- 17 hours ago
From laugh-out-loud impressions to wild musical sendups, these Saturday Night Live songs took aim at pop stars and made comedy gold. Join us as we count down our picks for the funniest SNL singer parodies, featuring unforgettable sketches inspired by artists like Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Drake and more. Which musical spoof hits the right note for you?
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00:00How about we spend this Christmas with my dad? You remember his name, right?
00:03Mr. Black Eye.
00:05No, no, no, baby, that's not his name. You met him, remember?
00:10Morgan Freeman.
00:11No.
00:12Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most accurate, funniest, and or entertaining parodies
00:20of singers on SNL.
00:22In my trunk, ain't gonna buy you chocolates, put a picture in a locket from Target.
00:30Number 20. Cecily Strong as Alanis Morissette.
00:34He's nice because he's Santa, baby.
00:39For this star-studded compilation, the SNL cast and host Jimmy Fallon bring out their best impressions.
00:46It's the best time of the year.
00:48This includes Cecily Strong's impersonation of 1990s star Alanis Morissette.
00:54With long hair and a fresh take on Hand in My Pocket, the performer nails the artist's overall vibe.
01:01He's a lot, but he's happy. He's all, but he's kind.
01:05It also helps that Strong can hold her own as a confident and effective singer.
01:10Pairing her up with John Millhiser's parody of Billy Joe Armstrong,
01:14this funny scene gives us all pure nostalgia for another era of rock.
01:19Cause he's got one for you next time!
01:24The comedian's expert delivery and the Santa-infused lyrics only enhance the experience.
01:30Number 19. James Austin Johnson as Jay-Z.
01:34This is Jay-Z, and he's downstairs.
01:36With his successful takes on the likes of Donald Trump,
01:40We've been waiting a very long time for that Negroni.
01:43James Austin Johnson stands out among a talented cast at SNL.
01:48This segment gives him a chance to show off a few unexpected impersonations.
01:52This is Batman. Batman. We're reading Where's Waldo.
01:57Where is he?
01:59His take on Jay-Z might surprise some, but it's also super hilarious.
02:04How would you play Jay-Z?
02:09He even plays into the fact that he could play the rapper off-screen.
02:14Self-aware and completely absurd,
02:16this impression is a completely new take on the performer.
02:19Johnson finds a way to get laughs by only saying Beyonce's name.
02:24Showing that he's a versatile comedian,
02:27the cast member shines in an unlikely spin on a hip-hop legend.
02:37Number 18. Dana Carvey as Bob Dylan.
02:42For this Weekend Update segment,
02:44Dennis Miller introduces Dana Carvey's Bob Dylan.
02:47This version of the music legend speaks in funny gibberish.
02:51Listen, I need some help interpreting this part.
02:54Let's get one of the Wilburys out here. Petty?
02:56Miller even has to interpret for Dylan as the sketch continues.
02:59With the inclusion of David Spade as Tom Petty,
03:02You know what it sounds like?
03:05This goofy take on rock icons keeps the laughs coming.
03:09No, no, sadly a time is in me.
03:13I exhibit the crimes you still so far.
03:17That is bad, say.
03:18Carvey's accent and vocal impersonation exaggerate the actual man's voice in a hilarious way.
03:25I was in the dead sand town everything.
03:29This skit trades accuracy for a free-spirited silliness that makes the whole premise that much funnier.
03:35Playing off of Spade, the lead impressionist doesn't need English to command the screen.
03:41She's a good girl.
03:43She loves her mama.
03:46But Jesus in America too.
03:50Cause I'm free!
03:53Free for you!
03:55Number 17. Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet.
03:59Red ships of Spain.
04:03The voice is back.
04:05Channeling the crooner, Will Ferrell plays Robert Goulet as a self-serious caricature.
04:11Voice the mainsail and scuttle the ship.
04:15This sketch puts the singer and his brothers in a production entitled Red Ships of Spain.
04:21Red ships of Spain.
04:24It's a great excuse for Ferrell to sing and overact as Goulet, making this double as a critique of all
04:31washed-up performers.
04:33The comedian also plays his target opposite his daughter in one of many hilarious moments.
04:38Oh, Captain, how I hunger for your lines.
04:43While this impersonation might seem dated to younger viewers, it works without having to know anything about the original guy.
