5 Lady Gaga Performances That Gave VOCALS & 5 That Prove She Can DANCE Too
5 Lady Gaga Performances That Gave VOCALS & 5 That Prove She Can Dance Too
Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down the live performances where Lady Gagas vocals defy human limits and the times her moves proved shes in a league of her own.
#5: Vocals: Perfect Celebrity
The Howard Stern Show (2006-)
As Gaga explains before launching into it, this song reflects the double life shes lived as a celebrity and the sacrifices she felt shes made for fame. Stripping it down to an acoustic performance, she reminds us that after all these years, her vocals can still take us somewhere unexpected. Its not just her impressive range but its how raw and personal this one feels. Every note, every lyric drips with emotion, pulling us right into the pain shes felt. The technique is impeccable, sure, but its the way she gives us her whole soul that makes it unforgettable. So when are we getting that acoustic rock album?
#5: Dance: Born This Way
53rd Annual Grammy Awards (2011)
Mother Monster knows how to make an entrance, and in 2011, it was all about the egg. And from the moment she hatched from it, we were all ready to join her in this rebirth of inclusivity. Her breath control is unreal, which allows her to go full-out on the choreography. If youve seen the Born This Way music video, you know the moves go just as hard as the lyrics, and she delivers every step to perfection. Oh, and did you notice shes doing all this in heels? Dramatic, bold, and completely electrifying, this performance was Gaga proving, yet again, that she was born for the stage.
#4: Vocals: If I Ever Lose My Faith in You
37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (2014)
Among this years Kennedy Center honorees was British musician Sting, and Lady Gaga delivered a stunning tribute with her rendition of his 1993 hit If I Ever Lose My Faith in You. Her vocal range is on full display, seamlessly shifting between powerful belts and delicate, nuanced moments. Every note is precise, every shift in dynamics intentional, showing just how much control she has. She sings the number as if it had been written for her while still honoring Stings original version. Plus, the emotion she pours into it makes it all the more powerful. It feels deeply personal as if she were singing straight to the audience.
#4: Dance: Judas
The Graham Norton Show (2007-)
The performance space on The Graham Norton Show isnt exactly massive, but that doesnt matter when youre Lady Gaga. She never does anything halfway, and this performance is proof. Theatrical, intense, and utterly magnetic from start to finish, she uses every bit of choreography and staging to bring the songs story to life. The energy is nonstop, with Gaga and her dancers going full out from the first note to the final beat. Her stamina, her dancing, her sheer stage presence is all just next level. She throws everything into this performance and then some! Even now, its impossible to watch without feeling like she deserves a standing ovation.
#3: Vocals: Speechless
VEVO Launch Event (2009)
Lady Gaga is known for her larger-than-life performances, but some of her most powerful moments come when she strips everything back and lets her voice take center stage. She kept things minimal at the VEVO launch event, letting her vocals and piano skills do all the work. You could feel every note, and her control over her voice is amazing. This version hits even harder than the more head-banging studio release. Its super personal for her as its dedicated to her dad, and you can really feel that love and connection in her voice. By the end, we were ready to hug our loved ones a little tighter.
#3: Dance: Abracadabra
Saturday Night Live (1975-)
Abracadabra marked the return we were all waiting for following Chromatica in 2020, and Gaga came back with a total bang! Even though the space is small, she makes it feel like shes performing on the worlds biggest stage. The choreography is in a league of its own. Every second is athletic, fierce, and honestly, when do they find a moment to breathe between steps!? Every move and pose is clearly designed to tell the songs story, adding this incredible artistic feel. Gaga and her dancers are on point, with every move sharp and perfectly synced. Seriously, it is everything. Abracadabra, thats how you make a comeback!
#2: Vocals: Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live! (2014)
Back in 2014, Lady Gaga teamed up with Tony Bennett for a Cheek to Cheek special where her take on Chers Bang Bang totally stole the show! From the second she hit the stage, she looked like a star, but it was her singing that really knocked us off our feet. This arrangement was a perfect way to show off her incredible range, mixing pop, jazz, and even a bit of musical theater and she hits every note without breaking. As always, her stage presence is a sight to beholddramatic, captivating, and totally in the moment. Its one of those performances that sticks with you long after its over.
#2: Dance: Paparazzi
26th MTV Video Music Awards (2009)
These were still early days in Lady Gagas career, yet for many, this was the moment a star was born. Still in her debut era, Gaga, alongside Beyoncé, was the most nominated artist of the night, even taking home Best New Artist. However, it was her performance that truly made every one sit up and pay attention. The eccentric staging, her now famous leg-up-on-the-piano move, and the tight choreography made it unforgettable. Gaga can bring together drama, theatrics, and raw emotion in a way few can match, but she always gets people talking. Anyone who went into the VMAs not knowing who she was certainly knew after that!
#1: Vocals: Million Reasons
The Royal Variety Performance (2016)
To put it plainly, this rendition took our breath away. Weve definitely established by now that her vocal technique is flawless, but what really sells this performance is how she makes every word feel like it comes straight from her soul. With just her voice and an orchestra, Gaga strips away all the extra fluff, leaving us with pure, unfiltered feeling. Her control over the softer moments is stunning, drawing us in with that haunting, vulnerable tone. And when she lets loose with those soaring high notes, it sends chills down our spines. Its powerful, precise, and passionate all in one, and were all just lucky enough to witness it.
#1: Dance: A Hit Medley
Super Bowl LI halftime show (2017)
Lady Gaga brings everything to the table with this performance, and its nothing short of extraordinary. She starts with a breathtaking aerial display, then flips the switch, going off like a firework. Her dancing is next-level, sharp, and energetic, with each move perfectly locked in with the beat. For almost 14 minutes, she sings live while flying, dancing, and pulling off costume changes like its nothing. Its one of those performances thats now etched into Super Bowl history, with fans revisiting it time and again. Theres so much to take in, and every moment is so showstopping that we actually forgot we were watching the Super Bowl.
Which Lady Gaga gets your Applause? Let us know in the comments
