Fountains Of Wayne: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

It speaks well of this performance that Fountains of Wayne's set pokes around in a few gray areas; its four songs showcase a band with tremendous narrative gifts and a real flair for subtle beauty.
Set List:
"The Summer Place"
"Valley Winter Song"
"A Dip In The Ocean"
"Troubled Times"
For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.

[@blueguy1995]

RIP Adam Schlesinger. One of best songwriters of his generation.

[@gracebarzyz5754]

My God......I didnt know he passed. 💜🙏💜 We will see him again.

[@massimoezem]

Same I had no clue :(

[@Tomsdrawings]

Did you know Adam wrote the Faux Hit from the movie 'That Thing You Do'? Impressive.

[@MegVerm]

"we'll make it through the troubled times" 😭

[@1958darkstar]

When I heard Adam passed from Covid complications I cried my eyes out.😭 Such an unbelievable loss.😢

[@AndreaMelle]

The most underrated band in history.

[@Bfordandafter]

Andrea Melle along with King's X. Both bands are loved by other musicians/songwriters and critics... but have never had the huge audience their talent deserves. (they are very different bands but truly their careers are similar in how great and talented they are and how under appreciated)

[@Wiley_Coyote]

If not, damn close to it.

[@thepageboys8830]

I saw them play in a book store in NYC in 2003. Great memory.

[@cyberwockie]

@@Bfordandafter Wow did you ever nail it! Thats the two I would pick!

[@Cuzjudd]

Yes Mac

[@jillydelarosa]

Fountains of Wayne were criminally underrated. Chris and Adam were on par with Tilbrook/Difford and Lennon/McCartney as far as pop songwriting. I have watched this video so many times over the years, and it never gets old. "Valley Winter Song" and "Troubled Times" have been favourites of mine since I first heard them. Man, rest well, Adam. I am gutted.

[@Cuzjudd]

I agree totally. They are the latter day Beatles for sure

[@StewartSchley]

I go to this NPR rendition of "Summer Place" about every 60 days just for the cleanse. I am sorry to report I did not know/appreciate Adam and Co. until after he passed away. Bad on me. But what a joy to know them even now. The vibe lives on.

[@etamommy]

The radiation vibe…I might add

[@lamper2]

Squeeze did Red Dragon Tattoo on KZbin somewhere

[@businesswalks8301]

hahahaha no girls were rubbing themselves to these guys, but their tunes are just fine

[@chrisplatz7594]

"Valley Winter Song" is such a beautiful song. Could listen to it all day.

[@mccanlessdesign]

Finding this wonderful music catalog only after Adam's untimely death, I'm embarrassed that I only knew of "Stacy's Mom". This is wonderful pop for a 57-yeard old cranky guy - I'd OD-ing on it out in my workshop.

[@billreichert2755]

Impossible to overpraise this songwriting. Whether the subject is a melancholy memory or a pointed satire, every line is somehow rendered with affection. When you dissect A Dip in the Ocean you discover an astonishing blend of evocative words. Learning their lyrics in order to sing along in the car has been one of my favorite pleasures for over a decade.

[@mikementz]

Thank you for putting this the way you did. Spot on.

[@Bfordandafter]

Bill Reichert I can't like this comment enough. I always tell friends... find a song that deals with love by any band that isn't cliched or doesn't use the word love.... few can do it.... FOW has no trouble doing it... and of course they cover way more topics than love but just using it to make a point.

[@TonyLovell]

+Mike Mentz Loved your cover of New Routine. MORE!

[@mikementz]

+Tony Lovell Cheers and thanks, Tony!

[@amberjones6524]

Every time I would get their new album I would listen to it over and over. As a result I know almost every word to almost every one of their songs. I can still pop in their self titled album and sing each and every song over 20 years later. P.S. Survival Car is one of my favorites.

[@bX-rk2oo]

RIP Adam Schlesinger, you'll be missed.

[@dldresselhaus]

For those curious: 0:00 - The Summer Place 3:36 - Valley Winter Song 7:09 - A Dip in the Ocean 10:42 - Troubled Times

[@jtyler7508]

I was - and thank you

[@Refbn123]

Has it been so long already? Always such a class act. RIP Adam, no one could write tighter and catchier hooks than you.

[@patriciarodriguez6028]

Adam Schlesinger's bass & harmonies - so gorgeous!

