The 25 Most Memorable Musical Acts to Appear on The Bachelor Franchise

It's kind of nuts to think about, but The Bachelor franchise has been dishing out drama for 16 years now. Since its 2002 inception, we've seen over 35 seasons filled with smooches (some better than others), a lot of crazy shenanigans, and of course, many proposals, loving relationships, and inevitable heartbreaks. Over the years, we've also been gifted music via live performances from both big and small names, including Train, the Backstreet Boys, and Robin Thicke. After much research, we put together an entire list, from those early seasons to current, of musicians who have made an appearance on the franchise.

01
The Bachelorette, Season 3: Vanessa Williams
Getty | Walter McBride

The Bachelorette, Season 3: Vanessa Williams

Let's rewind to 2005, when Jennifer Schefft reigned as the third Bachelorette in the franchise. While on a one-on-one date with Fabrice Le Parc, Vanessa Williams performed a private concert at NYC's Cotton Club.

02
The Bachelor, Season 13: Robin Thicke
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The Bachelor, Season 13: Robin Thicke

Back in 2009, Robin Thicke performed for then-Bachelor Jason Mesnick, who took Jillian Harris to see the artist perform in an empty venue. A mere four years later, his "Blurred Lines" single released in 2013, which shot him straight to the top. He's since worked with huge names in the industry, including Nicki Minaj, Mary J. Blige, and Christina Aguilera.

03
The Bachelor, Season 14: Chicago
Getty | Jeff Golden

The Bachelor, Season 14: Chicago

While we're used to seeing "up and coming" artists and relatively unknown bands on the show, The Bachelor got lucky when Chicago performed during Jake Pavelka's season. He and Ali Fedotowsky danced happily in a field while the famous rock band performed. Fun fact: Chicago has earned 23 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multiplatinum albums.

04
The Bachelorette, Season 6: Barenaked Ladies
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The Bachelorette, Season 6: Barenaked Ladies

The men of Ali Fedotowsky's season of The Bachelorette were lucky enough to hear a live performance of Barenaked Ladies, who'd made a name for themselves in the industry way before then with songs like "One Week" and "If I Had $1,000,000."

05
The Bachelor, Season 15: Train
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The Bachelor, Season 15: Train

While on a one-on-one with Jackie Gordon, Brad Womack treated his date to a private concert with Train in what has to be one of the best music-related dates ever!

06
The Bachelorette, Season 7: Colbie Caillat
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The Bachelorette, Season 7: Colbie Caillat

Colbie Caillat, who rose to fame in the late 2000s, performed her hit "Brighter Than the Sun" on Ashley Hebert's season. Prior to the solo concert, Ryan "Mickey" McLean and J.P. had to flip a coin to see who'd win the date. Mickey won the date, but J.P. Rosenbaum won her heart.

07
The Bachelor, Season 16: Matt Nathanson
Getty | C Flanigan

The Bachelor, Season 16: Matt Nathanson

On Ben Flajnik's season, Lindzi Cox (the eventual runner-up to Courtney Robertson) was treated to a private concert with musician Matt Nathanson, an American singer-songwriter who combines folk and rock. He's still traveling the country performing.

08
The Bachelor, Season 16: Clay Walker
Getty | Scott Dudelson

The Bachelor, Season 16: Clay Walker

Country music star Clay Walker performed for Ben Flajnik and his date Jennifer Fritsch in Park City, UT.

09
The Bachelorette, Season 8: Dolly Parton
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The Bachelorette, Season 8: Dolly Parton

Is there a more fitting musical match in the franchise than when Dolly Parton performed on Emily Maynard's season? The famous country singer was one of the Bachelorette's biggest idols. Parton performed a song that she wrote for Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Maynard on episode three while they were in Dollywood.

10
The Bachelor, Season 17: Sarah Darling
Getty | Sara Kauss

The Bachelor, Season 17: Sarah Darling

Sean Lowe took Lindsay Yenter (who ended up being his runner up to now-wife Catherine Giudici, by the way) to see country music singer Sarah Darling perform from her debut album. Though she hasn't reached mega-celebrity status since, the artist has made a career for herself and performs all over the world.

11
The Bachelorette, Season 9: Soulja Boy
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The Bachelorette, Season 9: Soulja Boy

In the second episode of Desiree Hartsock's season, she and a group of men made a very, very awkward rap video with Soulja Boy at the mansion. It is as cringey and amazing as it sounds, so go watch it.

12
The Bachelorette, Season 9, Episode 3: Kate Earl
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The Bachelorette, Season 9, Episode 3: Kate Earl

Later in Hartsock's season, Alaskan singer-songwriter Kate Earl performed "One Woman Army" in a private concert for her and Chris Siegfried after he won the group date rose on episode three.

