- 9.3/10(2.1k votes)
#1 - Nirvana
S4:E13Seattle sensation Nirvana taped a performance for ""MTV Unplugged"" in New York City in November of 1993. Band members Kurt Cobain (lead vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass) and Dave Grohl (drums) performed an acoustic set featuring songs from the band's latest release In Utero, as well as material from earlier releases. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Of all the emotions and images that linger from this broadcast, a few stand out. The most striking is a picture that will be forever etched in the collective memory of Unplugged. During the band's closing cover of Leadbelly's 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night,' Kurt was hushed, almost whispering, before he finally unleashed the full power of his voice. The entire evening had seemed to build to this moment, and when it came, Kurt sighed, almost to catch his breath, before he let out every last ounce of energy in one scream. Everything else stopped. Along with Michael Stipe's performance on R.E.M.'s 'Fall on Me,' it was one of the
0 CommentsView all - 8.8/10(18 votes)
#2 - Roxette
S4:E1Roxette was the first non English speaking band, that was invited to play at MTV Unplugged. They recorded their show in Sweden early in 1993. They played at the Stockholm Circus. Set list: 01. The Look 02. Queen Of Rain 03. Hotblooded 04. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You) 05. It Must Have Been Love 06. Fingertips 07. Heart Of Gold 08. Church Of Your Heart 09. Listen To Your Heart 10. Here Comes The Weekend 11. Joyride 12. So You Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star 13. Watercolours In The Rain [Originally Unaired] 14.
0 CommentsView all - 8.6/10(61 votes)
#3 - Neil Young
S4:E3MTV devotes an episode of its acoustic music series, "MTV Unplugged," to one of rock's most innovative and eclectic artists, Neil Young. The special captures Neil Young live in concert, equipped with acoustic guitar and harmonica stand, and supported by longtime partners Frank (Pancho) Sampedro on keyboards, and Ben Keith on also sax. Young's performance includes a medley from his Freedom album, the 1970 title track "After The Goldrush," and the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young classic, "Ohio," about the Kent State University killings.
0 CommentsView all - 8.6/10(45 votes)
#4 - The Cranberries
S6:E4Since their 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, the Irish quartet, the Cranberries, have been captivating audiences with their unique sound. The band is comprised of frontwoman/lyricist Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, and drummer Feargal Lawler. For their debut performance on ""MTV Unplugged,"" The Cranberries performed material off their debut album and latest release No Need To Argue. Song selections included ""Dreaming My Dreams,"" ""Ode To My Family,"" ""Linger,"" Empty"" and ""Zombie."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""The strength of The Cranberries is firmly rooted in the power of Dolores O'Riordan's voice. It is an instrument that can be beautiful and whisper-soft at one moment and then suddenly have the piercing power of a bagpipe. Unplugged was therefore an excellent setting for the band and a very special opportunity to hear a voice with so much range in an intimate setting. A string section comprised of violins and guita
0 CommentsView all - 8.6/10(32 votes)
#5 - Alanis Morissette
S10:E3Alanis Morissette didn't have any material to release at the end of 2001 so she accepted an offer of MTV to do this unplugged session. She immediately released the CD of this concert right before Christmas, so this album was very successful. Set List: 01. You Learn 02. Joining You 03. No Pressure Over Cappuccino 04. That i would be good 05. Head Over Feet 06. Princes Familiar 07. I was Hoping 08. Ironic 09. These R The Thoughts 10. King Of Pain 11. You Oughta Know 12.
