There are a lot of reasons I miss David Letterman. One of them was that he exposed me to a lot of music that I really love now. Here is where I discovered St. Vincent.
Wow...I remember seeing this live on tv. I never watch Letterman ever. But I was one night, randomly....and this performance came on. I remember just being slackjawed, my eyes glued to the tv. It was so original and so incredibly weird...but all with a sense of complete confidence and control. Idk...it just blew me away. Been a fan ever since.
Wow had a very similar experience rarely watched network tv at the time I was just flipping through channels for some reason and stopped for a second and heard the clarinets. I've seen St. Vincent live and even have my own Harmony H15 reissue Bobkat. It was my main guitar for a time. Turns out I probably would have come across them eventually but I'm glad I found them when I did. Annie and her fellow musicians influenced me quite a bit.
You were lucky to experience this. The birth of a legend. I cannot get over this song, I have never heard anything like this, one of my top 5 Annie’s songs.
At the begining you see her start to smile while singing. I know that feeling she felt at that point. She was so happy with the sound. Ive played a couple of shows and that feeling is rare but when it happens you get this overwhelming joy you just have to smile. And i believe the house band helped her with that song and man did it make a big diffrence.
Wow -- a comment from 10 years ago. It's been a long time that I heard this song. Yes, the Letterman performance was a stunner. Even Paul Shafer looked like he was caught off guard. Standing there with a big smile on his face.
Imagine being in that audience and seeing this for the very first time, not knowing who St. Vincent is...I'd be totally blown away and an instant fan. I'm addicted to this song and this album and I love the explosion of sound the band is capable of producing. Sounds amazing
Annie still hypnotizes me with her voice and rocks me with her guitar on this performance now as much as she did 15 years ago. My favorite song on Actor and one of my favorite St. Vincent songs.
this performance is so tight from the dual mic and the 4 part sax section and the drum player really went in for the final parts of the song. perfect execution
Great music can be reduced and still carry the power. Here she performs with a 9-piece band. Today she tours with a 4-piece and I think this song is even more powerful.
agreed. totally loved seeing her smile in that moment. that's the point when she realizes just how much she's blasting their faces off. or thinking: hi mom, I'm really on letterman!
I wish She could have collaborated with Trent Reznor, and Bowie before he passed. That would have been from another world. I"m thinking "I"m afraid of Americans" with her influence.
As good as this is (and it is very good) this lady is a powerful presence to behold on her own, with only a guitar and some impeccably-timed loops; well worth seeking out. Buy 'Actor'. And I dare you not to fall in love while you're at it...
One of the best sounding, most quality performances I've ever seen on Letterman. I wish Interpol's performance on Letterman sounded like this back in the day...
Amazing! She has just as much grit and feeling as she does in the album version, maybe more. I love it when an artist can deliver live as well as in studio. True talent.
Wow i loved it! Its funky yet modern and rock i don't even know i just really liked it and i did not expect her to play guitar or have actual horns playing. Beyond my expectations loved it!!!
I actually think this song is a little more like Bjork and Oingo Boingo (because her voice is a little more quirky here) - she's got a great voice and uses it like an instrument (which is why she is so interesting as an artist). Oh yes, and she's got great songs as well!
I just saw you guys at the Pitchforlk festival in CHICAGO!!! AMAIZING!!!! great sound, vocals, and beautiful convination of musical instruments!!! THANK YOU!!!
Notice two things: The dual microphones, so she can change her voice quality; and how aggressively she plays her guitar. Looks sweet, chops like a hardcore.
For anyone who knows both the bands I'm about to mention.....I would say this song is literally a cross between Portishead and Oingo Boingo. Great, quirky, otherwordly stuff!
Top ten network debuts.
She says, "la la la..."
And her guitar says, "GRAAaarrrgghh!!"
llllove...
Favorite era of St Vincent
No other version gets even close to this one.
There are a lot of reasons I miss David Letterman. One of them was that he exposed me to a lot of music that I really love now. Here is where I discovered St. Vincent.
It's hard living life knowing so few know how great this is.
That's so true
Wow...I remember seeing this live on tv.
