Concrete Blonde - Someday [5-7-92]

[Stereo] The group appears on late night USTV, and gets a bit of help from the house band.

[@JohnnyCardinale]

Without a doubt, the most underrated female vocalist of ALL TIME. They didn't do "pop friendly" songs, they wrote and sang about pain and hard things, only reason I can think of for why she/they aren't WAY BIGGER.

[@cuty4allan]

@ Johnny Cardinale... "Exactly" She has the most beautiful varying vocal range, however she sang about truth, which most people would rather not hear. I agree with you 100 %

[@davidneumann2705]

Johnette didn’t want to change who she was to write a hit. She did what she wanted to do and did not listen to the record company . Kudos to her for doing what she believed in. I think she did bend a few times n we got stuff like this .

[@afterburner2869]

Wow, it certainly didn’t take me long to find you. The guy that insists on making the “ most underrated “ comment because he thinks the rest of the world should think exactly as he does.

[@sue_m]

@@afterburner2869 eh, if you're looking through the comments on Concrete Blonde videos, you're going to find **a lot** of people calling the band underrated. For the quality of music CB were putting out (especially '90 - '94), they got remarkably little exposure. The only time they did arena shows was when they opened for Sting. And sure, there's a handful of these late night shows, and one or two songs were featured on MTV shows (and they did one cover song for a movie) but that's really it.

[@afterburner2869]

sue m Underrated is code for , more people should think like me.

[@UnitedCajunNavy]

I met her in my cab in New Orleans years ago a friendship developed and she's a real life friend to this day LOVE this amazing woman!

[@SASTORM]

How could you not fall in love with Johnnette? Awesome voice, awesome band, awesome music

[@bradleyheck7204]

I first heard her on (and I know she would hate this) "My Little Problem" from The Replacements final (and Paul Westerberg's first solo) Album. "Whoah, wait, WHO THE FUCK IS THAT CHICK?!" The next thing I knew, The Sky Was A Poisonous Garden Tonight. The Old Interwebs weren't nearly as useful for that sort of thing back then. You had to send off for stuff and wait four to six weeks to find out you had been ripped off.

[@michaeldunn9618]

I get pretty emotional listening to this beautiful song

[@kenshin73himura70]

That's what a TRUE diva sounds like. No auto tune, no gimmicks millennials try nowadays just PURE TALENT!!!

[@kenshin73himura70]

Proud to say, my 22yo college daughter has stollen all my vinyl music. Girl has taste!!! I've done my job..🤘

[@micuronium]

I once got to see them perform an acoustic gig in a small bookstore in Los Felíz. There were no more than about 30 people in the room, and I was in the front row, less than 10 feet from her as she belted this song to us. It was unbelievably powerful. I was near tears. I got a hug from her afterwards. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

[@rhyantrick8178]

you are very lucky. a hug from her would be like touching god. id still marry her today even though she is 23 years older than me

[@jimmaisch7851]

LUCKY !!!!

[@ross-lt4mc]

Didn’t happen

[@micuronium]

@@ross-lt4mc Ohh! Cool! A troll. 🧌

[@tamaking2374]

Very cool man , I absolutely love this band , meeting johnette would be amazing after listening to hee voice for so long ...no one like her...

[@Tonetwisters]

That guitarist is so melodic, mixing chords with passing phrase runs ... adds so much character and texture to their songs. And HER. Sings like that and has THAT personality?? Yum.

[@daveguy11]

The perfect guitar tone is a secret weapon here -- and that's on top of the beautiful melody, the intelligent lyrics, Johnette's gorgeous voice, the intensity on her face, and the OMG way she moves. In other words, it's killer, A to Z.

[@cjrichards7008]

Agreed, terrific guitar tone, in a time of grunge fuzz sounds, he really found his own thing, and he could really play too....

