k.d. lang - Crying 1989 

I was there that night. Sitting in the third row. I felt her voice in my chest. Remarkable!

You cannot understand why I am crying. Orbison chose her, and how amazing he was to have done so.

When an audience of music industry giants give someone mid-song applause AND standing ovation for their rendition of a classic, iconic song that was originally done by a classic, iconic performer...you KNOW you've seen a special performance.

Her vocal cords were connected directly to her heart.

Chills even now. One of the best performances ever

No one has ever sung that song better and no one ever will. Amazing.

Does it get any better? This performance is unbelievable, she made this song hers!

No matter how many times I hear her sing this song (and it has been many) I still get goosebumps and smh at the incredible sound of her voice. No booty shaking, gimmicks and she's wearing a kinda homely uncomfortable looking outfit. What she presents to her audience is her God given gift of raw talent and that's all she needs to shock n' awe.

I cried my heart out the day Roy Orbison died, my all-time favorite male vocalist and the best who ever lived ! No one but K.D. Lang will ever be capable of doing this song justice. I would give anything if K.D. did a duet with Adam Lambert, front man for the icon band QUEEN and the best male vocalist alive today. He was never accepted in the States either but has toured the world and has millions of fans. The States sure have a lot of hangups that we here in Canada don't.

If I were to ever be with a woman...she would be THE ONLY ONE. I think she is totally awesome, and very beautiful. Watching her perform takes my breath away. I believe she is unbelievably great!!!

Forever beautiful! All these years ago. Still stunning. 🥰

What a fantastic version of Roy's song brilliant ❤

One of the best voices in the modern era> She also has a sense of humor.

I saw this when it was first shown, and I remember the feeling of being blown away. KD lang has one of the great voices of all time.

Originally she went by kd Lang and the reClines. She likened herself to Patsy from the beginning. She used to sing with her band in a hotel in Calgary during the Stampede. They had a $5.oo cover charge (for charity). She wore a wedding dress, big horned rimmed glasses and hiking boots. It's always been about the voice.

I get the feeling this song was directed towards Roy himself. He will be missed forever RIP

Perfection...she nailed this

Watching KD following Roy's death in the dress she wore for his special Black and White Night looking so small on that stage and showing the world a true voice on one of the most obnoxious, overblown award shows and audiences is truly inspiring.

I still think this is her best performance of this song ever. Not sure if it was because Roy had recently passed. Is so supreme.

Absolutely stunning!!!! Roy Orbison would be very proud.

I think this is one of her best performances and one of the best I have heard of this song. Ever.

I can't tell which is more gorgeous - watching her sing or hearing her sing.

The all time ultimate rejection song. K D knocks it out of the park.

Her voice is incredible, what what grabs me is the emotional investment she has in the song. She gets inside it.

This is my favorite performance of Crying. She sang this with so much emotion. She gave me the chills. I love it!

Amazing, none better!

This was the ultimate performance of this song..

One of the best live performance I ever seen. Every time I watch this, it gives me goosebumps. Pure talent and brilliant interpretation of the song.

It can't be sung any better folks.

When she sings it comes forth from the depth of her soul with passion and energy and her intent becomes laser-like. KD Lang is an exceptional singer.

I have waited 22 years to hear and see this performance again. It was cathartic experience for me. I had never heard KD Lang before. I sat in my livingroom watching my this tribute on my 13 inch color in the company of my 5 year old daughter. I was mesmerized with the power of it. I am very grateful for a second chance to experience this again. No performance since has had quite the power perhaps because she was doing for someone she truly admired and loved. Thank you langsense!

I can't believe how hung up ya'll are on her clothes!! I had to go back and watch this again to find out what she was wearing after reading all the comments... I was too hung up in her talent!!! Her vocals are ridiculous in this song!! I found myself crying for no reason!!

I saw this on TV when it was on. I was totally mesmerized. She brought down the house. I'm glad I finally thought to RU-vid this and find it. Yes, it's about the Voice.

Of course the reason for that thunderous applause at the end, by hardcore industry types, was because at the iconic finish to 'Crying' Lang not only hits and attenuates "over" and then doesn't take a breath into the finishing "you"... which very, very few pop singer can/could have produced, certainly with that clarity and emotive punch ... and they certainly know a "talent singularity" when they hear one...

Only KD Lang can do Roy songs justice, frankly. I love how they both respected each other so much!!!!

No words! 😮😢💓💓💓

I don't believe I've ever seen a more incredible performance. Impossible to not hit replay.

greetings from Canada .K D Lang we are so proud of you

She reaches deep into her gut to express the pain and anguish we all feel at the angst and loss of true love. This is a memorable performance.

It doesn't get any better than this! Love k.d. lang!

ardent fan. 86 yrs. old i saw her recently and she was marvelous. came home to watch this video(so glad it's on here) and she has the most perfect voice. emotion and delivery is flawlwess. have to go back and listen to again and again---

Outstanding performance. Such a beautiful and powerful voice

Now this is how you cover a classic song as this one.. what a incredible way to pay respect to a idol like Roy .. beautifully presented

I've always marveled at Roy Orbison's fabulous voice but even Roy must rise to his feet wherever he is and tip his hat to best rendition of "Crying" that's ever been rendered.

There is no doubting the emotion she conveys, Wonderful rendition.

I had heard this song many times before, by Roy Orbison, by Don McLean, but not until kd sang it did I actually cry. She amazes me!