04:49The lead performer does a fantastic job with an impression perfect for his comedic sensibilities.
04:55That's it! Show's over!
04:57Number 16. Adam Sandler as Axl Rose.
05:01In this parody of We Are The World, the cast comes together to make fun of all kinds of singers.
05:07There needs to be some changes made.
05:12This includes Adam Sandler's inspired take on the Guns N' Roses frontman.
05:17The comedian has a believable outfit, but his vocal impression really captures the artist's unique style.
05:23Oh, you need a helping hand!
05:26Sandler stands out amongst strong work from Chris Farley as Kearney Wilson and especially Mike Myers' Goofy Mick Jagger.
05:34That was waiting here for you.
05:38Coming back later, the Happy Gilmore star rises to the high notes of Rose's famous range.
05:43You might not think of him as an impressionist, but this performer shows off here with a few well-placed
05:49notes.
05:49Why don't you get through?
05:52Let's build a world with cages, don't exist.
05:55Oh, no, no, that's so racist!
05:58Number 15. Melissa Villasenor as Lady Gaga.
06:02When this comedian joins Weekend Update, she does it dressed like Lady Gaga.
06:06Here we go!
06:07This segment is supposed to be about the Oscars, but Melissa Villasenor uses it as an opportunity to do a
06:13fun Gaga impersonation.
06:15Hold on one second, Melissa, are you dressed up as Lady Gaga?
06:18What?
06:19No, I just swore this for all my Melissa monsters out there.
06:23She even has a funny back-and-forth with host Colin Jost about her intentions.
06:27How dare you? I'm not doing an impression. I'm Melissa.
06:31All of this sets up her cover of Shallow, the latter of which features some impressive vocals from Villasenor.
06:37Tell me something, girl.
06:41Are you happy in this modern world?
06:45Kyle Mooney then joins her with his own entertaining Bradley Cooper impression.
06:58Ultimately, this whole skit gives the talented performer a chance to deliver a climactic finish.
07:21Number 14. Jimmy Fallon as Mick Jagger.
07:24Come on, Mick. Come on. You can do this, right?
07:27When Mick Jagger stops by his dressing room, he consults his reflection for some advice.
07:32There we are, Saturday Night Live.
07:34The latter is played by Jimmy Fallon in an entertaining performance.
07:38The impression captures the general tone of the singer's voice, but really excels because
07:42of the comedian's energetic take.
07:44Yeah, what?
07:45What's pointing fingers?
07:46You know, like, I'm pointing my fingers and I'm pointing my fingers pointing at you.
07:52Yeah, that's right.
07:53Jagger even appears to crack as he plays opposite the SNL cast member.
07:57From arguments to compliments, this whole conversation captures the full range of the frontman's
08:02emotions.
08:03It's also a plus to see the actual vocalist poke fun at himself.
08:07They won't just put me in a bloody time capsule in 1969.
08:11I mean, you think you said the pointing fingers was stale?
08:14I mean, that's completely stale.
08:16Fallon flails around in a comedic scene that's both fantastical and hilarious.
08:21Pointing!
08:22Pointing!
08:23Pointing!
08:23Pointing!
08:24Pointing at you!
08:26Number 13, Gilda Radner as Patti Smith.
08:30You're Jagger!
08:31If you're out there, this is for you.
08:34Under the name Candy Slice, Gilda Radner takes aim at punk rocker Patti Smith.
08:40We've been looking for you.
08:42Everybody's dying to meet you.
08:43This funny skit introduces the fictional artist as a chaotic personality that can't be tamed,
08:49stumbling around in her entrance.
08:51Radner's interpretation takes a swipe at hard partying singers.
08:55She isn't afraid to be herself or burp in people's faces during a dedicated piece of comedic acting.
09:01The character might not be a carbon copy of Smith, but it does play up the rock star stereotypes in
09:07a hilarious performance.
09:09Take my wife and all that shtick!
09:13Make me down just to meet ya!
09:16Radner also sings her heart out in an intense song featuring all of the 1970s punk ethos she can muster.
09:23Rock me and roll me on!
09:29Till I'm sick!
09:32Number 12, Taryn Killam as Eminem.
09:36Assembling for a special single about Valentine's Day, Lil Wayne and Eminem join Weekend Update to talk about their collaboration.
09:43So there's nothing offensive in this song?
