David Bowie Performs A Song Written By Conan | Late Night with Conan O’Brien

(Original airdate: 11/16/99) David Bowie performs the song that Conan submitted to his “Cyber Song Contest.”
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Running from 1993-2009, Late Night with Conan O’Brien is one of the most beloved late night shows in television history. Known for its absurdist humor, hilarious celebrity interviews and featuring the best stand-up comedians and musical acts of the 90’s and early 2000s. Hosted by Conan O’Brien alongside sidekick Andy Richter and house band Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7, Late Night with Conan O’Brien featured unforgettable segments like “If They Mated,” “In the Year 2000,” “Desk Driving” and made a breakout star of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
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[@AdamWood]

"This is going to be a famous interview one day" - Aged like fine wine

[@jamiew1664]

he was quite clever saying that

[@ximepalleiro1224]

Envejecia con.clase !! Hermosooo David c persona tamb

[@jarekp362]

i just scrolled for that comment, cheers

[@buggyboogle9]

@@jarekp362me too :). In that sense Conan was great in having David Bowie on several times.

[@mrreemann3739]

He was so right. It is!😂❤

[@wadew3623]

If David Bowie compliments your shirt, it's a moment you never forget.

[@adsensedd]

Yeah, I'd be trying to snatch a photo with David so I could frame it with he shirt.

[@ShadyPinesMa79]

I think David wore a shirt just like it in 1969 😂

[@obama281]

I guess he wants to know the shirt that you wear

[@ShadyPinesMa79]

@@obama281 I see what you did there 👏

[@brianegendorf2023]

Its hard enough to get a celebrity to compliment an average fan when they are SUPPOSE to engage with fans. Having him randomly pick you out of the audience and compliment you when he doesn't even have to acknowledge ANYONE in the audience is the sincerest form of flattery.

[@tattoodude8946]

"You burst your G string." - 🤣 I love how happy he was at that!

[@resera5]

It was his D string though!

[@lance56]

@@resera5 I think it was a joke... G string :P

[@Spractral]

​@@resera5 Thanks, you beat me to the punch. Only a couple decades late.

[@Spractral]

​@@lance56 the next string down (closer to the floor, the way he's holding the guitar) is the G string.

[@TommyTwista]

Conan was a fantastically witty host. And Bowie was so full of life.

[@antoniodelgadomateos9921]

and full of coke 😆

[@sh1121]

@@antoniodelgadomateos9921 If you’re full of coke 30 years after smoking it you’ve got an issue

[@vovahimself]

Was?

[@notimportant1006]

@@vovahimself well the video wasnt taken in the present... and hes dead...so yeah.

[@vovahimself]

@@notimportant1006 Conan???

[@groofay]

Say what you want about Bowie, but his thousand-yard stare at the slightest reference to Space Oddity was impeccable.

[@michaelhake2291]

Yeah acting. What a good sport.

[@fleur4119]

Wut Bowie > inf

[@viniciusgoncalves2642]

He didn't like space oddity?

[@michaelhake2291]

@@viniciusgoncalves2642 omg yes, he liked it, he and Conan were joking around

[@anonymouzzz4307]

@@viniciusgoncalves2642 it's obviously about Conan stealing his song 🙄

[@RobeliTeran]

I LOVED Bowie's laugh. It was so genuine and was like a full-body laugh. Miss the Starman, like everyone else.

[@scottskinner577]

I first heard his laughs in Labyrinth. What a baller to pull off that look with those tight ass pants

[@robertoseveno]

Yes! So full of wit. Beautiful man.

[@JennDickens]

I miss the Star man too. 💓

[@Becki545]

I was going to write the same thing!

[@jasonbarlow1448]

Same same. Reminds me of Alan Watts laugh! That deep, soulful, tonal, mischevious chuckle, rife with ciggies, whisky, cheeky British glee.

[@beiyi6933]

You can notice how respectful conan is, everytime when Bowie talks, he listens without any interruption at all

[@paulv7744]

There are so many talk show hosts .. But he's clearly better than most.

[@SameBasicRiff]

And how quick he is with every reference and topic - truly an actual legend of the game.

