The National - "Afraid Of Everyone" 5/13 Letterman (TheAudioPerv.com)

[@nickfromCO]

whenever i'm having a shitty day... I like to click on this specific performance, turn my headphones up full blast, and get the chills.

[@deliriousmysterium8137]

I'm crying seeing this now. I love life for these moments. I've been abducted and locked up and tazed and pepper sprayed by my own family to make me stronger as a human as a child and music helps me escape to that place I used to go to when I escaped the pain. But now I find myself just sick and looking for that high to help me...

[@Disambiguation144]

I still do too. Letterman had a couple performances with that same holy S factor. This and TVOTR wolf like me. Check it out. Time flies as I reply to a 11 year old comment. lol. Cheers

[@sergioolaciregui7285]

Still I think one of the greatest live performances I've ever seen

[@bernlin2000]

A band so good, they can get Sufjan to be background vocals (the dude is a musical genius). Wow! Matt's vocal performance is dead-on here.

[@stevenstewart6349]

I'm a bit late to the party, but these guys are outstanding. Letterman's appreciation is evident.

[@mat_hmm]

This is a great song - basically it's only 4 chords all around, but they keep adding new things through the song, and the suspense grows, it's just brilliant. I also like the fact that at Letterman's show artists perform live, not from some stupid playback.

[@utuber2]

You know you're doing something right when Sufjan Stevens is your backing singer :)

[@PanthurAlexander]

The elusive

[@freddiewadling2090]

hahaha

[@freddiewadling2090]

dinnt even see im therr

[@cillian1983]

gotta love that drumming

[@charleshonnor491]

Absolutely love the New Order style guitar that starts about 2:45. From then on in it gets more Joy Division in style. Outstanding. The National are one of the best bands in the world right now.

[@stevesayewich8594]

Just saw the video, "Light Years." This group continues to be mind blowing. Here is where it all began for me.

[@vstromolado]

breathtaking performance. .. epic band and song.. unique vocals

[@yes-xi2xr]

I discovered them through my chronic paranoia when I was 16, now I’m 17, came back to this amazing band these people are amazing, when I watch amazing performers like these, I don’t wanna sing I’m afraid of everyone, I have a better trust in people after discovering this amazing band, less paranoia, anyways I love this so much ❤️exactly what the host said” I don’t know what to say”

[@nickfromCO]

probably the most powerful performance i've ever seen on letterman

[@Danzig6718]

David Letterman is pleased. And he is a lord seldom pleased by the music of the surfs.

[@cptmanifest]

I've seen The National live twice now, and they're one of the few bands who are completely at their best live.

[@jimkella]

How do I like this twice !

[@jimkella]

Still as good!

[@LucienneVutleine]

How do you like this a hundred times is what i'm asking.

[@jimkella]

how has this not got more views ?

[@SudooPudoo]

Create two accounts and like from both

[@reubenbell1980]

Jim Kelly I love that you came back 4 years later to point out it still doesn’t have enough views.

[@sergioolaciregui7285]

Breathtaking

[@thegoldengatesound]

Beautiful. 2024 they’re still amazing and killing it

[@lunatix111]

Goosebumps...

[@MrMRW14]

I used to commute on the London Underground for one hour (each way). Often at 5 or 6am. I would always have the National on full blast. It got me really psyched for work

[@fitzthecat]

This is the video that first put me on to The National. Grateful for the years of great music.

[@TheGreve]

Wow, this songs grows stronger for every listening. I'll love this live!

[@mat_hmm]

there's only 4 chords repeated on and on through the song, but there is so much action going on in it, that it gives the chills. simplicity is beautiful. this song, and the whole high violet proves it.

[@CaliforniaJoker1]

I've had to stop listening to The National on my iPod when I'm walking around in public. I can't help but start shaking/nodding my head and mouthing along to the words.

[@iluvhockey9]

All-time favourite performance by The National.

[@lejardine]

i love it when a band sounds good live and recorded

[@ripelivejam]

so eerie. i also like that Matt can still scream/sing when he needs to.

[@gracewatchesvideos]

Such a solid record. And it's so great to see Sufjan live!

[@MrHellothisisme]

It's like the lyrics are hiding his tears. Such an amazing preformance, it makes me cry.

[@izl310]

AMAZING. love the national. love sufjan. what a beautiful collaboration on a bone chilling song. High Violet is an album you can listen to over and over again~ BAM saturday!

[@0412lennon]

the national with sufjan stevens, eric clapton and john lennon

[@ericmsandoval]

Oh my God you're right

[@alexkeegan5933]

+Sergio Cabrera except that is actually sufjan... pitchfork.com/news/38803-the-national-bring-sufjan-stevens-to-sing-backup-on-letterman/

[@krusher181]

Sufjan actually recorded some stuff on a couple of their albums I think, definitely one of them; Boxer. He played “the difficult piano parts” lolz

[@zorelwood243]

Yaaaaaaaaaas

[@Velourium]

The National is so good at music.

[@SeaHorseGypsy]

i spontaneously erupted into a standing ovation immediately after this ended. I had no control over it. OH MY GOD this band.

[@joannaholder]

My personal favorite on the album and Sufjan is credited with backup arrangement for that song. Saw them Live in April and they were amazing!!!

[@hodgins]

two amazing artists

[@jcozza92]

you're voice is swallowing my soul...great song

[@marcelopontes7046]

for me it is one of the best bands of all time !!!