09:46I mean, tell him like this man, if there was, we'd took it out.
09:49Taryn Killam plays the latter rapper as a more pensive and non-verbal communicator.
09:56After Jay Farrow does a verse as Wayne, Killam gets ready to complete his amazing transformation into Marshall Mathers.
10:02I'd love to, hit it!
10:08Happy Valentine! You don't need to be an Einstein to see!
10:12This includes a stunning performance that includes all the vocal intensity of the Detroit MC's best bars.
10:18It's even funnier that it all comes after a huge buildup, with the cast member waiting for the perfect opportunity
10:24to strike.
10:25The performer doesn't hold back and even throws in a funny surprise at the end.
10:33Nice!
10:34No, no, no, no, no, hold on.
10:36Number 11, John Belushi as Joe Cocker.
10:39What would you do if I had to?
10:44Among his funniest impressions, John Belushi totally became Joe Cocker on Saturday Night Live.
10:50Let me your ear and I'll sing you a song.
10:55He portrayed the soul singer in a pristine vocal impersonation.
10:59There's also his amazing moves, finding a way to embody the spirit of Cocker with every step.
11:05Oh baby, I get high!
11:09Oh boy, I want to get high!
11:15The real singer actually joined Belushi for a one-of-a-kind performance in the second season.
11:21Seeing the two men on stage together, we can appreciate the comedian's work even more.
11:26The comedy legend turned these wild moments into something all his own.
11:39Combining the Woodstock performer's signature sounds and move,
11:43the cast member left a huge mark on early SNL history.
11:50Number 10. Kristen Wiig as Liza Minnelli.
11:54In a hysterical season 17 sketch entitled Liza Minnelli Tries to Turn Off a Lamp,
12:00Kristen Wiig captures all the physical flair of the famous subject.
12:04Paired with host Jonah Hill, Wiig locks into Liza Minnelli's quirky vocal tone.
12:09I just need to find the clicker or the switch that turns this whole cool cool thing down.
12:14Complimented by some serious jazz hands and body distortions.
12:20She is constantly in motion, tapping into Liza's commanding stage presence and slightly anxious
12:27demeanor. With the constant smile and physical theatrics, Wiig's characterization couldn't be
12:32more spot on.
12:34Oh, where? Here I am! I found the cord! I just have to pull it out of the wall!
12:40It's truly an astute parody that captures everything Liza.
12:45This has been Liza Minnelli Tries to Turn Off a Lamp.
12:51Number 9. Vanessa Bayer as Miley Cyrus.
12:53Hello! It's Miley, y'all!
12:56In only her second SNL episode, Vanessa Bayer unveiled her bubbly Miley Cyrus impression.
13:02Hedding up the Miley Cyrus band over here, we got my dad, Billeray Cyrus!
13:07Miley, you are an absolute sunshine!
13:09And with this parody, Vanessa's not only got the southern twang down, but also the lovable
13:15permagrin from Miley's Disney days.
13:18I don't know if y'all saw, but like, there's a study that like only 5% of French people
13:23go to the gym.
13:25So, I thought that was pretty funny because like, 5%? That's a pretty small number of people
13:30going to the gym.
13:32Of course, when Bayer later performed it when her subject hosted the show,
13:36and Miley showed up as Justin Bieber, the meta-parody became even more effective.
13:41Justin!
13:42What have you been up to lately?
13:44You know, I'm just, I'm just chilling right now.
13:47Wink.
13:47With the comedian and singer placed side by side.
13:51While vocal tone is crucial for this parody,
13:53Vanessa also nails young Miley's rambling ways,
13:56and her more innocent and exuberant persona from way back when.
14:01So, I guess that's pretty cool.
14:03Number 8.
14:04Maya Rudolph as Beyoncé.
14:06Did somebody say my name?
14:08Over the years, this parody evolved into a classic SNL bit,
14:12so much so that it made a season 39 cold open.
14:16Queen bang.
14:18Bang.
14:20Oh, baby.
14:22Bang, but bang.
14:23As the daughter of the late Minnie Riperton,
14:26Maya Rudolph was blessed with a natural singing talent.
14:29Yet, this parody is more about Beyoncé's stoic presence than anything else.
14:33With a hand on the hip and some faux wind,
14:36Maya locks into the cool and collected Beyoncé vibe.