[@andresilvasophisma]

Love that he didn't have any rockstar vibes, just had his fun in a relaxed manner.

[@fredzeller2768]

I remember this fondly....during rehearsal, David sang those lyrics, got to “ground control to major tom”, and started laughing. “You can’t use that!”, he said. “I DINE off of that line”. One of the best reactions I’ve ever heard. Classic.

[@SyntheticaYT]

Were you in the audience? Or did you work for the show?

[@キラキラくりくり頭]

For me, I thought it was way funnier when, just after rehearsal, we were in the restroom, and David let out this huge fart, and he shouted out the line "you've really made the grade". What a legend.

[@RemotelyHuman666]

@@SyntheticaYT He worked in the sound department.

[@redshift8302]

@@キラキラくりくり頭 You don't believe him? There many people who worked around celebrities you know, and they comment from time to time. Someone put a comment and explained how he talked with Diesel the wrestler for 45 minutes in a bar, and he was subjected to irony as well, but I thought there's no reason not to believe him. But if he asked me 100$ to make me meet him then I would be wary.

[@キラキラくりくり頭]

@@redshift8302 yeah I know, I'm just joking. Stuff like that happens all the time. In fact, I remember watching TV with my dad; David Bowie came on and my dad said in an irritated voice "ugh, I remember when he left all his stuff in our garage". I was like "woh, woh, hold up. What? He left his stuff in your garage, and you're annoyed?" He replied "well yeah, he left it there for ages." Unlike my previous comment, this one's actually true. My dad, uncle, grandad etc met loads of famous people, including The Beatles, Elton John etc. So you'd think that they must have been doing something amazing... Not quite, it was a transport company. Just driving trucks basically. So, I have no reason to disbelieve the OP, I was just drunk and trying to be funny.

[@Tedisntakidanymore]

For the 25th richest man in Britain, and a rock god to boot, Bowie always came across as humorous, good natured and very smart.

[@Daniel_Addy]

I’m not sure it’s that odd for all of those things co-existing , but I do agree with you 👍

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

Being successfull and rich relieves a lot of that sort of stress that keeps many from coming across as good natured i guess.

[@MrThedonhead]

He wasn't no where near even the 25th richest rockstar in England

[@Alef.93]

@@MrThedonhead He was, in 1997. Followed by Paul McCartney and Tom Jones.

[@tedunguent156]

@@MrThedonhead He wasn't just a rockstar. Read his bio.

[@57stratkat]

Damn, Bowie shined in every possible way. I loved everything about the guy - his voice, his looks, his immense, broad-ranging talent ,his intellect, and his down-to-earth personality, and a great sense of humor. One in ten million.

[@ResinEssenceByCheri]

Don’t forget that laugh. His laugh was gorgeous. ❤

[@mmorrison9176]

Sorry,more like 1 in half billion 🤷🏻‍♂️ Next only to Lennon in my opinion 😢💙

[@theharshtruthoutthere]

@@mmorrison9176 Hollywood = a place where spells are casts. Singers and actors and politics = advanced A. I d? The graves and tombs of all those famous and rich - why we believe these to be filled?

[@stevie2686]

@@mmorrison9176Lennon was a woman beater .

[@xbman1]

David Bowie is a class act. A very nice gentleman and down to earth. He bought us a round of beers and sat down chatted with us for about 10 minutes or so. He did a small intimate show in Diamond Club in Toronto many many years ago.

[@TrakThora]

Thanks. Thats something you will always remember. A great guy

[@tonymontana-uw1bq]

God damn..that's awesome! Bowie did the same thing in Sydney Australia..some lucky punters were in a pub and saw Bowie perform. I'm thankful I saw Bowie perform in Sydney, 2004 Reality tour..a night that lives on in my memories. Cheers

[@bobcaygeon6799]

|Holy Hell!!! That's amazing!!!

[@mathien1985]

what year do you think it was?

[@warehouse957]

Bowie was so far ahead of the game, he marketed Omicron in 1999.

[@jedinxf7]

@@4seeableTV it's a Greek letter, so it makes a lot of sense to transliterated it with a K (preserving the orthography which'd use kappa).

