Aimee Mann: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@LambentOrt]

Aimee Mann maturing like fine wine, full of infinite wisdom and earthy candour. She is one of the greats.

[@yorocco1]

Ugh

[@charlewis715]

Underrated

[@Coolkem1]

The Magnolia soundtrack made me a fan for life 😊

[@vermaledeit1799]

CoolKem C same!!!🤗

[@loucypher9213]

Yes, me too! I cannot adequately express how moving I find that album. The film is wonderful but it really puts me through an emotional wringer and so I've only ever watched it twice! But the album, the music that inspired the film...ah, I know it. It's bound to my bones. Aimee Mann is one of the best - and most consistently so - singer songwriters we've yet seen.

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

“Lost in space” for me… But I love all of her stuff

[@mjbachman3027]

Her 1993 album Whatever turned the trick for me.

[@craigevans6813]

Ever so often as I walk through some store or public space I'll catch the first few opening notes of Coming up close. Instantly I am transported back to the moment in my life where I was so in love that everything stung. I will want to run from the memory of how I lost that half of my soul, but rather I just choke back a tear and let that smile slowly creep across my face and walk on before somebody notices the distress this old man is in. Thank you Robin, I really do cherish the moments that song brings back, stinging or not.

[@charitygrant4542]

Aimee Mann has been a friend of mine since I heard her in 1984. I was a 4th grader. We've never met but she's a friend of mine. She's a friend of my mom and dad and my siblings and friends.

[@11Garrett11]

And I’m sure Angelina Jolie is your girlfriend, although you’ve never met.

[@jamesrichie1867]

Garrett1111 You’re a killjoy.

[@marybendall1101]

I think that is sweet

[@georgehornsby6882]

@@jamesrichie1867 nah that was funny

[@jamesrichie1867]

George Hornsby The tribe has spoken.

[@ChiTownKel]

Aimee is a songwriting genius, pure and simple. Brilliant.

[@diegoherrera1422]

so glad she's not cleaning homes in Portland anymore

[@diegoherrera1422]

@@bishlap watch portlandia

[@saskiadavies111]

Especially for *that* couple. So unappreciative.

[@johnboi7496]

Or working at Hampton devil

[@tastyjay]

To be fair. that can be good money.

[@rtpmedic66]

Whenever I hear Aimee's voice I stop what I'm doing and lose myself in that voice. What an amazing talent.

[@spookyvegan1402]

🥹….. same 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@EricTheBody]

“You were conjuring that year, a ghost engineer”. As someone who obsesses over the past, this lyric just hits me. Aimee is really, really good.

[@JM06261996]

I really hope you see this- can you explain to me what this lyric means to you? I can’t decipher a meaning myself.

[@EricTheBody]

@@JM06261996 she’s comparing life to amusement rides. Both Ferris wheels and roller coasters have highs and lows. One is a predictable motion and the other chaotic. Even though the destination is the same, they take different routes to get there. When reminiscing about your life, you filter your experiences based on your biases. Some see the past through rose colored glasses, finding comfort and predictably. Some have to bob and weave through troubles and hardships. I haven’t had it easy, and when I look back, the cynical part of me rewrites history, maybe unfairly. Others might gloss over the tough times and paint the past as a golden age. So when you “conjure that year”, you apply the magic that suits you. Like the engineer that creates the ride you’re on, you might be manufacturing the destination to suit you. This is why the angel warns you that you’re making it worse. Lying to yourself is the easiest of follies. Folly or flight. She’s making an appeal to be honest to yourself. And if you catch yourself in a lie, hopefully be charitable.

[@c123ray]

@JM6261996 I think Aimee means the other person in the relationship was just pretending to be in love with her friend who endured being left at the alter. It was as if the person who orchestrated, or engineered, being genuinely in love when s/he never was. This was done very comvincingly without her friend seeing the other person wasn't in love with her friend until he non- chalantly just didn't show up to get married to Aimee's friend. That's my understanding of the lyrics which is based on an introduction to the song in which she explained the inspiration for the song. Best,

[@JM06261996]

@@c123ray Thank you so much for sharing. I have a bit more clarity now. I would love to interview her some day she seems so wise.

[@pamloper323]

Could listen to her all the time. Like Joni Mitchell she is in a class by herself. Love, love, love.

[@leepshin]

Oh Please!! Aimee out classes that chain-smoking old trollop in every way. The only class Mitchell is top of is breaking guys hearts and keeping tobacco companies in business.

[@NathanHautain]

​@@leepshinPLEASE that woman is legendary and gave a career to any woman after that, she was the first to stand up to the patriarchy and quality control her own work, inspired countless singersongwriters like Aimee Mann, Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco, PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Björk, Lana Del Rey and many others !

