The last time Adele sang on American television, she took home an Oscar for “Skyfall.” The last time Adele was on SNL, it was 2008, and she was still touring behind 19. The day after the episode aired (it was the show’s highest rated one in 14 years, largely thanks to an appearance from Sarah Palin), the album skyrocketed to the top of the iTunes charts and Adele’s career was off.
Both streaks ended last night, when the record-breaking singer debuted “Hello” and “When You Were Young” on live TV. Needless to say, both performances were impeccable. Her voice was powerful (not too long ago, there were fears she shouldn’t be able to sing with the same formidable emotion again), her presence was commanding, the audience was stunned, families were united, and Sarah Palin was nowhere to be found.
Also, everyone started crying.
https://twitter.com/EmilyScafidi/status/668416733154291713
Ken and I crying our eyes out to Adele on SNL tonight. Perfection.
— Jordan Davis (@lady_jordyn) November 22, 2015
Haha, I'm still crying from Adele's SNL performance. HAHA. I'M FINE.
— sarah spooky ghost emoji (@supersarahbeth) November 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/GorgonGumption/status/668306987172556800
Omg Adele just now on @nbcsnl was literally the greatest thing I have ever experienced. I'm crying.π #AdeleOnSNL #SNL
— Abbey (@_abbeey) November 22, 2015
@Adele isn't making me cry, I'm just casually cutting a ton of onions at 1am… #SNL @nbcsnl #crying #WhenWeWereYoung #Adele25
— linds (@Lindzy_Bowers) November 22, 2015
@Adele is so beautiful and her music is so moving and I am sobbing #SNL #NoShame ππππππ
— mβichaela -`α¦Β΄- (@michaelawaffles) November 22, 2015
No, I am NOT crying. #Adele #SNL
— Cheryl (@HoldingOn2Stars) November 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/Artizzel22/status/668306193136418816
https://twitter.com/becka_shoe/status/668306134080491521
https://twitter.com/jackiebenhayon/status/668306711216713728
3 bars in and Adele got me crying like a just-birthed baby. #SNL
— Budini πββ¬ (@Budini) November 22, 2015
A good way to add a little balance on SNL to switch it up is to have Adele on. Bit of crying to break up the laughter.
— literal witch π¦· (@StrangeDaniSky) November 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/Szulander/status/668294878934142978
https://twitter.com/jrichey123/status/668311845325811712
https://twitter.com/Aslans_Girl/status/668307462294900736
https://twitter.com/chriismolina/status/668306404550254596
https://twitter.com/gfrimmaudo/status/668305699189846016
https://twitter.com/cindy_who/status/668296453652144129
https://twitter.com/stephaniefnyc/status/668295935475245056
It was basically this, with a side of onions.
SNL has made people cry before, but usually not like this. For her next appearance, she should read the script to Grave of the Fireflies. The world might literally drown in tears.