[@cazgerald9471]

Would have been epic if the story line had been about a global pandemic

[@douchymcdouche169]

He also paid the price.

[@user-po8ke5vh2e]

i loved the music there and the game - was so hot!

[@oui2611]

meme school

[@Magmartin4800]

4:49 I know it's a joke song, but it's so easy for him to make it sound so good, that classic David Bowie singing. Just shows how incredibly talented this man was.

[@Christian_Jara]

Just those few seconds of Bowie singing are better than most Super Bowl half time shows... What a legend!!

[@Harrysound]

I never understood the appeal personally, I'm here trying to figure it out still...

[@anklebiter9116]

Better how?

[@calebhohneke8482]

​@@anklebiter9116 I think the comment was an exaggeration haha. But was Bowie a better showman then most of the performers who have performed at half time shows? Absolutely. That dude had one of the most pure and musically organic minds in music in general. Few stand at his level of artistry and expression via music imo. Half time shows are so overproduced, robotic, and just "fake" feeling that it's honestly more of a hype show then it is about the music. Regardless, all this seems like a silly comparison, But Bowie's charm in this clip is far more entertaining then most halftime shows I have watched for sure lol.

[@markv.5962]

You got that right

[@keithgrimes9622]

Nice to see David being interviewed by someone as quick as he is.

[@leolindberg]

You can see that David Bowie enjoyed the company of smart comedians like Conan and Ricky Gervais

[@crowzreal]

true. i think conan is the most genuine hosts out there.

[@alexcampbell3032]

Yes, and he was a comic genius himself.

[@deannamarie3746]

I think he enjoyed being in laid back environments, he was always dealing with stuffy business types or with serious questions which is probably why he looked bored in certain interviews

[@Antisocialtendencies]

Bowie Is a legend his presence still lives on

[@Pseudo_Lisa]

@@crowzreal agree

[@ImmortalAbsenon]

God I miss Bowie and The Conan Show

[@val13c59]

Yes. Love both, and Conan was a reason to watch basic TV.

[@thomasmartin7425]

I NEVER thought he was this relaxed and humorous. In a concert some years ago it was getting late and there was still many songs to sing so he offered to drive everyone home in his motorhome. Lol. Just so easy, free, and relaxed kinda funny.

[@sarahpalmer411]

I miss David Bowie, he really was incredible.

[@reymondlopez7468]

He was such a perfectionist but he has a wonderful sense of humor.

[@xergiok2322]

It should be 'and'

[@johnpatrick5307]

@@xergiok2322 He was Irish, so he'll have a good sense of humor - notice how similar him and Conan look, blue eyes and all!

[@maxglaze7143]

@@xergiok2322 Nice one

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@johnpatrick5307 His mother's grandparents were Irish. That's not very Irish...

[@johnpatrick5307]

@@SpaceCattttt I'd say he was pretty Irish - he looked Irish - very white skin and blue eyes, high cheek bones . Do you know of any English who looked like him?

[@MicheleFranchini]

What a wonderful human being he was! Humorous, honest, intelligent and funny.

[@ximepalleiro1224]

Yeees !!!

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

I always thought he was an Alien from Mars.

[@tonymagnier9846]

Bowie was a unique one-off...just be grateful you shared your time on Earth for a while with him.

[@zetaminor77]

RIP David Bowie. Loved the look of his face when Conan hands him the song lyrics! 😃

[@tyleralexander6210]

I don't mean this in any disrespect to Andy, but David being Conan's sidekick for a bit would have been the absolute best comedy ever. David loved comedy.

[@Fearzero]

I think his night gig was a lil better.

[@oliveiramusic4u]

I felt that Conan was David's sidekick for a bit of it.

[@nickberkawitz6451]

Lol, David Bowie playing second banana on a late night talk show? It would have been hilarious but a huge loss to music and art.

[@N.J237]

this will go down in history as David Bowie's and Conan O’Brien's "G-String Incident".