14:39Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh, no, no, no.
14:45So, if you think I condone this invasion of privacy,
14:49then you must not know about me.
14:51You must not know about me.
14:52Which allows her to be a little silly with the vocalizations.
14:55Most of all, it's about the confidence,
14:58regardless of what's actually being said.
15:00And so, with such physical command,
15:03Maya's scripted and improvised lines take it to the next level.
15:07There's two more things we like to say as a family.
15:10One, surfboard.
15:12Four, and two.
15:17Live from the United States!
15:20Number seven,
15:22Anna Gasteyer as Céline Dion.
15:24I would like to say,
15:25Joyeux Hanukkah!
15:27Not bad, eh?
15:28Huh?
15:28After the massive success of Titanic
15:31and Céline Dion's iconic love song,
15:33My Heart Will Go On,
15:35Anna Gasteyer capitalized with a truly exaggerated parody.
15:39Near, far, wherever you are.
15:46Her performance on the Céline Dion show
15:48touches on the artist's always surprised,
15:51yet confident demeanor.
15:52My life is better than I ever imagined it would be.
15:56For sure better than yours anyway!
15:58The accent is key, of course.
16:00Oh, thank you so much.
16:02But Gasteyer succeeds by capturing Céline's phrasing,
16:06making each word and movement absolutely epic.
16:09Okay, my first guest, much like me,
16:12is also a fabulous singer.
16:14Please welcome the very beautiful Mariah Carey.
16:18It began as a timely comedic bit
16:20and evolved into a recurring sketch for the SNL veteran.
16:23All in all,
16:24it's a parody that touches on Céline's likability
16:26while highlighting her somewhat affected ways.
16:30Goodbye! Au revoir!
16:32Yeah!
16:36Wherever you are!
16:40Number 6.
16:41Kay McKinnon as Justin Bieber.
16:43But I know adventures,
16:45and I want you to come with me on the next one, girl.
16:48With a ripe-for-parody Calvin Klein ad as fodder,
16:52Kate McKinnon barely has to speak a word
16:54to crush this impression.
16:56I'm a big boy now.
16:58With the facial expressions alone speaking volumes.
17:01Of course, the fact that it's a gender-bending characterization
17:04does up the hilarity factor.
17:07This tattoo made me say,
17:09owie.
17:12With Justin's soft-spoken ways
17:14and supreme posturing,
17:16the poses mean everything for this parody.
17:18There's a rhythm to the way McKinnon mimics the pop star's move
17:21that's full of the kind of contrived masculinity
17:23and childish behavior you'd expect from a young pop star.
17:27Plus, it helps that McKinnon actually kind of looks like Bieber.
17:31Believe it, baby!
17:37Number 5.
17:39Fred Armisen as Prince
17:40I see presents being opened round the tree
17:45I see Lisa got a pair of neon skates
17:48Over the years,
17:49the famously eccentric Prince was a frequent SNL guest,
17:52and on numerous occasions,
17:54the multi-talented Fred Armisen
17:56has immersed himself in the Prince persona,
17:58communicating all the little nuances
18:00that made the artist so captivating.
18:03Prince, hello?
18:07Prince does not want to shake hands.
18:09He wants to pretend you are a mirror.
18:11There's the voice, of course,
18:13and Armisen does nail that aspect of the impression.
18:15But it's the nonverbal behavior,
18:17the eyes, the ego, the posturing,
18:20that transcends usual parodies.
18:22Chilly beloved.
18:24They're gathered here
18:25to get through this thing called my talk show.
18:27Armisen is an SNL performer
18:29that often went over the top with impressions,
18:32as evidenced by his more chaotic
18:34yet memorable parody of Radiohead's Tom York.
18:37Silent, silent, silent
18:40Holy moly, holy moly
18:43But with Prince,
18:45he keeps it tight, focused, and hilarious.
18:53Number 4.
18:54Phil Hartman as Frank Sinatra
19:00In the early 90s,
19:02old Blue Eyes was far past his prime,
19:04yet he remained a relevant figure in pop culture.
19:07And so,
19:08this Phil Hartman bit
19:09pinpoints Frank Sinatra's old school style,
19:12as he chastises numerous musicians
19:14while offering a few backhanded compliments as well.
19:17Hey, don't think the big man upstairs
19:19ain't keeping score, baby.
19:21He put you in the penthouse,
19:22he can kick you down to the gutter with these two.
19:27It's a remarkable parody
19:28for the look and vocal similarities.
19:30Plus, it captures Sinatra's no-nonsense demeanor,
19:34as evidenced by his rather blunt language.
19:38And look,
19:39I got some mooshu pork out of it.
19:42While some younger performers on the Sinatra group
19:44tap into early 90s trends,
19:46only a seasoned veteran like Hartman
19:48could truly perfect an older Sinatra impression,
19:51expanding on the original Joe Piscopo performance.
19:55That was groovy,
19:56thinking Lincoln,
19:58when you set them free.
20:02Number 3.
20:03Jimmy Fallon as Barry Gibb.
20:06Whereas some SNL parodies
20:08are more subdued and nuanced,
20:10this classic Jimmy Fallon bit
20:12hilariously overemphasizes the sounds
20:14and movements of the most famous Bee Gees,
20:17one Barry Gibb.
20:19This is my show,
20:20and it's a no-nonsense show.
20:22It's a recurring sketch,
20:23and one that benefits
20:24from Justin Timberlake's appearance.
20:26I'm your brother.
20:27I know.
20:28We both,
20:29we both grew tiny,
20:30we're tiny babies together.
20:31But it's Fallon's frenetic energy
20:34that stands out most,
20:35as this is most definitely
20:37a disco-era parody.
20:38And I want to talk to you!
20:42Like many Fallon impressions,
20:44it's loose and reminds us
20:45that it's live TV,
20:46with Jimmy pushing and pushing
20:48until someone cracks up.
20:55Pop stars often come across
20:57as pretentious and self-involved,
20:59and this parody allows Fallon
21:01to channel his inner rock star.
21:03Take a survey with your skeleton!
21:05A survey with your skeleton!
21:08Number 2.
21:09Jay Farrow as Kanye West.
21:11My genius fiancé's body
21:12is back to his size
21:14I deem acceptable, hey?
21:16During his first season on SNL,
21:18Jay Farrow produced
21:19one of the most stunning impressions,
21:21and one that would become
21:23a trademark.
21:30Given Farrow's vast array
21:32of remarkable impressions,
21:33it's no surprise
21:34that he perfectly mimics
21:36Kanye West's hyper-pomposity.
21:39No, no, it's Ray!
21:40Ray!
21:41I knew you remembered!
21:43On his own,
21:44Farrow kills it with this parody,
21:46but he really shines
21:47when paired with another performer.
21:48You at a donkey?
21:50I'm your Mercedes!
21:51Jesus, I'm so much better than you!
21:54There's a subtle reference
21:55to Yeezy's physical mannerisms,
21:57but it's mostly about
21:59the rhythmic vocalizations
22:00and knowing when to extend
22:02certain words.
22:03Of course, there are
22:04the Kanye catchphrases, too.
22:06Remind you of anyone?
22:08His name rhymes with Yeezus!
22:10And Farrow's hilarious ability
22:12to demonstrate how Yeezy
22:13can be a bit dramatic.
22:15Let's do it, band!
22:16Come, they told me!
22:22Number 1.
22:24Eddie Murphy as Stevie Wonder.
22:28It's one thing to look
22:30and sound like a parody subject,
22:32but it's another to perfect
22:34their actual singing voice.
22:40In the early 80s,
22:42Eddie Murphy transformed
22:43from an unknown teenager
22:45into a pop culture superstar.
22:47That's the worst
22:48Stevie Wonder impression
22:49I've ever seen in my life.
22:50In large part,
22:50thanks to his celebrity
22:51parody sketches.
22:53With the Stevie Wonder
22:54characterization,
22:55young Eddie holds his own
22:56on the SNL stage,
22:58showcasing a raw comedic skill set
23:00that would later help him
23:01transition into cinema.
23:12Much like he did with his
23:13also-iconic James Brown parody,
23:16Eddie combines improv,
23:17rehearsal,
23:18and natural talent
23:19to sell the bit
23:20and keep us laughing.
23:22That's the worst
23:23Stevie Wonder impression
23:23I've ever seen in my life.
23:24What's the matter with it?
23:27Did we forget
23:28one of your favorite
23:29SNL singer parodies?
23:30Let us know in the comments.
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