13
The Bachelor, Season 17: Ben Taylor
Getty | Jason Merritt

The Bachelor, Season 17: Ben Taylor

If Ben Taylor's name isn't familiar to you, perhaps his Grammy award-winning dad, James Taylor, will ring a bell. In any case, just after Sean Lowe called it with quits with Lesley Murphy on their one-on-one, the musician performed a solo concert for just Lowe. Awkward, but amazing.

14
The Bachelorette, Season 10: Boyz II Men
Getty | David Becker

The Bachelorette, Season 10: Boyz II Men

Yep, late '90s fave Boyz II Men totally made an appearance on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette. She took 12 guys to perform with her and the group in Santa Barbara, CA.

15
The Bachelorette, Season 10: American Young
Getty | Jason Davis

The Bachelorette, Season 10: American Young

Later in Andi's season, she and Josh Murray enjoyed a private performance by American country music duo American Young while in Belgium.

16
The Bachelor, Season 18: Josh Krajcik
Getty | Todd Oren

The Bachelor, Season 18: Josh Krajcik

Not familiar with singer-songwriter Josh Krajcik? You must have missed his X Factor season. The musician made an appearance on Juan Pablo's season of The Bachelor while he and Claire were cozying up together (read: aggressively petting and making out) in a Malibu hot tub.

17
The Bachelor, Season 18: 2NE1
Getty | TPG

The Bachelor, Season 18: 2NE1

Smack dab in the middle of the K-pop frenzy, Korean girl band 2NE1 showed up for a group date on episode four of Juan Pablo's season while the cast were in Seoul. The women learned choreography to one of their songs and performed as backup dancers that night.

18
The Bachelorette, Season 11: The Cranberries
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The Bachelorette, Season 11: The Cranberries

The Cranberries performed their hit "Linger" on Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of The Bachelorette while she was with Nick Viall on a one-on-one in Ireland. This is the famous episode where she takes him back to her room and they end up having s-e-x.

19
The Bachelor, Season 19: Big & Rich
Getty | Gabe Ginsberg

The Bachelor, Season 19: Big & Rich

While on a group date in Deadwood, SD, on Chris Soules's season, a group date involved hanging out with country duo Big & Rich. You probably know them from a few of their major hits, which include "Save a Horse" and "Lost in the Moment." It was a very fitting performance for this country-themed season of The Bachelor.

20
The Bachelor, Season 20: Amos Lee
Getty | Erika Goldring

The Bachelor, Season 20: Amos Lee

The second episode of Ben Higgins's season included an appearance from singer-songwriter Amos Lee, who's probably most famous for his song "Sweet Pea." The performance took place on a one-on-one with Caila Quinn, who was giddy over both the concert and Higgins.

21
The Bachelorette, Season 13: Russell Dickerson
Getty | Michael Hickey

The Bachelorette, Season 13: Russell Dickerson

The franchise clearly loves a good country music performance, and Russell Dickerson delivered on Rachel Lindsay's season. Fun fact: beginning July 2018, he'll be traveling with Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker for a USA and Canada tour.

22
The Bachelor, Season 21: The Backstreet Boys
Getty | Mike Coppola

The Bachelor, Season 21: The Backstreet Boys

Who could forget that time when The Backstreet Boys made a serious comeback and showed up to hang out with Nick Viall's ladies on episode three?

23
The Bachelor, Season 21: LOLO
Getty | Mike Lawrie

The Bachelor, Season 21: LOLO

Also on Nick Viall's season, he and runner-up Rachel Lindsay drop by a venue in New Orleans's French Quarter where LOLO is performing. Fun fact: the artist is a self-admitted superfan of the show.

24

The Bachelor, Season 22: Connor Duermit

There wasn't any glitter-throwing involved at the private concert put on by Connor Duermit for Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Krystal Nielson in the second episode of the season, but we have to admit there was a little chemistry between the two. As for Duermit, it's clear he's an up-and-coming star and we're excited to see where the wind takes him.

25
The Bachelorette, Season 14: Lil Jon
ABC

The Bachelorette, Season 14: Lil Jon

Perhaps one of the greatest The Bachelorette musical moments of all time was when Lil Jon deejayed for Becca Kufrin and Blake Horstmann while they smashed Arie-related objects. How cathartic!

26
The Bachelorette, Season 14: The Baha Men
ABC

The Bachelorette, Season 14: The Baha Men

You may know the Baha Men from their 2000 hit "Who Let the Dogs Out." They welcomed Becca Kufrin and her six finalists to the Bahamas on the recent season.