Before we had NPR's Tiny Desk how they shook up expectations). Instead, acts would play in an acoustic-based "stripped-down" setting, bringing a different life or set of performative ideas to songs that fans (often) knew so well.

This was not only innovative and aided by the involvement of many big-name musicians, but, in my opinion, allowed heavier rock/grunge or pop-leaning bands/artists to thrive brightest. In an era that consisted of a lot of significantly layered studio production and effects (especially in the latter '90s), MTV Unplugged allowed both performers and viewers to get right down to the heart of honest musicianship and what songs were about down in their bones. The commercial success of many of these recordings also showed how receptive listeners were to these new re-imaginings of musical material.

10 The Eagles, Hell Freezes Over Special (1994)

A Rebirth Over Internal Resentments

One of the things I've always ired about MTV Unplugged was the ability for the show to bring together major artists in its day. Take the Eagles, for instance, who appeared on the network for an acoustic reunion concert in 1994 after having been broken up since 1980. The Hell Freezes Over special (later released under a live album of the same name) was a reference to an interview Eagles drummer Don Henley gave shortly after the breakup, saying the group would play together again "when Hell freezes over."

Despite their divisiveness, the lineup of Henley, guitarist/vocalist Joe Walsh, guitarist/vocalist Glenn Frey, bassist/vocalist Timothy B. Schmit, and guitarist Don Felder runs as smoothly as silk through eleven cuts here that spotlight what the Eagles do best. The harmonies are tight, the guitar work is superb, and the hits sound as good as they ever did, elevated by the quieter instrumentation. The reimagined, Spanish flamenco take on "Hotel California" is a particular highlight to me, showing what the song could do outside its rock odyssey roots.

9 Alanis Morissette, Alanis Unplugged (1999)

Unplugging A Jagged Little Pill

One of the many great appeals I've always found present within MTV Unplugged was how it could bring out the softer side of artists and frame that beautifully front and center. Take Alanis Morissette, for instance, who recorded a 1999 Unplugged episode that'd later be released as a live album (1999's Alanis Unplugged). The Canadian singer-songwriter was best known for 1995's grunge-heavy Jagged Little Pill and the 1998 world-leaning Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie at this point, so it was fascinating to see the layers of her work pared down.

The result was a highly rewarding experience, as Morissette showed her emotional center could thrive just as evocatively with the amps turned down and the production squared to a minimum. Morissette's voice, in particular, bloomed within the cleaner intimacy of the Unplugged scenery. And the reinventions of her songs struck a chord as well, with the piano-led take on "You Oughta Know" replacing a tone of righteous anger with one of quiet, open-throated, bare-to-the-world confession. It's an arrangement that made me evaluate the radio-friendly staple song in a whole new way of shape as well as perspective.

8 Pearl Jam, MTV Unplugged (1992)

The Softer Side Of Grunge Rock

Seattle's own Pearl Jam created their signature spin on MTV Unplugged in 1992, not long after their 1991 debut LP Ten had taken its titanic place in the growing grunge scene (with Seattle leading the way). With how popular gigantic riffs, booming percussion, and mile-high vocals were at that time, it's interesting to me that Pearl Jam chose to instead take this moment to show off their softer and more melodic side, demonstrating that their charm wasn't only about being loud.

The deconstruction opportunity offered by MTV Unplugged was the perfect proving ground for this, as the arrangements on Ten songs like "Black" were still just as intense and haunting (albeit in a different fashion). Lead man and vocalist Eddie Vedder could still just as easily show off his singing prowess, while also letting his lyrics breathe more openly with added articulation. The sound layers may come down in these scenarios, but that often means the words get turned up instead. The tone of Vedder's words is especially magnetic to me here.

7 Bruce Springsteen, In Concert/MTV Plugged (1992)

A Geared Up Twist Courtesy Of The Boss

Leave it to The Boss to take the MTV Unplugged format down a uniquely different path. Recorded in 1992 and released as the In Concert/MTV Plugged record in 1993, Bruce Springsteen initially began the show with a new acoustic-based song called "Red Headed Woman." But after that, the New Jersey native took off with a full-band electric set heavily based on albums he'd recently simultaneously released back then, Lucky Town and Human Touch. With Springsteen's trademark amigos, The E Street Band, temporarily on the sidelines at the time, the arrangements here take on a different persona.

Springsteen reportedly ditched the acoustic format as he wasn't pleased with the way his hired band sounded in that space. What follows is best described as songs still having Springsteen's heart driving them, but with a soundscape heavily echoing the Lucky Town/Human Touch space he was in then. Take the reimagining of Nebraska track "Atlantic City," for instance, which moves off of the guitar/harmonica lonely folk combo and instead embraces a richer, almost country-rock Celtic-sounding vibe. It may not have been what was expected, but leave it to Springsteen to still make it work.