0 CommentsView all - 8.6/10(267 votes)
#6 - The Corrs
S10:E4The famous Irish band The Corrs play for MTV Unplugged at the Ardmore Studios Co. Wicklow in Ireland in 1999. They were supported by the Irish Film Orchestra. Recorded 10/8/1999 at the Ardmore Studios Co. Wicklow, Ireland
0 CommentsView all - 8.3/10(101 votes)
#7 - Björk
S5:E10The extrovert singer and songwriter from Iceland performs at MTV Unplugged in 1994. This session is peformed in NYC. Set list: 01. Human Behaviour 02. One Day 03. Come To Me 04. Big Time Sensuality 05. Aeroplane 06. Like Someone In Love 07. Crying 08. The Anchor Song 09. Violently Happy
0 CommentsView all - 8.3/10(12 votes)
#8 - Bob Dylan
S5:E11Recorded over two nights at New York's Sony Studios on November 17-18, 1994 before a small live audience, Dylan and an early incarnation of the Never Ending Tour Band thrilled the crowd with a mix of classic hits, contemporary tracks, and rarities. Except for two or three songs, the bulk of these performances were brand new arrangements, with Dylan tossing up the rhythms, melodies, and lyrics. For instance the ska-like version of “Desolation Row,” while “Love Minus Zero/No Limit” comes off like a quiet lullaby. Tracklist: 1. "Tombstone Blues" / 2. "Shooting Star" / 3. "All Along the Watchtower" / 4. "The Times They Are a-Changin'" / 5. "John Brown" / 6. "Desolation Row" / 7. "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" / 8. "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" / 9. "Dignity / 10. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" / 11. "Like a Rolling Stone" / 12. "With God on Our Side"
0 CommentsView all - 8.2/10(46 votes)
#9 - Paul McCartney
S2:E3""MTV Unplugged,"" the critically acclaimed acoustic music series, world premiered a one hour performance with the legendary Paul McCartney on Wednesday, April 3, 1991. The performance was simulcast via the Global Satellite Network. Taped on January 25, 1991 at the Limehouse Studios in London, McCartney, accompanied by Paul ""Wix"" Wickens on keyboards, Blair Cunningham on drums, Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Hamish Stuart on bass and Linda McCartney on keyboards, gets acoustic in front of an intimate studio audience. Song selections include such classic hits as ""We Can Work It Out,"" ""Blackbird,"" ""She's A Woman,"" ""Here There And Everywhere,"" ""I've Just Seen A Face,"" and two blues songs that inspired McCartney early in his career, ""Blue Moon Of Kentucky"" and ""Be-Bop-A-Lula."" McCartney also gives a rare performance of ""I Lost My Little Girl,"" the first song he ever wrote at the age of 14. The Beatles -- then called the Quarry Men -- performed the song until 1960 but never recorded it. An excerp
0 CommentsView all - 8.2/10(14 votes)
#10 - Duran Duran
S4:E12Duran Duran Recorded 11/17/93 at Sony Music Studios - New York City Duran, Duran, the premiere band of the video generation, make an appearance on ""MTV Unplugged."" Taped in New York City in November of 1993, band memers Simon Le Bon (lead vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), John Taylor (bass) and Warren Cuccurullo (guitar) perform selections off their ninth album, simply titled Duran Duran. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""The band was extremely excited about the details of this show. If anyone doubts this, consider the orange set and the gold angels. The group had asked for the two heavenly creatures, but the request turned out to be almost impossible to fulfill. Finally, after we had all but given up on the concept, a studio worker announced that he'd just been across the street to a new space, designed as a party venue. 'They've got a couple of angels over there,' he said, 'but they're pretty nice. I don't think they'd rent them. Besides, they're white.' Minutes later we we
0 CommentsView all - 8.0/10(31 votes)
#11 - The Cure
S2:E1In its first European recording of ""MTV Unplugged,"" the highly-acclaimed acoustic music series, MTV presents an acoustic performance of one of Britain's premier alternative rock bands: The Cure. ""MTV Unplugged"" with The Cure world premiered March 3, 1991. Shot in a small, intimate studio in London, band members Robert Smith (vocals/guitar), Porl Thompson (guitar), Simon Gallup (bass), Boris Williams (drums) and Perry Bamonte (keyboard) perform acoustic renditions of hit songs past and present. Song selections include ""Let's Go To Bed,"" ""Just Like Heaven,"" ""Caterpillar,"" ""The Blood,"" ""Boys Don't Cry"" and ""The Walk."" This marks the first episode of the series to be simulcast on the Westwood One Radio Networks. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""With their gloom-rock vibe and singer Robert Smith's terminally black eyes and wardrobe, The Cure would seem to be the band least likely to embrace the fun side of Unplugged. Perhaps for this very reason, this show was one of Unplugged's mo