[@kw271]

That would be James Mankey on guitars, he's definitely an understated Grace in my book. Unfortunately the devolution of the guitars were beginning its descent at that time... Blues to rock and down the crapper... Think of all the grunge and then the succession of 3 chord wonders from the pool of MTVomit. Mankey and Johnette are the wild and fragile, beautiful and hurt children too late to Woodstock and Folk rock, too lucid for shoegaze, too grounded for goth , Abit of west coast punk under their nails and wholly too much soul left amongst the shallow detritus of pop. That's why they are called Concrete Blonde... Hard and unyielding, the final mattress of circumstance of every American homeless lands on, and for those who fell through the cracks while reaching for that American Dream, as for Blonde, well... The lyrics says it all, the paradoxical seeming ditzy fun, and naivety and sincerity and grasping at all that American Romanticisms, but hey, it's the poignant paradox whose core is all sincere effort to generate an ideal that is fundamentally artificial and bottled like blonde hair bleach. But we look on and admire and aspire at the cost of one's being. You'd need to listen to their song "jenny I read", found in their 'Mexican Moon' album to hear it more poetically worded than I can do here. Concrete Blonde: so hard, so grey and yet, so west coast sunny beach and surfer blonde I believe they are the last hurrah of Populous Music if the populace of pop really did try and get a genuine voice; too bad the world of pop chose the easy way out: Big money, easy franchises, formulaic talentless hacks and the insincerity of it all. And so, they quietly disbanded. As the lyrics of this song said so plaintively . . "But, if you never find The heart to start all over again Remember I was one Who tried to be a friend to you, I Well, I know I tried Yes, you know I tried And I know you tried too' They tried, those who listened, the people like us, tried too. But as a whole few generations, we failed... But that is a given, Gen X numbers, wealth quotient and political clout were never enough in numbers. The consolation is that we have their albums from their first eponymous one to the 'last one' in 2004 called "Mojave" I just hope they all survived COVID and endure. Get back together once in awhile to scatter soully musical gems in our collective pauper's bowl. I know which ones I'd like to be played at my funeral. We tried. That should be consolation enough. Let's hope future kids with better musical sense will rediscover them again.

[@daveguy11]

Mankey's guitar sound here is very mellow-Hendrixian -- that beautiful, fat, mid-range tone. Perfect.

[@eateeharris4503]

@@daveguy11 Watching this, or LiSTENiNG to it rather, I was given to think that he's just like Eddie Van Halen was, relying on his playing not FX-boxes to achieve his sound.

[@amyboone125]

To this day she is still my favorite female singer. Great musicians too! I absolutely love them!

[@dougdavis8986]

James Mankey plays some of the coolest guitar parts ever.

[@malibustacy3606]

I'd like to hear some of his stories about his time playing with Sparks.

[@ZeligUbique]

I totally agree - This view is practically a lesson ✔️

[@tomomalley8674]

My college years keep running through me like a freight train watching this band. So many memories.

[@jimmaisch7851]

I remember experiencing this Live...She and the band blew me away..Just listened to studio version 3 times .. because it just keeps getting better ..What a beautiful epic vocal and musical experience.. Thank YOU Concrete Blonde! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@petej.8676]

Just beautifully sung and beautifully played on guitar...My favorite rendition of this song🥰

[@charleneorsted5141]

The amount of pain and passion sung in the Joey lyrics brings tears to my eyes still. It's as though she walked in my shoes when I was trying to save my marriage and soul mate's life. It's a very powerful song. The depth of the love that comes through the lyrics is masterful. Thank you for the gift of this song.

[@drewlsy]

Beautiful. She moves so well, sexy and conifdent and her singing is outta this world!

[@jillhillberg4931]

Agree!!

[@stevelawson-blight539]

I'm in love with this brilliant girl. Way, way above her peers.

[@StephenS-2024]

Johnette does something to me.

[@deathlarsen7502]

me too!

[@Tonetwisters]

And to all the rest of us ...

[@bobbybecker6435]

That voice....

[@jamespardee9300]

You wish!😁😄😃

[@thanos9846]

Can confirm.

[@ejdemeter]

I ❤❤❤ her! True, most underrated voice of the 90s, and one of the best of decades..

[@MaggieCMW]

One of my favorite songs EVER.

[@ricardoa5626]

1 of the best FEMALE voices in Rock history, I had the pleasure to get to a private concert when she was singing 2 yards from my face, I was right in front of her the whole concert

[@lonnieturnerii1874]

Check out Dave, totally crushing on Johnette. And he's not the only one -- I've been crushing on her (and loving the band) since the first time I heard them as a junior in high school back in '89. I agree with the person below who said a band like this wouldn't have a chance today -- because most bands today rely on autotune and programmed beats, not natural vocals and actual musicianship, and sadly Millennials appear incapable of appreciating anything that wasn't created on a computer. Here's to hoping the post-Millennial generation aren't born with their heads up their asses, and can appreciate great music like this when they hear it.

