Hullabaloo: John Frusciante "How Can I Tell You"

John Frusciante performing a solo cover of Cat Stevens' "How Can I Tell You" at the 2007 Hullabaloo benefit for the Silverlake Music Conservatory (Flea's non-profit school) at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood.

[@gushfest]

i met him after this show. i just gave him a hug. i felt like that would be the perfect form of expression for him.

[@19stoned90]

♡

[@haniawilkowska6263]

Im so jelous, it musve been the best moment ever

[@PANDA-JFpainter]

@@haniawilkowska6263 jealous+1

[@RHCPTABOO]

Actually, he hates any type of physical contact with other human beings

[@djol3336]

@@RHCPTABOO he told you that?

[@maissaedidi8940]

He always makes great choices of songs to cover

[@ollilaukkanen5899]

That's coz it doesn't matter what he covers. It all turns out great no matter what :D

[@nickr5351]

Olli Laukkanen yeah and hes a great musician, and any great musician has a great taste in music also.

[@GB-333]

Always

[@O0onboardRacing]

Is it just me or are his facial expressions really looking like he is fading out in memories and actually feeling the meaning behind the song while playing?

[@materialistadialectico4884]

Absolutely right dude. When he stopped singing it seemed like if he was going to broke down in tears.

[@timmbrockmann959]

Totally, I think in his mind he dedicated this song to someone special that night... and yes, he nearly cried in that little break towards the end.

[@kaitlynfrith5804]

Definitely he seemed like he got choked up whilst singing it, almost on the verge of tears.

[@gameover313]

@@kaitlynfrith5804 He was breaking up with Emily Kokal at this time

[@silviapinto5451]

Well, I cried

[@ugonaeaturcornbread]

john should receive an award for being able to perfectly emulate the sound of cat steven's voice.

[@louiso.4325]

For those who don't know, Cat's music means a whole lot to John. His earliest memory of loving music was hearing Cat's stuff. He even compared the experience of seeing the chili peppers for the first time to the experience of hearing cat's stuff: pretty big deal!

[@surfboarding5058]

He sounds like cat Stevens

[@fewl1sh]

I reallllly wish he would record this.

[@kennhiser]

All his covers are about love. Not ironically

[@mcnimi]

:')

[@nurshin1]

Don't think Snowblind is about love :D

[@R3N3WY]

It IS about love. About love to cocaine))

[@johnarundell7951]

Havana Affair is probably not about love :D

[@danielmacpherson8487]

well to be fair the Cat Stevens original is about love so...

[@KittyDriftwood]

John never forgets the lyrics, the lyrics are wrong.

[@iammsatrio1951]

Lol

[@snarkysharky7913]

@reffer0877 you must be fun at parties, Hermione.

[@indisugartaufik]

He singing and playing guitar with feeling. What a lovely gentleman :)

[@katevielle4263]

He looks teary eyed near the end, and seems so choked up with emotion during the whole performance.

[@b.b.1285]

I love this man so much

[@mussman717word]

Long ago, Janis Joplin described musical performance as making love to thousands of people at once, the most intimate thing you could possibly experience. Not only does John epitomize that, but he takes it to an entirely different level.

[@stewrules]

He can even make a simple open chord progression work fantastically.

[@HRichardsonRHCP]

I think this is my favourite cover from John, so beautiful.

[@GunsNArnolds]

I also like SOS

[@gui8045]

I'm eighteen, songbird I love allll

[@Diegomermer]

i love how whenever other people try to do covers of a song they try their best to sing PERFECTLY and everything but when john does it he just sings normally and this comes out

[@petrowzz]

Ironically his voice sounds exactly like Stevens' one in this cover. I know he's not eve trying and just singing with his regular voice but it not just only fits perfectly as it sound exactly like the original as well.

[@noahfox9837]

Their voices sound pretty similar anyways. Listen to John’s album Curtains and compare them.

[@danielhinkle6818]

I never thought it possible that someone could dance with my heart.

[@kurnganrio]

Literally a genius. This man's soul pours through anything he touches.

[@RandyJamminMusic]

2:29 the way he hangs on to "it only end up to one thing honey" always hit me really hard. The pause made me feel a whole lot

[@Trish-ql9kz]

Yeah, he’s singing it in the exact way that the great Cat Stevens sang it...

[@MrJuanFrusciante]

I love the feeling that john always gives to his music! I believe there's no another guy in this planet like him!. people jus't cant compare John with anybody..He is BIG with or without the chili peppers!..

[@fabiobonti1090]

How can i tell you I love you Jhon Frusciante??Wherevere iam im always walkin with you!!youll never walked alone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@yoyoyoson]

i love that hes crying hes the most passionate out there

[@Trish-ql9kz]

Never heard of this guy but I’m a huge cat stevens fan .. he’s done a pretty good job

[@NIDER3]

It's John Frusciante, the guitarrist and backing vocalist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers! He is a big fan of Cat Stevens!

