Guess what? It’s the Brit Awards tonight! I chuffing well love a good old award show and the Brit Awards are up there for me.
It’s been a great year for music; we’ve had a huge Adele comeback, it’s finally become cool to be a Belieber even when you’re over the age of 17 (words I never thought I’d type) and in my humble opinion, Coldplay have got better and better with their amazing album A Head Full Of Dreams.
We’ve also been introduced to new talent in the form of James Bay (I’m a big fan of his track Hold Back The River) and Jess Glynne who released a few corkers in 2015.
With all this in mind, I thought it appropriate to compile a Top 10 (well, you know I love a list) of my all-time favourite Brit Award performances. Can you believe next year will be the 40th Anniversary of the Brit Awards? We’ve been treated to so many incredible (and not so incredible) performances by some of our favourite music stars over the last few decades.
So, have a read of the ones I’ve loved over the years. The ones I’m unashamed to admit I often watch on YouTube and try to recreate in the comfort of my own home. Don’t judge.
Click on the song titles to be treated to the performance yourself. Good to you lot aren’t I?
10.Various – Thank ABBA For The Music – 1999
I know, I know, this is the epitome of cringe with a sprinkling of cheese on top. But so bloody what. I love ABBA and at the time I loved Steps et al too so this is why Thank ABBA For The Music has made an appearance here. Like I said, don’t judge!
9.Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love – 2010
Alright, alright, she’s not the BEST singer but I was a huge fan of hers at this point (and this song) and really enjoyed the performance (loved the mash up with Show Me Love). She didn’t do a bad job did she, especially when you factor in the personal trials and tribulations she was going through at the time (Ashley Cole, I’m looking at you). Was she miming? Well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusions regarding that but she certainly gave the dancing her all.
8.Rihanna – We Found Love – 2012
I was lucky enough to see Rihanna live in concert a few years ago and let me tell you now she absolutely did not disappoint. Here she is performing one of my absolute favourite songs of all time. What I’d give to be up on stage with her and all of her dancers, giving it some (I would definitely take a tumble a-la Madonna at last year’s Brit’s – remember that??!!)
I wouldn’t like to be the person who has to clean all that paint off those glass boxes after, would you?
7.Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger – 2007
It wouldn’t be a Brit Awards countdown if Oasis didn’t feature in this list would it? I LOVE THIS SONG.
6.Girls Aloud – The Promise – 2009
Round up a few blokes in top hat and tails on stage, complete with some bright pink feather fans and 5 girls in matching showgirl style outfits and you have yourself a pretty decent pop performance. Girl bands often come in for a bit of slack for their vocals during live performances but I have to say their voices are actually pretty good here. Special kudos to Sarah and Nadine who absolutely hit their notes with precision.
5.Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head – 2002
I remember downloading this version of the song off the internet back in the day (dial-up connection of course, always a mare when someone picks up the house phone to use it!). I absolutely loved it. Brilliant mash up and it worked so well. Perhaps the camera man might wanna home in on that perfectly pert posterior of hers a few more times mind you!
4.Lady Gaga – Telephone/Dance In The Dark – 2010
Telephone is quite possibly my favourite Lady Gaga track and although I remember feeling a little deflated that she wasn’t performing the track as its best known (fast and up-tempo – plus with Beyoncé), I really did appreciate her stripped back version. Especially as it was dedicated to the incredible fashion designer Alexander McQueen who had recently passed away. Of course it wouldn’t be a Lady Gaga performance without injecting her own bit of Gaganess to proceedings which is showcased when she bursts into her next song. Say what you like about Gaga but she knows how to perform and that voice of hers is faultless.
3.Whitney Houston – It’s Not Right But It’s Okay – 1999
Both sassy and fierce, the late Whitney Houston absolutely OWNED this performance of one of my all-time favourite songs of hers. Her voice is simply amazing and she looks stunning to boot. I have absolutely no shame in admitting I tried many a time to replicate this performance in front of my bedroom mirror aged 13. Well, maybe just a little bit of shame perhaps. A frizzy haired, spotty teenager doesn’t exactly do it justice.
2.Adele – Someone Like You – 2011
You actually couldn’t hear a pin drop during this flawless and spine tingling performance. As a viewer I hung onto Adele’s every word and every note in total awe. This was arguably Adele’s finest moment at this point in her career and probably earned her thousands upon thousands of new fans in the process. She didn’t need any props or gimmicks, it was just Adele letting her perfect voice do its thing and showing everyone exactly how it’s done. Spectacular.
1.Spice Girls – Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are – 1997
I can’t help but wonder that if this performance took place in the present day, it wouldn’t be as well received. Stick 5 girls on a stage who have OKish voices and can dance a bit might not be enough in what is now a very competitive industry. This performance was definitely of its time. However, as a HUGE Spice Girls fan, I remember watching this back in 1997 and wanting to be a Spice Girl SO MUCH (Ginger, if you’re wondering). They all looked fab, they all looked like they were loving it and they had both the studio and TV audience in the palm of their hand. The mid – late nineties were owned by the Spice Girls and didn’t they know it! Iconic. Absolutely Iconic.
Who can forget this get up? If you’re of a similar age to me or a little older, I bet you wanted those 2 blonde streaks didn’t you? Go on, admit it.
Surely Mick Fleetwood and Samantha Fox (1989) should appear in the list somewhere 🙂 ? They certainly redefined the word “performance”. But I absolutely agree with your number 1 pick – they were brilliant and captured the spirit of the times perfectly.
Tim.