[@deadheadwannabe6874]

I was a Junior too

[@nic5993]

Hey not all millennials. I grew up listening to my parent’s music so it’s always been my thing too. I wish there were artists like this now but sadly not. :/

[@nic5993]

Although florence and the machine have a similar sound to this track

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

check the other Dave Concrete video, clearly he have a crushing on J., I love her too!

[@TheCwhite137]

One of the best American song writers that never got the due she deserves. Just completely awe inspiring.

[@jamesanderson348]

Yes!!!

[@hughjacks5149]

So true

[@James-wy2pq]

Love her ❤ talent looks she has it all

[@robertborich4404]

Never has a song become more appropriate than now in 2020 during Covid-19 lockdown.And what better time for new fans to discover this amazing band.Heartfelt powerful songs that evoke memories & take the listener to a different place & time.

[@VistaThaiGuy]

Loved seeing her at a secret concert in my local venue in '93...so down-to-Earth and approachable...love her shirt! Going to have to look her up again when I'm in her neighborhood...no GPS...just "souldar".😍

[@davidcolletti7136]

What a Friggin Awesome Voice,,..Incredible !!

[@andreafresia8470]

Greatly underrated band, Johnette's voice is incredible!

[@chevroletfiasco2386]

Gosh! It might be the greatest live performance ever seen! She sings incredible! She looks incredible!! She MOVES incredible!!! Her guys sound great! So do Letterman's guys! It's fucking fantastic show!!!

[@hughjacks5149]

Untouchable. Cosmic

[@erickranz5492]

Superb!

[@martincovacich4052]

Amazing ! A great song for a Pandemic day. Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[@robertevans2143]

What a great band. Better than most of the crap they call music these days. I like them more now than I did back in the 90's.

[@michaelbernier5607]

I am simply memorized by this band.

[@daveguy11]

Mesmerized?

[@pedrocruz4409]

I miss the 90s. Preteen me getting ready for school. Hootie and the blowfish n concrete blonde on my brother’s stereo…

[@crashburn3292]

Letterman was so smitten with her. Just like the rest of us.

[@cstrebe1]

Such a beautiful song

[@erickranz5492]

Just heard this for the first time. I'm blown away. Great song, fantastic performance!

[@jeffreywilliams2240]

I used to watch this band out in Montclair C.A. at the green door. I think there were 25 or 30 of us digging Concrete Blonde back in those days.

[@VictorRochaGaming]

The Green Door was legendary.

[@MELOMANOV]

Приятная женщина❤ потрясающий голос! Музыканты SUPER . 👍👍👍

[@TracyLanebike]

So special... everyone is blown away here.

[@1075twist]

What a great performance.

[@timwilliams1603]

Well... the dream of the 90's is alive in Portland... Love this band; love Johnette...

[@frauleinmona]

"We're not worthy!" . LoL. Johnette is so awesome! Yes you ARE worthy! One of my very most favorite bands. From their very first self-titled album that was released in 1986. I fell in love from the start. I used to have people tell me I either looked like, or reminded them of Johnette Napolitano. The only difference is our noses. Mine looks nothing like hers. I always felt honored when people compared me to her! Who wouldn't? 😁👍

[@zstevens7]

frauleinmona You don’t have that Romanesque shnoz, huh? You’re right, it’s very cool to be compared to her. Can you sing a tenth as good as her?

[@TheWynos]

May I have your number?

[@stevenduvall2549]

I can see the resemblance to Johnette. What a talent she is.

[@frauleinmona]

@Steven DuVall. You can? I wish I could see it myself. Thank you for saying so. And yes, you're absolutely right. What a great talent Johnette *is* , indeed. 😊🙏💕

[@frauleinmona]

@zstevens. Wow! I'm so sorry! I just now saw your comment! I'm not German. I'm really Italian. Father 100% Italian, Mother 100% Italian. And actually, YES, I DO have that Romanesque shnoz. Even more so than Johnette. Johnette doesn't even have a Roman nose. Her's dips and points upwards. Mine is bigger and has a bit of a curve when you look at it from the profile. So, some would call it a "beak", but fortunately no bump on the bridge there. And absolutely I can sing way more than a tenth as good as Johnette. Way more than a half. Just as good if not better. Thank you so much for your comment.😊👍

[@tommac4742]

That is how it is done; superb!

