Weezer Performs "Say It Ain't So" | Live On Letterman

The band makes their first appearance on "Late Show" with a song from their blue album.
(From "Late Show," air date: 8/4/95)
#weezer #liveonletterman #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@NintendoCapriSun]

The bass player has never failed to start a lawnmower on the first try.

[@walker1tnranger]

good to see you here NCS!

[@victorcobane6644]

Awesome to see you appreciating this great song! I love TRG!

[@mustardpuddle]

Matt is a legend. Shame he left, but Mikey and Scott have been wonderful too.

[@Guitarguy0522]

I’m literally dying from that comment lmfao

[@TylerP9999]

hahahah

[@TicTacTone2]

For those who don't know, Rivers just had an operation done to correct one of his legs being longer than the other. Hence the oversized pants to attempt to cover the brace on his leg. I also read somewhere that Matt (bass player) went all out with the energy in this performance to help draw the attention away from Rivers, who was in pain and embarrassed to have the brace on. Regardless they sounded fantastic, legendary performance.

[@hotfuzz4416]

Aww that's friends right there.

[@truthseeker7233]

Regardless of what was going on he friggen was Lazer focused You can tell there's some nerves there

[@cat-le1hf]

i would've just rocked the brace openly just to flex on everyone 😂 but we all get self-conscious about dumb things so i can't blame him

[@rrivers1013]

Well it worked! Usually I just stare at Rivers he’s a doll-bass player rocked it!

[@Malletdude31]

I kind of like how Rivers is just standing there awkwardly. Kind of adds to the charm of the song.

[@jeffdixon847]

One guy in a gas station shirt. One guy in flannel. One guy in a 70s t-shirt over a long sleeve. The 90s were great.

[@breakdownbilly4949]

And the drummer in a classic 90's silk button down.

[@samanthavantassell2046]

Reductive

[@onit413]

@@samanthavantassell2046 exactly just cuz they fits were “cool” to u doesn’t mean the 90’s were great op is a clown

[@deedeekreep9139]

@@breakdownbilly4949 with green hair

[@wadesuhr]

John Ritter ringer t-shirt

[@thomthum2000]

“I just hope those boys aren’t neglecting their studies.” Rivers really took that comment to heart.

[@throwawayavclubber7269]

"Gosh, I better go to Harvard! Thanks for the talk, Dave and Paul!"

[@kellymcphaul2793]

HA. Nice one.

[@BiblicallyAccurateToaster]

-Rivers will remember that.

[@chive171]

If anyone is curious as to the context of this performance: Weezer was set to perform on Letterman's show after Rivers Cuomo had surgery to extend one of his legs 2" to match the other one. This occurred while he was enrolled at Harvard and going through a bit of a crisis, wondering if being a rock star was for him. This was also when he was in the process of writing Weezer's second album "Pinkerton," which focuses heavily on his personal crisis with both his career choice and personal romantic life. During the performance, you can see Rivers is standing quite still, and that's because his leg is in a brace under his pants. Before the show, Rivers reportedly asked his band members to move around a lot and make a scene so hopefully people wouldn't focus on him. Matt Sharp clearly cranked it up to 11 during the performance! The result is a classic performance, and one of interesting timing in the history of Weezer.

[@keithramsey2505]

Epic performance. And agreed. Matt Sharp brought it!

[@cristescuandrei921]

Kinda made me cry how they had his back, so, so beautiful!

[@sydneyhiphophead5407]

If anyone is interested? Geezuz, i always thought this performance went hard and i always come back to it to witness the buck wild shenanigans of this clip, and now you've just peeled the onion and given me an easter egg to feast on. Thankyou!

[@Kruppt808]

Ty for great info

[@gustavoadolfolujanmoreno6279]

Thanks for sharing. He does have the Harvard type... with the proper attire.

[@peterogrodnick5693]

That bassist just goes SO HARD, bless his soul.

[@arlobennett8504]

he went full ham.

[@harrisontownsend910]

Matt Sharp's the man.

[@stephenp2174]

Not a coincidence that Weezer's best albums had Matt on bass...

