Top 5: Music Biopic Performances

By now, biopics have a well-established reputation for detailing the rise and often the fall of some our greatest musicians featuring insight into their influences, their inner demons, and of course an incredible lead performance. So since the Tupac biopic, All Eyez on Me is about to drop, we're picking five of the best performances from actors in biopics about musicians.

#5 Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in Get On Up

Before he became the ruler and defender of Wakanda, Chadwick Boseman embodied the king of soul music in all of his strange glory in this 2014 feature. While the film doesn't use Boseman's singing voice in favor of Brown's, Boseman nails every aspect of Brown's persona from his vocal tics, his dance moves, and his undeniable energy. Whether he's grabbing a shotgun in a public place or singing his heart out in a makeshift stage, Boseman reminds us why Brown was so electric.

Standout Scene: After his band questions their parts, Brown breaks down each element of the song, including the seemingly offbeat drums, to fully explain his completely new vision.

#4 Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in The Coal Miner's Daughter

It's a near perfect casting-decision to have Sissy Spacek, who famously played Carrie, to play the timid but talented country singer Loretta Lynn. Originally saddled with the burden of an under-appreciated housewife, Lynn appears to find an escape after her singing abilities are discovered. However, it's readily apparent that fame and nonstop touring are a burden of their own and Spacek's sensitive performance lets the audiences know how much hurt and unspoken words Lynn has stored up over the years. Oh did I mention that she sings every song in the film, because she did and it's incredible.

Standout Scene: Lynn's nervous breakdown mid-concert is a real-life emtoinal trainwreck in motion.

#3 Gary Busey as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story

It's hard to picture what audiences will find more unbelievable: that Gary Busey turned in an Academy Award worthy performance or that Buddy Holly was more revolutionary than Weezer led them to believe. And yet both are true. In a biopic that feels more like a celebration of a talent gone too soon than the standard up and down biopic, Busey's Holly is full of energy and enthusiasm for music despite all the naysayers and the odds. Also Walk the Line fans will notice a ton of inspiration taken from this movie.

Standout Scene: Buddy Holly and company are booked at the Apollo....and slowly but surely win over the room.

#2 Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It

It takes a powerful turn to match the passionate energy of Tina Turner's rendition of "Proud Mary" let alone her terrifying emotional ordeal behind the scenes. Thankfully, Angela Bassett is more than up to the task. A fascinating combination of power and confidence onstage and a perpetual victim behind closed doors, Bassett pours every ounce of hurt she can muster into an unforgettable performance.

Standout Scene: Tina finally makes a break for it and makes a desperate plea for help despite no money or resources to her name. The desperation on her face tells the attendant she meets everything she needs to know.

#1 Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

This Oscar winning turn is even more impressive when you realize Foxx can't use his eyes to express emotion. Letting his body language and mouth paint the picture, Foxx goes beyond simple mimicry and embodies the charisma and unique vibe of his subject. While he absolutely nails the big moments of the film, (i.e. Ray's performances and the drug related breakdowns) it's the smaller moments where he's clearly concealing pain that stick with you.

Standout Scene: The creation of "What I'd Say" from the live performance necessity to studio magic is fascinating for music lovers.