12 Songs from NPR’s Best Tiny Desk Concerts
It takes a special kind of artist to sound as good in a simple, live performance as they do on a recording, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series is a celebration of just that! For this new sheet music collection, we’re featuring some of the great performances from that series.
Tiny Desk concerts feature so many talented and versatile musicians in an unconventional way. You get to see and hear from your favorite artists as well as discover new ones from genres you may not normally listen to! The concert series really allows recording artists to show off their strength as live performers to a different kind of audience.
Just like the series, our collection brings you all types of music (like alt-rock, country-folk, R&B, Gospel, and more) from all types of musicians (including Grammy winners and indie artists)!
You can find the full “Songs from NPR’s Best Tiny Desk Concerts” collection here, or you can take a look at the individual titles below:
- “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
- “I Smile” by Kirk Franklin
- “Blue Lights” by Jorja Smith
- “Underdog” by Alicia Keys
- “What You Don’t Do” by Lianne La Havas
- “Japanese Denim” by Daniel Caesar
- “Ode To My Family” by The Cranberries
- “Cherry Wine” by Hozier
- “River” by Leon Bridges
- “More of You” by Chris Stapleton
- “Playing Games” by Summer Walker
- “Location” by Khalid
Now it’s time to actually watch these NPR Tiny Desk Concerts! ⬇️
1. “Home” – Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
Right from the start of the video, we can get hear the music in a new way!
2. “I Smile” – Kirk Franklin
Due to the pandemic, NPR took the Tiny Desk Concert Series and created “Home” editions. Here’s one of those concerts; enjoy this special performance from Kirk Franklin!
3. “Blue Lights” – Jorja Smith
Up next, watch this wonderful concert from singer-songwriter Jorja Smith!
4. “Underdog” – Alicia Keys
Released in 2020, “Underdog” has a powerful message that resonates with anyone who listens to it. This remains espeically true during the live performance Alicia Keys gave on NPR!
5. “What You Don’t Do” – Lianne La Havas
The set list for Lianna La Havas’ concert includes three incredible songs: “What You Don’t Do,” “Unstoppable,” and “Forget.”
6. “Japanese Denim” by Daniel Caesar
Now it’s time for Daniel Caesar and his band! The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter put together a beautiful setlist for viewers to enjoy.
7. “Ode To My Family” – The Cranberries
The Cranberries have been around since 1989, but their music is still beloved decades later! This was filmed back in 2012, before Dolores O’Riordan unfortunately passed away in 2018.
8. “Cherry Wine” – Hozier
Only 24 years old at the time of filming this, it can be surprising to hear just how rich and powerful Hozier’s voice is!
9. “River” – Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges sang four of his phenomenal songs for this concert: “Coming Home,” “Smooth Sailin’,” “Twistin’ & Groovin’,” and “River’!
10. “More Of You” – Chris Stapleton
Singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton is here to bring some country to our collection!
11. “Playing Games” – Summer Walker
From watching and listening to her performance, you would never know that Summer Walker was dealing with social anxiety during the concert!
12. “Location” – Khalid
Last, but definitely not least, we’ve got a memorable Tiny Desk concert from singer-songwriter Khalid!