[@Shivam-yv4ct]

lol

[@jbryan8864]

Funny comment for sure, but it wasn't his G string :P It was the D string

[@trustno1_]

Bowie perfect timed the G string joke.

[@skierpage]

@@jbryan8864 ask your cool aunt what a G-string is, then you'll understand why David Bowie changed it. 😆

[@Chancer02]

David Bowie, the man, the performer, the writer, the imagination.... We are so darn lucky to have had him in our lifetime ❤️

[@erikricardoboscolo4779]

David Bowie was stylish by just breathing, it was amazing.

[@johnbod]

Conan is so good here. He's still young enough for the show to feel early on in its run, but lose enough that he feels like the relaxed Conan we know today.

[@ShayanDaBoi]

David Bowie vibing with Conan as he did with Ricky Gervais is the best. This interview was Pure Joy.

[@1artistvocalist]

As a fellow singer/musician/artist I cannot even express in words in any language how much I miss David Bowie. The most multi-talented man with a heart of gold. Beautiful person inside and outside. Miss you, David. Tonight at my gig I will be singing one of your incredible songs and sending you love to Heaven!!

[@sylvesterbestertester1013]

That was one of the most entertaining talk show guest spots I've ever seen. Bowie handled fame so well, never seemed pretentious.

[@thepuma77]

I would have felt immortal getting a compliment from Bowie for my shirt.

[@kurtispopp]

The best Conan O'Brien penned song that isn't about a monorail.

[@Spaceman-mm6od]

Nah, Dudez a plenti songs are better

[@donna2115]

Monorail! Monorail! Monorail! Monorail! Mono, d'oh!

[@lesleybronson7020]

Still brings my heart to ache that he is gone...there will never be another Bowie, ever

[@lenaaustin6692]

I agree. Only one Bowie. ❤

[@christinefury1040]

I still just feel such a loss for this artist. He was one that broke through the veil. Other worldly. Transcended the dimensions we are mostly confined to mentally. Such a light. Dark star.

[@user-kk4zw5jo4t]

Totally agree 🙏

[@zyrrhos]

I don't usually have a feeling one way or another about celebrities passing, but Bowie's death touched me. As did Petty's, but that's probably because I had just saw him play at the Hollywood Bowl the week before.

[@solver7]

The look on Bowie’s face when Conan pulled out the guitar! What a good sport he was though.

[@dimitreze]

Stefon: this interview has everything

[@kzeich]

Lmao! clever

[@rafael8892]

MY DAAAAAD!

[@SopaDeLengua]

Guests dress in glittery shirts!

[@ludmillagutomo]

ah yes! he IS stefon's dad! 😂😂😂

[@isairdz765]

2:53 "this is gonna be a famous interview one day"... o boy that day came already

[@mellamobruce3267]

RIP David, best singer/actor and human being ever.

[@sotg671]

I love the comedic timing and back and forth with Conan. David Bowie is so cool

[@Silverpup67]

You can see Bowie just enjoys interviews with Conan.

[@herbieshine1312]

Its so strange that i miss David Bowie. I didn't know him, I never even saw him live, but i loved his music from about 14/15 years old. Lets dance was my first Bowie album but from there i started buying all the older ones. Its so strange i get upset when i see him in these sort of videos and i miss him. What a funny and charming man he seemed to be.

[@joescott8877]

I never met him but I love him as a person. His interviews are, imo, as wonderful as his music.

[@islandbirdw]

I think so many artists come across with inflated egos and conceited attitudes. Bowie was always authentic, he OWNED his quirky past and was in fact self deprecating most of the interviews except when he says stuff like “rock god perks” and he’s joking. He is so disarming and you can just tell he has nothing to hide. I don’t like it when I see some of his work being sold for commercials

[@charlenemack7040]

Rest In Paradise David 🙏❤🙏

[@gertrudelaronge6864]

They've got great comedic chemistry. I want to see the other Conan/Bowie interviews now.

[@J_Gar]

Always loved what a great sense of humor Bowie had. Such a beautiful man.

[@truthof7382]

Bowie was always so funny. Excellent sense of humor. Good actor as well.