I never watch Letterman ever. But I was one night, randomly....and this performance came on.
I remember just being slackjawed, my eyes glued to the tv. It was so original and so incredibly weird...but all with a sense of complete confidence and control.
Idk...it just blew me away. Been a fan ever since.
avedic that's actually a really rad story
avedic same. I was stunned. Amazing performance.
Wow had a very similar experience rarely watched network tv at the time I was just flipping through channels for some reason and stopped for a second and heard the clarinets. I've seen St. Vincent live and even have my own Harmony H15 reissue Bobkat. It was my main guitar for a time. Turns out I probably would have come across them eventually but I'm glad I found them when I did. Annie and her fellow musicians influenced me quite a bit.
Yeah, this performance on Letterman is where my love for Annie began.
You were lucky to experience this. The birth of a legend. I cannot get over this song, I have never heard anything like this, one of my top 5 Annie’s songs.
The groove on this version of Marrow is absolutely SICK.
Equal parts Robert Fripp, Prince, and Totally Fucking Awesome.
Belew FTW
At the begining you see her start to smile while singing. I know that feeling she felt at that point. She was so happy with the sound. Ive played a couple of shows and that feeling is rare but when it happens you get this overwhelming joy you just have to smile. And i believe the house band helped her with that song and man did it make a big diffrence.
Damn right.
She has a good singing voice
EPIC!!!!!
she is easily my favorite person in music right now, can't believe I haven't discovered st vincent sooner.
Wow -- a comment from 10 years ago. It's been a long time that I heard this song. Yes, the Letterman performance was a stunner. Even Paul Shafer looked like he was caught off guard. Standing there with a big smile on his face.
She is so beautiful. Her song is also very special and unique. I downlaoded it the second I heard it.
Imagine being in that audience and seeing this for the very first time, not knowing who St. Vincent is...I'd be totally blown away and an instant fan. I'm addicted to this song and this album and I love the explosion of sound the band is capable of producing. Sounds amazing
St. Vincent is a different creature live.
Best performance on late night TV ever. This sound is gigantic.
The definitive example of a best rendition of a song.
Annie still hypnotizes me with her voice and rocks me with her guitar on this performance now as much as she did 15 years ago. My favorite song on Actor and one of my favorite St. Vincent songs.
Letterman's "eeewwww" at the end. classic
+wadz3408 I think that the look on her face when the horn section came in beamed out "NAILED IT." I think Dave enjoyed it as well. =)
This has been my shower song for 12 years or so.
this performance is so tight from the dual mic and the 4 part sax section and the drum player really went in for the final parts of the song. perfect execution
the album is incredible. it didn't want to leave my cd player. so good
Great music can be reduced and still carry the power. Here she performs with a 9-piece band. Today she tours with a 4-piece and I think this song is even more powerful.
agreed. totally loved seeing her smile in that moment. that's the point when she realizes just how much she's blasting their faces off. or thinking: hi mom, I'm really on letterman!
They KILLED this song...
This is the best rendition of the song.
So humble at the end...Even though she blew up the entire stage...:D
The chorus is so sick! Wow!
I wish She could have collaborated with Trent Reznor, and Bowie before he passed. That would have been from another world. I"m thinking "I"m afraid of Americans" with her influence.
She has teamed up with David Byrne and the product is amazing.
With Trent definitely!
And prince....
Gives me chills and chills = sign of approval for me. Amazing live.
This is an amazing preformance
Effortlessly cool and badass.
Best Letterman Performance EVER...
This song is on a mission, What a perfect walking song!
this video got me into St.Vincent!.
As good as this is (and it is very good) this lady is a powerful presence to behold on her own, with only a guitar and some impeccably-timed loops; well worth seeking out. Buy 'Actor'. And I dare you not to fall in love while you're at it...
This performance is amazing.
I don't know who in the right mind would give this performance a thumbs down!
One of the best sounding, most quality performances I've ever seen on Letterman. I wish Interpol's performance on Letterman sounded like this back in the day...
Epic sax
I didn't know good music still came out!
OH MY GODDESS !!! That would be a delicious explosion of musical influences. I would camp out for tickets.