[@Neimonster]

It's kind of facetious

[@gffn7316]

he has his own his band, The Rentals

[@neildamon51]

The mixing on this is incredible

[@laurencezemlick1979]

This sounds like an album recording. It’s insane.

[@mytorment]

Cf credits ☺️

[@samhilton4173]

Na the kick isn't mic'd very well, also one of the guitars is slightly put of tune. Lol It's better than many, but still not polished.

[@gui18bif]

The bass is amazing

[@thankyounothankyou9722]

@@samhilton4173 just shut it

[@TheDylantaylor08]

Was about 13 or 14, staying up late at my grandparents and saw this episode of Letterman. Weezer blew my mind, I bought the CD the next day and have been a fan ever since. Just watched this video with my 13-year-old daughter who is also a big Weezer fan. Circle of life man, what an awesome band!

[@mitchellcraw8760]

They really are a special band

[@Brandon-bc5um]

That moment when I'm 12 years younger than you and discovered them the year before you did... haha yes, I was a literal baby

[@StiggyMcQueen]

Loved reading your comment!

[@mr_sandman1082]

Heck yeah man thats awesome

[@mordekaipalms]

That’s awesome…I remember when this album came out, my god that was something special

[@sailorjupoak]

27 years later, and this performance is still amazing.

[@tofutots]

def miss Matt Sharps energy and falsettos

[@SuperTiaanBro]

@AcidBath Spa and Resort okay Debbie Downer

[@babayaga1767]

but not for the reason you think

[@laurencezemlick1979]

These guys are absolute professionals. They played that song perfectly. I mean, it sounds like an album version.

[@georgeadamz5269]

This full version is a rare gem. Didn’t think this existed in full quality. Thank you!!

[@Brandon-bc5um]

Check out a dvd weezer released about 20 years ago "Video Capture Device." Likely where the full quality copy came from.

[@sam8404]

Yeah I've been listening to the version with the animated VCR player at the start so it's nice to have an official upload.

[@nimrod593]

@@Brandon-bc5umno, this is the master tape

[@mike8610]

The meaning of the song gets me every time. Parents, be good to your kids...they're watching you and clinging to your every word. They need you to lead and love them.

[@Wythaneye]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="230">3:50</a> When Matt comes flying into the frame. Fantastic. We miss you, bro.

[@Rondawwg]

What happened to him??

[@realcbox]

He left weezer

[@James_Randal]

​@@Rondawwghe didn't die or anything, he just left Weezer.

[@defi_gardener]

Powerful for reasons you can never understand. Welcome to the 90’s.

[@Seeker_of_Value]

This must have been an insane moment for Rivers at the time... Such a great song.

[@Fozzie420]

He looks scared shitless

[@beewcar]

He’s in incredible amounts of pain/delirium from his leg lengthening surgery and brace he’s wearing/pain medication.

[@haydenfrobenius9818]

@@beewcar You can see the brace through the pant leg

[@FattyMateo]

Mountains too. And lakes. Yea must have been nuts for lakes

[@breakingaustin]

@@haydenfrobenius9818 It was his left leg the surgery was on.. not the right, idk what you see

[@kaston2714]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="240">4:00</a> rivers is feeling it. The ease of pressure when you block everything out and pour your soul into one of the best songs of all time and just "feel it"

[@anthonyfuqua6988]

He has to stand like a statue though because he had recently had surgery. One of his legs was longer than the other. His buddy Matt Sharp acted a fool on bass to take the pressure off of Rivers. Weezer hasnt been the same since Sharp left IMO. His falsettos on songs were great.

[@aisforabby5462]

He was in so much pain !!! But he did it !

[@caseygroves3046]

I can't imagine how loud this was live. Amazing.

[@jorjterzioglu9496]

Writing from roughly 30 years later, I want all of this back. The music, the fashion... everything.

[@darwindarwin7923]

I miss how special it is to kinda stumble on your fave band performing on TV

[@saturn866]

One of if not the best live performance by weezer. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="218">3:38</a> until the end gives me chills every time.

[@t_nizzy1167]

exactly mannn

[@valerieblackwell5765]

Really, looking back on it I thought the sweater song on conan had so much more emotion to it - but im a sucker for that live nonsense talking

[@aisforabby5462]

Rivers is in so much pain !!!! Look at the brace on his leg ! He slayed it

[@Paul-dw2cl]

me personally, somebody’s Heine gives me chills every time. but that’s just me.

