Darlene Love's First "Christmas" Appearance With Dave | Letterman

[@privatepenguin3137]

...and she would come back every Christmas for the following 27 years to perform it on the show. Thank you Darlene...and Dave.

[@privatepenguin3137]

@ObamaFromKenya Ah...good stats there! And yes...I was basing my comments on her quote from her appearance with Dave, Paul and Barbara a few days ago. Thanks!

[@gaylejohnson4663]

​@ObamaFromKenyaYou are so right! There are separate ones of her on KZbin. Good going!

[@DH-xm3hc]

I miss them 😢 Always seemed like Christmas with David Letterman and Darlene Love 🌲✌️❤️🌼

[@nancykool9039]

I think Letterman had a lot to do with her finally getting her due.

[@karenp792]

I don’t understand why I rarely hear this song on the radio, in stores, in every tv special and hallmark movie because it’s clearly the best Christmas song ever. Thank god for David letterman for making it a tradition that lives on.

[@jsizemo]

Unfortunately, it may be because of the toxicity of being associated with the name Phil Spector. But yeah, it shouldn’t detract from the brilliant Darlene Love

[@logann7942]

You don’t hear it on the radio? That’s unfortunate. On the Christmas station in my area, I hear it at least once a day. I also frequently hear Darlene’s version of “Marshmallow World.”

[@dongiller]

Believe it or not, just tonight I heard it inside my neighborhood supermarket.

[@karenp792]

@@logann7942 well… to be fair… I don’t listen to the radio anymore 😂 but I used to… and rarely heard this one. I was in a restaurant earlier this week, and the radio played Christmas Time by the Beatles… TWICE within twenty minutes… plus the Mariah one and the George Michael’s one that’s awful…. But no love for Darlene Love…

[@qthelost]

I work on a classic rock radio station, so we play the U2 version, but our sister station plays Darlene's. By far our most requested Christmas song is Cheech and Chong - "Santa Claus and His Old Lady."

[@TheLadsBandLive]

And, thus, a wonderful tradition was born. Loved seeing Darlene reunite with Dave and Paul on the Barbara Gaines show this year!

[@mschwes5376]

How great was that?!?! Was so good to see Darlene, Dave and Paul back together.

[@steviebshouseofcollectable627]

Saw Darlene perform live two weeks ago and even in her early eighties her voice and her personality rocked the rafters! She definitely kicked off the holiday season for all of us who attended that evening.

[@mercywilliams2698]

Aww how special! 🎊❤️💥 I watched Twenty Feet From Stardom multiple time just to enjoy Darlene’s remarkable energy💫

[@BDUBZ49]

It's a hell of a task to recreate the "wall of sound" with only 4 guys, and they KILLED it!.. Man Darlene sounded powerful here. In the top 3 greatest secular Christmas tunes of all time.

[@robatsea2009]

I know in the subsequent appearances each Christmas the band and background singers would grow in numbers, but this first performance of Darlene with just Paul, Will, Sid & Anton is pure magic.

[@trinnityvidaurri3711]

That was so good! Glad Letterman understands that it should be as big as that Brenda Lee song.

[@dhornjr1]

What a powerhouse voice.

[@kitty3863]

It just got bigger and better every year! Thank you, Darlene Love! And thank you David Letterman!

[@jeremychrzan]

One of my favorite Letterman Christmas traditions. Thank you, Darlene!

[@thatoneguy2813]

5 decades of Darlene on a Letterman/Barbara Gaines show: 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and now 2020s!

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

Her smile is beautiful and contagious Deck them Halls😊

[@bsquared4604]

it's 2023 and she seems to be having the time of her life. so happy for her!

[@brucecarpenter8640]

A true legend, what a voice

[@MitchClement-il6iq]

Great actress as well 😊

[@privatepenguin3137]

Great raw footage at the end of Dave pre-taping his messages...thanks! That was great!

[@lastangelman]

The greatest band with the greatest voice, thank you for posting this

[@lastangelman]

The late night rerun bumpers are a nice gift, too!

[@johnpetrick6396]

I love her. Best Christmas Song Ever.

[@spawnofmamachong]

Such a professional. She sings in any atmosphere and with no fear❤

[@stonewulf2755]

Mrs. Murtaugh from Leathal Weapon killing it!

[@EricCottsCA]

One of the greatest Letterman musical moments ever!

[@frangordon2790]

Thank you for sharing this video! Between Darlene singing and Jay Thomas throwing balls to knock off the meatball, you always had the BEST Christmas show!!! ❤❤❤

[@mikeinmaryland]

Ahh yes, The one that started it all. It and the one the other day are great bookends for the 28 no, now 29 times Darlene has made my Christmas. I hope this tradition never ends.

[@dongiller]

21 times. Not 28.

