In the aftermath of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured, the late night TV hosts forwent their usual political potshots and satire in favor of a much more somber tone on Monday night. On NBC, The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon opened his program with an unexpectedly moving performance by none other than Miley Cyrus and Adam Sandler. Fallon said now more than ever, it is vital for Americans to come together and remember that good still exists in the world.
“This morning we woke up to the news of another senseless shooting, this time in Las Vegas,” Fallon began. “In the face of tragedies and acts of terror, we need to remember that good still exists in this world. We are here to entertain you tonight, and that’s what we are going to do.”
He then welcomed Cyrus, accompanied by Sandler on the guitar, to perform a powerful rendition of Dido’s song “No Freedom,” which includes the poignant refrain: “There’s no love without freedom. And freedom without love.”
Watch the performance below:
A far cry from her MTV Video Music Awards twerking days, Cyrus’ understated yet emotional delivery managed to strike just the right tone in the wake of a tragedy in which very little seems to make sense. She and Sandler shared an embrace at the end of the song, as she left the audience with a simple message.
“Peace, everybody,” she concluded.