[@valenti5595]

FRRRRRR LIKE WOAHHHH

[@BigTunaTim76]

I choose to believe that Matt the bassist won a bet on this night

[@joedorer8867]

Rivers just had surgery on his leg, hence the huge pants.. matt was taking focus off his leg

[@gr6e]

@@joedorer8867 wait is this where the line "you got your big jeans" from hash pipe is from??

[@othertonywi1son]

@@gr6e it's where "Broken, beaten down, can't even get around Without an old man cane, I fall and hit the ground" from The Good Life came from.

[@TakenUsernameAuradium]

@@gr6e I've never heard anyone interpret that lyric as jeans

[@miamitten1123]

Weezer is the king of what I used to call "Chill Grunge"-- loud and crunchy, but still kinda fun and laid-back.

[@CalvinHikes]

Yeah it was such a specific brand of music. Beach Metal

[@randymillhouse791]

Chunge.

[@KaninTuzi]

Blind Melon, Ween, Meat Puppets and Pixies did that sound well as well

[@flow4924]

Finally we can listen to one of the best live performances of the Letterman show in the best quality

[@robertbevis3959]

Really ? One of the best ? Van Halen, Gwen stafani, rhcp are just three of prob 20 more that rocked that place. They are good but be realistic

[@SuperTiaanBro]

@@robertbevis3959 don’t you compare out beloved weezer to gwen stafani

[@xboys_archive]

@@SuperTiaanBro yeah I was thinking the same lmao I love no doubt and solo Gwen but wtf lmao

[@lazrpo]

@@robertbevis3959 yes, one of the best.

[@brickybracky868]

@@robertbevis3959 opinions vary dude

[@mooji4089]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="205">3:25</a> is the one of the greatest cinematography in TV live performances

[@brickybracky868]

Almost 30 years later and i swear this song still makes me tear up. I dunno why!!! But i love it . Long live the 90s

[@Pnanasnoic]

It's because Rivers cuts his heart out and shows it to you on a platter. You can hear the fullness of his heart in his voice. Bless you all.

[@GR.1994]

You don't know how much I would love to make the earth keep looping on the 90's endlessly. Great music, no technology around, for some reason even the air felt fresher and there was this constant feeling that things were gonna change for good.

[@BillyTheKidder]

The air was fresher… 🥃🤚chemtrails…

[@realcbox]

@@BillyTheKidderdamn

[@emeraldcelestial1058]

Best version of the solo he ever recorded.

[@patoren3gou653]

Such a great band. I'm sure their second album will be a smash hit right out of the gate

[@obedvarela24]

Singing this with my 12 year old daughter, belting it out actually, is proof positive that I’m the greatest dad ever and that the 90s will forever rule the music world, regardless of genre.

[@narddogyt5205]

dude you're making your kid listen to weezer i should call cps

[@HAINE-]

@@narddogyt5205 💀💀

[@rawnuhld]

The most performance of all time 😢😢😢

[@mysticleafeon9618]

Correct

[@wideblueeyedfear7520]

if you cover it, it will be the most song you've covered

[@austins.2495]

It certainly is one of the songs

[@caninflor5984]

I absolutely this performance much ♥

[@Dudebrush4pwood]

truly, by one of the bands of all time

[@Noone-bp4pl]

Hearing weezer referred too as a heavy pop quartette makes me feel good. Inside.

[@jk-76]

Underrated bass line! I learned it to play bass in a band a few years ago. Always my favorite

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

One of the best rock n roll songs of the 90s

[@d.vaughn8990]

All time…

[@Mykekelli]

Honestly matt is totally matching the energy of that powerful chorus

[@Benny_B123]

Each member of that band had an assignment on this performance. The Bassist certainly understood his

[@kitty1376]

I was so in love with the bass player, Matt, back then and watching this makes me feel it all over again.

[@MorganTremaine]

Wish I could go back and see them in the 90’s live

[@MikeMSmall]

The performance that solidified my fandom!