[@mikeinmaryland]

⁠@@dongillerNow my Christmas is really made. The Great Don Giller of Don’s TV has replied to me. Btw. I thought it was less than 28. But now it’s 22? Correct? Finally. Personally Don, thank you so much for all of your Letterman videos for all these years on YT. Your Darlene Love compilations are so meaningful to me. Christmas was my Mom’s favorite time of year, she and I watched Dave Letterman on the Tonight Show. I’m 60. She would let me stay up to watch him. Mostly because she wanted to laugh out loud with someone while the rest of the house slept. She even let me stay home from school on his morning show debut. Thanks again, Merry Christmas Don!

[@dongiller]

First, thanks!! Second, yeah, I guess it’s now 22.

[@raywil1000]

I always thought there was an additional one that never made the broadcast. In 1989 Love is singing backup for Dr John, at the end of the performance the band strikes up to play Christmas, baby..... and goes to break. Coming out of the break the final notes are played and it seems like Darlene had sung. Thanks for the sterling work and entertainment your work and channel have provided over the years Donz!

[@dongiller]

@@raywil1000 I checked that out a few weeks ago. It appears to me from the outtro, as the band is back from commercial, that Darlene wasn’t on stage singing with them. First, we hear Paul playing the melody rather than Darlene singing. And second, if she _had_ been singing with them, Dave would have mentioned it, and Hal would have directed a camera to see her. And thanks!!

[@kccountrykid]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hope you will post every year in chronological order. That would make my Christmas!

[@TomGally]

Do a search for Don Giller Darlene Love on KZbin and you’ll find a complete compilation. Don posted unofficially a lot of great anthologies of Letterman material that are still available. It would be great if this official channel (which Don is now affiliated with, I believe) posts the complete set, too.

[@alanchamberlain9967]

Long live Darlene! So happy she's still singing in 2023!

[@bmck-8400]

Didn’t call it the world’s most dangerous band for nothing… she had what she needed to really deliver a classic moment in TV history.

[@besanzaz]

The start of a great Tradition. Just beautiful. ❤

[@qthelost]

Thank you for those promos at the end, too. My God those were funny.

[@adrianmiller1971]

That lady is the epitome of joy. Much love from Australia, where even some of us tuned in for the tradition of hearing Darlene sing it every year (except the years of writers strikes). And in a reference Darlene might hopefully enjoy "We're not too old for this sh&t"

[@MattTee1975]

Give it up for Will and Sid on those high harmonies.

[@randyjames4713]

Thank God, in future years they will be less noticable.

[@adrianmiller1971]

I even overlooked Sid's pony tail :)

[@Football-Sidelines-NO]

Darlene Love and David Letterman, one of the greatest annual Christmas traditions in TV history, happy holidays.

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

I had a blast watching Paul go crazy on the keyboard. He was delirious playing for Darlene the legend. Paul is the one who made it so much fun every year with his enthusiasm.

[@davewestner]

The band sings real well too....very cool. I assume that's Will on the high note. Impressive range

[@easydranch]

The only thing about Christmas that I truly love, DARLENE LOVE!

[@andyinoregon]

I owned the "Phil Spector's Christmas Album" and made sure I recorded this Darlene Love performance on my VCR in Dec. 1986, and every year thereafter. "Late Night's" annual Christmas gift to the fans.

[@daleproctor3723]

Always a thrill! Every time!!!

[@donjerry8673]

A Great start for many years to come Thank you Darlene and specially thank you Dave !!! 🎄☺️

[@kowalski5599]

Darlene Love FOREVER!

[@VinnyChearmonte]

One of best Christmas songs

[@Jedi13LightSabre]

She sounds great, iconic voice.

[@dianeandersen4106]

What a wonderful tradition to have,I enjoyed every single won.I miss your show Dave. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone.

[@emerpus01]

What a bonus at the end seeing Dave recording those rerun intros! I remember those so well.

[@patriciamorgan6545]

I must have missed this when it initially aired. Great to see how the tradition started. A bare bones treatment, compared to the holiday extravaganzas that were to come, and yet such a huge sound! They were clearly enjoying themselves.👏👏👏

[@renhoek3851]

You can tell she's a great singer by her speaking voice! Like honey!

[@lastmason5491]

Thanks Darlene! Thanks Dave and Barbara.

[@jabbaa6500]

And the best tradition/legacy began! Thank you.

[@illiamdeebe7579]

Just when you think she is in her top gear, she finds another one to show you. Energy and control on display.

[@andyrose5616]

I’ve watched this for years, but I just realized that for most of the song, Anton is playing jingle bells with one hand and all of the snare and cymbal parts with the other hand.