[@stevenmccoy5103]

Love this group

[@VAwriter]

Thank you for posting. What a beautiful performance and rendition with help from the Late Night house band!

[@waltermameli2026]

Concrete Blonde grabs your attention and wont let go.....and then you are hooked.....period.....

[@kellyp9438]

That’s one hell of a woman!

[@daveguy11]

This simply leaves the studio version in the dust.

[@daveguy11]

I think it might be the best rock vocal performance ever put on t.v.

[@brothersvilleknife]

What a band this was.

[@TheJosep70]

Yeah yeah everyone focuses on Johnnette but James Mankey was equally awesome.

[@frauleinmona]

Of course everybody is going to focus on Johnette. She's the lead singer and bass player. She's the voice of the band. The "main attraction". And yes, James Mankey is absolutely one kick-ass, talented guitar player and songwriter. But we all know that Johnette is the heart and soul of Concrete Blonde. There's a reason everybody focuses on Johnette.

[@brianbullivant4753]

​@@frauleinmona Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and with that being said , I disagree. Concrete Blonde without James Mankey's Incredible guitar sounds would not be the same band. They together, made up the heart and soul of CB. They compliment each other as did Lennon and McCartney. The guitar work/sounds on songs like Walking in London or Joey are as haunting and beautiful as Johnette's voice. Their covers of Ghost Riders In The Sky, Everybody Knows and Tomorrow, Wendy Dies are the best versions of those songs I've ever heard. When I think of CB, two names immediately come to mind, not one.

[@frauleinmona]

@brian bullivant. And don't forget their cover of George Harrison's "Beware of Darkness". I understand completely what you're saying. And yes, James and Johnette absolutely DO compliment each other. But James didn't sing songs all by himself and make those songs his own. Like Lennon and McCartney DID. So, not quite an accurate comparisin. But, as you said, it's my opinion and you can believe what you want to believe. I'm just saying that without Johnette there WOULD be no band. She IS the voice of Concrete Blonde.😊✌🍀

[@TheJosep70]

@@frauleinmona Ok, I stand corrected, marginally less awesome then haha. But without his distinctive sound the band wouldn't have been so good either.

[@frauleinmona]

@Joseph Duran. LOL. You're a cutie-pie! I won't argue with you on your statement. Without James Mankey the band definitely would not have been as kick-ass and as awesome. 😃👍💕🎸🎶🎼🎤🎵

[@daveguy11]

Maybe the single best musical performance *ever* on Letterman's show -- and that's *really* saying something.

[@tonycondon6140]

Agreed. I'd heard the song, loved it! Seeing this performance... OMFG I'm obsessed with it. The emotion she brings to the song is so pure and so right. The guitar is unbelievable. This is desert island worthy right here!

[@bobbowie9350]

​@@tonycondon6140love love this song. for me, the "live in brasil" is the best version.

[@coolchef64]

She is SO beautiful. I liked her the day I saw her sing. -Respectively

[@jamestreible4545]

I love Concrete Blonde. Johnette Napolitano is one of the greatest female rock singers ever, IMHO.

[@jimkelso9528]

She really has the most amazing voice. ❤ darling.

[@thorweiller]

i'm a metal fan but this is absolutely brilliant

[@hellcat28]

A band like that would never have a chance nowadays. The music industry is corrupted and wouldnt let talent prevail.

[@burnjburn]

It has always been corrupted.

[@brianbullivant4753]

@@burnjburnYeah it has. Corrupt managers, publishers, record companies and DJ's have been around for over 60 years. If one were to Google the term Payola, a Pandora's Box of past corruption would splillout.

[@TheJosep70]

It's a business selling products. Overexposed, commercialised...

[@sonofthemorningstar]

Johnette + James = GODS

[@cmartin1959-qq2mi]

She was so Beautiful

[@michaeltran4463]

cmartin1959 her beauty will never fade

[@crashburn3292]

Still is.

