Father John Misty - Bored in the USA Live on David Letterman

Father John Misty performing "Bored in the USA" on Late Show with David Letterman.
Air date: 03/11/2014.

[@michaelkayser4194]

This is a great video to look up if you wanted to cry in the parking lot of a Target

[@TTV_TOMTISM]

i feel this.

[@xTheOxx]

That short moment of silence between the end of the canned laughter and the beginning of the polite clapping is one of the most uncomfortable I've ever experienced on TV. Suits the song very well.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

yes

[@bubbafug00gle51]

He's preaching to the confounded... think the song would have landed much better with a Letterman audience from the NBC days

[@thelizardkingdc]

Dude what the fuck???? Is the canned laughter and clapping completely fake??? It must be…. This dude is absolutely killing it but the producers thought they had to add laughter and clapping to keep the ratings… like this was a comedy sketch…? Is this the legit video? Ive never seen anything this bizarre. Heard of father John years ago and when I saw a record of his at the store I decided to finally watch some videos… and he kills… and apparently needs a LAUGH TRACK???!!! Bro… if this is unedited Im dumbfounded by that.

[@xTheOxx]

@@thelizardkingdc The laugh track is part of the song and the performance, it's there because Misty wanted it there. It just completely throws off the audience. I think it's on par with the performance comedy of Kaufman, but it's also a beautiful and moving song. A high point in entertainment and artistry in my opinion.

[@thelizardkingdc]

@@xTheOxx never would have guessed. Thank you for explaining!

[@usernotfound7483]

I chortled when he turned away from the piano and it was playing itself

[@FungusMossGnosis]

While you chortled I was tickled pink.

[@west92fnargle]

Such a great part xD

[@jd-zu5ok]

FungusMossGnosis and while you were tickled pink and he chortled, i had a half a guffaw.

[@reallife5638]

Adam Rara so did I lmao

[@arindaaps]

lol

[@dazma22]

This song just hits different in the middle of a pandemic.

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

Try "Things it would have been helpful to know before the the revolution" for a size

[@lilja444ever]

@@nietzschesmustache9483 this is "planet cancer, sweet revenge, isolation, online friends" from holy shit erasure

[@kenclarke5966]

keep my perscriptions filled

[@thefourthwall6839]

this guy might be one of the most brilliant performers of the 21st century

[@RustinChole]

To have the sampled applause is a ballsy move. Classic performance.

[@djc2526]

Always felt this is a timeless and really important song and performance. Its fucking genius on so many levels.

[@hoibsh21]

Save me President Jesus! LOL!

[@willsadd]

This man is so captivating it took 10 watches for me to notice the piano playing itself

[@jacobgellman226]

Fitting when he stops pretending to play and the piano keeps going, automated

[@mountainkat5248]

Well damn, it took YOU mentioning before I noticed.

[@AndySalinger33]

True performance art at it’s finest. This moment he created is something I’m drawn back to constantly. Ah, and those strings! They really brought something magic out of Father JM. At once beautiful and brutal. This is special. This is just for us.

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

Father John Misty looks like really promising musical legend in the making rightnow. Fells like a more philosophical and satirical mix of jim morrison and bob dylan

[@lenalennon8746]

+ JOHN: "MISTY IS A PURE CLEAR CHANNEL. HE IS A HUMANIZED ANGELIC INSTRUMENT. HIS SONGS PRODUCE VIBRATIONAL WAVES AND LYRICAL MESSAGES SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT WAKING UP THE MASSES. MISTY IS A " HOME TEAM PLAYER" FOR THE ASCENSION. FEW POSSESS HIS LEVEL OF TALENT AND PROFICIENCY. " 🙏✨✨🙏🀄🀄💕💕 Channeled by Lena 1:53 (💫◀#9) p.m. 02- 27-2022 (9 + 8: Infinity)✨

[@forumchatter09]

garbage

[@apollopursuingdaphne2976]

I saw FJM a couple months after this performance… it was the best show I have seen to this date. Guy was on fire the night I saw him. Unbelievable performer

[@marlesimms]

God damn the sitcom laughter and clapping is so poignant and heartbreaking. And Letterman's audience has no idea what to do with it

[@mountainkat5248]

Which just makes it all the more poignant. Josh is effing fearless !

[@stantonsullivan-readdelillo]

That camera movement from in front of the piano to the side of the keyboard is one of the greatest musical performance late night moments ever

[@slanjbo]

Seeing this a few years later I firmly believe this is up there with Nirvana Unplugged, Alice and Chains as well, Mac Millers NPR just before he passed, and Dave Brubecks Take 5 live in ‘64. Fu-ck toss in the Massey Hall Jazz Show in ‘53.

[@mhbackman]

Shout out to that Brubeck show in 64 and Mac's NPR show. I've watched both endless times on KZbin and they are timeless.

[@kestermuller9595]

Truly an artist who has emerged at the perfect cultural moment. Such a cynical bastard - he speaks directly to my soul.

