MTV's 'Unplugged' format makes it impossible to fake it or to coast on anything but God-given talent. It strips songs down to their base parts, and the performer has to be on.

Miley Cyrus, whose 'Backyard Sessions' were always awesome, suited up like a cowgirl for her 'Unplugged' special, with lots and lots of visual production elements. Even with those distractions, she was on.

Cyrus hosted a hoedown, from her props (a Trojan horse occupied by dancers) to her backup singers (wearing cowgirl attire) to her own look (cowgirl boots, a red and white checkerboard catsuit and a blonde wig, making her look like a young Dolly Parton, who is, not coincidentally, her godmother).

We would have preferred to see her sit on a stool and sing, and not rely on visuals like little people dressed in matching outfits with cone bras. But she went with a full on set up, perhaps as a bit of a warm up for her upcoming Bangerz Tour.

Overall, the performance had a decidedly country vibe, which isn't shocking given the singer's southern roots. We're not sure country fans would agree, but that's the presentation Miley was putting forth.

She opened with '4X4' and admitted, "My wig is about to fall off," since she was rocking out and giving it her all. She followed it with 'Do My Thang' and 'Get It Right,' prefacing the latter by saying she is from Nashville, so she brought the country spirit to the stage.

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform '4X4'

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Do My Thang'

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Get It Right'

For 'SMS (Bangerz),' where she raps, she wore a sparkly denim outfit and cowgirl hat.

She shined bright (like a diamond) when she rocked 'Adore You.' It was a testament to how Miley would handle the stripped down format, vocally speaking, and she slayed. It was totally gimmick-free.

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Adore You'

Cyrus revealed that 'Rooting for My Baby' is her favorite song on her record, while fans tweeted her to tell her 'Drive' is their favorite. That was the most stripped down performance of the night, and the most loyal to the spirt of 'Unplugged.'

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Rooting for My Baby'

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Drive'

She performed Parton's 'Jolene,' and it was raw and rockin'. When she got to 'Wrecking Ball,' it was refreshing to focus on the song, not the thought of her naked on an actual wrecking ball. She done good.

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Wrecking Ball'

She closed with 'Don't Tell Me/We Can't Stop,' which was her duet with Madonna, also clad in a cowgirl outfit, for a mashup of each of their songs. Yes, they got sexually suggestive. Yes, Miley spanked Madge.

Watch Miley Cyrus Perform 'Don't Tell Me/We Can't Stop'

Yes, we loved it.

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