[@robertjohnson7476]

Why does this have only 173k views?!? 🎉 ❤

[@rafaelvalenzuelameza6006]

i love her....

[@garrains9757]

I still love this.

[@tonyh8510]

Joey gives me a head rush, 1 of my favorite songs

[@amandabuttf5160]

Me too

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I bet she could have been huge if she agreed to bend the knee and sell out to the labels. She's far too punk to do that and she's a legend to the right people for staying true.

[@petermcbride4542]

What a great voice

[@jamesanderson348]

Perfection. Goosebumps!!!

[@SuperZap12345]

I think Dave was crushing on Johnette.

[@5cinch]

she radiates sensuality saw them once from second row.my girl reaped major benefits after.

[@ibelieveicansoar]

So was the cameraman

[@joew.4358]

Every song is good. They put their time in.

[@patricksmalleyes8163]

I think I'm in love with her, Seriously

[@aydnwallace7942]

Dave’s all like ❤️❤️😍🥰😍😘

[@juancarloschavezbarreto3270]

¡¡¡Johnette is very very COOL !!!!

[@kylejones8947]

Awesome.

[@yonkipop]

Today was looking for my collection cd of concrete blonde, left any box for tomorrow, sure i Will find it

[@donyelmarislascastro180]

No cabe duda que hermosa cantante y mujer

[@jasonruetz2306]

Wow she's so unbelievably beautiful.

[@mediaINTELLIGENCEca]

Seen her once in YHM Ontario. 20 minute set. That's all she would do. She closed out in 20 mins, saying, who the fuck is she anyway? (or something like that). Can't remember the year; Paul Thompson XRoxy drummed. it was crazy awesome. Worth every second of the 20 mins. I left chuckling, in awe.

[@bobbowie9350]

Saw them at the greek in la. Great show.

[@TotPlots]

THE GOAT

[@michaeldesilvio2060]

They were great.

[@williamschulz6792]

She's hitting on all cylinders here.

[@joeblack3926]

Jeans.. tee shirt... and in her socks...nothing made up about her. . She is all natural. I wish i had caught them back when they were jamming.....

[@annandamartins6803]

A melhor de todos os tempos

[@IHateThisHandleSystem]

Oh yes, you most certainly ARE worthy.

[@cristianehoffmansanzi5107]

Em 2022. Sua maravilhosa.

[@Staylogical]

Jeez,it would be so fine to hear Johnette and James do something together again.

[@HigzyTeflon]

What a gem. Love this!

[@robertjohnson7476]

Greatest music video ever ?!? DL a "tad" creepy, but it's 'show biz'; he's certainly helping to promote the band here. Also, she is 'beautifully awkward' in the 'end part' of this video.

[@sue_m]

wow... check out jim mankey's spider fingers! I always thought I had long fingers... then I started watching music videos and paying attention to the guitarists...

[@bruceprice8882]

His pickless playing sounds so damn good.

[@carlospequenor4935]

Los mejores momentos de mi vida escuchando ese tema en su momento.

[@gerlyn7455]

Just To Hang Out With Johnette would be Heaven even if it was just for 15 minutes !

[@bradgilker3429]

An Angel

[@darthslater6077]

This is what a real singer sounds like, this is what a real band sound slike..not like this bullshit milllenial crap, music took a nose dive in the mid 90s and since has not recovered....50s on up to mid 90s after that...just shit....cookie monster one finger chord garbage...yeah there are some real technical players but the band always has something lacking, good writting, good vocals, good bass playing etc etc......this was refreshing.

[@shelleybarbosa6213]

Please make a comeback!

[@pm1pm194]

Simply the Best!

[@jdbyd4894]

Wonderful!

[@guitargalsings]

James Mankey's guitar backing is absolutely brilliant here. I always feel that "less is more" and what he did with this song is a fine example of that. Just a perfect compliment to her amazing vocals and the entire song. But why two drummers? Harry Rushakoff (behind her) had more than enough talent and then some to be the lone drummer.

[@billc6828]

It doesn't get any better than that

[@rpq7889]

Notice that sound on the guitar........mankey brand!

[@captainkttyhwk]

Wow. Im in love.

[@Zizzbiz]

I'm wondering what Dave was whispering to her? He was obviously smitten.

[@vin17flores72]

i met her at the Corner hotel in Melbourne