The Worst Episodes of MTV Unplugged

#1 Worst Episode
Click to reveal
6.1/10(38 votes)
#1 - Tori Amos
S7:E66/25/1996
""MTV Unplugged,"" the acclaimed acoustic music series, will present a one-hour acoustic performance with one of today's most talented solo artists -- Tori Amos. Taped at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music in New York in April of 1996, Tori performs material off her latest release Boys For Pele, as well as work from previous albums. Song selections include: ""Blood Roses,"" ""Silent All These Years,"" ""Cornflake Girl,"" ""Caught A Light Sneeze,"" ""Icicle,"" ""Somewhere Over The Rainbow,"" ""Hey Jupiter,"" and ""Voodoo."" Amos, who plays harpsichord and piano, is accompanied on several numbers by guitarist, Steve Caton. Set List: Blood Roses Cornflake Girl Silent All These Years Icicle Caught A Light Sneeze Somewhere Over the Rainbow Hey Jupiter Voodoo Featuring: Tori Amos - vocals, piano, harpsichord Steve Caton - guitar Recorded April 11, 1996 at Brooklyn Academy of Music - Brooklyn, NY
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.4/10(51 votes)
#2 - Pearl Jam
S3:E35/13/1992
One of the hottest new bands to emerge out of music hot bed Seattle at the time of this taping, Pearl Jam was currently riding high on the success of their debut album Ten, which spawned the smash hit single "Alive." Taped at midnight at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in March of 1992, Pearl Jam band members Mike McCready (guitar), Stone Gossard (guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), Eddie Vedder (vocals) and Dave Krusen (drums) perform "Alive," "State of Love and Trust," "Black," "Jeremy," "Even Flow," and "Porch."
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.4/10(12 votes)
#3 - Annie Lennox
S3:E89/21/1992
""MTV Unplugged"" presents an episode with the soulful chanteuse Annie Lennox. The program which was taped at the Montreux Jazz Festival features hit songs from both past and present including ""Here Comes The Rain Again,"" ""Why,"" ""You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart,"" and ""Walking On Broken Glass."" Lennox is accompanied by Steve Lipson (guitar), Peter-John Vetesse (keyboards), John Giblin (bass), and Neil Conti (drums). An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Annie sounded beautiful. Everything else was a disaster. We had decided to tape this show at the opening of the Montreux Jazz Festival. The venue was a casino and the drinks were flowing freely. To make matters worse, the Swiss crowd had paid to see a concert, not a television show. What they wanted--besides for the show to proceed without the breaks needed for taping-- was the producer's head on a stick."" Set List: It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) (Written by Lennox and Dave Stewart) Little Bird/Walking on Broken Glass C
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.3/10(9 votes)
#4 - Crowded House with Tim Finn
S1:E115/13/1990
Australian rock sensation Crowded House, and solo artist Tim Finn, perform in this special edition of ""MTV Unplugged."" This program marks the first time Crowded House lead vocalist/guitarist, Neil Finn, and brother Tim Finn, have appeared together on U.S. television since the break up of their New Zealand band Split Enz in 1985. The Finn brothers are joined by Crowded House bassist Nick Seymour and drummer Paul Hester, and Crowded House producer Mitchell Froom, on keyboards. Song selections include ""Mean To Me"" from the band's debut album Crowded House, the Hunters & Collectors hit single ""Throw Your Arms Around Me,"" and ""Four Seasons In One Day,"" a new song from their upcoming album release. Also included is a rendition of ""Chocolate Cake,"" a new song from the Finn brothers soon-to-be-released collaborative work, Brothers Finn, and ""Not Even Close,"" a song from Tim Finn's current album release Tim Finn. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""During one commercial break while the en
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.6/10(12 votes)
#5 - Great White with Damn Yankees
S1:E105/6/1990
""MTV Unplugged,"" the acclaimed acoustic music series, presents an acoustic performance with Great White and Damn Yankees. Taped at the Hollywood Center Studios in Los Angeles, Great White and Damn Yankees bring down the house rock-n-roll style. Song selections include: ""Coming of Age"", ""Cat Scratch Fever"", ""Once Bitten Twice Shy"" and ""Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You"". An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""The Damn Yankees set was the first Unplugged performance that rocked. In this context, of course, rock is spelled with a capital RAAWWKK. At one point, Ted Nugent of Damn Yankees - just one of three stars in this mid-80's metal supergroup, which also included Tommy Shaw of Styx and Jack Blades from Night Ranger - let out Unplugged's first unbridled, fair-to-partly-bloodcurdling scream. Not known for being timid, the Motor City Madman actually strongly resembled Bill the Cat from 'Bloom County.' The show helped pave the way for many hard rock groups to follow."" Set List: Coming of Age
