'American Horror Story' Season 4: Jessica Lange's Best Musical Performances, From 'Name Game' To 'Life On Mars' [VIDEO]
Jessica Lange certainly has some memorable musical performances from her stint on FX's American Horror Story, but which one is ultimately the best?
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While some may not have been fans of the frequency of musical numbers on American Horror Story: Freak Show, Lange certainly gave it her all through each one. In the process, she created some of the more memorable scenes of the seasons. Lange only sang four times in the entirety of her run on American Horror Story, but she was undoubtedly a star throughout. Here is a ranking of her four performances:
4. Heroes by David Bowie
American Horror Story: Freak Show, episode 13, Curtain Call
Lange's performance of Heroes proved to be an epic one as her character Elsa Mars belted it out while trying to invoke the ghost of Edward Mordrake (Wes Bentley). Despite the grandiose feeling of her performance, it may have been a little too similar to her performance of Bowie's other song Life on Mars during the premiere, while not particularly standing out, comparatively.
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3. Gods and Monsters by Lana Del Rey
American Horror Story: Freak Show, episode 3, Edward Mordrake, Pt. 1
Covering a modern-day song while making it seem remarkably timely for the '50s, Lange's performance of Gods and Monsters was powerful. Ultimately seducing Edward Mordrake, Lange sang as if she had been doing it all her life. However, it was not a moment as much as the two songs that rank about Gods and Monsters.
2. The Name Game by Shirley Ellis
American Horror Story: Asylum, episode 10, The Name Game
Lange's performance of The Name Game in Asylum was memorable not just for its catchiness but because it provided a much-needed moment of levity for the dark season. With Lange's Sister Jude gradually losing her mind, this fun yet sadly hallucinogenic scene was one of the most distinctive of Asylum and the entire horror anthology.
1. Life on Mars? by David Bowie
American Horror Story: Freak Show, episode 1, Monsters Among Us
Perfectly highlighting everything that makes Lange a star, this performance in the Freak Show premiere is her crowning achievement as Elsa Mars. It is not perfectly sung, but her fragile yet powerful vocals in this scene tell you all you need to know about this complex woman in just three minutes. Epic and grand, Life on Mars is some of Lange's best work on the show and the final moments, in which she looks around realizing that no one is clapping for her, she is heartbreaking and real.
Lange has certainly left her mark on American Horror Story and fans will miss her powerful presence now that she has left the show. It remains to be seen if she will return for an encore in season 5.
American Horror Story season 5 premieres in October on FX, though the network has not yet announced a specific premiere date.