[@charlottestreet3301]

The bassist looks like Johnny kockvilles in his 20s

[@peopletakepicturesofeachother]

so be cool

[@pauljohnson6946]

I was lucky enough to see Weezer in August of '94 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. I had never heard of them at the time. They proceeded to play the Blue Album in its entirety. Many faces were melted including mine.

[@themadhi-hatter6849]

One of my all time favorite songs, it will never fade away.

[@waloacme]

I remember watching this back in the day. I was blown away!

[@digits001]

I was a teenager when this came out. 30 years later I still blast this on the freeway. Windows down, singing at the top of my lungs. What a song.

[@laurencezemlick1979]

Oh, yeah Alright Somebody's Heine' Is crowdin' my icebox Somebody's cold one Is givin' me chills Guess I'll just close my eyes Oh, yeah Alright Feels good Inside Flip on the telly Wrestle with Jimmy Something is bubbling Behind my back The bottle is ready to blow Say it ain't so Your drug is a heartbreaker Say it ain't so My love is a life taker I can't confront you I never could do That which might hurt you To try and be cool When I say This way is a waterslide away from me That takes her further every day So be cool Say it ain't so Your drug is a heartbreaker Say it ain't so My love is a life taker Dear daddy, I write you In spite of years of silence You've cleaned up, found Jesus Things are good, or so I hear This bottle of Steven's awakens ancient feelings Like father, stepfather The son is drowning in the flood Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Say it ain't so Your drug is a heartbreaker Say it ain't so My love is a life taker

[@BodaciousWickerman]

Man, this is awesome! Especially when the distortion kicks in on the chorus!

[@_ms.mannequin_]

I think this is their best live performance of this that I've seen. It's got Matt Sharp in it of course. It just seems like it's a lot more rockin' and like the album

[@treymeadows7845]

I am instantly 15 years old again every time I hear this performance. One of the ALL time great Weezer live performances.

[@jorgepancho]

Too good for their era. A band whose legacy will endure forever.

[@shadowaccount]

Ehhh I wouldn't say they were "too good" for their era.

[@jacksoncurtain9612]

One of the greatest rock albums of the 90s.

[@fromthe90s21]

This whole time frame from 3'25 to 3'55 is just so intense. It's almost inconceivable that you had 20 seconds straight on TV back then with just the singer and the drummer in the background. You can feel it.

[@-S.F.K.]

It’s more convenient if you put the actual timestamps 3:25 and 3:55

[@ritz2243]

Cant believe its almost 30 yrs i hear this song and it still fresh 😊

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

Oh my gosh. Long live the musical performances! No longer cutting everything out because of music clearences. Finally, MUSIC! 😁😁😁

[@RKisBae]

Such a powerful buildup, starts off so meek like a bunch of highschoolers in a garage band practice and then peaks with a full on grunge arena banger. Favorite song, always.

[@bumble1612]

I was 32 when the Blue album was released, loved it then as I do now. Best wishes from Scotland.

[@fractaled3129]

I'd forgotten what a brilliant song and album this is, will be on a Weezer binge for the next while, thanks. :)

[@cosmicthrillseekers]

great thing about this performance is that rivers just recently had leg surgery to extend his left leg as he was born with it slightly shorter then the other one, so hes wearing this huge brace underneath the pants. probably explains why theyre so big and baggy lol

[@mikesmeltzer6921]

Almost correct. Born with legs the same length but as he grew one didn’t grow as long as the other.

[@keithramsey2505]

I was a teen when this came out. Miss this music.

[@jdteney]

wow, dude on bass is channeling his inner Dee Dee Ramone. Fantastic!

[@michaelnewell9662]

when this was filmed, rivers was undergoing an extremely painful leg lengthening procedure (google Ilizarov apparatus). you can see the apparatus under his right pants leg and his cane on the mic stand. consequently he can't move without pain - to cover that up, Matt was even more over-the-top than usual.

[@SamuraiKidMusic]

One of my fav performances

[@SlimRhyno]

This made me just so very happy! Thank you for sharing this. It genuinely means something to me, and I suspect I am not the only one. 😊🙏

[@DJDREWZOO]

Still better than 99% of the music out today.