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.8/10(12 votes)
#6 - The Smithereens and Graham Parker
S1:E21/28/1990
New Jersey guitar band the Smithereens, and veteran British artist Graham Parker, are featured in this edition of ""MTV Unplugged."" Smithereens band members Jim Babjak (guitar/vocals), Dennis Diken (drums/vocals), Pat DiNizio (vocals/guitars/harmonica) and Mike Mesaros (bass/vocals) perform a medley of hits spanning their ten year career, including ""Only A Memory,"" ""A Girl Like You,"" ""Behind The Wall Of Sleep,"" and ""Blood And Roses,"" all penned by DiNizio. Parker's selections include ""Slash And Burn"" from his new album Human Touch. The Smithreens and Graham Parker team up with host Jules Shear to perform a medley which includes the old Sam Cooke song ""Cupid."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Highlights included Graham Parker singing lead on The Smithereens' 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' and The Band, Jules, and Graham all playing a Sam Cooke medley of 'Cupid' and 'Chain Gang' after rehearsing in the make-up room. It is impossible to repeat the early vibe of these shows. So simple,
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown

TRENDING NOW

The 20 BEST Episodes of MTV Unplugged

READ

6.4/10(7 votes)
#7 - Uptown Unplugged
S4:E75/31/1993
""MTV Unplugged"" presents an Uptown Records edition with R&B artists Mary J. Blige, Christopher Williams, Father MC, Heavy D And Jodeci. Mary J. Blige -- Solo artist Mary J. Blige exploded onto the music scene in 1992 with her debut album What's The 411? and hit single ""Real Love."" Heavily influenced by the soul of the 60's and 70's, Blige redefines R&B music by bringing in her own special blend of hip hop and soul. Blige performs ""Real Love"" and ""Sweet Thing."" Christopher Williams/Father MC -- New York powerhouse vocalist Christopher Williams entered the music scene in the mid-Eighties with his debut album Adventures In Paradise, and hit singles ""Talk To Myself"" and ""Promises."" Williams contributed the No. 1 gold single ""Dreamin'"" to the movie soundtrack of New Jack City, in which he also made his acting debut. Williams, who is the nephew of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, is currently riding high on the success of his sizzling debut album for Uptown, Changes. New York rapper Father MC
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.7/10(8 votes)
#8 - Korn
S18:E12/23/2007
On December 9, 2006, a band whose name is inextricably linked to growling, horror-flick-caliber rage, stood before a live orchestra and introduced a lucky crowd of 50 to something completely different. To drive their new sound home, Korn invited some special guests to accompany their orchestra (which consisted of cellos, upright bass, cimbassos, trombones, a singing saw, a glass harmonica, choir bells and a set of Japanese conga drums called taiko). Amy Lee from Evanescence joins Korn for "Freak On A Leash" and The Cure guest on a mash-up of "Make Me Mad" and "In Between Days." Nowhere else is the transformative power of 'MTV Unplugged' more apparent. Watch as California hard rockers Korn strip down and give their angry anthems a new flamenco flair, in this classic episode of 'MTV Unplugged.'
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
6.9/10(10 votes)
#9 - Midnight Oil
S4:E106/3/1993
""MTV Unplugged"" presents an acoustic performance with veteran Australian band, Midnight Oil. Known for their explosive live performances and indelible relationship between music and politics, the band gained superstar status with their 1982 hit, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 which spawned the hit singles ""U.S. Forces"" and ""Power and the Passion."" By 1986, the band had addressed many of the most important issues of the century, including the arms race, the danger of nuclear conflict, and the environment. In 1987, The Oils tackled the plight of Australian Aborigines with the release Diesel and Dust, which included the band's first international hit,""Beds Are Burning."" This was followed by the enormously successful Blue Sky Mining in 1989, and their incendiary live album, the 1992 release Scream In Blue. Midnight Oil is currently on tour with their latest album, Earth And Sun And Moon. The album's first official release, ""Truganini,"" is about a tragic historical figure, who by 1873, was t
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.0/10(11 votes)
#10 - Bon Jovi
S18:E36/22/2007
The band legendary for inspiration behind the Unplugged phenomenon is set to take center stage for a 3 night unprecedented 3 channel event. MTV, VH1 and CMT will each host a night and each edition will encompass the music of their audience. This is scheduled days after the release of their newest album Lost Highway.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.3/10(28 votes)
#11 - Hall and Oates
S1:E126/5/1990