0 CommentsView all - 8.0/10(11 votes)
#12 - Winger with Slaughter
S2:E2MTV presents an edition of ""MTV Unplugged,"" the acoustic music series, with hard rockers Slaughter and Winger. The program was taped in New York City on March 5, 1991 in an intimate studio setting. Winger band members Kip Winger (vocals/bass), Reb Beach (guitar/vocals), Paul Taylor (guitar/piano) and Rod Morgenstern (drummer) perform acoustic renditions of ""Headed For A Heartbreak,"" ""Loosin' Up,"" and ""Can't Get Enough."" Slaughter band members Mark Slaughter (vocals), Dana Strum (bass), Blas Elias (drummer) and Tim Kelly (lead guitar) get acoustic with their hit ""Fly To The Angels,"" which they dedicate to the soldiers who died in the Gulf, and the Beatles' song ""Revolution."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Winger and Slaughter were the last in a string of metal bands that decided to use the Unplugged venue to explore their sensitive sides. In what was fast becoming a tradition, they followed in the footsteps of Ratt, Vixen, and Poison by turning off the amps and bringing on th
0 CommentsView all - 8.0/10(48 votes)
#13 - R.E.M. (1)
S2:E5R.E.M., the band touted by Rolling Stone Magazine as ""America's Best Rock and Roll Band,"" spent several hours in New York's Chelsea Studios on April 10, 1991 to tape a one hour acoustic performance for ""MTV Unplugged."" Original bands members Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar/keyboards), Mike Mills (bass) and Bill Berry (drums), along with Peter Holsapple (guitar/accordion), perform a memorable acoustic medley of hits past and present. Song selections include ""Fall On Me"" (which Stipe tells the studio audience is his personal favorite), ""The End Of The World As We Know It,"" ""Losing My Religion"" and many more. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book... ""'This may well be my favorite song in the R.E.M. catalogue.' With those words from Michael Stipe, the band offered up a heart-wrenching version of 'Fall on Me' that produced one of Unplugged's most transcendent moments. As he delivered the lines 'Buy the sky/and sell the sky/and bleed the sky/and tell the sky/don't fall on me,' St
0 CommentsView all - 8.0/10(63 votes)
#14 - Stone Temple Pilots
S5:E1Stone Temple Pilots, the hard rock sensation based south of Los Angeles, taped a performance for MTV Unplugged in New York City in November of 1993. Band members Weiland (vocals), Robert DeLeo (bass), Dean DeLeo (guitars) and Eric Kretz (drums) perform a rockin' acoustic set featuring tracks off their debut album Core. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...'Easily our most surreal set....'They had these stools, which is such a typical thing,' says Weiland. 'Everyone always brings out stools to do their acoustic thing. I said, 'Man, I ain't gonna sit on a stool. It's not my gig. It's stupid. Bring us some chairs to sit in. How about a rocking chair?' Set List: 1. "Crackerman" / 2. "Creep" / 3. "Andy Warhol" (written by David Bowie) / 4. "Plush" / 5. "Big Empty" / 6. "Sin" / 7. "Wicked Garden" / 8. "Sex Type Thing"
0 CommentsView all - 8.0/10(28 votes)
#15 - Hole
S6:E3Hole is comprised of frontwoman/guitarist Courtney Love, guitarist Eric Erlandson, bassist Melissa auf der Maur and drummer Patty Schemel. Hole's second LP Live Through This, was one of the most critically acclaimed releases of 1994. For their debut performance on ""MTV Unplugged,"" Hole's set list includes ""Miss World,"" ""Drown Soda,"" ""He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss),"" ""Doll Parts,"" and ""Softer, Softest."" ""MTV Unplugged"" with Hole was taped at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music in New York City in February of 1995. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Offstage, however, preparation was smoother than anyone could have hoped. During rehearsals, Courtney and Madonna (who originally tried to enlist Hole for her record label, Maverick) met for the first time. Not to mention the added dimension of having Drew Barrymore (who dates Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson) and her friend Patricia Arquette in the studio for the taping. It was the most Hollywood presence we'd had since Al Pacino."" Set Li
0 CommentsView all - 7.9/10(14 votes)
#16 - Soul Asylum