[@MrLarynxPharynx]

"Oh save me white Jesus!"

[@magnoliatreesinthemeadow]

Best line ever

[@khansolllo]

so glad this got reposted. this is a very important performance

[@jamespoppitz3336]

Who makes music like this? He gets major points just for that...

[@ericbumbera664]

This man is a literal genius….

[@ericjohnson2515]

I keep coming back to this because it's so good.

[@stillupmusic]

This is one of the most well written songs of all time.

[@andresikb]

So underrated

[@drock6310]

The bravery of the lyric! Plus those high notes..omg

[@centuryiii8661]

One of my favorite performances of all time from one of the best living performers.

[@williamhornabrook8081]

His voice is so beautiful.

[@nicolagreen5488]

I can watch this over and over - it is at the top of the craft. Love the attitude, the depth, the music, the voice. Superb and thank you.

[@hinder90]

I almost never share live performances of songs to friends I want to share music with, but this is so perfectly fitting to John Tillman’s tone and how this song may as well be describing a moment just like this one.

[@Bandstand]

Matthew Litwin John Tillman lol

[@JBugz777]

Masterful song & preformance... And that shrug.

[@obiwanjermobi]

love them high notes

[@Julius2965]

well done john, a very heartfelt, beautiful and painful piece. Reminds me of pink floyds the wall and john lennon

[@Bandstand]

Julian John?

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

@@Bandstand You know it be like that sometimes for some people

[@mhbackman]

Papa Daddy John Misty

[@tonygmartin]

All of the laughter and applause heard during the song was fake, which made the actual Letterman audience a tad uncomfortable.

[@eikentina]

is it real laughter or fake by FJM?

[@frdlist]

theactortony they are fake. Except the applause in the end

[@eikentina]

ah okay ;-) because on the record there is no laughter

Laughter and applause are on the record. At least on the version I've listened to.

[@frdlist]

Laughters are also on the record.

[@jh8957]

I don't even like most of Father John Misty's music, but this is the only performance on television that's ever made me want to cry.

[@gillbawden]

This is deep sadness.

[@humansaremonkeys]

Amazing performance.

[@johnduckguitar7083]

I love that this guy isn't the biggest celebrity in the world ,,,it says a lot about this world

[@PabloYourself]

Love this!!!

[@alexanderrolfs6539]

One of the greats.

[@johnduckguitar7083]

His hair is almost perfect

[@mt1990sweg]

I saw a werewolf drinkin a pina colada at trader vicks

[@starbelly2000]

Never listened to FJM before, but the lyrics from this song remind me of something off Pink Floyd's "The Wall." It's reminiscent of Roger's writing style.

[@johnentwistle952]

good job kid.. now go find the others.. there's plenty in misty's work

[@jajlertil]

I’ve always wondered if the self playing piano reveal along with the recorded laughter was a super subtile reference to the ”club silencio” scene in Mulholland Drive. I could totally imagine Josh being into Lynch Prolly just a gag tho

[@doriangray7587]

that's one hell of a tribute right there

[@jamesthomas4463]

Balls

[@MrThomyorkey]

Randy Newman would be proud

[@mikeperp]

Fuckin amazing!!!!!

[@Dr.JeremyDunks]

HOW THE HECK DID I MISS THE PLAYER PIANO GAG?

[@alexanderperez5636]

We had no idea what this performance was heralding, both in terms of world events and FJM's career.

[@rossturcotte419]

The new album is too much, too too much but we always have this. Talk about pure comedy.

[@arnebey]

Uh the laughter?...the player piano?...it's called art...it was planned as a brilliant FTM comment!

[@lisabutler4457]

ok but really tho, when is this song NOT relevant? ;(

[@fieldstvl]

What happened to Letterman at 4:33?

[@Mikewee777]

02:59 " White jesus " lol

[@samueljlarson]

I don't think the audience got it... and I don't think Dave appreciated it. But I loved it.

[@reallife5638]

GREAT ARTIST....Sounds a lot like Elton John

[@danielfitzgerald2561]

Real life Elton John meets Morrissey

[@leewohlfert5462]

Love him to death.

[@bleachbomb_666]

Fucking love this

[@dancountz358]

i don't think the older generations appreciate this song. the truth hurts i suppose.

[@Dr.JeremyDunks]

I always loved Letterman best because he had vastly better musical artists on his show than Leno. Case in point, here.

[@DiscoveryNet]

Am I the only one who felt: This guy just destroyed Bruce Springsteen! (Pure genius, love from Istanbul)

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

Türkiyede FJM dinleyen biri. Yiğidim seni tanımak isterim

[@coreymineard]

Yup. Everyone else just thought it was pretty lame.

[@addyd.3140]

Well it's more like a reference or a pun on the Springsteen song. Born in the usa is satirical, nearly a protest song. These two are not too far off thematically.

