WATCH: Memorable viral musical moments of 2014

They say music is the universal language and this past year proved to be full of musical moments that resonated across borders. We’ve compiled a list of some of the year’s high notes below.

Homeless piano player captivates Canada

A homeless man in Edmonton made the news after a video of him playing one of his own piano compositions (above) went viral.

Ryan Arcand is reportedly a self-taught pianist who has been living on the streets for the past 30 years.

Roslyn Polard, the woman who captured the video, said she walked past Arcand playing an outdoor piano and turned back to record him.

“I was absolutely moved, no question,” she told Global News.

Priest sings Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’

It’s not every day that a man of God makes the front pages for his pipes, but Irish priest Rev. Ray Kelly did.

Kelly’s stunning cover of Leonard Cohen’s classic song “Hallelujah” made him a social media star.

Performed while presiding over the wedding of Chris and Leah O’Kane in Oldcastle, Ireland, Kelly even customized the lyrics for the couple.

In the video, Leah wipes away a tear as Kelly’s voice soars through the sanctuary. According to the wedding videographer, Kelly received a standing ovation at the end of his performance.

Pipe band performs ‘Amazing Grace’ at Nathan Cirillo’s funeral 

Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s life was cut short when he was gunned down in Ottawa by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau on October 22. His death was a tragedy that captured the hearts of the nation.

Cpl. Cirillo was a reservist with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. At his funeral, the Argyll pipe band performed a heart-wrenching version of the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

Dad sings ‘Blackbird’ to his dying newborn son

Anyone who watched this video of a father singing The Beatles’ “Blackbird” to his dying son named Lennon most likely didn’t end watching it with a dry eye.

Chris Picco lovingly sings the ballad while playing guitar as Lennon lies in an incubator, shortly after his mom Ashley passed away giving birth. Unfortunately, Lennon also lost his life just a few hours after this video was shot.

Girl pays tribute to fallen RCMP officers

When gunman Justin Borque went on a shooting rampage in Moncton, NB on June 4, three RCMP officers were fatally wounded in an attempt to stop him.

Makayla Lynn, a young country music singer from Nova Scotia, was inspired by a friend’s question about why the three constables had to die. The result? This touching song.

Blind Quebec boy sings the blues

A video of a blind Quebec boy performing a cover of B.B. King’s “Every Day I Have the Blues” went viral this summer.

At only 10 years old, Felix De St-Hilaire seems to have enough life experience to sing the sorrowful lyrics with real grit. He even masterfully plays his guitar like the blues icon himself.

Remote First Nations kids create haunting version of ‘The Cup Song’

“The Cup Song,” popularized by the 2012 film “Pitch Perfect,” has been covered several times on YouTube, but this version from the youth of Berens River First Nation is unique.

With haunting images of life in a remote community – Berens River is 275 kilometres north of Winnipeg – the video features singer Tatyanna Munkman and guitarist Alex Semple walking through their reserve. They’re later joined by the entire student population of 300 in the school’s gymnasium playing the rhythmic beat with plastic cups in unison.

Masterminded by Berens River music teacher Ken Davidson, the lyrics have a special meaning to the community, as many young people feel they need to leave Berens River in order to succeed.

Stephen Harper sings Guns N’ Roses

He’s probably known more for his monotone voice and selection of sweater-vests, so Canada’s prime minister is maybe the last person you’d expect to rock out.

But at this year’s Conservative caucus Christmas party, the prime minister belted out tunes with his band the Van Cats, including his rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

Young duo rap about anti-bullying on Britain’s Got Talent

A lot of “talented” acts have made their way on the Britain’s Got Talent stage, only to be shooed off by the judges. But when Bars and Melody, a young hip-hop duo, hit the stage to cover Twista and Faith Evans’ “Hopeful,” the judges and the audience were blown away.

Fifteen-year-old Charlie Lenehan and 13-year-old Leondre Devries wrote their own lyrics to the song to change it into an anti-bullying anthem that received a standing ovation and a direct pass into the competition’s live show.