[@MrPlucky99]

Amiee Mann.I am Sandra Hamilton. Living in Trinidad 🇹🇹 &Tobago .Caribbean Twin Island State in the Caribbean. Where have you been with this JAW Dropping Voice Aĺl of MY LIFE??? Never heard of you til last Night.Nov 5th 2023. But Guess What Aimee.I have A Throve Of Your Music to Add to My I tunes Library. What A Joy!! What A Tremendous Gift to All Of Us. STLtay Safe and Thank You❤ BTY. I have not yet retrieved My Jaw from Off The Floor Just Yet.

[@817dottz]

Such a wonderful, restrained melancholy always bleeds through. Every song she has ever sung moves me in some way.

[@withlargefries]

Yes ❤

[@misha5019]

I've been a fan since Magnolia; nearly 20 years later, Save Me and Red Vines are still among my favorite songs. Aimee is such a rarity in a musicscape filled with auto-tuned dreck. Would love to see/hear another Aimee-Jon Brion collaboration :).

[@JohnnyNowhere]

I thought that after she released Lost In Space she could just hang it up. Those songs are all masterpieces.

[@MarkMingrone]

Her voice is timeless

[@haroldbolsogna3946]

Yea, if you're condemned to hell and have to listen to this shit for eternity

[@flowerdoodle2438]

I don't see it as timeless. I don't even know what ppl mean when they say something is timeless. I think her voice wears thin very quickly.

[@dannykumite]

It's funny people don't understand timeless. Her voice sounds the same in concert 20 years ago as she sounds today. If you don't like her now, you won't like her then. You shouldn't comment on what timeless is if you don't really know how awesome it is to be unique and sounds fresh after that long.

[@benitosan1]

Her voice is amazing, haunting, and the same as it was decades ago... the best

[@nickdaboii]

and her lyrics never cease to amaze me.

[@londomaho]

When i was in the Army at Ft. Bragg back many yrs ago, this girl came to fruition, in a band called Til Tuesday. One day my buddies came to my offfice and said, Sarge, ya got to listen to this band called Til Tuesday!!!! I did and boy was i hooked on this Aimee Mann from the git go. I didnt know what she looked like until i saw her album. Needless to say i was mesmerized by her looks and those Ice Blue eyes. This girl could sing, play instruments and command an audience. I went to a concert and i was surprised that i actually got to meet her. She is Tall as i am. 6 feet at least. strong handshake, and wow, those looks and those eyes. I have and always will be a fan of her music and her great talent. She is timeless. She has a wit that is razor sharp. She gave me a hug and thanked me for the support i gave her. Very humble individual she is. One of a kind.

[@williamrowe5313]

I got to meet her twice, where she signed the picture that I took off her and I. She's great and loves her fans. She just gets better and better!!

[@EarthyPoetGrrl]

Til tuesday!!!!! Oh my goodness....taking me back!

[@smangymangy]

Chick bands Rock! 🎸 The Bangles were my thang, back in the 80s, and so many others, but music is life.

[@Miriboheme]

thank you so much for posting this story. how lovely!

[@spookyvegan1402]

She’s an amazing talent and a humble sweet woman- I got to meet her at LaGuardia airport when I worked with TSA as an officer - needless to say I yelled her name as I was at the walk through and started her cause she thought she was in trouble.. I felt bad 😂then I told I love her and she changed my life she instantly smiled this big smile and said thank you and we chatted for a bit she said she hoped to see me again & I hoped too She was amazing I’ve seen her in concert many times and she never disappoints she’s a true legend

[@mr.personhumanson6871]

Oh hey, it's Opal

[@siebhotep]

I much prefer this type of up close and personal performance. Her voice is so delicate and pretty and there are no effects on anything. No reverb. Just the sound of these wonderful people playing and singing. Can't be beat.

[@gookymofo]

So warm, cozy and comforting. Aimee is the best at her craft. Agree 100%.

[@BrentODell]

Jonathan Coulton on backing vocals!? I would pay a LOT of money to see a show with these two.

[@TheKlokan44]

dude has talent in his gills to infinity and beyond

[@oPBo]

I had no idea she played a nihilist in the Big Lebowski.... lingonberry pancakes 😳

[@carrrexx7190]

Ah yes, thanks 😊

[@penguinmit]

I love her magnolia album!

[@elizabethmilligan7173]

Have always loved her music - sad, haunting chord progressions and soulful lyrics. Great driving or rainy day music. Also good for breakups when you know you need to purge tears

[@AlessandroFili80]

Mental Illness is an absolute masterpiece

[@uglybuthonest]

yes it is a masterpiece

[@michaelparness2896]

Absolutely correct

[@bichodomatoexe]

>this without of context

[@prestwickpioneer7771]

I've fancied Aimee for years. Still do. She's a great performer. I sometimes drift away from her music then fall back in again. Ahhhh man. She's so lovely.

[@iamsunnystream]

Prestwick Pioneer Same!!!

[@lightronv]

Looks like you have a thing for nine toed women.

[@scottfishkind5335]

Wonderful!! I was at Berklee at the same time as Aimee in the late 70s and early 80s, though aside from passing her in the halls and Boston streets between classes, didn't know her personally. In 1985 I played at a Rockfest Til Tuesday also played at in Providence RI but didn't get the chance to see her, I wanted to congratulate her on her success at that time! I was thrilled to see her rise way back in the 80s and her continued growth as a singer-songwriter! So all these years later, many many years later ... I just want to say congratulations Aimee!! You are definitely a true artist!! Looking forward to more great music for many years!!

[@ASunnyDisposition]

Her beautiful sarcasm and wonderful melodies keep these songs from dragging you down even though a lot are on the darker/sadder side thematically. Love Aimee!!

[@bridgetjourgensen5810]

She's so brilliant, unique, and genuine. Love her band as well.

[@MrSilverbirch]

Yes,nice backing vocals(esp you never loved me) and playing

[@voiceofmanywaters3720]

She is so solid. You can always count on her lyrics being deep smart and comical. A musical staple in our house.

[@chipsterb4946]

Deep and smart always. Sometimes funny sometimes tragic.

[@2to-tango]

Love your lovely soft voice Ms. Aimee Mann. 💕💗💕 You are beautiful as well with those pretty blue eyes.

[@kakumei77]

I used to listen to Aimee when I was 16. I am 34 now. Her music is timeless and as I get older, her music puts me into places I used to know. Love her.

[@TEOALandfriends]

Oh shit, it's the housekeeper from that Portlandia sketch!

[@uvp5000]

So, she's performing with the Code Monkey himself (Jonathan Coulton). Nice pairing; they sound good together.

[@christophersteele64]

Stoked to see Jonathon Coulton playing with Aimee....Bonus! (they sound beautiful together)

[@aidanodonovan3626]

My favourite female artist! Quirky, off kilter, But fantastic song writing.... A Unique talent!

[@cameroncrazymom]

I love her sooooooo much. She could play the "background music to my life". I'm 47.

[@stevenstone1065]

Him , You love him soooo much .

[@merckx1776]

Tanya Cameron, Aimee es una excelente artista

[@openseekeroftruth7497]

Tanya Cameron Yes, for mine too!! ✨❤️

[@bishlap]

sorry to hear that.

[@nickdaboii]

the backing vocals for 'you never loved me' give me big chills

[@mariai9549]

presence and intimacy is her voice. It sounds like she's whispering in my ear.

[@johntierney2561]

I love Aimee Mann - she is up there with the greatest singer songwriters - love the addition of the piano in these tracks - wish Aimee had included the piano parts on the album- the vocal harmonies are superb and Aimee's voice is as beautiful as always - live and on her albums

[@Emmahahah]

Sorry, am I the only one freaking out about the pianist using a tablet to read his music??? That is so awesome! No franticly changing sheet music pages, just swipe! Aimee Mann is great too!

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

They make a page turning foot controller I think.

[@gasolineandwine]

It's a common practice by many musicians. Incredibly clever.

[@mfilikecartoons1574]

I FOUND YOU! Your voice for Opal Is so adequet It's fantastic and It's shocking your In a band with Steg.

[@beepboop917]

So you came for the same reason. Hello.

[@somebloke3869]

Who is Opel? Where is she from, ie movie or whatever.

[@radxavier2269]

@@somebloke3869 Opal is a character from Steven Universe, a TV cartoon series. Opal, being a fusion of two main characters, rarely appears in the series, much less gets to sing. Opal finally sings in the Steven Universe TV movie, which aired last September

[@CyberNancy]

Her voice carries...

[@neilshearer571]

Alan Philips keep it down now!

[@Miriboheme]

throughout the years...

[@cyberbird8683]

oh man, that voice, brings me back so many memories. impossible not to fall in love

[@hansgroover4590]

I've loved Aimee Mann's songs since my friend Lucy's '99 house party, when she and the other girls put Magnolia in the VCR. That afternoon, some of us rude mechanical lads were enchanted and started becoming yer actual body-and-soul men. 🖤

[@GrothendiecksWish]

A fine pack of proper mad lads

[@dale8809]

Her voice is better than it was thirty years ago....and that's saying alot. Really nice to hear her again.

[@ThaProdigalSun]

Joco and MANN! thanks for this, NPR

[@scjrs]

A Joni Mitchell of our times.

[@fabiobarbati6029]

how rich is the sound of that one simple acoustic guitar: congrats to the sound engineer!

[@craigshannon7955]

Aimee!!! I'm listening to til Tuesday during the pandemic..on vinyl!! I saw you in Kansas City perhaps 84-87. Still one of my favourite albums!!!!!! I love you and stay safe!!

[@danielstewart6717]

Her band is amazing, and she is a great American poet.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

I keep coming back to this Tiny Desk Concert.

[@ladyfantastic765]

she just keeps making magic. and i loves it, precious!

[@williamrowe5313]

Have seen Amy ten times since the til Tuesday days. Got the chance to meet her several times and she's great, and very fan friendly. Thanks Aimee for the great music and for signing my CDs and pictures we took together.

[@CFL0]

Omg I have absolutely loved this woman's music ever since I stumbled upon her back in 2002 in the Jennifer Lopez movie Enough. I searched her back catalog and it has so many gems. The last album Mental Illness has become one of my favorites

[@bradb615]

The forgotten arm is a genius song cycle. She is so beautiful inside and out, I’m totally in love with her.i’m so jealous of her husband Michael Penn. LOL

[@Clg09]

Kind of legendary for modern times. Amazing how you never tire of her releases and MI is one of her best (Lost in Space is another gem but sadly underrated).

[@jodisherman5319]

Magnolia-best line ever: "Now that I've found you, would you object to, never seeing each other again?"

[@drain_001]

Watched a Joco Cruise video where Aimee was playing bass, ended up here where Joco is playing backup for Aimee. I love the Internet :)

[@duncanpelletiermusic]

every songwriter's favorite songwriter. next level.

[@jammasterjayflyboy]

A beautiful Set List by an amazing artist - thanks for sharing NPR - love your Tiny Desk Concerts.

[@jimhowaniec]

Sigh, summer of '84, at the upstairs bar at the Rat in Kenmore Square, Boston, I was in law school, she was in the about to be famous 'Til Tuesday, with the funky '80s hair, she was alone for a few minutes, she looked over at me, smiled, raised her glass, I raised mine. And then her friends came back by and she moved off, to fame and fortune.... She looks and sounds great after all these years!

[@JC-yy8iv]

The Ratttt ❤️❤️❤️ love to see a fellow Rat alumni in the wild

[@smileyhappyradio]

One of my favorites of yours Aimee. I hope to see you at the Greek, but wish you were the headliner. This is a great song for getting divorced, especially if they actually were a narcissist who only ever loved themselves.

[@shuddupeyaface]

Manchester academy. Best concert I've ever been to. And I've been to many.

[@TheEurokrafts]

This women's voice and talent never ceases to amaze me.

[@TheEurokrafts]

I saw her in 2000 at the 930 club on D.C. Lovely. She has a Beatlesque-Elliott Smith quality to her music. Such quality.

[@wirmeth]

A performance of simplicity. Aimee's voice sounds so fragile.. yet flawless.. so heavenly. Always love her.

[@jamieknowles625]

Ayyyy that's muh boy Jonathan Coulton on the guitar.

[@kennethwilson8236]

did not expect that when I clicked on this

[@wthisthisshiz]

Crazy that Thing a Week was over a decade ago

[@TheBent139]

Funny that I first heard Jonathan on his clever cover of Sir Mix A Lot's "Baby Got Back".

[@badendings1733]

JCo is my BOY!

[@jimkenney1305]

Her voice is still intoxicating!!

[@HollyBonAlibi]

She's one of the greatest singer songwriters

[@nelsonc6173]

Aimee Mann...a childhood crush and now an adult crush. A great musician with the beauty to match!

[@jonjonlambo]

so beautiful....needed this tonight.....thank you.

[@danlynch8520]

She is so completely adorable - that little smile they share at the end of the first song kills me, let alone the genius of that tune. WOW!!!

[@LeonardCrassman]

Still heart achingly beautiful.

[@richardgordon9939]

Aimee is a great singer songwriter. I've been following her work since the 80s

[@craigshannon7955]

Aimee... I shared a yogurt with you in Kansas City years ago. You played at the Midland theater and I waited by your bus after...just to say hi. You were eating a yogurt and you offered me some. Thanks. You're amazing!!

[@cannonw59]

This has been a great week for me rediscovering Aimee Mann. Thank you npr and acoustic cafe Peace&Love!

[@danielshade710]

Aimee is THE frontline combat soldier of music today. Her vulnerability and bravery is a thing to behold as one would admire a Gold Star Navy Seal talking about his PTSD. It's like looking into the sun when you really think about the breadth and depth of what she's said over the years and how she said it. She's a treasure like Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell or John Lennon.

[@Michael62nyc]

You got it. Saw her in Milwaukee on her current tour. Integrity and the rarest all things these days; authenticity. Beautiful human.

[@wakeoftheflood2]

Daniel Shade / gold star means you've died, but I think I get what your meaning is

[@11Garrett11]

Daniel Shade - 💯

[@jakebutler1095]

Dramatic much? She's a fucking songwriter just like all of the others you listed they aren't gods. They are just people that tell stories and write about their own life they might well known but they experience life the same way we all do. Her story is no more special than anyone else's she just writes songs about it.

[@11Garrett11]

Aww Jake's upset : (

[@joywright7297]

I met her when she played at the Basketball Hall of Fame here in Springfield. My young son was with me. We chatted, she’s so down to earth.

[@rukiddingmewiththis]

The vocal arrangements are just exquisite.

[@robertaglass]

I got a kick out of the typo in your video description: “Mann’s album, the first in five years, is BALDLY called Mental Illness”.

[@frumpeting]

She's been listened to for many great road trips in my past. You're superb. How to give back?

[@cthulhulove8893]

I love her voice! And that shirt is awesome!

[@wendellbryant]

Oh my! how did life get in the way of me following this amazing women, I wore til tuesday out. Nice to reconnect to a true soul touching voice.

[@TampaFanatic1]

Awesome Tiny Desk Concert by Aimee. Her repertoire covers so many genres of music: folk, alternative, rock, country rock, etc. Such a joy to listen to her since her Til Tuesday days and even doing a video with the Ontario rockers Rush once if I am correct, Time Stand Stills? Thanks for posting this!

[@fatditto3831]

The guy on bass looks like a young version of Nardwuar

[@adsvx]

She is so special, so unique, so talented. Thank god for Aimee Mann.

[@michaelthomas2804]

Is that Jonathan Coulton?

[@jenniferkell4711]

Aimee Mann's lyrics drew me to her music. She sings about things we keep hidden inside, putting them out there in beautiful melodies that have gotten me through more than one heartbreak, relapse, and depression.

[@spookyvegan1402]

I can’t express how much I love this lady ❤

[@alexanderteuman7273]

Michelle nPfeiffer & Seth Roren.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

There will come a day I will share this music with my sons when they get older.

[@aimeeg476]

I only ever discovered Aimee because well, my name is also Aimee and it is not common for me to see my name spelled correctly on a record at the record shop lol. I am so glad we share a name because this woman is amazing. Her lyrics really do hit some type of way..

[@robertbodle2354]

you never loved me.

[@riabakilaloo1983]

Discovered Aimee Mann on the I Am Sam soundtrack and what a precious find she was!

[@sharanprakash956]

Absolutely gorgeous piano. So moving!

[@Katharsis540]

Magnolia.

[@shjakes]

When you wail at a wailing toddler, more often than not...they stop and stare, probably wondering why your life is so sad. There are many proverbial "toddlers" out there for whom this album is a real balm. Thank you Aimee Mann, your gift of song saved lives!

[@58shortboard]

Genius lyricist. Her wordplay is extraordinary. And her voice…I could listen to her all day

[@muzikhed]

I was so impressed when I first heard Aimee's music and her lyrics. She is one of my favourites, she is always in the van with me and we have travelled a few thousand miles together.

[@bonnerscott5374]

I love you, Aimee Mann even since you wore the freak flag hair very high back in the day. being different is just seeing the word in a different way[you're way] and sticking with it and being valiant enough not to fall into the trick of trying so hard to be someone your not. and Aimee Mann has always been just that. ALWAYS BE YOU ALWAYS!

[@davidarbuckle7236]

She is so fantastic.

[@wushujimmy4112]

It always surprises me when I see Aimee Mann performing and not playing bass.

[@abrighteyedbandit2449]

it's still interesting to see how she went from til tuesday in the 80s to her acoustic solo work

[@bishlap]

yes, sad, isn't it!?!

[@mrphic69]

Je n'ai jamais compris pourquoi elle est si peu connue,c'est une chanteuse très talentueuse,je la suis depuis très longtemps,et je l'ai vue en concert,je l'adore.

[@mapuataeric7490]

Goose Snow Cone , great song.