Top 10 Wheel of Musical Impressions on Jimmy Fallon

When somebody like Keegan-Michael Key appears on “The Tonight Show,” you know he’s going to stop at nothing to entertain people. Indeed, he doesn’t waste any time making viewers smile with his musical skills here. His Bob Marley is an impressive start, and it isn’t long before he really branches out with an unexpected Michael Stipe impersonation. Key can capture the nuance of R.E.M. and then venture into a bold take on Frank Sinatra like it’s easy. If you loved him on “Key & Peele,” you’ll love the dedication he puts into the game. The dramatic lighting cues definitely don’t hurt either.

Alicia Keys makes the most of her time on “The Tonight Show” by showing everyone just how talented and magnetic she is. She also manages to capture the spirit of many other popular artists, and does so with pure passion at every turn. There’s a Gwen Stefani impersonation and an attempt at Adele that are both equally entertaining. The best part of all is that Keys can’t help but enjoy herself throughout the segment. Her finale as Janis Joplin is especially noteworthy for its soulful execution. All in all, this Grammy-winner proves that you should never count her out when it comes to music.

With her work in everything from stand-up to “Saturday Night Live,” Melissa Villaseñor has shown herself to be an amazing impressionist. This is especially evident in this edition of “Wheel of Musical Impressions.” What’s great is that she’s also able to show off her singing ability, notably nailing Gwen Stefani’s unique sound. Amazingly, Villaseñor can find the funny and artistry in every moment. She practically makes us believe she is Christina Aguilera, belting like a professional. Even Jimmy Fallon can’t help but be visibly impressed by it all. As if that wasn’t enough, Villaseñor then steals the show with her amazing nod to Björk. It’s the perfect synthesis between music and comedy.

Being a pop star doesn’t always mean you’re great at singing other people’s work. But it does mean that in Alessia Cara’s case. She shows that she can not only perform like various vocalists, but also capture their cadence like an impressionist. Singing nursery rhymes, theme songs, and more, she turns into contemporaries like Ariana Grande. Even if you don’t know Cara’s personal catalog well, you’ll definitely be a fan after watching her here. She even switches genres to take on Nicki Minaj. Juggling pop and rap, she proves she’s a multi-faceted performer. Her attempt at Lorde further proves that. It’s no wonder Fallon invited her back for a rematch – during which she shone once more.

When you think of Demi Lovato, you probably don’t think of Cher or Fetty Wap. But you should, because if this segment proves anything, it’s that Lovato is as versatile a vocalist as they come. They easily capture the depth of the “Believe” singer’s voice, making “Bingo Was His Name-O” sound very sophisticated. Somehow, Lovato can also completely shift styles and turn “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” into a hip-hop song, à la Fetty Wap. They don’t miss a beat throughout their performance, impressing the host and crowd. And that’s saying nothing of the Christina Aguilera-esque vocal runs that make us gasp at every rewatch. Needless to say, Lovato blew all of us away.

Maroon 5 fans won’t be shocked by this singer’s skills on “Wheel of Musical Impressions.” Adam Levine ends up saluting greats like Frank Sinatra, putting his natural charisma on display in the process. He even has the strength to try out Michael Jackson – and give a great performance. Yet the most underrated and standout impersonation of the bunch might just be his Eddie Vedder. Levine expertly masks his voice, using the deeper parts of his register for maximum effect. He might not be who you think of when you imagine grunge, but the singer makes a decent case for being in a Pearl Jam tribute band.

Never underestimate Christina Aguilera’s musical abilities. Utilizing her talents to their fullest extent, she has us believing that Cher actually sings the jingle for Folgers coffee. Then, she pays tribute to fellow Mickey Mouse club member Britney Spears, doing the pop idol justice with a rendition of “This Little Piggy” we can only describe as perfect. Through the entire appearance, it’s clear that Aguilera has some of the best pipes in the business. She even gives Shakira a run for her money while nailing the “Golden Girls” theme. Completely in her element, X-tina doesn’t disappoint.

Clearly born to perform, this singer doesn’t waste a second of her appearance. Céline Dion can flip a switch, turning into Cher or even Rihanna faster than we thought possible. She does it all with a charm that’s hard to match, making us laugh and cheer at the same time. We already knew she could belt out a note like nobody else, but her work here reveals her talent for impressions. Look no further than her powerful version of “Hush, Little Baby,” performed in the style of Sia, to see what we mean. The whole thing makes us wish Dion had a variety show of her own.

Jamie Foxx has made a career doing everything from stand-up to singing to acting to hosting game shows. He’s a performer, after all, as evidenced by this “Wheel of Musical Impressions” segment. We never knew he had Mick Jagger in him! He can easily wow the crowd with his impersonations, and make them laugh with off-the-cuff jokes. Plus, Foxx manages to channel John Legend in such a way that if your eyes were closed, you’d think Legend was actually there. He even belts out high-notes as Jennifer Hudson, shattering expectations with an amazing rendition of “On Top of Spaghetti.” Foxx does it all with the gravitas you’d expect. “Hakuna Matata”, indeed.

After watching this clip, you’ll probably be wondering if there’s anything Ariana Grande can’t do. The pop star keeps everyone entertained from start to finish. All her impersonations sound like the actual person, including that incredible take on Britney Spears. Grande mimics Spears’ breathy voice so wonderfully, we can hardly believe our ears. Using her fantastic range, she then climbs to soaring heights for Christina Aguilera and Céline Dion impressions. Her take on Dion in particular is incredibly layered, and sees her fully embodying the “My Heart Will Go On” singer. At the end of the day, Grande’s performance is triumphant, as she captures her targets’ subtleties with surgical precision.