Those blessed with musical ability and talent can make stunning sounds on many different instruments. Whether with their voice, the guitar, piano or violin, there are plenty of options available to musicians. Two musicians on America’s Got Talent used an instrument to play a very unexpected song.

Emil and Dariel stepped onto the stage and explained that they had previously appeared on the show in season 9. After their short chat with the judges, the two musicians took their instruments – cellos – and played a popular song from the 1980s: A-ha’s “Take on Me.”

But instead of the light, poppy version of the hit song, they gave a hard rock rendition. Their performance, with all the lights and pyrotechnics, looked like something seen at a rock concert. But instead of extended guitar solos and hard-to-discern lyrics, it was two cellos playing the familiar tune.

The audience loved Emil and Dariel’s performance! They clapped and cheered throughout, giving Emil and Dariel a standing ovation at the conclusion of the song. However, things took an unexpected turn when it came time for the judges to speak about what they just saw.

Heidi Klum said that Emil and Dariel’s performance of “Take on Me” was like what she had seen from them previously but she still enjoyed it. 

Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell, though, felt differently from Heidi. Howie was concerned that Emil and Dariel hadn’t upped their game. Simon, in what we regularly heard from him on American Idol, referred to them as “really boring.” 

There was a collective, audible gasp and even a few boos from the studio audience after hearing Simon's comments. 

Regardless of how Simon feels about Emil and Dariel, getting up in front of hundreds of people to do anything requires a tremendous amount of courage. Well done, Emil and Dariel!

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”