Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo, and Blake Shelton took to the stage at the beginning of their top 3 show to pay tribute to the young victims of the Newtown shootings on Monday night, leaving the audience teary-eyed as they joined the remaining contestants in a haunting rendition of “Hallelujah” while holding up namecards for each victim.

The tribute, which took the place of the show’s usual loud, bright, over-the-top opening routine, has been widely regarded as the most touching version of the song that’s come about in a long time and was a much-needed nod to the families and victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. “Saturday Night Live” also replaced their opening bit with a tribute, adding a children’s choir to the stage rather than a comedy sketch.