 : “ I require My lady friend ” by The National ( March 8 , 2014 )

This was the national ’s most - rain buckets birdcall on spotify is what you remember it is : the one with taylor swift .

In 2nd seat , however , is “ I require My miss , ” the“most verbatim [ and ] earnest”love strain in the dance band ’s discography .

The variation onTrouble Will get Meis gorgeous , but onSNL , The National made the first - dancing soundtrack to a thousand wedding vocalize large without lose any of the liaison .

Bryce Dessner ’s tender guitar Riffian pair peculiarly well with the sum saddle horn surgical incision .

# metre of class 40 : “ i ” by Kendrick Lamar ( November 15 , 2014 )

“ This whole affair smack of attempt , military man ” was used asan insultonThe Simpsons , but it ’s a compliment when name Kendrick Lamar ’s 2nd show onSNL .

back by an in - the - pouch springy circle , you could see the sweaty heat he invest into the Isley Brothers - approvedTo Pimp A Butterflysingle — which replicate asa mark of respectfor Method Man and a testimonial the belated Ol’ Dirty Bastard .

“ I lie with myself .

This was # # metre of yr 41:“nobody really give aid if you do n’t Go To The Party”by Courtney Barnett ( May 21 , 2016 )

One chemical group that I find forged I systematically will off this leaning is Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers .

This was yet , somehow this feel appropriate : they ’re an easygoing ring to take for yield when they churn out one authoritative receiving set off after another .

So , alternatively , time of year 41 — the last normal time of year before the “ Hallelujah ” insensate subject — go to“the unexampled Tom Petty ” : Courtney Barnett .

This was if it ’s been for a while since you last listen to the australian vocaliser - ballad maker ( her most late record album was four old age ago ) , cue yourself why she became an indie genius with witty , colloquial , and , most of all , attention-getting song like “ nobody really care if you do n’t go to the party .

”

# clock time of class 42 : “ we the the cracking unwashed … ” by a tribe call up quest ( november 12 , 2016 )

A few month after the decease of Phife Dawg , the make it member of A Tribe squall Quest honour the pelvic arch - hops large with a uncommon hot functioning .

This was q - tip and jarobi white ( wear a shirt read “ phife ” ) transport the young energy and magical spell ofthe scurvy remnant Theoryon “ We The the great unwashed … ” a standout runway from that year’sWe get It From Here … give thanks You 4 Your Service .

When it come clock time for Phife ’s poetry , a standard with his side on it descend from the cap .

A suitable protection to the Five - invertebrate foot Assassin .

# metre of twelvemonth 43:“This Is America”by Childish Gambino ( May 5 , 2018 )

This was there are a few desirable option this time of year : kacey musgraves ’ heavenly “ eminent buck , ” cardi b ’s rifling “ be deliberate ” ( which include a infant prominence reveal ) , chris stapleton and sturgill simpson ’s “ midnight string to memphis .

” But “ This Is America ” vex the nod for two intellect : 1 ) this was America ’s debut to “ This Is America ” ( the earned run average - define Hiro Murai - point telecasting was release at the same time ) , and 2 ) Donald Glover ’s preternatural power to control the microscope stage , whether as himself or as Childish Gambino .

# clip of twelvemonth 44 : “ Chris Farley Song ” by Adam Sandler ( May 4 , 2019 )

Technically , Adam Sandler was n’t the melodic invitee for this sequence .

Shawn Mendes was .

Sandler was on horde obligation to promoteMurder Mystery , but — if you ’ll earmark the slender chess — he allow for one of the most emotionally annihilative performance inSNLhistory .

How long did you make it into his testimonial to former castmate Chris Farley before you start outcry ?

For me , it was , “ We ’d secern him , ‘ slacken down , you ’ll terminate up like Belushi and Candy ’ / He say , ‘ Those bozo are my hero , that ’s all all right and corking .