""Blue-Eyed Soul"" duo Daryl Hall and John Oates joined the ""MTV Unplugged"" roster in mid-1990. The artists that hold the record for having the most Top 40 songs in the 1980s performed the classic #1 hits ""She's Gone"" and ""Out of Touch,"" and debuted their '90s hit ""So Close."" They were backed by such highly acclaimed musicians as Tom ""T-Bone"" Wolk and Bob Mayo. The timelessness of their songs shows why Billboard magazine deemed them the Most Successful Duo in Rock 'N' Roll History. Audience reaction to the accoustic set influenced their decision to support the ""Change of Season"" album with an all-accoustic tour later that year. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book... ""Daryl Hall was an exceptional voice, and hits like 'Out of Touch' and 'She's Gone' seemed completely reinvigorated. Hall & Oates was also one of the first groups to recognize the show's increasing significance. Although they had already completed an upcoming album, the success of their Unplugged performance inspired them
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.0/10(9 votes)
#12 - The Alarm with Nuclear Valdez
S1:E42/11/1990
Miami-based quartet Nuclear Valdez, and Welsh rockers the Alarm are featured in this edition of ""MTV Unplugged."" Alarm band members Mike Peters (vocals/guitar), Dave Sharp (guitar), and Eddie MacDonald (bass/vocals) perform ""Change,"" and ""One Step Closer To Home,"" which the band dedicates to ""all the people of Eastern Europe."" Nuclear Valdez showcase their rich Latin Heritage with renditions of ""Summer"" and the Phil Lynott song ""Don't Believe A Word."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""One of our greatest regrets is that this show did not turn out as it should have. The day before the taping, Alarm singer Mike Peters was called back to London for a family emergency. Because the show must go on, guitarist Dave Sharp-accompanied only by the group's drummer, Nigel Twist-filled in admirably. If the Alarm hadn't been such a terrific, underappreciated band, this would have merely been a show that got away."" Set List: Change [Sharp/Twist] My Land, Your Land [Sharp/Twist] One St
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.0/10(9 votes)
#13 - The Wallflowers
S8:E27/1/1997
No description available
Director:Milton Lage
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Milton Lage
Writer:Unknown
7.3/10(21 votes)
#14 - John Mellencamp
S3:E78/12/1992
""MTV Unplugged"" presents a one-hour episode with beloved American rocker John Mellencamp. The program, which was taped in Los Angeles in April of 1992, features a medley of Mellencamp hits, past and present, including ""Love And Happiness,"" ""Paper In Fire,"" ""Check It Out,"" ""Rain On The Scarecrow,"" ""Jackie Brown,"" ""Small Town,"" ""Minutes To Memories,"" ""Big Daddy,"" and ""Pink Houses,"" as well as the Bob Dylan song ""All Along The Watch Tower."" Mellencamp, who was just wrapping up a worldwide concert tour at the time of the taping, was accompanied by touring band members Mike Wanchic (guitar), Kenny Aronoff (drums), Toby Myers (bass), David Grissom (guitar), John Cascella (accordion), Lisa Germano (fiddle) and Pat Peterson and Jenny Douglas-McRae (background vocals). An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""The night before the Mellencamp Unplugged, John decided to carve 'F..K fascism' into his guitar. Because we've stated over and over that the purpose of the show is to showcase the songs a
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.0/10(7 votes)
#15 - Julieta Venegas
S19:E26/5/2008
Julieta Venegas, who won Latin Grammys and Mexiacan Grammys in the past, appears for an Unplugged session in Mexico City. Recorded on April 6th in Mexico City in front of 600 people. She was supported by Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla, Brazilian singer Marisa Monte, Spanish rapper Mala Rodríguez; and Juan Carlos Son, vocalist for the group Porter and Natalia Lafourcade.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(44 votes)
#16 - Tony Bennett
S5:E26/1/1994
Tony 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
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.2/10(8 votes)
#17 - k.d. lang
S4:E53/28/1993
""MTV Unplugged"" presents Canadian-born singer/guitarist k.d. lang for an acoustic performance at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. lang performs such hits as ""Constant Craving"" off of her Ingenue album in addition to ""Save Me,"" ""Season of Hollow Soul,"" ""Wash Me Clean,"" and more. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""I actually like the concept of Unplugged because it really cuts to the quick. I think it really establishes musicianship, which in today's scene gets obscured, and I think that MTV is doing a service to the young viewers by providing this vehicle."" Set List: Save Me The Mind of Love Still Thrives This Love Miss Chatelaine Season of Hollow Soul So it Shall Be Outside Myself Wash Me Clean Constant Craving Black Coffee (Written by Webster and Burke) Crying (Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson) So in Love (Written by Cole Porter) Barefoot Featuring: k.d. lang - vocals Ben Mink - musical director, string arrangements
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.2/10(8 votes)
#18 - Seal
S7:E46/4/1996
