Justin Bieber was back in Studio 8H on Saturday, October 17 for the second time this year and fourth overall. Rehearsals started in New York the week of the broadcast in the COVID compliant studio.
Two Songs
Bieber showcased a pair of his recent singles. The first was his collaboration with Chance the Rapper on “Holy.” But in their fifth collaboration since 2013, Chance’s rap insert takes a back seat to Bieber’s really terrific song – hooky melody and inspiring lyrics. “Holy” is a pop song with elements of gospel.
SNL Set Converted to a Dilapidated Church
A neon cross set the tone for a impressive SNL performance. Then the set converted into a moody dilapidated church with the neon symbol as the backdrop. Based on the video, “Holy” lyrics reference the depth of the union between two people who are going through hard times together. Bieber sings, ‘Running to the altar like a track star / Can’t wait another second / ‘Cause the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me / Feels so holy.’
An emotional Bieber bent to his knees for a dramatic song closing. Chance smiled then embraced the star as the show cut to commercial. Fans had an emotional response the performance. They took to Twitter to express their praise.
The song’s music video debuted September 18th of this year. It is the first single from Bieber’s sixth studio album, which is scheduled for release later this year.
“Lonely” Debut Stuns Audience
The second song of the night was “Lonely,” his new release with producer/writer Benny Blanco. It too, was impactful and heart-wrenching. The number began in the back stage green room in front of a mirror. As he sang, the camera followed Bieber walking backstage through the halls of Studio H8. From backstage he walked into the center stage spotlight in front of the studio audience as they gave him thunderous applause.
The After Party in NYC
After the performance Justin and his wife partied with the Saturday Night Live cast and crew. Chance The Rapper and his wife Kirsten Corley joined the bash.
Chance Compares Upcoming Bieber Album to Jackson’s Off The Wall
Last month Bieber and Chance did a remote live stream about Bieber’s upcoming album. The rapper described the album as “fire” comparing it to the late legend Michael Jackson’s fifth studio album, Off The Wall.
“I would say, I’m gonna, this is no crap at all and I said this to you in Chicago, it’s some of the best music I’ve ever heard, period,” Chance said. “It reminds me of when Michael Jackson made Off the Wall… I promise you it is literally groundbreaking music. Stuff that’s, like, it’s just hard to explain and I don’t want to give away, like, the genres and all that stuff… But, like, I’m just excited that everybody’s gonna get to hear that.”
Live stream Bieber and Chance – https://youtu.be/dMTzZ1ZuWs4
Justin Bieber & Chance The Rapper- Holy (no SNL) pic.twitter.com/wtNysqWUi6
Just“Lonely” #BieberOnSNLpic.twitter.com/GmJNQ7bIXo