[@patandmacmusic]

Dave really got himself when he thought they were called Tweezer

[@danettegallaher8493]

Thanks for bringing this one back! Weezer is one of my favorite bands👏🙏❤️🌟🌸

[@jimmyjames7720]

That bass tone!

[@thebiglebowski8591]

Very unique tone, created by tuning down a half step in conjunction with his Orange brand amplifier

[@justin_smith556]

I watched this as a teen and thought Dave looked old. Watching it again now, Dave looks so young. This is what getting old is like kids.

[@_tgreg1]

No idea how I got to 29 without hearing this live!

[@benny2253]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="256">4:16</a> that voice crack was so painful omfg

[@skinnydogkew]

That gave me chills in 2023. One of the very best bands in the movement.

[@josuef.2593]

They don't have different levels of energy, they just have different ways to show their energy 🖤

[@Theduckwebcomics]

Love the original Battlestar Galactica T-shirt ❤️

[@kungpao-wp2sq]

Weezer and the Offspring are still the most iconic bands of the 90s. Would love to see a full tour.

[@-S.F.K.]

Right, sure, and not any other bands deserve that title as well?

[@Fredt705]

Idk I agree the blue album is iconic but I also have to say nirvana , sound garden and pavement are also quite iconic.

[@-S.F.K.]

@@Fredt705 thank you, at least someone thought so

[@Fredt705]

@@-S.F.K. thank you

[@CaptanF0rever]

Matt is playing those two or three notes like he is 1981 Eddie Van Halen.

[@gryffindork567]

My dad told me about a band he liked called weezer, and he showed me this video. Now I watch the Buddy Holly music video daily.

[@Brandon-bc5um]

Same, I was only 3 wks old. but it wasnt the video, he just played the song for me on the radio, i dont think the music video was even out yet, let alone this performance.

[@aaronsmith2054]

'bout time we got a good quality version of this performance.

[@bjornnickander682]

Still better than ever!!! I did ysee you Live in STHLM 2022! A perfect concert!! Thanx

[@weighted_companion_cube]

I would like to give props to the sound guy for this performance. You can't get better than this, even in 2023. Everything sounds amazing.

[@gui18bif]

Live sound, amazing, the bass is perfect

[@shredgardener9231]

October 26, 2022. this performance still rocks.

[@st4rrlight]

anyone here may 2024?

[@travistan32]

I am and I miss everything before the red album. So dissapointing

[@h3mb3]

Finally a HQ upload of this!

[@Gasperracing]

Prolific. Still remember watching it live ❤

[@lunchspirit]

This mix is so good.

[@Patrick-sh9tt]

Just pure and utter class

[@ShidavTheVedmak]

Rivers let Matt hit too many of those falsettos alone. Lmao

[@valenciaorange2000]

I would have loved to see this live! 😍

[@j2thebee]

they sound so heavy here

[@SlippoOriginals]

I love the bass player's energy

[@donaldjohnson5432]

This takes me back!!

[@williammorrison6228]

The "sound guy" if responsible for the tone and overall quality of that bass sound in this performance is a legend...my god

[@GardenGirlD76]

Awesome!!! How I love this song and performance!!

[@lc-ii9ii]

Tbh them moving around like crazy just made Rivers stillness more noticeable. They should've all wore big trousers and nobody moved 😅

[@ErenTheWarcriminal]

Thank you indie channel Letterman for uploading this

[@t3hb0ss]

This is an insane performance! Even 40 years later

[@cezzeboi2841]

30*

[@Txcrossdabelly]

One of the best performance of all time

[@mattlawson714]

I always loved this song because it’s deliberately slow. Like it almost wants to speed up and they’re just holding back so when the chorus hits with the distortion it’s so much better. So be cool!

[@KeonPH]

IT'S WEEZER TIME!

[@louismcteggart]

Amazing performance

[@TyDie85]

Such a damn powerful song!!!

[@minecraftweedemoji]

This performance gets me weezed up

[@stevenedwards3635]

Saw them ‘02 at Reading Festival, UK. They were amazing!

[@somedude8791]

I still can't believe this doesn;t have mroe views. Hands down best video ever.