Get ready for full body chills hearing Adele and Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker’s emotional duet on Lady A’s “Need You Now”, and just wait ‘til you see Lady A’s reaction from the front row!

At CMT’s 2010 Artist of the Year event, Adele teamed with Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker to perform “Need You Now.” The song belonged to country trio Lady A, which was recognized at the ceremony as one of that year’s five honored acts.

The pairing reshaped Lady A’s hit rather than presenting it as a straightforward imitation. Rucker contributed the distinctive soulful quality associated with his delivery while remaining suited to the song’s words. Adele brought a different dimension through the vulnerability of her interpretation, helping make the duet memorable.

Lady A’s members were present to see the two singers take on their breakout song. Footage of the performance showed the trio watching with apparent awe as Adele and Rucker delivered their version on the CMT stage, making Lady A’s response one of the clip’s notable elements.

Online viewers also singled out the collaboration for praise. One response drew a distinction between routine cover versions and what Adele and Rucker had produced. Another commenter, already familiar with Adele’s voice, expressed new admiration for Rucker’s singing and characterized the two performers as an ideal combination.

Watch the full performance on page two