7 best musical shorts of all time performed at Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live cast ( Image via Instagram / @nbcsnl )
Saturday Night Live cast ( Image via Instagram / @nbcsnl )

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has always been renowned for its traditional sketches, but its musical bits also add a lot to the series' legacy. With the sketches blending humor, satire, and music, SNL has made iconic musical shorts that have been able to catch hearts of viewers over the years.

These drawings have ranged from witty send-ups to special appearances by giant stars and are a required element of the show's appeal. The musical sketches on SNL have evolved over subsequent generations of stars, with every new generation injecting more imagination.

Most have been not just the stuff of legend for the entertainment they have created but are actually viral and stand as cultural references.


Such 7 best musical shorts of all time performed at Saturday Night Live are listed below.

1. "Blizzard Man" Starring Ludacris (Season 35, Episode 6)

In this musical sketch, rapper Ludacris collaborates with the cast of SNL to produce a parody based on a superhero character called Blizzard Man. The song features Ludacris's tight rap abilities and playfully mines the superhero theme. The combination of Ludacris's rap and the excessive premise made "Blizzard Man" a highlight of the 2009 season.

Release and Streaming Information: Released on streaming sites like Hulu, the sketch was an instant hit after its appearance on SNL and has continued to be a top digital short.


2. "I’m on a Boat" Featuring T-Pain (Season 34, Episode 13)

One of the most iconic digital shorts from The Lonely Island, "I’m on a Boat," features the group along with T-Pain. The song parodies the excessive lifestyles often seen in hip-hop music videos, set to the backdrop of a boat party. The absurdity and catchy chorus made it an instant viral hit.

Release and Streaming Details: The clip spread as a hit on YouTube, becoming one of the first SNL viral sensations. It is located on platforms like Hulu in SNL's digital shorts archive.


3. "Lazy Sunday" Featuring Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg (Season 32, Episode 9)

"Lazy Sunday" was the breathtaking sketch that came before SNL's transition to web content. Featuring Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell, the rap humorously documents a leisurely Sunday in New York City, one of the most famous works of show history.

Release and Streaming Details: The video was an online hit on YouTube shortly after release, and it's now included in the SNL series on the streaming platform Hulu.


4. "D**k in a Box" Featuring Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg (Season 32, Episode 10)

Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake were the stars of this sketch, a spoof of R&B ballads about love. The song is about a ridiculous present—"a d**k in a box"—and was a cultural phenomenon. The catchy melody, along with Timberlake's willingness to go along with the absurdity, made it a performance that will never be forgotten.

Release and Streaming Details: "D**k in a Box" was widely distributed on YouTube and can still be accessed via Hulu, where it is a standard of SNL's digital shorts.


5. "The Chronicles of Narnia Rap" (Season 31, Episode 15)

This short by The Lonely Island takes a comedic look at the fantastical world of Narnia. The rap cleverly parodies the themes of the Narnia series, mixing humor with a catchy beat. Though less viral than "Lazy Sunday" or "I’m on a Boat," it remains a fan favorite for its creativity.

Release and Streaming Information: "The Chronicles of Narnia Rap" is available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu, part of the SNL digital shorts collection.


6. "Jizz in My Pants" (Season 34, Episode 10)

The Lonely Island's second success, "Jizz in My Pants," is a sped-up song about unavoidable excitement. The absurd premise and infectious chorus of the sketch instantly made it a classic and solidified the group's place in SNL history.

Release and Streaming Details: The short was a viral sensation when posted to YouTube and also is part of the SNL archive on Hulu.


7. "What's Up With That?" with Jason Sudeikis (Season 35, Episode 6)

This regular music sketch features Jason Sudeikis as the host of a talk show that is constantly interrupted by Kenan Thompson and a hip, funky band. The R&B/comedy song, which included absurd interruptions and the impeccable timing of Sudeikis, was a highlight of the episode.

Release and Streaming Information: "What's Up With That?" is a cult favorite on Hulu among die-hard SNL fans.


These seven musical skits are an eclectic collection of comedic genius and ingenuity on SNL. From parodic raps to musical spoofs, these have influenced the music of the show, giving its fans moments they still enjoy years later across the streaming universe.

As SNL continues to morph, these pieces remain lasting embodiments of the program's inherent art of merging comedy and music with ease. For additional information on these performances, you can check out the SNL library provided on streaming services such as Hulu.

Edited by Ishita Banerjee
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