S4:E9One of the hottest rock 'n' roll bands on today's music scene, Minneapolis natives Soul Asylum make their memorable debut on ""MTV Unplugged"" in June. The band, who began writing and performing together in the early '80s, entered the studio for the first time in 1983 to record their debut EP, Say What You Will. In 1986, they went on to release their critically acclaimed full-length debut album, Made To Be Broken. Non-stop touring over the years has brought them national attention, and prompted the Village Voice to call them the ""Best Live Band In America."" The band's latest album, Grave Dancers Union, has brought Soul Asylum out on the road again for a U.S. club tour and a trip to Europe. Their ""Unplugged"" song selections include ""Runaway Train,"" ""Black Gold,"" ""Somebody To Shove,"" ""Without A Trace,"" and ""Get On Out."" One of the program highlights is the band's performance of ""To Sir With Love"" accompanied by British pop star Lulu. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book... ""Still, despit
0 CommentsView all - 7.9/10(16 votes)
#17 - Live
S6:E5Live is a four man band comprised of Ed Kowalczyk on vocals, guitarist Chad Taylor, drummer Chad Gracey and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer. Their debut release Mental Jewelry spawned the hit single ""Operation Spirit."" This was followed two years later with their second and latest album Throwing Copper. Live has toured the U.S. extensively and performed in Europe and Brazil. They also performed at Woodstock '94. For their debut performance on ""MTV Unplugged,"" Live performed ""Operation Spirit,"" ""Selling The Drama,"" ""All Over You,"" ""Beauty Of Grey,"" ""I Alone,"" ""Supernatural,"" ""Lightning Crashes,"" ""White Discussion,"" and ""TBD."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Like the Pearl Jam show, at the time of this booking, Live was still considered to be a risk. Musically, the night confirmed our belief that this band was going to be huge. Possibly a coincidence, but about a week after the show aired, Live went to No. 1. The show's success kept the MTV switchboards buzzing with continual questi
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(16 votes)
#20 - Michelle Shocked with Indigo Girls
S1:E7""MTV Unplugged"" presents Atlanta-based singers/songwriters/guitarists Amy Ray And Emily Saliers -- collectively known as the Indigo Girls -- and solo artist Michelle Shocked. Shocked performs ""Jamboree Queen,"" ""On The Greener Side,"" and ""The Water Is Wide."" The Indigo Girls perform ""World Falls,"" and ""Closer To Fine,"" from their self-titled LP. Shocked joins host Jules Shear to revive the Jimmy Rodgers song ""T For Texas."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""These two artists embody what we were attempting to accomplish with the early shows: guitar, voice, song. Nothing more, nothing less. During this adolescent stage of Unplugged, Jules used to warm up the crowd with an old Jimmie Rodgers song, 'T for Texas.' For this program, he actually broke it out for the camera. At one point during the song - a duet with Michelle Shocked - Jules sang a note for 18 seconds (You try it). Everyone - Michelle included - stared dumbfounded. Finally, Michelle was so flabbergasted that she broke in
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(46 votes)
#21 - Crosby, Stills & Nash
S1:E15In a special edition of ""MTV Unplugged,"" Crosby, Stills and Nash perform a collection of classic hits. Taped in high-definition TV at the historic Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City, the soaring vocals of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash will transport you back in time with such songs as ""Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,"" ""Daylight Again,"" ""Southern Cross,"" ""Wasted On The Way,"" and more. ""MTV Unplugged"" with Crosby, Stills and Nash, with high definition imaging by Captain of America, marks the second airing of a high definition program on the network. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Our first taping at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Such history. Such nostalgia. Such a dump. Unfortunately for us, David Letterman and CBS hadn't yet started in on their renovation, which included ridding the famed venue of its horrible rat problem. Still, all the dressing rooms had their original mirrors, and just being on that stage evoked an incredible feeling of tradition."" Set List: Wasted o
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(14 votes)
#22 - The Allman Brothers Band