[@JillKnapp]

Grew up in north Jersey, making our annual pilgrimage to Fountains of Wayne every December to see the cheesy Christmas display. When this band surfaced I knew they would be my kind of music... and MAN was I right. Most underrated band ever. When I heard the news of Adam’s passing, we listened to “Supercollider” on constant repeat. He was a magical, luminous, unfathomably brilliant human and captured the human experience in music and lyrics like nobody else on the earth.

[@involuntaryathlete5874]

i had no idea this band was this good. The harmonies, awesome chord progressions, the way they play together. Thank you! Thank you! for this.

[@eliasvanschaik2134]

This band is so under rated that it speaks volumes of how today's music is valued, promoted and governed. I wish Fountains of Wayne all the sucess that they deserve which is light years ahead of what the public has attributed to them. On a happier note and selfishly, I get to enjoy them in concert always in a intimate setting and at an affordable price.

[@Kojak559]

This band is so criminally under-appreciated. They had one smash hit, and some minor ones, but the deep cuts from their recordings over 18 years are more indicative of their lyrical and musical abilities. I'm not going to bad mouth Stacy's Mom (because I think it's pretty great anyway) but that song in many ways is a disservice to the band. It's easy to write off as a formulaic swing for the fences to achieve stardom (it's so much more than that). Do yourself a favor and dig into their catalog; if you are truly a music fan, it's a rabbit hole you will fall into and never emerge... I speak from experience.

[@Loudersoft]

RIP Adam. This world wasn't good enough for how good you were.

[@Cuzjudd]

Chris tho

[@too_stoned_]

@@Cuzjudd As much as I love Adam and everything he did, Chris is probably my favorite member of the band. Met him on the songs and stories tour last year and he seemed like a genuinely cool dude.

[@Cuzjudd]

@@too_stoned_ yeah Chris is GOAT

[@swiftyboi23]

It kills me how underrated this band is.

[@dogearsandhorselegs7170]

It makes no sense whatsoever

[@welcometothenhk]

Rest in peace Adam. I started playing bass because of this specific performance of his. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who thought to pull up this video now, judging by the other comments. He was a great musician and I’m praying for him and his family and his former bandmates.

[@MrMonikerjay]

He had a huge influence on me too as a bass player. It's so crazy that he just pops into melodies that you write on bass...Gonna miss him so much.

[@malcolmkhummel3]

Most underrated band of all time...maybe one of the most underrated song writers of all time. However...he always had work at the very least. I somehow missed the news during Covid and am only finding out now that this happened. No reunion...dang. Just listen to those vocal harmonies....RIP Adam.

[@KidNoah2012]

RIP Adam. Very sad. No reunion now. If you have anyone in your life that you just can't forgive take a moment to reconsider and see if you can find a way around whatever the problem is. Life is too short too hang on to grievances as this shows...

[@mpetuous1]

Christopher Robinhood , you bring tears to my eyes, you are so right. Find em, call em up, set things straight. Far too little time for all of us.

[@natschaefer1044]

They did a reunion show shortly after Adam passed, with Sharon van Etten on bass

[@lightertheif1]

RIP Adam. I've been a fan since Radiation Vibe showed up on a promo mix cd in 96. As a NY Suburbanite Gen X Queens resident office worker you turned my middling life into art. Gracias, RIP and thank you, your gift Will continue to inspire talent.

[@KevJB13]

Everything these guys do is gold. It's just purely good songwriting and musicianship that doesn't take itself too seriously.

[@amberjones6524]

I have absolutely adored these guys for over 20 years and own all their albums. One of the greatest acts ever in my opinion! 💖💖

[@Cuzjudd]

What’s your fave album?

[@JULIAtalk]

I won a contest and got to go to the jimmy fallon show and stand on the a stage behind fountains of wayne while they played. it was sick... one of the coolest moments of my life. the drummer kept talking to me haha he was super chill.

[@willroberts9935]

These guys were as good as it ever got in this genre. I struggle to understand why they weren't huge, and what people missed about them. Amazing band and songwriting

[@fredoswego]

no airplay and they weren't hot and sexy. kind of dad band like.

[@msminmichigan]

They had a good size cult following. I love Stacy's Mom but that as a hit single didn't capture what they were. They too often got conpared to The Barenaked Ladies, which isn't a good comparison.