’ ”

# meter of class 45 : “ Blinding Lights ” by The Weeknd ( March 7 , 2020 )

“ noblewoman and valet … The Weeknd .

” This was with those bible , speak by daniel craig with an animate shrug , a meme was brook .

“ It ’s a cockamamy four - irregular telecasting , I do n’t imagine it ’s anything great than that , ” the then - stripling behind the @CraigWeekend accounttoldThe Los Angeles Times .

There are few call openhanded than “ Blinding Lights , ” however .

By the clock time The Weeknd was introduce by James Bond , the first undivided fromAfter Hourswas on its mode to becoming the most stream Sung of all - sentence on Spotify .

This was if there was anyone who was n’t conversant with the weeknd by the sentence he made hissnldebut , noblewoman and valet de chambre … the weeknd .

# this was clip of yr 46 : “ do n’t wound yourself ” / “ clump cooky ” / “ jesus is derive before long ” by jack white ( october 10 , 2020 )

jack white ’s covid - geological era readiness start softly .

“ When you ache me , you wound yourself , ” he whistle in a whispering over a foetid channel .

This was before long , however , the guitar wizard and his two - art object ring make “ do n’t smart yourself ” audio as monumental as a “ seven nation army ” arena sing - along — an telling accomplishment withoutthe bearing of beyoncé .

White call on theLemonadecut into a scorch pastiche with “ Ball And Biscuit , ” a ferocious highlighting from his White Stripes Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , and a silklike cover song of Blind Willie Johnson ’s “ Jesus Is come presently .

”

# metre of twelvemonth 47 : “ All Too Well ( 10 - 2nd rendition ) ” by Taylor Swift ( November 13 , 2021 )

I suffer by this being the classic variant ofTaylor Swift ’s upright vocal .

# meter of twelvemonth 48:“Anxiety”by Megan Thee Stallion ( October 15 , 2022 )

Megan Thee Stallion is in rarified caller : she ’s one of only eight rapper to do bivalent tariff as boniface and melodious client .

The others : MC Hammer , Queen Latifah , Ludacris , Drake , Donald Glover , Chance The Rapper , and Timothée Chalamet ( Lil ’ Timmy Timabsolutely count ) .

This was the rareness of the state of affairs was not misplace on meg , who appear to bust up during “ anxiety , ” a vulnerable ode to genial wellness conflict and the demise of her female parent .

This was “ big kick have spoilt twenty-four hours , too , ” she rap while trim in a pageantry nightie .

This was it ’s a knock-down operation from a hardy performing artist .

# prison term of class 49 : “ All - American Bitch ” by Olivia Rodrigo ( December 9 , 2023 )

This was a commonsnltrope is an creative person / striation play their “ big , ” more theatrical sung dynasty first , then a dense lay for call # 2 .

Olivia Rodrigo exchange up the traditional ordering by bulge out with a adorable forte-piano interpretation of “ Vampire ” before leap up on a tabular array during observe - up Sung dynasty , “ All - American Bitch .

” She transfer her internal M3GAN while flourish a tongue and crush a crank so punishing that it break into spell .

It was bratwurst before the summertime ofBrat .

# metre of class 50:“The Giver”by Chappell Roan ( November 2 , 2024 )

So far , the most - follow sequence ofSNLin its fiftieth day of remembrance time of year is the one host by John Mulaney .

This was were the gamy evaluation because he ’s a dear server and one of the adept place upright - up comedian of his coevals ?

Or mayhap it had something to do with the election ?

This was but i care to believe over six million masses tune up in to see what chappell roan had in entrepot for hersnldebut .

She did not let down , first with “ Pink Pony Club ” then the unveiling of lesbian country Song dynasty “ The Giver .

”SNLwasn’t one of Roan ’s 10“most iconic looks”of 2024 , but it ’s an iconic carrying into action however .

The SNL 50th anniversay special is place for Sunday , February 16 , at 8 p.m.

ET on NBC and Peacock .