[@Pedro-kn6tv]

I love this song, Frusciante always with good covers... This guy is awesome... so as Cat Stevens!!! Let's Drink For the good music!!!

[@roomsick_prkr]

Thanks John for everything. How can I tell you..?

[@snowhiteXD]

I am melting...I am a butter and John's the sun.

[@SeahorsesJay]

Frusciante often appears in many sources citing the artists that I myself discovered during my teens as his favourites. This makes me feel like we would be very good friends if circumstances had allowed it, but also it's just a nice feeling to have your tastes validated by somebody like John. For those who don't know, How Can I Tell You was on Cat Stevens' Teaser & The Firecat LP released in 1971 and is one of my favourite albums. Others to check out include The Wind, If I Laugh, Morning Has Broken, Bitterblue, Moonshadow and Peace Train - but two of my all-time favourites are Rubylove and How Can I Tell You. So much beautiful, delicate guitar playing on that album!

[@cynthiakent7846]

~` How can I tell you ' That I'm always thinking of you " Always thinking of you I look & your not there yes i look & your not there ~*~ Love to you John Frusciante ,such a beautiful version of this song `~

[@taylors238]

I didn't realize that John did Cat's covers...2 amazing artists that I love.

[@rachaelpickles9314]

Such emotion and meaning when he sings!!

[@OfficerDoofy2000]

Im so thankfull for his solos stuff,it's fucking gorgeos,amazing,breath-taking work..its 100% FRUSCIANTE. I just cant believe im never gonna see him live. EVERY time i watch his videos my heart is aking.

[@MrJuanFrusciante]

OMG is he crying? that's just amazing how a person can really feel what they are playing/singing to!

[@fionnagrant6636]

Sweating?

[@gui8045]

he was broking with his girlfriend in this time

[@ballsofsteel547]

I live in Las Vegas, NV. My girlfriends lives in Pyuallup, WA. The one thing I want in this world is to sing her this song. It reminds me so much of her

[@geoff1121]

John Frusciante + Cat Stevens = Orgasmic explosion

[@truefunksoul8638]

Far too much information.

[@InBloodChains]

when i hear this song i think of a street in town on a sunny winter day last year- it might have been december? we went on that trip in january, i remember wishing so hard that you would hear this song when i played it on my laptop, and realise it was for you.. i can't believe that it has been so long since you held my hand and that so much has happened. and i still feel exactly the same way. lord, i miss you so very terribly, please come back and be my best friend again. this is agony

[@1967extreme]

Awesome , this is very fragile and gentle man.

[@BloodyOathMate11]

And i thought he reminded me of Cat before hearing this! Wow. Love 'ciante and catty.

[@oscarvch]

BloodyOathMate11 Ikr, especially when hearing Curtains, it seems like he was heavily inspired by him in that album in particular

[@agadamaszek]

Not only is this song great, but the point is that John is great! No matter what he sings, he is always perfect!

[@Seglarn95]

So simple, So beautiful!

[@smoothdrummer29]

Put simply, John's legendary talent means he has no bounds. He is that way because that's what he loves... and he's followed that.

[@oneill8390]

listening to this makes me feel so good

[@FROOSHYFROOSH]

I'm crying... amazing song, amazing voice, amazing guitar player... god

[@TBrogin]

i love him... his voice is so beautiful and sweet

[@iluvspee]

what an amazing talent.... that voice gives me goosebumps....

[@Jillydisco]

He makes this song just as beautiful as Cat does

[@exit747steve1]

John just RULES!!! There will NEVER be anyone i would rather listen to than John Anthony Frusciante! NEVER!

[@darkwing954]

Excellent cover.

[@pacmanporter]

i love john frusciante!!!!! hes my idol!

[@ana10462]

That was intensely beautiful. I think this was for someone very special. In the end he almost cries. I would love to take care of him that night.

[@IfearGuitars]

You sure as hell can tell that this guy put his soul in to the music he's making!

[@amyevans1118]

John thank you. You've touched my soul with your beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing your beautiful soul with the universe. You make this world a better place.

[@gummel82]

it's crazy how i watched these "crazy man on drugs in 1988" videos of him.. and today he transformed to a totally loving person.. i can't describe it, but he's just awesome

[@bellashafawn]

What Can I Say? This is a Deep Feeling Man, Hes an awsome musician, And he really pulls it off vocally..I Just Love Him..I cant even put it in words..wish I could get this video on myspace..Love you John Baby

[@HeadOnGR]

I heard that Cat Stevens did a pretty decent cover of this.

