(HD) The National - "Conversation 16" 2/1 Letterman (TheAudioPerv.com) 

In their prime they were the love child of joy division and the smiths. One of the greatest indie bands of all time.

The red -head playing guitar is Richard from Arcade Fire

Aaron and Bryce use some incredible effects on their guitars, coupled with amazing musicianship. and damn, that rhythm section is flawless. and Matt... oh boy, what a perfect band.

Classiest rock band around

That Letterman show was the first time I had ever listened to The National. 5 years later and still one of my favorite bands. I miss Dave's show. One of the greatest talk show hosts and always introducing me to awesome bands.

Matt's decision to grow a beard was the best decision of his life.

Still floored at how incredible their music is. One of my favorites from High Violet.

Love the way Pauls says "Ah, The National"

High Violet will forever be the best album in the history of the universe. Timeless and priceless.

they are simply the best of the best in music right now.

Richard Reed Parry is like an angel here I love this talented and interesting man

what an awesome song love this band

love this song

Such a great band

this band had me at "I was afraid/ I'd eat your brains"

I guess I'm just not knowledgable enough on the technicalities of performances but I'm so surprised at how many people are commenting on how 'off' he was ... The whole time I was stunned at how amazing this was! Honestly I think they're one of the best bands live! But to me, it's more about the experience of hearing these songs straight from the source.

I really enjoy this version of the song! especially when it gets all quiet at the final 'I was afraid' part

Funny how they changed the line "You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think" to "You'll never believe the silly thoughts I think" :D

going to see them on March 17th in Shibuya. can't wait!! this song rocks.

Did any one notice that Arcade Fires Richard Reed Perry, is playing backup guitar, and vocals

FANTASTIC SONG

Love it!!

This is fucking rock and roll. One of the few good modern rock bands. You don't have to be so hipster about it with your "their Indie Rock/ Post-Punk Revival"

The National awesome band and a very good album

Thats the guy from Arcade Fire with the guitar right??

One of the best bridges of all time!

That drummer is amazing.

Uno dei migliori gruppi degli anni 2000...

LOVE.

I cannot wait to see them in Chicago with The Arcade Fire!!!!! That show will be spectacular!!

great performance!!! I purposly tuned in to Letterman to see this but i changed the channel on a commercial and bob ross was on and i got a little bit distracted and missed this!!!

It's a hollywood summer

This is my favourite song on High Violet...so they had crappy sound on Letterman, they absolutely kicked in in Auckland, NZ in January...love my National boys...

Theirs more people in this band then in some countries. love this song!

Totally agree.....

Great!

I love that Richard Parry joins them.

And a bearded Chuck Bartowski on the trumpet

Hunter S. Thompson on the bass guitar, John Lennon on drums, and Walter White on lead vocals...talk about a star studded lineup!

Letterman not holding the album the right way up stresses me out every time I watch this

Anyone noticed that Dave was not holding the album the right side?

Nice

@ih8pikeys That's Richard Parry, from Arcade Fire, yes! He contributed in the album (Hight Violet) also.

You're right

@morangorama I thought so. He's great.

Last time they played Letterman they has Sufjan with them and now Richard?! I can't handle this!!

3:30 on had me moving at my desk

🎉

@idn Then again, he is. But thanks for your contribution.

dagli Stati Uniti direi il migliore!

I do admit that the notion The National played Conversation 16 on the Letterman show amuses me greatly... Outstanding track, but by golly I'd expect Sorrow or England as (vaguely) more crowd pleasing songs :) "I was afraid I'd eat your braiiiiiiiinnnsss".

@denali637 I've noticed the same thing, too. I love The National and enjoy watching them live, but am always surprised that Matt has particular trouble with the "'cause I'm evil" line.

@cyezak Yeah, this is discussed below.

Gotta love RRP...