[@qriminal1648]

I thought they were always just a cheap imitation of weezer early on, and then they just strayed right into barenaked ladies arena. The vocals are weak and the name is generic sounding. They just didnt have "it", and the songwriting was simply average at best. Overall just a boring band that boiled down to a one hit wonder.

[@willroberts9935]

@@qriminal1648 Hilarious but whatever - like what you like. You are clearly in the minority for good reason but that's cool. Weezer. Wow, couldn't be more different but your opinion is valid. Enjoy the utter lyrical and melodic brilliance of Undone! (kidding)

[@cgillit]

My elementary school aged kids fell in love with FoW when dad kept playing their songs in the car. They can sing every song. I'm sure they'll turn them onto their friends someday, and they'll fall in love with them too. The songs will live on forever, because the hooks are timeless

[@ajahndallas]

My kids too!

[@bettsdn]

Valley Winter Song is one of my favs.

[@stuguy]

I’m a big music fan. Huge fan of the Beatles since I was a kid and now I’m over 50. The great thing about the Beatles was the quality of their work. You can easily listen to every song on each album with no complaints. Just about every song was a winner. Here we are in the summer of 2019 and I discover Fountains of Wayne. Wow! I had heard Stacy’s mom when it came out. Thought it was good but never followed up with any of their other music. Boy did I drop the ball. I could listen to these guys all day. Welcome interstate managers has tons of great songs and sky full of holes has beautiful melodies too. My loss! This does not seem like a band that will ever reunite as there appears to be many issues between the band but then again the rascals reunited so anything is possible

[@Cuzjudd]

FoW are the closest we’ve ever had to the Beatles. Of this I’m sure. But please listen to Utopia Parkway. That is the definitive album. Especially Laser Show. That song is PURE Beatles

[@Cuzjudd]

I've said FOW are the latter day Beatles

[@Boonzzy]

I just finished my music blog article on "Utopia Parkway", their masterpiece IMHO (unfortunately my blog is all in Japanese so sorry for whomever got interested :)), and during that process, I found this NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and am jumping for joy. When I first heard about Adam's passing, I couldn't believe my ears, and realized that his music and FOW has been that important for me for the past 25 years. RIP Adam, and hope more people will find his music and appreciate what a genius he was.

[@arklowrockz]

A Dip In The Ocean sounds really good in that arrangement

[@thedavidjscott_]

RIP Adam! Everyone stay home so we don’t keep killing legends!

[@joelhardi]

oh man, so many feels. Watching Adam Schlesinger play these songs he wrote, how happy he is, look at his face on Dip in the Ocean, it's so great. That's the main thing, to get that feeling out of life and love what you do.

[@TheBlewis]

RIP Adam Schlesinger. If you’re reading this, STAY HOME.

[@Dascia2]

Stay safe my dude.

[@NadaSurferTube]

heartbroken. and these are just the ones we know of. stay home everyone. :(

[@TheBlewis]

NadaSurferTube Devastating. Love Nada Surf too by the way. Saw them not too long ago with John Vanderslice at the Troubadour. I miss live music.

[@lightertheif1]

😭😭😭

[@vtmtns4]

A major loss. He had a lot more great songs in him...

[@jlouq]

How did I miss this performance?! Troubled Times was always one of my favorites. Love this band forever.

[@Cuzjudd]

Soooi good

[@tagacale1733]

REST IN PEACE ADAM. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE MUSIC

[@DougBono]

Valley Winter Song is one of my faves. So many good FOW songs to choose from though. Give Hackensack a listen too.

[@mrkyle316]

+Doug Bono yeah man i agree with you, both great

[@johnmossawir3314]

Fire Island

[@deborahbicher3500]

As a born and raised Hackensackian, I agree! I’ve never realized how many great songs FoW gave to us.

[@KillerFknWolf]

i can't think of a more criminally underrated and underappreciated group.

[@ckallaher]

The New Yorker appreciation of Adam Schlesinger is worth a read. A true understated genius of a songwriter. It’s like he worked at remaining relatively unknown even as he cranked out dozens (hundreds?) of incredible pop and rock songs. Such a loss.

[@teddymoy8461]

To everyone out there, you're loved, you're amazing, and you're never alone. Keep your spirits high and let your soul shine. ❤🌹 R.I.P. Adam 🌹❤

[@kylefreitas8293]

my parents always played fountains of wayne as i was growing up. their music brings me instant joy. somehow i never heard 'a dip in the ocean' and halfway through i started crying just watching adam sing. rest in peace adam. i will continue to share your music to those closest to me.

