By Iris Goldsztajn
6:51pm PST, Feb 9, 2026
—
Booking the era's biggest artists to perform at presidential inauguration events has been a decades-long tradition. From
Ella Fitzgerald to
Lady Gaga, we take a look back at some of the most memorable performances from inaugurations past.
Keep reading to find out more…
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Carrie Underwood for Donald Trump (2025)
Carrie Underwood received a ton of
backlash for agreeing to sing "America the Beautiful" at
Donald Trump's second inauguration. The lineup — which also included
Jason Aldean and
Billy Ray Cyrus — was
described as "Nashville-heavy." This is hardly surprising given country music's association with conservative politics, especially
since the '70s.
Jason Aldean for Donald Trump (2025)
Jason Aldean isn't shy about his views — particularly his support of
Donald Trump — so it's no surprise he accepted the invitation to perform during his inauguration.
Lady Gaga for Joe Biden (2021)
Joe Biden assembled quite the epic lineup for his 2021 inauguration event — including
Lady Gaga.
Garth Brooks for Joe Biden (2021)
Country singers are typically thought of as leaning conservative, but Garth Brooks agreed to perform at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021. "This is a great day in our household," he said before the ex-president was sworn in. "This is not a political statement. This is a statement of unity."
Toby Keith for Donald Trump (2017)
For Donald Trump's 2017 inauguration, organizers struggled to find performers. According to
Entertainment Weekly, the following musicians publicly declined to appear:
Elton John,
Céline Dion,
KISS,
Garth Brooks,
Moby,
Idina Menzel,
Andrea Bocelli and even
Kanye West. In the words of a
Guardian headline at the time, "
Toby Keith [ended] Trump's struggle to find inauguration headliner."
Beyoncé for Barack Obama (2013 and 2009)
Beyoncé is no stranger to inauguration performances, having first performed with Destiny's Child for
George W. Bush's 2001 inauguration. She went on to perform as a solo artist for both of
Barack Obama's inaugurations. The "Texas Hold 'Em" singer is closely aligned with the Democratic Party, having
spoken at a rally for
Kamala Harris in 2024.
Kelly Clarkson for Barack Obama (2013)
Vocal powerhouse
Kelly Clarkson performed at Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013,
singing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
Alicia Keys for Barack Obama (2013)
Alicia Keys was on the lineup for Barack Obama's 2013 inauguration ball, changing the lyrics to her song "Girl on Fire" to "Obama's on fire."
Bruce Springsteen for Barack Obama (2013 and 2009)
Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama are such good pals that they literally
have a podcast together, so it should come as no surprise that The Boss performed at both of the former president's inaugurations.
Brad Paisley for Barack Obama (2013)
Brad Paisley performed at the inaugural ball for Barack Obama in 2013. The more significant moment, however, occurred a few months after Obama's first inauguration, when Paisley
performed the rousing song "Welcome to the Future" in July 2009 for the White House Music Series, which celebrated the country's first Black president.
Usher for Barack Obama (2013 and 2009)
It seems many musicians loved performing for Barack Obama at his
2009 inauguration so much that they came back for another round
in 2013. That was the case for
Usher, who said a big fat "Yeah!" to both invitations.
Mary J. Blige for Barack Obama (2009)
Mary J. Blige performed at Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, later
describing the moment simply as "wow."
Shakira for Barack Obama (2009)
As part of the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in 2009,
Shakira performed "Higher Ground" with
Usher and
Stevie Wonder.
Hilary Duff for George W. Bush (2005)
Starting with Obama's election and even more so with Trump's, accepting to sing at an inauguration took on a deeply political tinge. Before that, however, it was seen more as a civic duty or as an honor regardless of political affiliation. It's in that spirit that
Hilary Duff, who is
more closely aligned with Democratic values, sang "Come Clean" at George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration — a historical event which TikTok
has branded "so slay" and "so girly pop."
Destiny's Child for George W. Bush (2001)
George W. Bush's 2001 election started a long career of inauguration performances for
Beyoncé Knowles — whose band Destiny's Child was on the lineup that year.
Ricky Martin for George W. Bush (2001)
There was some controversy about
Ricky Martin performing "Cup of Life" at George W. Bush's 2001 inauguration, with the song's writer, fellow Puerto Rican
Robi Draco Rosa saying at the time, "This is a very partisan act. This is a president who would have people in his Cabinet who would obstruct the exercise of civil rights, human rights, consumer rights, the right to choose, the right to be free of gun violence, and the right to a clean environment. This is a betrayal of everything that every Puerto Rican should stand for," per
ABC News.
Stevie Wonder for Bill Clinton (1997)
Stevie Wonder performed at Barack Obama's inauguration and at Bill Clinton's in 1997. At that time, he performed "We Are The World" alongside fellow megastars Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett and Dionne Warwick.
Aretha Franklin for Bill Clinton (1997 and 1993)
Aretha Franklin
sang "I Dreamed a Dream" at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, and returned for a second performance in 1997. She also
performed at Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration.
James Taylor for Bill Clinton (1997)
Legendary singer-songwriter
James Taylor performed at Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration alongside Aretha Franklin. Taylor returned to D.C. for both of Barack Obama's inaugurations,
in 2009 and
2013.
Fleetwood Mac for Bill Clinton (1993)
Fleetwood Mac
performed "Don't Stop" at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, which the president
had used as his campaign song.
Barbra Streisand for Bill Clinton (1993)
Barbra Streisand performed "God Bless America" at Bill Clinton's 1993 Inaugural Gala.
Michael Jackson for Bill Clinton (1993)
Michael Jackson performed two songs at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala in 1993, dedicating the first — "Gone Too Soon" — to a friend who died from AIDS. Jackson took the opportunity to ask Clinton to work toward eliminating the disease.
Frank Sinatra for Ronald Reagan (1981)
Frank Sinatra was involved in many inaugurations in his time, including producing
John F. Kennedy's inauguration gala in 1961. Twenty years later, Sinatra
returned to Washington to perform at
Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Ball alongside
Dean Martin.
Ray Charles for Ronald Reagan (1981)
Ray Charles performed at inaugurations across party lines,
performing both for Republican Ronald Reagan
in 1981 and for Democrat Bill Clinton in 1997.
Aretha Franklin for Jimmy Carter (1977)
Aretha Franklin was one of the most seasoned presidential inauguration performers there was —
returning to the Capitol to celebrate Democrat presidents
Jimmy Carter in 1977, Bill Clinton
in 1993 and Barack Obama
in 2009.
James Brown for Richard Nixon (1969)
James Brown performed at
Richard Nixon's Inaugural Gala in 1969 and endorsed his presidential run in 1972, which
angered many of the singer's fans. Brown went on to take back his support during the Watergate scandal.
Ella Fitzgerald for John F. Kennedy (1961)
The jazz legend
Ella Fitzgerald sang at
John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Gala, alongside other timeless artists like Frank Sinatra and
Gene Kelly.
Nat King Cole for John F. Kennedy (1961)
Beloved jazz musician
Nat King Cole performed in celebration of JFK's inauguration in 1961. Footage from this historical concert was not aired on television until 2017, per
Vogue.
