Miley Cyrus Performs “The Climb” in an Emotional Tribute to the Victims of the Las Vegas Shooting

In the wake of Sunday’s tragic shooting in Las Vegas, Miley Cyrus just wants everybody to give peace a chance. She shared the message on Monday’s episode of The Tonight Show with two powerful musical performances: a moving rendition of her 2009 hit “The Climb” and a duet of Dido’s “No Freedom” alongside Adam Sandler.

The “Malibu” singer’s grown-up version of “The Climb,” which was featured prominently in Hannah Montana: The Movie, was her first public performance of the song in several years, although she did sing it a cappella during an Instagram livestream on Friday, the day her new album, Younger Now, was released. Cyrus wore a strapless, floor-length cream-colored gown and pulled her curly hair over one shoulder as she belted out the song, which includes lyrics like, “The struggles I’m facing / The chances I’m taking / Sometimes might knock me down / But no, I’m not breaking.”

“In honor of the lives lost , injured and affected by the tragic shooting in Vegas, @fallontonight & I dedicated this show to not only mourning this horrific event but using this platform to encourage unity , peace & hopefulness! So we started this week off with a song I haven’t performed in years … #TheClimb . These words mean more now to me than ever … ‘ Keep The Faith’ ….. Sending love to ALL! Enjoy the show tonight & #MileyWeek …. hope we can make you smile even thru so much pain,” Cyrus captioned an Instagram photo of her performing the song.

Monday’s show, the first of five “Miley Week” episodes in honor of Cyrus’ new album, began with Cyrus and Sandler’s countrified version of “No Freedom,” which featured the uncharacteristically serious comedian on guitar and backup vocals. “This morning, we woke up to the news of another senseless shooting, this time in Las Vegas,” host Jimmy Fallon said to introduce the performance. “In the face of tragedies and acts of terror, we need to remember that good still exists in this world. We’re here to entertain you tonight, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Afterward, in an interview with Fallon, Cyrus explained why she chose to cover Dido’s 2013 song. “I love that there is no love without freedom, and I think about that when these tragic events happen. What is music if we can’t go see our favorite artists perform because we’re scared of violence, or we’re scared of losing someone that we love to go to a concert or to go see a film,” she said. “I think that, right now, we’re supposed to be the land of the free, but we can’t have freedom if we’re constantly living in fear. So, I think, never bow down to bullies—that’s what my parents always said—and to stand up for what’s right. And, I think, just constantly share hope instead of encouraging any more fear.”

“No Love without Freedom … No Freedom without LOVE ❤️ Thank you so much to Adam Sandler for joining me tonight in remembering all those lost , and singing lyrics that I believe are so important at this time …. #LandOfTheFree #StopTheViolence #GivePeaceAChance,” Cyrus captioned another photo of her performing with the Wedding Singer star.

Watch: Miley Cyrus: Screen Test

Miley Cyrus: Screen Test