SNL: Pitch Perfect Cold Open Addresses Las Vegas Massacre

Bringing together separate but important events into one crystallized moment has become a hallmark of Saturday Night Live.

When the right balance of respect, reflection, and inspiration come together at the perfect time.

You'll recall the first show after the presidential election last year when Kate McKinnon, as "Hillary Clinton," handled the cold open duties with a sobering "Hallelujah" originally penned by Leonard Cohen who had passed away that week. The lyrics, the mood, the moment reflected much of the country's emotional state.

This happened again last night as Jason Aldean, the country star who was onstage the moment gunshots ripped through the night sky in Las Vegas last Sunday, took the opening spot to address the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States.

“This week, we witnessed one of the worst tragedies in American history. Like everyone, I’m struggling to understand what happened that night and how to pick up the pieces and start to heal. So many people are hurting. There are children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends. They’re all part of our family. So I want to say to them, we hurt for you and we hurt with you. But you can be sure that we’re going to walk through these tough times together, every step of the way. Because when America is at its best, our bond and our spirit — it’s unbreakable.”

Aldean then ripped into a cover of “I Won’t Back Down,” the defiant rock anthem by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack.

Watch below.