[@frontiercity321]

This performance is out of this world, simply amazing

[@warrenmusic]

"I don't know what to say. That was beautiful." Nice. Made Dave speechless.

[@teemuestonia]

holy shit.... one of the most powerful songs i have ever heard! with one word -amazing!

[@mzex]

I've seen the live twice in Croatia. they were amazing. especially first time 2007 in Pauk.

[@foxxsharkable1]

so touching that i could cry

[@idn]

WOW! I'll admit I didn't really know these guys existed for a long time and only recently started paying much attention so I'm not quite biased yet. That said, this is perhaps the most powerful late night TV musical performance I've seen. Great stuff!

[@hobojungle1]

I'd say this is Letterman's best performance that he's had.

[@kidaa24]

just awesome! Congratulations!

[@muzboz]

Fantastic drums. Beautiful backing vox. Love that guitarist's tone. Wow. Epic.

[@MuppetsFan1]

The guy playing the harmonium looks like every Psych professor ever.

[@TheSimonNightingale]

Your soul is swallowing my voice...

[@osufan124]

I've never noticed that before, but you're totally right. Not that they sound or look alike, but the emotion and presence Ian and Matt bring.

[@laineofspain]

Too good for words!

[@boerdesign]

....awesome drums!!

[@LanceJeter34]

sooo soo good

[@IRLKids79]

I'm seeing them in November, and f they're anything like as good as this, I can't wait!

[@Thefirstfisherman]

just amazing

[@kap0041]

The National, God I love these guys...

[@DuBziDriFT]

So that's what Sufjan looks like without a cap.

[@Hjgfrfjufdetivjiu]

Best version

[@caballitamarina1]

SO awesome. Matt looks so dapper in this video. :)

[@stephaniapino240]

Lyrics ❤️ Then I'm radio and then I'm television I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone Lay the young blue bodies, with the old red violets I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone With my kid on my shoulders I try Not to hurt anybody I like But I don't have the drugs to sort I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out I defend my family with my orange umbrella I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone With my shiny new star spangled tennis shoes on I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone With my kid on my shoulders I try Not to hurt anybody I like But I don't have the drugs to sort I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out I don't have the drugs to sort I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Soul soul soul soul soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul Soul soul soul soul soul

[@mickycee64]

What a performance.....

[@mojotheaverage]

that's cool dude. It's nice to actually see one of those rare occasions when two people who disagree on the internet can actually come to an amicable and mature conclusion :D

[@thebuddhapestsband1]

I had to learn this song on acoustic guitar, Am C F Dm, awesome

Sufjan!

[@MrNathancast]

l love this.

[@hobojungle9403]

Letterman being blown away, ftw.

[@babycakers]

so fucking fantastic I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM IN JUNE

[@brad7801]

best band in the world yall get into em before it's too late!!

[@823south]

beautiful

[@Itachi-xr9mq]

"Beautiful, I don't know what to say"

[@shaunam7076]

I Miss The David Letterman Show ....

[@matmoo30]

superb

[@bigyellowdinosaur]

goosebumps

[@caffeinated1zz13]

God, I love The National

[@Justentime77]

Great song/band!

[@DuanTorruellas]

Good stuff❤

[@smallmaniac]

@mirstar holy crap i just saw this on a repeat of Letterman and I actually didn't notice Sufjan until I saw your comment. That's freaking crazy awesome. I thought you were talking about him working on his new album in their studio, but I can't believe I missed that.

[@detectiveyoshi]

how i wish i could hear this live

[@Spike294]

this song is so true. hot damn

[@LouisGalore]

Letterman stunned yet again

[@TheEzacal]

best band ever

[@Takk6]

My favorite on their album.

[@urugozo]

Waiting impatiently for a sufjan close up.

[@monicasolax]

amazing preformance....

[@Fietsflip]

That was a damn strong live performance!

[@OnkelKiki]

Fantastic stuff! #musicisthekeytovictory

[@DonSamji]

Wow... that's a Harmonium. Never expected to see one of that here.

[@MuppetsFan1]

At 3:06, you can tell every member of the band is feeling the exact same beat. Like a freight train that can't be stopped.

[@eutychus37]

Amazing performance, all-around. Even if Sufjan weren't there, I'd still have to say this is my favorite vid of this song.

[@disorderEL]

excellent.

[@Ivl0lvl]

Mr Weasley u ROCK!!

[@823south]

Sufjan! The National! incredible

[@YugiohMaster199]

No one is "too good" to be backing vocals for anyone. He's obviously doing this out of respect for a great band. I'm sure he feels honored to share the stage with them and they're all probably really good friends.

[@teemuestonia]

holy shit this is powerful. with one word, amazing.

[@meleecritical]

I’d oblige a cry session with each and every one of you.

[@GOOBERZ11]

Haunting...

[@therewerewolves]

I love how Matt unintentionally claps his own band at the start...

[@The517105]

Very nice I must say!

[@domproc]

Berringer does a little of his raw shit here...which I love. Him at Bonnaroo this year was the most unbridled gritty frontman stuff I ever saw.

[@medicineman1981]

The album might be the best album of the year for me!

[@yellowshirting]

they're too good for letterman. too marvelously unique of creatures.

[@TheMarioblue]

@BeezoHow It's a harmonium, a sort of portable organ with a manual bellows. It's been used in folk music and classical music as well, such as Dvorak's Five Bagatelles for 2 Violins, Cello and Harmonium.