On October 8, 2009, country superstar Keith Urban delivered one of the most emotional performances of his career during a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In a deeply personal moment, Urban performed the heartfelt ballad “Thank You”, directly dedicated to his wife, Nicole Kidman, who was in the audience that night.

The performance was part of his Escape Together World Tour, and the song, taken from his 2009 album Defying Gravity, served as a tribute to the woman who helped him through one of the most difficult times in his life.

The Meaning Behind “Thank You”

Keith Urban has openly discussed the personal significance of the song “Thank You.” Written after his time in rehab in 2006, the lyrics reflect his gratitude for Nicole’s unwavering support and love during his recovery.

In interviews, Urban has said that Nicole “literally saved his life,” and that this song was written as a way of expressing everything he couldn’t put into words at the time. The song includes lines like:

That night at Madison Square Garden, Urban sang the song with tears in his eyes, while looking directly at Nicole in the crowd. The audience responded with a standing ovation.

A Rare and Raw Live Moment

Unlike many of his high-energy performances, this one stood out for its vulnerability and sincerity. Urban played the song seated, accompanied only by his guitar and a soft spotlight, creating an intimate atmosphere in the massive arena.

Nicole Kidman, sitting in the front row, was visibly emotional during the performance. Fans captured the moment on video, and it remains one of the most shared and commented-on clips among Keith Urban’s live performances.

Watch the Performance

You can watch the full performance of Keith Urban singing “Thank You” to Nicole Kidman live at Madison Square Garden here:

Why This Performance Still Resonates

More than a decade later, this moment is still remembered by fans as one of the most sincere public expressions of love in country music. It showcases not only Urban’s talent as a songwriter and performer, but also his deep devotion to his wife.

Their relationship, which began in 2005 and led to marriage in 2006, has become one of the most admired in Hollywood and the music world alike.

• Nicole Kidman celebrated her 58th birthday on Friday, June 20 by enjoying a major sporting event.
• She joined husband Keith Urban for a flirty date at a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 game in Nashville.
• Kidman also shared a sweet birthday message on her Instagram giving fans a look at her celebration at home.

Nicole Kidman had her number one man by her side as she celebrated her 58th birthday on Friday, June 20. The Babygirl actress rang in the milestone by sitting pitchside for a major sporting event with her husband Keith Urban, and the longtime couple looked so flirty as they enjoyed a rare public date in Nashville.

Kidman proved that she’s a soccer fan as she took in a 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match between the Los Angeles Football Club and Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis team—and true to style, she put an elegant twist on game day attire. In contrast to the day’s sporty vibes, the Big Little Lies star stayed cool in a sleeveless white silk dress with a boat neckline that featured a subtle floral pattern. Featuring a semi-mock neck in front, Kidman’s elegant birthday dress had a fitted bodice with a flowy skirt.

The Nine Perfect Strangers star wore her naturally curly strawberry blonde hair in a sleek and straight blowout for the outing. Kidman accentuated her features with defined eyebrows, a berry flush on her cheekbones, and a deep matte mauve lipstick.

Meanwhile, Urban could be seen beaming at his wife of almost two decades throughout the match while wearing distressed light wash jeans paired with a white and tan plaid button-up shirt. A pair of black sunglasses finished off his soccer match look.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Met in 2005 and Have Been Madly in Love Ever Since

Nicole Kidman Shares Her Teen Daughters’ Thoughts on Visiting Set

In addition to her public outing, Kidman also appeared to give fans a glimpse of her sweet birthday celebration at home. She headed to Instagram to share a carousel of birthday photos, which featured her posing in front of a stunning flower bouquet. Wearing her hair pulled back in a soft romantic bun with face-framing pieces, the actress was in full glam as she showed a glimpse of a black t-shirt while wearing a cozy plunging hoodie. “Feeling the love today,” she wrote to her 10.5 million Instagram followers before thanking them for all the birthday wishes.