At the 2017 American Music Awards (AMAs), celebrities came together to celebrate music as a way to ease our troubles during turbulent times. As Jamie Foxx reminded viewers at the start of the show, “This year more than perhaps any other in recent history, we needed the power of music to help us escape the news of the day. We needed the power of music to help us heal, from hurricanes, wildfires, hate, hatred filled violence. 2017 was a year that tested our faith — in these moments of crisis, heroes emerged.â€
In keeping with that theme, vocal powerhouses Kelly Clarkson and Pink opened the show with a their first-ever performance together, singing a moving version of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.”
The song began with Pink singing alone; she was then joined by Kelly. The song’s lyrics have perhaps never been so poignant as they are right now. In a year full of division, these words remind us that we’re not alone, we all grieve together as one nation, and we need to “hold on” in the face of darkness and tragedies.
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it’s time to sing along
When your day is night alone (hold on)
(Hold on) if you feel like letting go (hold on)
If you think you’ve had too much
Of this life
Well, hang on‘Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don’t throw your hand
Oh, no
Don’t throw your hand
If you feel like you’re alone
No, no, no, you’re not alone
At the end of their moving tribute, the two musical superstars embraced in a warm hug that audiences could feel all the way through their TV screens.
The duet was meet with a resounding standing ovation from the crowd in attendance, and there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the house!