S1:E18Touted as one of the most influential and successful American rock groups of the 1970s, The Allman Brothers Band recently regrouped and turned out their first new album in nine years: Seven Turns. In this special edition of ""MTV Unplugged,"" original band members Gregg Allman on keyboards, Dickey Betts on guitar, and drummers Butch Truck and Jaimoe, are joined by new members, guitarist Warren Haynes, bassist Allen Woody, and Johnny Neel on keyboards and blues harp. Song selections performed include: ""Midnight Rider,"" Gregg Allman's '74 solo hit and ""Low Down Dirty Mean"" and ""Seven Turns"" off the band's new release Seven Turns. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book....""Working on this show was not for the faint of heart. By 10:00 A.M. every band member was chain-smoking. It turns out you don't get to be an Allman Brother by belonging to the excercycle set."" Set List: Seven Turns Midnight Rider Low Down Dirty Mean Melissa C'mon in My Kitchen (written by Robert Johnson) Feat
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(22 votes)
#23 - Sting
S2:E4""MTV Unplugged"" presents a 45-minute acoustic performance with British rock superstar Sting. Taped in New York in March of 1991 in an intimate studio setting, Sting, accompanied by Dominic Miller (guitar), David Sanctious (grand piano), Vinny Caliutta (drums) and Vinx (talking drums/backing vocals), performs an acoustic medley spanning his years with The Police through his solo career. Song selections include ""All This Time"" and ""Mad About You"" from his new album release The Soul Cages, and Police classics ""Tea In The Sahara,"" ""Walkin' On The Moon,"" ""Message In A Bottle,"" and ""Every Breath You Take."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Everything about this outing was effortless. Not only was it one of the best shows we've accomplished musically. It also achieved near-perfection in every other aspect: lighting, set design, direction, audio. Maybe it was because it was Sting and Trudie's wedding anniversary, but everyone seemed to be incredibly upbeat and focused on a common goal.
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(12 votes)
#24 - Yo! Unplugged Rap
S2:E6""MTV Unplugged,"" the highly acclaimed acoustic music series, brings rap back to its roots in the first ever acoustic rap show to air on television. The special features performances by superstar L.L. Cool J along with MC Lyte, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest and a five piece back-up band, Pop's Cool Love. Taped at New York City's Chelsea Studios on April 10, 1991 without a turntable in sight, the special kicks off with individual performances by A Tribe Called Quest (""Can I Kick It?""), MC Lyte (""Cappucino""), and De La Soul (""Ring Ring Ring""). The highlight of the show is an electrifying performance by master rapper L.L. Cool J who brings the house to its feet with renditions of the hit singles ""Jinglin' Baby"" and ""Mama Said Knock You Out."" All acts are backed for the first time ever by a full band, spearheaded by Elektra's new funk-a-delic act, Pop's Cool Love. Pop's Cool Love has previously worked with such diverse acts as Fishbone, David Bowie and Living Colour. An excerpt from
0 CommentsView all - 7.8/10(43 votes)
#25 - Tony Bennett
S5:E2Tony Bennett, the legendary pop stylist, taped a performance for ""MTV Unplugged"" in April 1994. The perennial favorite sang hits from what he called the ""Great American Song Book."" In front of an intimate audience, Bennett performed such songs as ""It Had To Be You,"" ""The Girl I Love,"" ""Steppin' Out"" and ""I Left My Heart in San Francisco."" Bennett was joined by singer k.d. Lang for ""Moon Glow,"" and by singer Elvis Costello for ""They Can't Take That Away From Me."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book....""While the Tony Bennett Unplugged seems to have come out of left field, there were warning signs. Tony had appeared on ""Letterman,"" ""The Simpsons,"" and even ""The Video Music Awards"" (with the Red Hot Chili Peppers) in an effort to bring his music to a younger audience. The clincher, though, was his appearance on ""Conan O'Brien."" When Conan asked Tony to what he attributed his newfound hip status, Tony simply replied, 'Hey, I've been unplugged all my life.'"" Set List: Old Devil Moon (w
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Documentary
The Best Episodes of MTV Unplugged
Every episode of MTV Unplugged ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of MTV Unplugged!

Documentary
The Best Episodes of MTV Unplugged
Every episode of MTV Unplugged ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of MTV Unplugged!
MTV's acclaimed music series showcases today's top artists and rising stars in the industry performing acoustic versions of their songs.
Seasons34
Best Episodes Summary
"Nirvana" is the best rated episode of "MTV Unplugged". It scored 9.3/10 based on 2064 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/14/1993. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Roxette".