""MTV Unplugged,"" the acclaimed acoustic music series, presents a one-hour acoustic performance with internationally renowned solo artist Seal. Taped in April of 1996 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, Seal performs work from his two albums, both entitled Seal. Song selections include: ""Prayer for the Dying,"" ""Crazy,"" ""Kiss From A Rose,"" ""Deep Water,"" and ""Don't Cry."" Set List: Stone Free Prayer For the Dying Future Love Paradise Blues In Me Quicksand Crazy Kiss From A Rose Violet Deep Water Don't Cry Featuring: Seal - vocals Chris Bruce - guitar Reggie Hamilton - bass Earl Harvin - drums Jamie Muhoberac - keyboards with special guest Jon Hassell Recorded 4/9/96 at Brooklyn Academy of Music - Brooklyn, NY
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(26 votes)
#19 - Sting
S2:E44/10/1991
""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.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(24 votes)
#20 - Sheryl Crow
S6:E64/20/1995
""MTV Unplugged,"" the acclaimed acoustic music series, presents a performance with triple Grammy award-winning artist Sheryl Crow. The program was taped at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music in New York City in February of 1995. Crow performed material from her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, including her Grammy award-winning single ""All I Wanna Do,"" which garnered her two awards at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony for record of the year and best female pop vocal. Crow received a third Grammy for best new artist. Among the other song selections Crow performed for her ""MTV Unplugged"" performance are ""Leaving Las Vegas,"" ""Strong Enough"" and ""Run Baby Run."" An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""Sheryl's approach to Unplugged was informal and, as always, this helped make the show a very successful one. She really mixed things up, even covering 'D'yer Mak'er' by Led Zeppelin. She was also in good humor and not the least bit self-conscious. She played accordian on her latest hit,
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.4/10(12 votes)
#21 - Ratt with Vixen
S1:E1610/7/1990
Heavy duty rockers Ratt and Vixen bring the house down during this special presentation of ""MTV Unplugged."" Taped in high-definition TV at the historic Ed Sullivan Theatre in Manhattan, Vixen, who were joined by Cinderella guitarist Fred Coury, performed ""Love Is A Killer"" and ""Edge Of A Broken Heart."" Ratt, in an unusual performance, covered Fleetwood Mac's ""Oh Well"" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's ""Born On The Bayou."" ""MTV Unplugged"" with Ratt and Vixen, with high-definition imaging by Captain of America, marks the airing of a third high-definition program on the network. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged Book...""Another subtext of Unplugged is to see who's really got the goods. In many ways, the show was a reaction to the slick, lip-synching mentality of the 80's: we were fighting the good fight against the Milli Vanillis of the world. Not that either Ratt or Vixen were lip-synchers. Hardly. It's just that their brand of metal. Set List: Love Is a Killer [Vixen] Edge of a
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(21 votes)
#22 - Miley Cyrus
S25:E11/29/2014
Miley Cyrus: MTV Unplugged is set to air January 29, serving as both a lovely reminder of Cyrus’s genuine vocal talent and the fact that “4x4” is a terrible song no matter the arrangement. According to MTV, Cyrus will perform Bangerz hits like “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop,” which is kind of odd considering both “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop” are already fairly slow and pared down. Then again, literally any song would be better than “4x4,” which again, truly should not make Miley’s episode of Unplugged.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(17 votes)
#23 - The Black Crowes with Tesla
S1:E1712/2/1990
The Black Crowes, the Atlanta quintet who rocked the early 90's, perform ""Jealous Again"" and ""She Talks To Angels"" off their hard rockin' debut album Shake Your Moneymaker. Tesla, one of heartland America's most popular hard-rock bands, perform ""Love Song,"" the gold top 10 single off their second album The Great Radio Controversy, and ""Signs,"" from the band's just released acoustic album Five Man Acoustical Jam. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book....""Note to ourselves: This is the last time we will ever give a band a calling time before noon. The Black Crowes were forced to wake up at 8:00 A.M. and no one performs at their best this early in the morning. Unfortunately, the beer they swilled for breakfast didn't help their performance either."" Set List: She Talks to Angels [Black Crowes] Jealous Again [Black Crowes] You're Wrong Comin' Atcha Live/Truckin' [Tesla] (written by Tesla/Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Robert Hunter) Love Song [Tesla] Paradise [Tesl
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.6/10(99 votes)
#24 - Phil Collins
S5:E910/21/1994
No description available
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(16 votes)
#25 - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
S5:E79/29/1994
No description available
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown