Stephen Colbert Joins The Mountain Goats To Perform 'This Year'

[@melissaveras]

It's always emotional to see twins, separated at birth, finally reunited in a song.

[@colinhanna4394]

It literally made me cry tears of joy

[@nomesobrenome8505]

How about the third twin, John Oliver? Wished he had been there too...

[@WarrenPostma]

@@nomesobrenome8505 twinplets.

[@user-us1ih2ov6n]

Are they twins???

[@JJFLIP101]

I cannot stop laughing at this comment

[@mikeytaylor3901]

It’s easy to feel disconnected from celebrities since their lives seem so different, but moments like this, where Colbert sings with the same conviction every Mountain Goats fan sings This Year has, reminds me we’re all people trying to get by at the end of the day.

[@metalheadjakob]

Yea it is easy to forget that everybody is just a "normal" human being like the rest of us, a different one but one nonetheless.

[@martinhugh1680]

Stephen ripped his voice up before even getting to the 2nd chorus. True fan.

[@NINacide]

meanwhile I'm daydreaming of doing this song at Karaoke and i already know exactly what it will look like to the audience.

[@cebkidy]

How perfect is it that Colbert is a Mountain Goats fan?!

[@Olhado256]

Nothing I will learn today will make as much sense as this.

[@taasinbinhossainalvi9173]

Ngl Colbert has patrician taste

[@THB192]

I mean honestly I should have just assumed Colbert was a Mountain Goats fan.

[@Nuvizzle]

They were on The Colbert Report when The Life of the World to Come released. Also he ended The Colbert Report to a Neutral Milk Hotel song and the venn diagram of Mountain Goats fans and Neutral Milk Hotel fans is a perfect circle.

[@stevegoodson9022]

Great to see his obvious genuine love for the song, as a tv host he could easily have got away with holding a sheet of lyrics or standing stationary during the song. That was definitely a fan living his dream.

[@benfliger8010]

Oh that's right. Joy does still exist.

[@gordon_lamb]

2020 would like to have a word with you

[@SE4GY7]

Living for this comment right now

[@paulthomas4908]

And as another band says, it is a great for of rebellion.

[@thomasrusconi]

My partner of 14 years left me yesterday. They told me they love someone else and have been seeing them for months now. I am broken. This song right now is the only thing giving me the hope to carry on. Thank you, Mountain Goats.

[@Play-All-The-Games]

This song helped me when my 14-year marriage dissolved two years ago. Lean into the pain, feel sad, feel angry. You are worth so much more than they ever understood!

[@TheRealScooterGuy]

The year 2020 should have made this the official song of the year.

[@steakknives]

For me, it was.

[@joepublic6441]

My thoughts exactly!!!! And 2021 too….

[@andreacarter7125]

2021 gave 2020 a pretty damn good run for its money. That said, this video gives me life 🤘🏼

[@robertoiannucci4881]

And 2022

[@icook1723]

@@robertoiannucci4881 wait for 2024.

[@Tom-dk5ez]

It took less than 2 seconds to go from “the mountain goats on stephen colbert? That wasn’t something i thought i would see today” to “oh actually this makes perfect sense, of course stephen loves this band”

[@c.l.a.i.r.e.m.a.r.v.e.l]

This meant *so much* to me. THANK YOU STEPHEN

[@Rezan01]

4 us

[@adityakhanna113]

IT'S A DREAM!

[@misslanapford9169]

Ditto to every one.. never seen him singing properly..

[@Tom-dk5ez]

also having the mountain goats on and performing “this year” with them is THE most valid reason to have a late night show

[@journalsbysophie]

It's been a long time since I see Stephen Colbert so free, so happy... please more of this. Also Great taste in music Colbert! I love this band and this song in particular it always makes me feel better when I'm sad or angry.

[@lynnwilhoite6194]

This performance really gave me a lot of hope. You could tell Steven really meant what he was singing and I think he did it for us as well as for himself. Well done Stephen Colbert

[@darkmyro]

I listen to this and no children when I'm sad. "No children" when I'm angry and want to wallow in my depression and" this year" when I wanna get out of it and feel like everything will be better. Maybe a little "damn these vampires" when I feel like everything or everyone is against me. Not in a literal sense but a metaphorical one.

[@Hampton-nv8mw]

Sofi That was amazing! I guess I live under a rock because I’ve never heard of this band before. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@aliens8bob1]

Sofi For me it’s ‘Golden Boy’ it helps me remember that there are good things in the world.

[@journalsbysophie]

@@Hampton-nv8mw I heard them thanks to the author John Green, I'm a nerdfighter and this is his favorite band he shared some of his songs with our community via his videos here, and they are really inspirational.You should check their other songs too :)

[@abellingrath5662]

I sing this every year. I'm going to sing this all day tomorrow.....

[@hasansiddiqui1775]

This song helped me out during really tough nights in my first year quitting pain killers. It's been a rough time, this song's lyrics were perfect to fit that. I was ecstatic to see this in my sub box. Thanks Stephen, and the Mountain Goats!

[@andreafeelsfantastic]

Hasan Siddiqui stay strong friend

[@Vikn01]

This same band and song helped me get through opiate addiction and alcohol abuse as well...I wonder how many people had this same experience with them

[@1358Paco]

Have you listened to the whole album? The first song is explicitly about trying to overcome addiction

[@dcedrick6912]

tMG has helped me through multitudes of tough times. Glad to know that I'm not the only who leaned on theses genii for support. Don't keep quiet -- speak out. Get it out. Grateful and Thankful you found the strength to overcome. Celebrate! Much love

[@Hmm...Whats-Their-Name]

@Hasan Siddiqui - Good luck, bro! You got this; keep it up and stay strong, friend.m! Sending all the self control and best wishes I can through the internet.

[@Scrambledpegs]

Stephen Colbert out here living all our dreams

[@raiderxdopeboy]

Right I'm jealous like a mf 😂 🤭 pardon my language

[@FutureNow]

Stephen living every tMG fan's dream. AMAZING.

[@andrineslife]

Yes!

[@chrisreadman9426]

The main line of this song is also high on your average tMG fans dream list.

[@kathleen109]

Exactly what I just said as I posted this video to my friend on FB!

[@dcedrick6912]

seriously. not jelly but jelly.

[@jmstodola6080]

LET'S GO STEPHEN YOU BEAUTIFUL ANGEL WITH A HARMONIC VOICE

[@autumn7809]

Just a little of two weeks after this video was posted, I was hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. For the months leading up to that, this song had been keeping me hanging on, and seeing this video was incredibly powerful. I made it through 2019, it almost killed me, it killed parts of me, but I made it. And now, seeing this video is a whole different kind of joy.

[@marianalj8128]

It must have been an incredibly difficult situation. I hope you are doing well. Take care.

[@samanthabasile9633]

Dear Autumn, You may never see this, but as John says in another song "I hope you love your life now, like I love mine." I was first introduced to this song after I attempted suicide at age 19. I was in college at the time, they kicked me out and made me re-apply...basically they didn't want a liability on campus. My first year back at college, this was my anthem. I just wanted to survive...and I did. It's been over 15 years, and sometimes I can't believe I'm still alive. And obviously, because I'm posting this, I still revisit this song and feel grateful for all the small things (like this song) that kept me going. You are not alone. I am not alone. We are in this together. I am sending you all my love.

[@ChicagoJon2016]

@@samanthabasile9633 4 months later...both of you hang in there...

[@mordicaiknode]

@@ChicagoJon2016 keeping this ball rolling; hope everyone is having an awesome day.

[@mollymaam]

I’m with you too.

[@ssukantaupadhyay9747]

I get instantaneously happy when I see Stephen Colbert dancing He is so genuine that his happiness feels infectious

[@playasadonejoe]

I have got to remember that 'jumping through the air' move, it's a killer!

[@Davis190]

Stephen's performance is completely loyal to the album, while John's is of course more improvised. Its funny

[@KilalaAurelia]

This is so freaking adorable.

[@nate6920]

So glad the mountain goats are finally getting this recognition! They deserve it!

[@Hmm...Whats-Their-Name]

Trust!

[@JoelEmberson]

I come back and watch this from time to time because it is pure, unadulterated joy.

[@cj4503]

I never even speculated about seeing Stephen on stage with John Darnielle but now that I've seen it, I feel like I just experienced my first Christmas all over again

[@juliaconnell]

WOW - lost for words. I go - 'ok - Mountain Goats - never heard of them' & I haven't but I know this song - really know this song - - really *really* know it - my fiance - who died in 2017 - this was one of his favourite songs. he played it ALL THE TIME. thank you Stephen - & lovely to see you so happy

[@lynnwilhoite6194]

Sincerely sorry for your loss.

[@juliaconnell]

thank you @@lynnwilhoite6194, I really appreciate it.

[@tmgperson1323]

:( tears

[@MNeely]

For some reason I was always sure Stephen was a fan of this band.

[@GNRGNRGNR100]

Liberal, intellectual, catholic and pretty cute. They're literally the same people

[@EvanFowler]

As soon as he said, "The next song is not on this album...", I knew it was gonna be this song.

[@medes5597]

Hyper literate, intelligent, deeply Catholic, fantasy obsessed and incredibly emotive and sad? Yeah I always thought Stephen loved them. Everyone I know who fits the "sad, smart and Catholic" demographic loves that band. God I hope they're gonna be like Letterman's love of Warren Zevon, showing up every few years so the host can get over excited about them.

[@stevencoleman453]

When he had 'The Colbert Report' he had them on once. It was when they where touring for 'the life and things to come'. They performed 2 songs and Stephen even interviewed them; breaking character to gush over the lyrics to 'Sax Roamer #1' and talk about Catholicism with John Darnielle. I've never found the clip on KZbin but it's available on the Comedy Central website.

[@medes5597]

@@stevencoleman453 * the life of the world to come. It's from the nicene creed.

[@joejohnson4290]

This song pulled me out of a dark depression many years ago. Thank you Mountain goats for helping me see that I can get through even if it kills me😂

[@dcedrick6912]

with this song -- you are invincible!

[@metalheadjakob]

I'm happy you made it out man. I hope you are doing well.

[@inquisitiveterrestrian]

You made it through those years!!! YESSS!!!!!

[@NewMessage]

Stephen's gotta release an album of all the times he's sat in with bands on the show.

[@byronp2311]

Also, let'e not forget that he managed to sweet-talk Julie Andrews into a short duet with him and she hardly EVER (problably never) sings in public since her botched surgery.

[@youremakingprogress144]

This song makes me cry every time. I've never heard, anywhere else, such a pure and beautiful representation of absolutely deserved adolescent rage - and the fierce determination to survive against everyone else's wishes is inspiring in the most heartbreaking way.

[@gameglitch3686]

the look of pure joy on Colbert's face, absolutely amazing

[@s.cahill9701]

How's life in your 30s? Any kids?

[@KevinAdams06]

D&D, mountain goats, and Colbert. I think we will make it.

[@maryrosekent8223]

Kevin Adams And four women of color giving the 🍊🍄💩 this: 🖕🏾🖕🏿🖕🏾🖕🏽

[@MarcKloos]

Don't forget the Hobbit

[@dcedrick6912]

this is the kind of content that prime time tv is lacking. praise tMG.

[@surrexi]

Scream-singing this song is my forever aesthetic, tbh.

[@thedigs113]

I loved this song already but seeing Stephen sing it was truly a beautiful thing. It feels almost like a spiritual experience because you get the sense that Stephen has sung that song before and meant the words in his own life.

[@vp-sf4nj]

You can see how John started enjoying the performance much more when Stephen joined him. A very energetic and euphoric performance!

[@Luxowell]

After listening to Stephen's interview on WTF it becomes so clear why he loves this song so much. He was that kid in the song. Just like a lot of us were. Blown away to see him play with The Mountain Goats. Maybe he will play the even angrier "No Children" next time.

[@MagicTimeTravel]

now it's gone viral on tiktok this is not unlikely

[@lonejedi9175]

We can make it my friends. Let's press on.

[@Taalsman]

CAUSE WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH, THIS YEAR, IF IT KILLS US!

[@FirstLast-gm9nu]

Colbert's voice actually perfectly fits the song. It's uncanny

[@jesskunkle4716]

I feel like Stephen Colbert dreamed of singing his favorite song on stage with the band..... and it just turned into something so great.

[@hopewrites4677]

This made my cry tears of happiness. Thank you Stephen and John for making me feel less alone in this odd, strange world.

[@gennstaa1312]

I screeched when I saw this pop up! This is great! 🥰

[@Technodreamer]

Ringing in 2022 with this.

[@theahlawrence4007]

That was soooooo cute!! Everyone living their best life! 😊

[@masonalexanderweems]

Why am I crying every single time I rewatch this

[@flip7081]

I now HAVE to see Colbert do The Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton.

[@bg5469]

stephen colbert, a proud and devout catholic: hail satan, HAAAIL SATAN

[@TweedleDeedleyDee]

@@bg5469 well John is also Christian so

[@arieltaylor735]

We all need this right now.

[@Julie1019]

The more I watch Stephen Colbert the more I realize he must have been in my lunch group in high school despite him being from SC and being born 20 years before me.

[@sooperdud]

The theme song to 2019 and also 2018 and also 2017 and going go be 2020

[@dcedrick6912]

theme song for every year: i'm gonna make it this year... and it won't kill me.

[@peacefullyadrift]

2016 as well. remember how badly people wanted 2016 to end? yeah. Those were the days.

[@MrLFJ7]

A song for all time.

[@AdamLaMore]

Hello from 2020 and you had no idea how true this would be.

[@aob6033]

listening in 2020 - this song just keeps getting more real

[@stevenklnes7148]

I do love "This Year" and it's fitting but "No Children" will always be my favorite

[@honkhonkhonkwtfhonk]

You guys have no idea how amazing and inspiring it is to see The Mountain Goats on the Late Show AND have Stephen request a song AND sing it with them. Holy crap, this is amazing, thank you so much guys!

[@athena854]

It’s so pure and adorable to see grown men meet their heroes. See also the video of Bill Hader meeting Keith Morrison.

[@dodgebenson17]

i cant even imagine how incredible it must feel to be able to request your favorite song from a favorite band

[@heatherfeather2621]

Pandemic health prescription: One dose of "This Year" after breakfast daily.

[@SlimThrull]

I've had to up to to twice daily.

[@18Hongo]

With the pandemic that chorus line might be more of a prediction than a statement of intent.

[@jackfisher4717]

2022 - still a video and song we all need. This makes me so happy.

[@davidsteinke1]

Who's here tryna make it thru 2020? 🤔

[@Limoredin]

Me lol

[@marnierella]

Me too...this did brighten my day, though

[@amberfebruary]

We've almost made it!

[@haydencarpenter1516]

I cranked this through headphones at midnight this morning. Good way to round out the year. John Darnielle’s lyrics are unrivaled. Nothing makes me feel such raw emotion as Mountain Goats songs do.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Who's still here and alive in 2025!?!? Oh wait...my time machine malfunctioned...ahhh shyyyt! 2021 is going to happen all over again now! They messed up the Mayan calander! It was 2021 when it all ends, not 2012!!! Tell the people! It was an amateur mistake!

[@kris242]

I’m honestly so upset that I only JUST found this 🤣 Not only the duhhh moment that Colbert is OF COURSE a Mountain Goats fan, but also the realization that these two heroes are basically the same person in different mediums. ❤️ I want them to collab more now lolol

[@TheCynedd]

This was GREAT! 👍😊💖🎹 So many people forget that Mr. Cobert is not only a comic and talk show host but he has been an actor in stage and musical theatre for many years and he is a graduate of Northwestern University.

[@lynnwilhoite6194]

I remember seeing Colbert on Law and Order Criminal Intent, where he played a creepy villain. Vincent D'onofrio really took Colbert down! 😁

[@rosemarymancera4318]

HOW CAN ANYONE NOT LOVE THIS MAN!!! STEPHEN, YOU WERE GREAT!!!

[@josremery]

Still watching in Nov 2020

[@g.g.4010]

You simply have to love this Stephen Colbert! ❤

[@garethralfe5162]

That was pure joy.

[@c.l.a.i.r.e.m.a.r.v.e.l]

Yeah, this might me one of the best things I’ve ever seen.

[@Hmm...Whats-Their-Name]

Truuuuust!!!

[@eg1197]

The lead singer imo actually looks aliitle like Steve. Neverless lovely to watch, positive energy singing the song. I love 💘 the band.

[@makeitreelnet]

There aren't enough heart emojis and Like buttons to express how much I love this clip and this man. Thank you, Stephen Colbert.

[@LisaBeebe]

RIGHT? I'm over here wishing I could favorite it multiple times

[@d.p.9393]

Lee, I literally got goose bumps watching Stephen. His genuine personality is so positive and uplifting it bout brought a tear to my eyes. With so much craziness in USA atm, this was a slice of heaven. All feel good stuff!

[@andrineslife]

Thank God for the internet allowing me to witness this glorious moment ❤

[@deborahsnead3672]

Just found this today. I have great memories of Mountain Goat concerts! I am going to make it through this year if it kills me!

[@nancyanneberg403]

A new fan having never heard this group. Thank you much.

[@piggugudu1327]

This is too cute, love how happy they are and the pure, violent and unadulterated hope that that fills this song 😄

[@margicates553]

Omg! He’s singing the second verse 😍 Of course Colbert’s a mountain goats fan.

[@Moonlightdance58]

I love it when Stephen sings along. He is good!

[@KingBobXVI]

He really is! Though his voice was pretty clearly hoarse in this recording - I bet just from practicing and the rehearsal takes :P

[@user-pp5oh9ee1k]

@@KingBobXVI I think that’s intentional. Like folk punk singers are notoriously “bad” at singing, but they put enough emotion that makes it still sound good

[@misswolfe]

There is always a new reason to deeply appreciate Stephen Colbert and this is certainly one of them.

[@Roflmaolinde]

This is by far the clip of Colbert that I have rewatched the most times! I think it’s lovely to see that he is such a fan. Any late show host would have let them just do their thing and play a song from their current album, but he chose the one he likes the most, and joined in in a lovely way!

[@chrisryan9879]

i am going to buy that album because of this performance.

[@mustardsfire22]

Any and all Mountain Goats albums are worth buying. I recommend The Sunset Tree (the album this song is from), Goths, All Hail West Texas, and The Life of the World to Come.

[@PhantomMoocat]

Also Transcendental Youth and Heretic Pride are fantastic! (Transcendental Youth is my favorite, at the moment).

[@kathleen109]

I have most of them, and the new one is worth picking up, too.

[@jhm6941]

You definitely should. The Sunset Tree is an amazing album. You’ll be so happy you did.

[@lernernernerdicarpricorn9297]

Definitely check out Beat the Champ and Tallahassee!

[@chrisfrancis1759]

This song reminds me of unforgettable college road trips with friends. Love this song.

[@15batterycharge68]

i love this song

[@andrewosborn4338]

This just makes me so happy

[@Finkster5]

Man, I remember being a teenager and listening to this song at least once a year at 15, 16, and 17 (it felt extra good that year because me being 17 matched the lyrics), and it really helped me get through all the BS of high school and my (at the time) shitty relationship with my father. Now, 10 years later I'm 27, and am finally gaining weight back/able to eat again after having awful digestive problems that made me pretty seriously underweight and the song feels just as relevant, albeit in a different way. I guess that just says something about the universal, relatable quality of this song, even if it was specifically about John's particular situation. In 2019, for Colbert, it's about getting through another year with Trump as president, but it has a million different contexts for all the people who hear it.

[@kathleenkilcline7303]

A friend just tagged me in this video and i feel like she handed me a gift !!! Thank you !! Lots of love from Mark & Maegan's Mom in R.I. Love this SO MUCH

[@sharkymcgoo]

Oh, Stephen...as if I could love you any more! I've loved the Mountain Goats for so, so long, and now...it's so great to see this, today, any day, when things are as radically broken in the world and in my heart as they've ever been. Thank you for being in the world, Stephen Colbert, John Darnielle, all of you. Damn. This is great! And your singing was fucking perfect!!

[@JustElia420]

Stephen and The Mountain Goats, Couldn't get better than this!

