"It can't be any worse than Adele's Grammys clanger..." you might be thinking to yourself. Well, don't be so sure.
Chris Martin has copped criticism online following a warbly "tribute" to late pop star George Michael at today's Brit Awards.
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Chris Martin 'murders' George Michael song
George Michael fans savage Coldplay's Chris Martin for his off-key rendition of the late singer's solo hit A Different Corner at the Brit Awards.
The Coldplay frontman – performing a dramatic string-laden rendition of the late singer's 1986 solo hit A Different Corner – clearly struggled to echo Michael's renowned vocal chops, straining awkwardly at out-of-reach notes.
The mismatch was made all the more obvious by the decision to make the performance a "duet" of sorts, with Martin singing alongside a video projection of Michael performing the song live in concert.
![Coldplay's Chris Martin performs at the Brits.](/web/20170223162040im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/j/6/v/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guj6eh.png/1487860660277.jpg)
Although it received a standing ovation in the room, the judgment online was swift with hundreds of commentators calling out Martin's performance.
"What a way to remember George Michael... Get Chris Martin to murder one of his songs," one commentator wrote.
"Fair play to Chris Martin: not many stars would stand up at Brits 2017 and agree to be totally out-sung by a dead man," added another.
#BRITs2017 hello police I'd like to report a murder. Yeah Chris Martin just killed a classic.
— Nick (@nickdthomas) February 22, 2017
Brilliant what a way to remember George Michael.Get Chris Martin to murder one of his songs. #brits2017 #GeorgeMichael
— Andrew Morris (@Andrew_Morris13) February 22, 2017
Fair play to Chris Martin: not many stars would stand up at #Brits2017 & agree to be totally out sung by a dead man #turnadifferentcorner
— Ally H-L (@allyhl) February 22, 2017
#BRITs2017 in revenge for that when Chris Martin dies the Brits will get Jedward to sing Fix You
— Matt Cat (@djmattcat) February 22, 2017
This tribute is just going to prove that nobody can sing a George Michael song except George Michael, isn't it? #BRITs
— Gemma Cartwright (@GemmaCartwright) February 22, 2017
![Chris Martin's "duet" with George Michael was savaged by viewers.](/web/20170223162040im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/j/6/r/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guj6eh.png/1487860660277.jpg)
Before Martin's miscue, the tribute had started emotionally enough.
Michael's former Wham bandmates Andrew Ridgeley and backup singers Shirlie Holliman and Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque fondly recalled their salad days with the star, spent in bedrooms listening to their '80s heroes Haircut 100, Aztec Camera and The Human League.
"We were two boys who shared a love of life-affirming music and a sense that we understood it," Ridgeley said.
"His is a legacy of unquestionable brilliance which will resonate years to come. I loved him and in turn, we, you, have been loved," he added, fighting back tears.
Watch Chris Martin perform A Different Corner at the #BRITs as a tribute to George Michael https://t.co/kMlNpX8qji pic.twitter.com/yVscJN4xMj
— Coldplaying (@coldplaying) February 22, 2017
But somewhere, Michael must be impishly sabotaging his own morbid tributes from afar.
Last week, singer Adele flubbed her own live tribute to the pop star at the Grammys, awkwardly interrupting a sombre version of his slinky sex jam Fastlove to demand a restart.
"I'm sorry for swearing and I'm sorry for starting again," she said after a trademark expletive. "I can't mess this up for him."
Despite the mistake, the emotion won over viewers, with even TV star Ellen tweeting, "You get every do-over you ever need."