Matt Berninger sounds a lot more like Ian Curtis in this than Matt Berninger

anyone know what guitar aaron is playing? It looks like a gold top ES-335 but as far as I know those were only made for one year in the 50s. One of those now is worth like 15k

Yeah...

The american Arcade Fire

I like just about any band that has brass in it! Lyrics are a little strange, but music makes that not matter so much. I have seen alot of comments for this band saying how much the drummer resembles John Lennon (a little), but none about how much the brothers resemble Dominic Monaghan from "Lost"!

@ih8pikeys No, and sorry I don't know his name. He plays with the band seemingly often (at least in NYC) and sings some of the high parts on High Violet.

Holy Shit! It is Richard fro Arcade Fire.

I know it's been mentioned but look, it's Richard Reed Parry...

What about his drums David?

@surfwaxafghani thats nice...

That guy from Arcade Fire???

are those your drums? nice drums

The National has the strictest dress code in all of music.

wow their good live lol

@RevRyan15 Unless you play the silver trumpet or drums, apparently! Amazing performance though!

Is that the dude from Arcade Fire?

I love people who don't get The National ... "I was afraid I'd eat your brains...."

Some years later...the video cover much much better

@baina hahahaha

Ron Weasly is in The National!?

@denali637 Yeah, that's true. But it kinda adds a little charm and...humanity to the performance, don't ya think? Which I especially like with The National since their music is so human already. Or, you could say the human imperfections in the performance keep a balance with the inhumanly good music lol

@druminvader to be fair, it's probably so people can read the text properly

@Von2good disagree...i think it is one of THE strongest. and apparently they do too or they wouldn't have played it on national tv.

@denali637 i think you are being a bit nit picky...his vocals sound okay. maybe a bit weak at times but i think they sound just fine.

@morangorama Wow... =P

@ElainaBuie I'll have to check them out. If they are more dapper than The National, I'm expecting to see full tuxes.

@denali637 It's kind of funny, you call it a "mistake" when they're the ones that wrote and are performing the song. I mean, you're most likely correct, but you can't say for sure. Who knows, maybe Matt did that on purpose. Just a thought lol :P

Do you think they have enough band members? what no cow bell? with that said this is a great band and song!

I think the kids are in trouble Do not know what all the troubles are for Give them ice for their fevers You're the only thing I ever want anymore Live on coffee and flowers Try not to wonder what the weather will be I figured out what we're missing I tell you miserable things after you are asleep Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Everything means everything It's a Hollywood summer You'd never believe the shitty thoughts I think Meet our friends out for dinner When I said what I said, I didn't mean anything We belong in a movie Try to hold it together 'til our friends are gone We should swim in a fountain Do not want to disappoint anyone Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city to all the silver girls Everything means everything I was afraid, I'd eat your brains I was afraid, I'd eat your brains 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil I'm a confident liar Had my head in the oven so you'd know where I'll be I'll try to be more romantic I wanna believe in everything you believe I was less than amazing Do not know what all the troubles are for Fall asleep in your branches You're the only thing I ever want anymore Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city to all the silver girls Everything means everything I was afraid, I'd eat your brains I was afraid, I'd eat your brains 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil Traduci in italiano

Is that Ron Weasley in the middle there?

i wish the voice went deeper @3:40

Berdy Ted Mosby on trumpet! awesome as usual!

OH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! >.< great!

is there a sardar in the band?

Bryan Devendorf is a fucking God.

haha he says just about anything is rock n'roll, don't worry about it

@sraosby901 it's part of his shtick. it helps him catch you off-guard with clever jokes

lol

A love song about cannibals :)

its not a dress code. they actually like dressing nice.

You're holding the cover incorrectly David

Holy shit, John Lennon on drums!

@pappukumar420 lol thats what i thought that watched the video too. its just a guy wearing a beanie though.

The Darlingtons sound kinda like these guys.

when i said what i said i didn't mean anything

hahaha nice, but I'd have to give interpol that distinction.