[@suze6083]

The greatest laugh and nicest guy. Man, can‘t believe that someone so full of life simply isn’t with us anymore. 😢

[@shahani6037]

Bowie seemed like such a sweetheart 🥺💜

[@crowzreal]

it amazes me that even though he didnt care he sang those lines better than 90% today without autotune

[@missyjohnson6944]

The world never deserved this musical legend but thank God we had him! Can you imagine music without him…without his ingeniousness…without his uncanny ability to push boundaries and not to give one damn about what haters had to say?!?!? Music without Bowie would be like electricity with no on switch; you know it’s there but you’ll never enjoy its luminescence.

[@sixgunrj]

He was so talented and down to Earth. I hope there's a Rock n Roll Heaven cause I'm sure he's in that band. R.I.P.

[@MattCraftDotDerp]

I swear he was one of the funniest interviewees on the planet. And probably off the planet, too

[@redrumck81]

why in the hell couldnt i have been into bowie while he was alive? im 42 and just now digging his stuff. what a talented dude.

[@alann5003]

Better late than never. Ziggy and Alladin sane is my favorite.

[@chrishultgren777]

I can't remember a world without Bowie. He was always just there.

[@Chuck_Houck_Coop]

Bowie was 52 years old in this segment. Jesus.

[@kbstevens15]

He was such an icon in so many ways! He is sorely missed!

[@danielvergara4358]

Imagine having played the guitar and have David Bowie sing along… what a privilege

[@ilabelle1]

One of the coolest rock stars ever. I really miss Bowie…😢

[@Joel_Powell]

Bowie's music was a big part of my teen years. The music will always stay with me.

[@neseirf70]

My god I wish he was still alive. Such a beautiful soul!

[@stringgreens6387]

I have alot of respect for this man because of what he did for Stevie Ray Vaughns career. Love hearing stevies licks in Lets Dance

[@icessoup]

what did he do for him ? im curious :o

[@peezdoc]

@@icessoup in reality Stevie did it himself but when Bowie hired him, he was just "the unknown guitarist" on David Bowie's Let's Dance album. And then after that he was Stevie Ray Vaughn one of the greatest guitarists ever!

[@Scriptease123]

@@caliente-frio3966 Jackson let Stevie use his home studio to record Texas Flood.

[@mangasky7]

Bowie and Charlize Theron -- the most beautiful people of all time! Please upload the accompanying song he performs. We miss you badly, Thin White Duke. The world went to hell when you left the planet.

[@gwildordipkin6504]

This must have been before she was at all A list, because they ignored her and never even panned to a reaction to anything once.

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

The LOOKS David gave Conan, before and after Conan pulled out his guitar, were PRICELESS. But David played along. I had never seen this. GREAT. Thanks for sharing.

[@pseudokowski]

The string breaking was perfect comedic timing!

[@anthonyruffini6730]

It really was. Do you think that was real or planned?

[@lesaanngaddess]

The G string!

[@rmartin9426]

It was the D string, but David probably couldn't resist the innuendo for a laugh.

[@ccervantesclx7]

David Bowie is such a fresh personality. I wanna be that energy every day!

[@mrreemann3739]

Watching Bowie and Conan riff is pure gold. Both have brilliant minds😂❤

[@janvanaartrijk9673]

Bowie was a great artist with a beautiful voice. And a nice man too !!

[@TheQuinnAce]

How fortuitous, omnicron, calling out this interview being watched in the future. What the heck

[@jhandle900]

He's said some cryptic things about the internet too.

[@Darrenski]

​@jhand he also said he personally saw lucifer. And yes i am serious.

[@fcbsmokerunner22]

Classic!!! RIP Bowie.

[@arkaywat11]

Bowie is a legend never to be emulated, totally original, totally unique, uncomparable!