And that folks was the first time I realized that K.D. Lang could REALLY sing!!!! The arrangement is not so good but those were early days with the song. I can't believe she was still in the closet here because she looks like a dude in drag. She is still beautiful, and I love her and the joy her music has given me. THX

I saw this program when it aired originally in 1989. It presented a lot of wonderful talent before a pretty jaded audience of industry people, but only 3 performers--all women---got standing ovations that night. People were simply blown away by K.D.'s performance, and I think even she was surprised by the reaction. The other 2 to get a standing ovation were Patti Labelle and Liza Minelli (doing New York, New York, of course). I still have the tape and treasure it. Thanks for sharing this!

I love when she gives that smile at the end of her songs. Yeah, you know the one...the grin where you can almost see a dimple. That's when "we know" that "she knows" she nailed it. Yeah k.d. She's the best!

Remember seeing this on tv at the time, so soon after the loss of Roy. It was a beautiful moment in my life and I'm glad to find it here. Thank you so much!

When I come to watch this amazing perfomance... I always get goosebumps. Really well singing and passion in it.

That’s big stuff! Not many have the nerve nor the talent to pull this one off. Roy Orbison’s voice may very well have been the best ever and Miss Lang nailed it!! Grande Props young lady.

WOW @ K.D. . . . Roy Knew What He Was Doing When He Picked You!!! HE WOULD BE SO PROUD!!! I Cried BUT, one of those Good Crying!!!

Stunning version. All the love, respect and admiration she had for Roy Orbison is clearly nuanced in this incredible emotional tribute. God Bless you KD and you too Mr Orbison. We love you James Molloy89

What a beautiful voice.You can bring me to tears.

I can't listen enough to this performance! Still speechless after all these years.

the Gracious Kathy Dawn making it look effortless.....as per usual......wot a treasure !!!!!! LUCKY CANADA - TREASURE HER !!!

If ever a previous song was written for a voice, this was it. 💖🎶

Oh god, got tears in my eyes. K.D. should be as well known as Adele. Amazing.

Awesome . I'm an Orbison fan from way back but kd absolutely nails this .

What a great tribute to the one and only - Roy Orbison.

Made me cry....losing someone we love has to be the hardest thing in the world to work through. K. D. Lang sums it up....I loved the version she did with Roy Orbison just as much I think....but she's got that emotion thing going on. WOW

I'm speechless, all I can say is PERFECTION !!!!!!

no matter what she sings, it's always incredible. she gives me goosebumps!!!

I'm speechless. Thank God this was caught on film.

this is the best version of this most beautiful interpretation of this song on tape, concert videos anywhere. and i have a bunch of kd versions of this.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful k.d. Lang. I'll never forget seeing her in Ann Arbor when she was touring for the newly released, "Constant Craving." May all beings benefit from the merit you have created! Much love and respect to you, my sister in the dharma.

Respond to this video... all these comments regarding her choice of clothes, who cares? what about commenting on her pipes, she has a voice like no other and she gives me shivers when i hear her sing this song!

I saw this when it aired on t.v. and K.D. 's voice just blew me away. I still get goose bumps whenever I listen to her sing. Definetly one of my favorites. Her voice reminds me so much of Patsy Cline. Just absolutely beautiful. Thanks for uploading this.

Roy hit 95% of the essence of the emotion of what he was trying to convey in that song. KD took it to 99%

I so well remember watching this. I wasn't very familiar with kd; she floored me with this, and, of course, left me Crying. Her "Hallelujah" at the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony did the same.

As always and forever -- thank you kd!

I always love you ❤ for all this years still listening to all your songs KD LANG 😍

I never thought I'd find this video again. THANK YOU.

amazing version. have loved this for decades!

It's pretty incredible isn't it. There aren't many people in the entire world who can sing like that.

a legend before she was even in her 30's... she still singe like this today... incredibly awesome, superb, love her technique of cresecendos... very dymanic

One of the great performances!

tears of both joy and sorrow and goosebumps from head to foot. She is amazing.

I choke up and cry every time I hear her sing. She is beautiful and her voice, truly a gift of God.

Leap Year Day 2016 - saw her do this live and I was in awe. Don't understand why this performance has millions of hits which it deserves - Truly Amazing Performance!

This was an Unforgettable Performance. Beautiful. Alive. BRAVO. I remember seeing this televised that night. I had recorded it on a vhs tape. Thank goodness some recordings still exist. GREAT performance, K. D. Lang!

She's gorgeous and looks great in a classic black dress and tights! She looks like Brent Spiner and Robert Pattinson. She sings every single one of her songs perfectly. She's never sung a bad song in her life! Her voice has been the same over the years.

SHE SINGS WITH HEART AND SOLE BRAVO

Absolutely one of THE MOST spectacular voices of all time. I could listen to her sing this or any other song over and over and over. I think I have heard this one 30 or 40 times and still get chills.

with Orbisons angelistic voice and kd's emotion, they compliment each perfectly. Miss Roy. He was Evis before Elvis.

Goose bumps from head to toe.

One of the most expressive modern vocalists I've ever heard. Stunning.

OH MY GOD!!

You can't listen to KD and not know God exists. Such a voice, such a gift, can only come from the creator himself!

Best performance ever!

I was there when she sang at Radio City in the NYC.

Awesome as always, would love to see her in concert someday. Such feeling, voice range and control. Thanks for posting this. I know Roy Orbison is smiling

So much passion I get goosebumps

What a pleasure to listen to her voice!

KD’s voice is pure magic! ❤❤

Just brilliant!

I heard this performance when I was 14. It has stuck with me since. Thanks for posting!

This is her best version....☺

thumbs up for me.. awesome voice..