[@blindboygrunt7711]

@@addyd.3140 Springsteen’s song is 100% a protest song

[@ZachClossin]

Something tells me Bo Burnham saw this

[@Bernd05]

how the fuck did this moment ever happen!?

[@TedAlexandro]

Love FJM. Elton John vibes

[@ridered300]

Oh, good.

[@_s_ss_s_]

can you upload his performances on jools holland?

[@vvncnt]

This was actually filmed on 11/3/14

[@frdlist]

Vincent Vo nope

[@elizadotexe]

Vincent Vo I remembered first seeing this in early 2016 and singing it to my friend then....2017 is way off.

[@klolAF]

I don't think he will know you on that day good ly

[@aunthaumv3711]

4:17 is the pianist jon snow?!

[@MrPezdispencer]

Not gunna lie I died laughing when he said save me White Jesus.

[@seachsy]

Is this a call out to Mulholland dr. ?

[@PabloRiosCZ]

no hay banda

[@Stbuster31]

I hate when people use it. but savage in true form

[@romphuts5303]

why?

[@mcotter12]

The final third of the song with the laughter dub is mocking the kind of entertainment people crave to distract themselves from the reality of the world; making fun of the audience and the show.

[@bretta7057]

I agree with the entertainment as distraction part, but I don't think he's making fun of the audience, show, or listener (the canned laughter is on the album too), so much as showing how mundane and helpless ennui/depression is. It kind of reminds me too, of the live folksinger schtick, where they tell stories in their songs, some of them humorous, and the crowd kinda chuckles. Except in those cases, the stories are usually goofball tales, not describing the soulless, crushing existence that 21st century life can be as in this tune.

[@anhiirr]

you mean irreverent truth but i tend to forget how young(questionable) people choose to be identified, Granted you said you hate it. Im giving you the benefit of the doubt.

[@Eyecon33]

you know, I always wondered his intent behind "and now I can't get off." Does he mean he can't get off the pills or he can't 'get off' because of the pills?

[@labradude]

I think that it can be valid if you read either. IMO in the context of the song it's the pills that are preventing him from getting off. A common side effect of anti-depressants is a reduced sex drive and a feeling of 'numbness' overall.

[@MosesJesusElijah]

Oh!…….once one discovers the true meaning of existence; this one will see how lost humanity is🤫

[@c.s.s.5326]

The canned laughter is from the original track folks

[@JP-hb4mv]

Save me white jesus

[@georgeburdell517]

Guess since 3/11/2014, he's not so bored?

[@siennaellis8252]

rick grimes after the apocalypse

[@huxlee3947]

notice how he swept his hand after the handshake with a lizard

[@kitbrown3895]

Bruh

[@joannaferris2232]

By putting his hand in his pocket?

[@corollamaxx8596]

She cleans up is his best? He''s not making it as a slow balad comedian. He's got talent. He needs to rock it up a bit. The video She Cleans Up and more like it, is going to be his paycheck!

[@matchettmusic]

but there the F is he now??!!!

[@beybarys]

The average US Rubbish we have become used to over decades... "Thick pants" - nothing more...

[@forumchatter09]

How precious 🤮

[@ToniJover]

Such a great performance, but why did they added the fake laugh? Just in case anyone was offended, so they could say it was just a gag? A shame...

[@katieamo7767]

It's in the album version also.

[@SwitcherooU]

The canned laughter is an absolutely essential component of the song.

[@JohnBaker-vw8jl]

It's not funny

[@tmac8892]

Meh.

[@AveryJS3]

t mac just saw him live, he puts on a helluva show.

[@morganyoungisplayingdrums]

The pretense is legendary with this charlatan. Hey Josh, don't sing falsetto, just stick to your pseudo-Cohen routine.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

I agree, he’s overrated, I see gimmicky contrived schtick

[@jwsopko]

If you are bored in the USA then move to another country where you are not bored. Problem solved.

[@mt1990sweg]

Dude, great observation!

[@Altyouniverse]

Ewww they had the audience do prompted laughter at his lyrics 🤦‍♀️ embarrassing

[@davidw4639]

It's on the original album recording nothing to do with the audience

[@backpackingcapebreton]

That’s part of the song, dingbat. The studio version has the canned laughter, you just don’t understand it.

[@michaelallen1396]

Elton John ripoff song, Major John would not be amused.

[@TheseOpenRoads]

Yeah, it's almost as if Elton John was some sort of influence on future artists ...... /s

[@chrissantos5580]

Michael Allen well josh Tillman writes his own songs how about elton

[@Texocracy]

Yup, Elton comes up with his chord progressions but his long term boyfriend wrote all his lyrics. Misty wouldn't sing someone else's lyrics.

[@themaggattack]

Do you mean Major Tom? That was Bowie. (From Space Oddity). Elton John was Rocket Man.

[@themagnanimous1246]

Michael Allen What a useless comment, Michael.

[@centuryiii8661]

One of my favorite performances of all time from one of the best living performers.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Meh.