10 Best Grammy Performances, 2000-2012

After a throat surgery that threatened her career and sidelined her for the better half of what should have been a victorious, tour-heavy 2011, Adele’s made her triumphant return on music’s biggest stage. To make sure the audience knew she was A-OK, she sang the fist few bars of her smash single “Rolling in the Deep” a cappella. Fans everywhere let out a collective sigh of relief.

The 48th Grammys started off as no other Grammys had before -- with an opening band that wasn't even three-dimensional. Animated act Gorillaz took to the stage to perform the Record of the Year-nominated "Feel Good Inc.," joined briefly by the real De La Soul and a hologram of Madonna. But when the real Madge appeared onstage moments later to perform her 2005 hit "Hung Up," with its sexy dancing and ABBA samples, the Grammy crowd truly let loose.

Radiohead may have shunned the music industry in 2007 when it delivered "In Rainbows" straight to fans using a pay-what-you-want online download, but the band proved it could still play to the Academy (literally) at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Joined by the USC Marching Band, Thom Yorke and co. performed a rendition of "15 Step" that was so rousing, even the frontman shared some of his twitchy dance moves. Eat your heart out, Fleetwood Mac.

When Kanye West released "Stronger" as a single in 2007, it seemed written in the stars that the rapper and Daft Punk, who is sampled on the tune, would join forces and perform together. At 2008's 50th Grammys, that's exactly what happened. Note to the Black Eyed Peas: THIS is how you do a light show!

Lady Gaga's performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards was classic not only for its over-the-top theatrics, but for Elton John's appearance on "Speechless" and the duo's duet on Elton's classic "Your Song." The best part? The conjoined mega-piano Gaga and Elton played on, not to mention the pair's matching rhinestone glasses.