[@wakajumba]

What a fantastic group. Great melodies. Lyrics that tell stories. Honest, upfront music. So sad we lost Adam. I love FoW!!

[@topgazza]

A truly great band who for some reason have never become the gloibal hits they deserved. But then I value them as my own "guilty" pleasure. Outstanding musicians and songwriters

[@mikeskinner7681]

I love how Adam convinces Chris to sing the last song “troub times?? Troub times!?” I love these guys so much. RIP Adam

[@ambrosehuang897]

what an incredible set. 4 of my fave FOW songs

[@zeroeffects88]

It makes me angry that they aren't one of the biggest bands in the world.

[@Bfordandafter]

iHatebologna59 It boggles the mind. No one combines intelligent, witty lyrics with amazing melodies like Fountains of Wayne.

[@manlystump4240]

+iHatebologna59 I hate the fact no one knows them for anything but Stacy's Mom, and think they're some novelty act.

[@apdinoponti5753]

+iHatebologna59 why do you hate Bologna?????

[@davenorris6711]

Ditto that!

[@davidg5629]

Yeah, I know. The American Lennon and McCartney.

[@xx-ug9hn]

I'd heard of Fountains of Wayne before but never heard them until yesterday. Wonderful band.

[@Colinchaplin07]

Just got welcome interstate managers cd for my birthday. I wish i listened to this when Adam was still here.

[@ernestopatiga8973]

one of my escape of this bad world is to listen this guys songs thank fountains of wayne.

[@Blinkfan90]

You were one of the best song writers I have ever heard Adam it's sad you can't be hear to write more great songs for us

[@JakobAkira]

i keep coming back to this, such an influential power pop band,,, I remember listening to Utopia parkway and welcome interstate managers getting lost in my head in the back seat of the car. I owe a lot to these guys

[@samanthaulatowski5507]

We love you, Adam.

[@mollypocrass4562]

Wish I had gotten to experience them in person. May Adam's memory be for a blessing. Can't believe it's been a year since we lost you.

[@tagacale1733]

tomorrow is new years eve. im ready to move on from this wretched year and thought i'd drop by to watch this gem of a performance again. i still tear up during the last song. RIP Adam

[@sumikosuzuki6423]

I've been a huge fan of FOW since I listened to Troubled Times for the first time. Great band!

[@tnestor50]

Love their music. Love that they are not afraid to sing "tongue in cheek". Great sound.

[@magroves]

I miss you Adam. Chris, Jody, and Brian I love you all and am glad you're still here ❤

[@elysamoulding7690]

Adam, You were a gift to this world.

[@kanpekiboy1]

Adam was so talented yet unassuming..how melodic, just stripped back acoustic and raw talent and sensibility. .i hope they know how loved they are.

[@Emiran_music]

2021, still watching

[@phacedown1921]

RIP Adam. Valley Winter Song is on repeat

[@MegCazalet]

Oooo my gosh, they played Troubled Times! I’m weeping. The memories, the feelings . . .

[@Cuzjudd]

I almost died haha

[@latmcb9863]

Great performance. Terrific songs. Tight band. RIP Adam - you are missed...

[@huskral]

Great pop band. What the heck, they're just a great band period. Much better than just their biggest hit. Sometimes you got to dig deeper than one song to fully appreciate music.

[@QTRResearch]

One of the most underrated and misunderstood bands of our time. True genius. RIP Adam.

[@Cuzjudd]

Totally agreed my good man

[@kensimpson4286]

I could watch these guys for hours! Crap! I'm late for work! Rock on guys!

[@done1675]

I always knew that anything Adam was involved in, I would love. And that was always true. I can't believe he's gone. Today's my 50th birthday and I live in Manhattan. I'm scared.

[@BoredomEnsues]

Rest in peace, great songwriter. I will continue to cherish your music.

[@joyegreg]

Still grieving you, Adam.

[@trudyscousin]

I loved this band. I have all their recordings (well, I think I do). My fave is "Welcome Interstate Managers," which I could loop over and over during my train commutes and never get tired of it. I know I'm late to say, but: RIP Adam Schlesinger.