6 Neil Young, Unplugged (1993)

Getting It Right The Second Time Around

Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young made his first appearance on MTV Unplugged in late 1992, though the results were far from ideal. Characterized by the false starts of many songs and Young's growing dissatisfaction, the musician eventually bolted from the stage and out onto the street with the producers of the show following behind him. While Young did return for a few more tracks, he refused to have the performance released. In early 1993, Young returned to try again, with much greater success.

Between a mixture of solo cuts and acoustic backing from much of the band that helped him on his Harvest Moon album, Young moves seamlessly between the already stripped-down "Needle and the Damage Done" to songs like the unexpected ease of the normally experimental Trans track "Transformer Man." Though the greatest surprise reinvention is arguably "Like a Hurricane," which goes from its blistering acid-rock origins to a simple backing of pipe organ and harmonica. The haunting hymnal take is worth the price of listening alone, in my opinion.

5 Paul McCartney, Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) (1991)

A Beatle Goes Bare In Sound

Fresh off a major solo world tour at the time, former Beatle Paul McCartney took the opportunity to perform on the then-fledgling MTV Unplugged in 1991, becoming the first artist on the show to subsequently put out his session as an official release. This is probably the most acoustic-leaning and truly unplugged concert of the series, as McCartney and his band aren't hooked to amplifiers and have their instruments externally mic'd.

What follows is an extremely intimate affair, as songs ranging from Beatles classics, McCartney solo staples, and older cover tunes are handled with a delicate, living room sense of skill. This doesn't feel like one of the biggest musicians in the world placed high and away from his audience on a massive arena stage. No, to me, this is much more a reflection of the young man who cut his teeth playing in skiffle groups or at the Cavern Club, finding an audience. It's all about a true sense of connection here.

4 Alice In Chains, Unplugged (1996)

The Dark Depths Of Turbulence

Grunge rockers Alice in Chains recorded their own MTV Unplugged show in 1996, which laid bare most of their biggest hit songs in that trademark acoustic-led format. This was Alice in Chains' first show in two and a half years at this point, and much like their grunge brethren Pearl Jam and Nirvana before them, they used their time to open up the depth of heaviness, turbulence, and emotion buried beneath the trademark riffs fans knew so well.

Adding to the introspection was the condition of frontman Layne Staley by this time, who delivered strong vocals here but was weakened by ongoing drug issues that would eventually claim his life a few years later. His struggle was so heartbreakingly apparent, giving songs like "Down in a Hole" an almost prophetic sense of inevitable tragedy that makes it hard for me to watch/listen to decades later.

3 Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, No Quarter: Jimmy Page And Robert Plant Unledded (1994)

A Long-Awaited Rocker Reunion

If the MTV Unplugged reunion of the Eagles wasn't a big enough get for the series in 1994, bringing guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin back together in the same year was just icing on the cake. While this wasn't a true Zeppelin reunion, given drummer John Bonham's death years prior, and bassist John Paul Jones never being informed the endeavor was occurring, this was still a major event in the history of rock and roll greats.

Filmed in Morocco, Wales, and London, this set of Zeppelin tracks mixed with Middle Eastern and Moroccan-influenced songs is not only acoustic-based, but also features a Moroccan string band and Egyptian orchestra. This eclectic mixture perfectly suits the often unorthodox approach that Zeppelin had, meshing blues, rock, metal, and folk together with a world music sense of sensibility. To me, "Rain Song" is one of the most poignant songs of the set, with tremendously soothing Page acoustic solos.

2 Eric Clapton, Unplugged (1992)

Slowhand's Subtle Acoustic Brilliance

The great singer and guitarist Eric Clapton recorded his MTV Unplugged set in 1992, sparking award-winning attention and commercial sales that have easily made it the most successful MTV Unplugged album ever released. Featuring a mixture of songs from Clapton's artistic catalog as well as some older blues-related standards, Clapton showed that he could be just as captivating, poignant, and subtly articulate going acoustic as he could on the electric stage.

The rendition of "Tears in Heaven" here was particularly striking given its tragic backstory about the death of Clapton's young son, as was the rearrangement of "Layla," which gave the older song a much different life in a way that made it seem entirely new. It speaks to the power of Clapton's ability on the guitar that he could make the format of MTV Unplugged seem just as potent as any of his loud full-band work. Not to mention, the production allows the instruments on the recording to breathe separately and together in a way that's both clean and inviting.

1 Nirvana, MTV Unplugged In New York (1993)

An Unorthodox Swan Song

Nirvana's 1993 MTV Unplugged concert (later titled MTV Unplugged in New York on official release) was my first ever exposure to the format, and as such, remains my favorite of the bunch. Despite rehearsal issues and fears Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain wouldn't perform when it came time for taping, Cobain and company followed through and delivered arguably some of the most compelling highlights of their career.

Whether it was covers like David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World," their fiery take on Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," or off-beat originals like "Pennyroyal Tea" and "Something in the Way," Nirvana (much like Pearl Jam) showed they had another gear well beyond that of simply the super loud rockers. That cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" particularly showed another side to Cobain that, sadly, we never got to see more of before his untimely death. I'm still nostalgic for a Cobain solo album in this style we'll never hear.