[@karaquigg3684]

I love his dancing!!!!!! 💕

[@petekellerman9236]

This made me smile more than I have in a long time ! one of my favorite songs! absolutely fantastic.

[@ryanw627]

4 mins of pure joy

[@jesseRomine]

On the Mountain Goats website it said they recorded this song with Stephen on Comedy Central 10 years ago and it never aired... This makes this so much more great

[@curtisholsinger6023]

Stephen sounds like a weird but compelling cross between Dropkick Murphys and the Sea Chanty singers I used to go see in San Francisco when I was young. It is an incredibly specific and heartwarming combo. God this was good.

[@ejyounggun08]

I don't usually watch musicians on late night but no one can resist watching a video with "Stephen performs" in the title. I've never heard of this band but been listening quite a bit since this was posted.

[@pictou9885]

love at the very end when stephen goes for a hand shake but peter brings him in for the hug

[@KTGetc]

I listen to this song every New Year's Day at 12:00 AM, no matter where I am. It's my mantra and my resolution and it helps keep me going.I'm so happy Colbert is also a fan. Thanks, Mountain Goats

[@joshuaseymour5714]

The next four years if it kills me!

[@kumakena]

This year was gonna be amazing for me. I had finally kicked a bout of suicidal depression I’ve had for over two years. Just deaths after deaths in my life, on top of trying to learn to cope with PTSD without therapy. It was rough. Then I just woke up and I felt better. Then COVID-19 came around, I managed to catch it and have been stuck inside my house for going on three weeks now (I’m pretty much recovered now though), and all my events I’d planned that got me through the winter we’re cancelled. I didn’t even realize how bad the depression had gotten again until I was singing along to this and couldn’t sing the chorus. Then the tears came. I love The Mountain Goats. I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me. I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me.

[@AbeoLyve]

This hit me hard. I don't know if you've heard Exegetic Chains yet, but make it through this year if it kills us outright.

[@gmw3550]

You can do this. There will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year.

[@whoopshey826]

watch when stephen sings "i am gonna make it through this year" he closed his eyes and slightly yelled it. He meant that shit.

[@AishaJathome]

YES. That is the moment you can tell he was feeling it to his bones.

[@Forshbr04]

SCREAMING along with this in 2020

[@sjduskin]

And that was PRE election!

[@dcedrick6912]

Every year on New Year's Eve/Day I play this song. Lovely!

[@alexalexalex92]

D Cedrick me too!

[@tryingtoputitintowords]

D Cedrick same!!

[@dcedrick6912]

@@alexalexalex92 are there any other favorites from the mountain goats?

[@dcedrick6912]

@@tryingtoputitintowords glad to hear that im not the only one!

[@alexalexalex92]

@@dcedrick6912 No Children!

[@oddjam]

This brings me so much joy

[@tootallzz]

YAY Stephen sing and dance like everyone is watching!😁👍

[@lonniethomas2649]

This makes me so happy every time I watch it! ❤

[@d.p.9393]

How wonderfully delightful Mr. Colbert is!!!!! Heartwarming and thank you from the bottom of my heart Stephen. "I'm gonna make it through this year if it kills me".

[@juliewolf8655]

Thanks for making it okay for old people to jump. I thought i was the only one...though i cant go as long as i used to🤙❤

[@mghtdelete]

Love this song, great performance

[@byzantinerts6660]

Moral Orel tipped me off to this band, and they have so many excellent songs. So many that have never been released on an album (one of my favorites is 'You Were Cool'). I was stoked that Colbert had them on, and the fact that he asked them to sing one of his favorite songs is pretty unique. I come back to this video every year or so. If you enjoyed this check out their extensive discography, you won't be disappointed.

[@michaelelder1098]

Every time this song comes back into my life it fills a hole I forgot was there. Seeing Stephen love this song so hard, like the rest of us, did my soul good. Beauty.

[@april1969simnel]

Aw! I love seeing celebrities stanning their faves! And, yeah, the chorus of this song reminds me of how I felt from 1971-1987. I thought or said some version of "I'm going to make it through this year if it kills me" until I left that damned house August 23rd, 1987, shook the dust from my sandals, and didn't look back.