Four years later this is just as epic
Seven years later, it's still epic
and now 4 more
... and I just returned to this in 2018 since Jack Antonoff's production on Masseduction feels so bland in comparison with this
Karel Zich it carries more with lyrics but the production is still lovely, in its own glam rock way
yep still epic 😎
Amazing! She has just as much grit and feeling as she does in the album version, maybe more. I love it when an artist can deliver live as well as in studio. True talent.
Well she is just charming.
so fucking awesome. undeniably amazing. st vincent is the best thing to come from berklee in a long-ass time.
What a debut!!! 👍👏👌👏👏 No H E L P needed. Love it! ❤️
i bought the album as well because of this performance.
wow its rare to see such a good performance on one of the late night talk shows - usually their sound guys f it up! what a sick brass section!!
She really let the saxophonists shine! In the original version thats more of a guitar part
Wow i loved it! Its funky yet modern and rock i don't even know i just really liked it and i did not expect her to play guitar or have actual horns playing. Beyond my expectations loved it!!!
this performance just bought her album for me.
Wow.
This performance absolutely blew me away, and I'm not even sure I could tell you why.
The groove that busts in at 1:24 just filthy.
Annie Clark is beautiful.
Oh man... my favorite artist!
love the song bought the cd based on the utube clip....this version is by far the best(mix) shame jjj wont play it :(
yowza wowza, they f'king sounded amzg!!! one hell of a network debut!
This one fucking amazing network television debut.
WHOA... that's pretty funky!
Must be hard to sing and play that weird riff
Fantastic, think I even prefer this to the album version.
This is awesome 👌 I bloody love her
Letterman's some great taste in music!
She's so amazing! I love this song a lot! ^^
Lol 4-piece sax section all playing the same thing. Kinda cool!
I'm obsessed with the saxophonist on Letterman's side. He is gorgeous.
This is the kind of music the play space, in the creation of the universe.
I love her.
love her.
amazing.
Love this, reminds me of Laurie Anderson meets Prince
Help me to forget this beauty
Not just filthy, but perfect
this reminded me of the song "the neckbone is connected to shoulder bone"
She is like the indie-alternative version of Prince & the Revolution....I love this.
Lyrically beautiful. Musically chaotic, like our experience here together on planet earth. You capture it all wonderfully.
Che fantastica canzone!!!!!
I actually think this song is a little more like Bjork and Oingo Boingo (because her voice is a little more quirky here) - she's got a great voice and uses it like an instrument (which is why she is so interesting as an artist). Oh yes, and she's got great songs as well!
AAAAAIIIIIII...love her.
this is sheer fucking brilliance.
:D
holy shit that chorus is catchy!
she's so good playing the guitar!
I love Actor and really love this song! It's like a mix between Portishead, Hot Chip, and Justice.
Богиня
I just saw you guys at the Pitchforlk festival in CHICAGO!!! AMAIZING!!!! great sound, vocals, and beautiful convination of musical instruments!!! THANK YOU!!!
I love what you've said here. I have similar feelings.
Notice two things: The dual microphones, so she can change her voice quality; and how aggressively she plays her guitar. Looks sweet, chops like a hardcore.
This sounds so King Crimson inspired. God I love Annie and her style :D
She has reported that they're making a music video for this song...I cannot wait!
very Adrian Belew-esque guitar solo! love it when the vocal line joins the saxes
For anyone who knows both the bands I'm about to mention.....I would say this song is literally a cross between Portishead and Oingo Boingo. Great, quirky, otherwordly stuff!
Killer brass section
DAT BAND..
ah i effing love this song. no surprise though, its st. vincent
@gothamfoodie I can't WAIT for the next one. She rocks! I love the contrast on the album.
St Vincent tentative band title: Annie and her Army of Saxophones
MrGuitarhunter bashahahahhahah
love the smirk 1:08
This version has an Oingo Boingo sound to it! I love it!
im hooked ive got 4 versions tagged in faves now:) i put a request for JJJ to play it
and bought the album :) a new fan :)
Does anyone know the names of the two baritone saxophonists in the back of the stage?
@dtegg91 right there, it becomes beautiful. love this song.