[@flavy1000]

Hahahah that's truth!

[@mariaklaudianavarro8065]

😂😛

[@monkeys55]

that cover was FLAWLESS

[@bumblefritz]

That strat is friggin' gorgeous! Æugh!

[@Kanelikaakao]

"How can I tell you that I love you.." Indeed, there isn't words to describe how great John is, as a musician and a human being.

[@TheSoundsInside]

Beautiful, as ever. I love you Mr Frusciante.

[@mangamania100]

How I love you, J .F.

[@luchon5]

such soul such passion a true living legend...... John Frusciante is a true hero to me and thousands of other :) ....... i hope to be able to play and sing like him one day :)

[@Frank_Atlas]

You are a blessed person to be able to share an embrace with an amazing guitarist like that.

[@danielmacpherson8487]

Is it just me or is Cat Stevens one of the most difficult musicians to cover, John does a great job but the original is just so tear jerkingly incredible

[@joaopmf]

This gives me the chills every damn time

[@Fabbobi]

no, they were lost but now they're found, he is their savior! when you listen to him once you listen to him forever, you're addicted to him and his music.

[@GunsNArnolds]

I am crying with you, John

[@mariaklaudianavarro8065]

Beautiful cover❤️

[@Johnfrooshlover]

John is always doing great covers. This one is by far my favorite. I always sing it when im playing with my band.

[@angelalorenzana1908]

I love you, John Frusciante!!!

[@ahhlex10]

love this man

[@khpunkrock]

One Word : I love you john! Love this song

[@Robert.OppenSasso.haimer.O]

We have the same taste in music, always playing like asks me what to play👍✌️😎

[@atDustDusk]

now i'm sitting here and thinking no matter,you're loved back or not to love someone is such an amazing feeling. i'm sure of this. i've never loved anyone in my life.feeling kinda heartless. and no matter,you're love is here,with you or not. only knowing that you've been in such an amazing experience with someone would make me feel warmer. all cold now.

[@subwaytovenus1]

John is amazing ^^ Oh, His voice is so awsome ^^

[@MagdaS]

Beautiful... beautiful voice... beautiful song...

[@taylors238]

The best of 2 artists...I LOVE John and Cat!!!

[@FLgatorgirl22]

love this... it gave me chills!

[@Igotbadjoints]

I agree ! better writer and a real sweet voice. How come they don`t make em like that any more ?

[@aaldoskaa]

I listen this song few times a day and I don't get enough... I love it.

[@CsizmadiaZoltan91]

He was the lead singer of Ataxia, a band with Josh Klinghoffer and Joe Lally back in 2004. They recorded two jam-based albums.

[@DefyingNoodles]

fucking beautiful john.

[@iammsatrio1951]

Whoever record this, thank you. Thank you. God bless

[@charismatickarma]

I cry when listening to music all the time. For it touches my heart and soul and always will...I am one of the lucky ones to be blesses in this way!

[@kennhiser]

all his covers are about love...coincidence? i dont think so...this makes me think of my daughter and almost makes me cry (ok, it did the first time i saw/heard it). thanks john.

[@MartronW]

cat stevens and john are both fucking awesome

[@MF-vu9hb]

Always makes me cry🥺❤️

[@gwenalicious87]

and this is why he is my hero! i love his voice!! i love how he sings that piece where in the original it's jsut a violin... his voice is BEAUTIFUL!!

[@Grayhatt]

I love his version over Cat Steven's version really. It's his voice, just fits perfectly, wish he made a studio version of it.

[@dovEglove]

thats just awesome!!

[@LovecatsMraw]

I like that he sounds like Cat Stevens. I would marry this man in a heartbeat

[@Altair1141]

oh man...when u look on his eyes u can see his tears...awesome song. john feels the song and that is what I love so much...John Frusciante 4ever and ever...

[@rhcpxlove]

this is exactly why i love john. his music is passionate, full of emotion and from the heart. he has such a great love for music. he's fucking crying.... i love him forever

[@MagicAngelFoundation]

Amazing Performance!! Thanks John Frusciante and Cat Stevens !!!:)

[@TheManT]

this is absolutely amazing!!!!

[@emilebauer4956]

Ce mec est brillant...

[@GunsNArnolds]

this is magic

[@enyula]

This is fantastic. John is fantastic.

[@kharlos84]

john god bless you and the spirit of music inspire you to keep making good music

[@lisaann3729]

When i see frusciante and his guitar i know it s gonna be really good.

[@rhcpfan004]

where would music be without john???? this is fucking beautiful. no words to describe this amazing man.

[@JuanaAntonia]

This cover is the most beautiful song in the whole world.

[@rachaelpickles9314]

Love you john!!!