[@bobcaygeon6799]

OMG I had NO IDEA he was this funny. I think he's a little nervous (eye roll, like he needs to be, yet...) because many performers are 'comfortable' performing in front of thousands yet very uncomfortable in a studio with only a few people so...he manages his anxiety with humour and he's HILARIOUS. GOD I miss this guy big time 😞

[@yvettekosta-jv4bx]

Bowie's voice is so hypnotic that he could make a hit even out of Conan's lyrics ! 🤣😁😘

[@BillyBullshitter]

I knew David for years. Back when he wasn't famous. He kept in touch when he did become famous. To be honest with you, he was one of the coolest dudes I have ever known. He always phoned me and we kept in touch for years. One of the most down to earth guys ever. He had the ability to just write a song on the spot. I miss him dearly. RIP David.

[@johnkelly2663]

Very interesting! I always liked Bowie, I felt his coolness was real.

[@BillyBullshitter]

@@johnkelly2663 it was. He was awesome.

[@unclemaca]

Yes he turned down a knighthood & the rockin roll HOF Total chin up guy

[@BillyBullshitter]

@@unclemaca legend.

[@grande-bretagnenilpoints8912]

Hi Billy. So pleased that you knew the man. I was in love with the stage Bowie when I was really too young, but he just expanded my mind and taught me to challenge convention. Sorry for your loss but to have known and lost is better than to have never known.

[@livelife365]

I loved Bowie, grew up with him and he was the best...

[@jubilantyogurt]

What a great chemistry between the two!

[@foxman105]

this entire interview is two guys trying to outwit each other with wordplay and humour. It's quite wonderful.

[@stardust5278]

My favorite haircut. He looked stunning when he had that haircut!

[@ShinyFlakesShinyFlakes]

The guy just drips with charisma

[@joescott8877]

"You...bust your G-string!" What a quick wit! Bowie was literally one of the funniest rock stars ever!

[@lostkoz7934]

What a funny pair together! 😂

[@jas_bataille]

So basically David Bowie invented GTA but in 1970's Paris... the man's an infinite legend!

[@TheTomcory]

Bowie was so cool, great person as well.

[@danielduran4077]

Finally, the origin of omicron has been revealed, and it was the last person anyone expected: Tom Jones

[@FacheChanteDeux]

Omicron is a letter in the Greek alphabet.

[@andrewfreeman88]

@@FacheChanteDeux Yes and the media / cdc jumped over NU (new) and XI (chinese) to get here.

[@Darrenski]

David Cassidy actually

[@hellboundtruck123]

How can one not love david bowie?

[@lucyroberts2800]

Very intelligent guy such a shame he’s no longer here 😢

[@randalstilskin5266]

His Spiders From Mars band era was some of the best rock ever made to me.

[@philbarrows424]

Alice Coopers crew from the same era was as awesome as well🎶🎶

[@lanedj801]

What a silly guy. I feel like a weekend with him would never go dull.

[@gillianmcgough271]

A musical genius gone way too soon, I bet the guy in the silver shirt will remember that moment for the rest of his life

[@rnegs8472]

Ohh Man..That Voice when he starts to Sing!!🙏

[@cloudsofgray]

His spirit lives on stronger than ever , his message was being down to earth and beyond imagination and finding that balance in your life

[@florete2310]

Man, ... that voice... he was such a good sport. What a legend

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

Bowie's voice is so familiar now, it's almost like comfort food. But at the time.. people probably thought it was the weirdest thing on the radio. And when they saw how he LOOKED... that must have been a trip!

[@dynjarren8355]

I like how he reluctantly sang Conan’s stupid, self congratulating lyrics! He didn’t want Conan to get a big head. Bigger than he already has! Bowie had a good sense of humor! He was fun! RIP Bowie

[@johndev2212]

Bowie and Conan always had great chemistry together when he appeared.

[@ThomasPH123]

RIP David Bowie. What a great interview.

[@deusvlad2.083]

Who knew, this interview did become iconic. RIP David Bowie.

[@nicoles8048]

I love his sense of humor it just comes natural

[@mariexx__]

David will forever be one of those stars you stare at and say “damn…I miss him”, he was a genius ❤️

[@theflyingninja1]

Yes, a small group. Him, Robin Williams, maybe a couple others.

[@mariexx__]

@@theflyingninja1 oh I so agree, Robin was an angel, stars like these should never die 😩

[@KristeeBee]

Conan and David had great chemistry. Conan was the best host ever anyway.