[@LorisBenedict]

I want to go back to those days❤

[@Its_the_Whole_Everything]

I have never seen her 1st appearance before - 2024 and its still my favorite song.

[@jimwaters1562]

What a talent. And the band sounding so good.

[@Thesweetestword]

Best thing dave letterman made into a tradition!

[@TheJuniorMints]

❤️💚Thanks for the bonus material!💚❤️

[@ilhuicatlamatini]

Had never seen this before, thank you! ❄️ Edit: LOL at the reruns part 😂

[@whiskersb5296]

1:37 Will tunes his bass. Fantastic!

[@Lakeda-bu1mi]

Admit this about Letterman band during his legacy with just these guys. They could rock it and stay true to the composition.

[@jackcarraway4707]

She could lead a chorus of angels.

[@brettharlow7010]

The greatest tv Christmas tradition ever.

[@TimPerdue-n8w]

Bring back great memories

[@kurtdahle]

What a voice

[@brycemcneil4404]

I wonder how many people that attended that taping thought "They should this every year!" 😊

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

THANKS DAVE!!!

[@jesserice9446]

My very first time seeing this one,,December 25, 2024, glad I was Here to See and listen

[@jmm1000]

A staggeringly AWESOME talent. Peerless.

[@chdd99]

Oooooh that song.

[@hardcoreep]

Great song + voice, but I have never heard this song, ever, before! wow.

[@ajn465]

Tip of the hat to Will Lee, singing the (really really) high part from beginning to end… Amazing.

[@msoileau83]

I remember him singing the really high parts on MacArthur Park during Letterman's last shows.

[@SandraSanders-pt5ir]

GOSH, I miss late nights with this guy. I wish he'd come back to last night tv. He can still draw a crowd I bet.

[@jamessomers8495]

Just the best

[@lsachs07]

I remember watching this when it first aired.

[@matthewpaluch777]

It was NEVER officially Christmas until Darlene & da "World's most Dangerous band" played the show! We miss ya Dave!

[@remnanteighty]

Darlene Love is a Christmas tradition at our house. It's various years on You tube now

[@10lauset]

Christmas isn't Christmas without Darlene Love with the Letterman band.

[@ethanedwards7557]

She was so freakin’ adorable.

[@Carolina_Rodriguez]

It was a great tradition!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@daviddaigle2419]

The real queen of Christmas,🥰🥰🥰

[@jnadle1]

Will and Sid gave her some Four Seasons/Beach Boys harmonies.

[@feliperojasanchez]

Incredible!!

[@Jllyrol311]

Amazing! What a gift

[@acerjuglans383]

I would really like Paul to put the CBS Orchestra back together for next year's version.

[@HardRockMiner]

It's really sad that somethings have to end.

[@remnanteighty]

Love you Dave.

[@ArnaldoNieves]

My favorite gringa christmas song!

[@keefriff99]

What a stunning voice! Darlene will always be Trish Murtaugh to me.

[@ser9656]

Great now and better with each passing year.

[@firemedic6509]

I watched this episode in the barracks at NAS Jacksonville, FL.

[@marcot3704]

It’s officially Christmas!

[@jimmiesmith5811]

Darlene has that powerhouse voice just like her little sister the late great Edna Wright of the honey cone

[@SHARON.I]

Hilarious LENO was a guest 😂

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

YAY!

[@mikeletz]

Just the beginning!

[@danmagoo]

Holy crap -- she really knocked it out of the park! The audience reaction seemed good but still a bit subdued (including Dave), I guess because in later years the tradition took on momentum and built more anticipation. My only disappointment is that they didn't get somebody to play saxophone!

[@EdKazO-Vision]

THIS, friends, is why television was invented.

[@Bringos76]

That's Mrs Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Remember those two guys who put the meatball on top of the tree? They were funny.

[@elevatedintuition]

Darlene crawled so Wham! Could walk and Mariah could run.

[@elizabethlarson9655]

Every year, Darlene sounded like a million bucks.

[@MitchClement-il6iq]

Jus did a reunion with Dave and Paul over 80 years old. 😊

[@Ampersand00]

Great performance! Got slightly distracted by the spectacular mullet the guitarist was rocking...

[@milfordcivic6755]

This past week, I've noticed a lot of Christmas programming on TV winding down. WHY? This is the time when people want to watch it. Not in October before Halloween and all month long in November.

[@holgerreimann1880]

Great voice. Thank´s for this song the EAGLES. Wonderful ! Greetings from germany, I wisch a good new year 2024 ! Good luck !

[@BDUBZ49]

Eagles?

[@whodathunkitwhodathunkit8532]

Wow. Just wow.

[@kinsmed]

Darlene could have stood on her own. But thanks for the side glimpses.

[@timeoutforcaregivers9438]

❤❤❤❤❤Fantastic!