[@MrPharn]

Kind of music for driving. Pretty nice

[@SuperWave86]

Thx for posting this!!! Aww Adam!! ❤️ that was funny what Adam said at the end "Do we smash something Now!' 🤣

[@jackfrost2673]

This was and will always be my fav band. I love you guys and I will always listen to your music.

[@bighillhill]

RIP Adam Schlesinger

[@scohan44]

Goodbye Adam and thank you for your songs. I shared your genius with my daughter, and she became an even bigger fan than me. We often perform Hey Julie together, and now will struggle to make it through the song without crying, thinking of you.

[@nataliecruztx]

Thank you Adam Schlesinger 🖤

[@paulcullen9308]

Absolutely brilliant

[@molls723]

Going to see them in New Jersey a week from Friday, can't wait...

[@devinkelly5596]

Great band!!

[@LDMTX6]

What a great band.

[@weirdaljedifan2]

I damn near cried when they started Troubled Times. When I was going through my first breakup, I was listening to that song on repeat.

[@Bfordandafter]

Christie Beck This is my favorite band and they've written a ton of great songs.... but I've always thought that song was/is their best. Sadness and hope collide, though you know they aren't getting back together.

[@josh0g]

Songs have transportive powers.

[@imightbebiased9311]

Every line evokes that obsessive, delusional hope that you're hanging onto when things aren't going the way you want.

[@Cuzjudd]

Bryan Ford love u

[@jamese.ferrell6218]

Well I love them. I saw them in SF at the Great American Music Hall during their final tour and the crowd sang along, loudly, with each and every song they did. Me too.

[@SuperScoot1978]

17 years a band and still sounding great-love these guys

[@kareecase6410]

Rip Adam, Hardly knew ya. Making up for having missed a lot of your brilliant songwriting and music. Where have I been? Paying tribute today. May your legacy live on forever...

[@TonyLovell]

This is one of my favorite videos on KZbin. Love the band. Only thing that could improve this would be to hear a higher signal from Jody. It's sad to consider that Chris and Adam might not work together from here. It's a testament to both of them that they always gave the other fellow's songs their fullest, as far as we can see.

[@ckelly5141]

Great band!......and Adam’s writing so interesting and inviting.

[@kellehiggins1974]

Almost a year now, I send love to you Adam, where you are. See you again someday! Big hugs will happen! 🙏

[@harryt92]

Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers album always reminds me of a family holiday to Florida when I was a kid. We bought the CD and played it numerous times in the rental car. Still have the CD.

[@modelcitizen1977]

I love the songwriting. Using the last word of a phrase as the first word of the next is a trope, but used effectively it’s a great one and they use it better than anyone I’ve ever heard.

[@ClassicGameShowPortal]

Please Lord, allow this band to heal their fissures and return to their loving fans.

[@rentedtux1883]

Amen

[@oddioblinker]

word

[@t.winfield_9812]

I’m mates with Jody and he says there’s a small small possibility they might be trying to get something together but it’s difficult with Adam and Chrises relationship.

[@Dascia2]

@@t.winfield_9812 Give your friend my love. Stay safe and inside.

[@t.winfield_9812]

Patricia Graham yeah will do mate

[@Wearehighlow]

Those harmonies!

[@MarkCranerium]

So very good. They look like they are at the end of a long tour.

[@jumptiu]

RIP to Adam, Stacy's Mom is one the most epic song of my teengae years

[@davelash8699]

Fantastic band...I love how the guitar player with sunglasses...after all these years hasn't realized he's not in Blur.

[@georget1718]

Hang in Adam! Prayers go out you brother!

[@davidjacob9926]

Woa. Just found this and read the comments about Adam. Sad to hear. A great songwriter and talent. Thanks for the music.

[@sewage1510]

I absolutely love this band.

[@dennydee678]

These guys are one of my favorite bands, and I have to agree with you.

[@kumainkana3576]

under rated,,,best band ever!

[@skibbidybupbupbahakaelvisp1120]

Life is so fickle. Thanks Adam and Chris for shining a spotlight on the mundane in such a poetic way that it could never hope to equate to, and to the band as a whole for rendering that mundaniety in such beautiful color and warmth.

[@ilabelle1]

A very underrated band. Thanks for the great songs Adam. You will be missed.

[@dorylarsen7046]

I love this band. One of my favorite! These guys should have been really famous!

[@dennisg1799]

Thanks, Adam for the music and the memories.