On Wednesday, Madonna took to the streets of Paris to perform an emotional and impromptu street set with the help of her 10-year-old son David and guitarist Monte Pittman. Quickly surrounded by a gathering of wide-eyed fans, the pop star belted renditions of her own tracks, "Ghosttown" and "Like A Prayer" as well as an appropriate cover of John Lennon's peace anthem "Imagine."
A total of 90 people were killed on November 13 during the terrorist attacks at an Eagles of Death Metal concert and after refusing to halt her European Rebel Heart Tour, the "La Isla Bonita" singer set out to honor all affected during the tragedy by busking in Place de la République public square. The acoustic mini-set offered her latest Rebel Heart tune "Ghosttown," her famed 1989 title track, "Like A Prayer" and Lennon's 1971 inspirational track, "Imagine," garnering a group-wide singalong.
Shot by fan Jules Mahe, the "Imagine" cover video captures Madonna's performance as she's accompanied by cheers and backing vocals from those around her. At times the multiple sing-a-longs got off beat and even Madonna herself messed up during the third verse of "Like A Prayer" and jumbled the beginning lyrics to the Beatle's legendary track.
"Everybody knows why we're here," Madonna said to the Paris crowd, according to The Guardian. "We just want to sing a few songs about peace, just to spread love and joy, and to pay our honor and respect to the people who died almost four weeks ago. And to spread light ... we all need it."
Although many musicians cancelled and postponed their European concert dates, Madonna wouldn't put her tour on hold. The very next day, the iconic pop diva delivered an emotional and candid speech during a Sweden gig. "It's been really hard actually to get through the show, because in many ways, I feel torn," she said as Rolling Stone reports. "Like, why am I up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones? However, that is exactly what these people want us to do. They want to shut us up. They want to silence us. And we won't let them."
