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

[@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

[@mooji4089]

3:25 is the one of the greatest cinematography in TV live performances

[@agrimmsounds]

Completely agree

[@salvie5]

They cut to it right at the bridge, and the subtle zoom at 3:47 damn, they'd practiced that shot for sure 👍👍

[@skandakumar9123]

much is wrong with our mindset, exercise in most forms is discouraged in our society, parents focus on making their children studymaxx, all for them to either work 6lpa in infosys, leave the country and never come back, or put their parents in retirement houses. gym? “you’ll stunt your growth”, khel kud? “ghar pe baith ke padhai karo, exams nazdeek aa rahe hai”, by the time the guy/girl is independent and can join the gym on their free will, they’ve already missed out on their golden years to work out. the diet is so poor, all jeets want to do is eat carbs and go honk mimimimimi . most people even in cities don’t practice proper hygiene. no civic sense or politeness, we flock around tourists like they’re some animals in zoo

[@MarkSkanes]

Sir, this is a Wendy's.

[@javidelvalmusic]

FOR REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL

[@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.

[@Dang3rMouSe]

-Rivers will remember that.

[@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

[@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.

[@juancogol]

AAAAAAWRRRR! You got to be kidding me!!!!. And all these years I've been doing the solo in that awkward stance just because I thought he looked so effing cool!. My GOD!!!

[@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

[@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.

[@stephenofireland]

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

[@Beunibster]

It's kind of facetious

[@gffn7316]

he has his own his band, The Rentals

[@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

[@TheAbandonedAccount7]

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

[@Wythaneye]

3:50 When Matt comes flying into the frame. Fantastic. We miss you, bro.

[@Rondawwg]

What happened to him??

[@DJ_cbox]

He left weezer

[@James_Randal]

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

[@couttsy]

That shot of him at 3:12 is so rad as well. Master low frequency conjurer.

[@LeonSKennedy7777]

He should totally come back!

[@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

[@defi_gardener]

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

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Ive never been able to stand Weezer

[@Benny_B123]

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

[@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.

[@laurencezemlick1979]

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

[@FooglerDoodgler]

Not really

[@englishguy9680]

It really doesn’t

[@Masterfredthompson]

It does to be honest it could be an album version.I personally like this version better.

[@afk1sec410]

@@Masterfredthompson There are probably ear doctors in your region ma'am. This bad is terrible live, and mid at best on albums.

[@Masterfredthompson]

@@afk1sec410 outside of a couple of things then it could be an album version.

[@georgeadamz5269]

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

[@TheAbandonedAccount7]

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]

@@TheAbandonedAccount7no, this is the master tape

[@kaston2714]

At 4:00 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 !

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

I felt that's when he was able to finally relax, thinking 'we made it through with no mistakes'.

[@darwindarwin7923]

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

[@caseygroves3046]

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

[@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.

[@JiTiAr35]

sound quality was top notch. Better than some today's live gigs despite 1995. A proof that sound guy is very important.

[@jorjterzioglu9496]

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

[@FooglerDoodgler]

The good version of America is never coming back sadly

[@daughterofthemosthigh3588]

That was peak america

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@madcorndog]

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

[@FattyMateo]

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

[@breakingaustin]

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

[@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…

[@DJ_cbox]

@@BillyTheKidderdamn

[@augustcleavitt]

@@DJ_cbox 😂

[@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.

[@l.g.3956]

LOL "tear up"? 😂 need a kleenex sweetheart?

[@andyferguson6320]

Same man

[@niceguysfinish80]

Anyone that can't feel the passion and powerful message and not cry has some issues to workout.

[@saturn866]

One of if not the best live performance by weezer. 3:38 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

[@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

[@williammorrison6228]

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

[@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

[@deluxejay69]

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

[@othertonywi1son]

@@deluxejay69 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]

@@deluxejay69 I've never heard anyone interpret that lyric as jeans

[@emeraldcelestial1058]

Best version of the solo he ever recorded.

[@youarethebluestlight]

the solo amidst the chaos is so perfect

[@Mykekelli]

Honestly matt is totally matching the energy of that powerful chorus

[@bumble1612]

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

[@javidelvalmusic]

one of the best live bands of the 90s by far

[@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.

[@iwalktheline00]

Was that when Weezer opened for Live?

[@kitty1376]

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

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

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

[@d.vaughn8990]

All time…

[@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.

[@brianhodgman3542]

Smashing Pumpkins?

[@gaboqv]

pixies do it, the other bands lack a little bit more of the laid back tone

[@Noone-bp4pl]

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

[@augustcleavitt]

Flip on the telly

[@jk-76]

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

[@jumpinjojo]

It’s rated exactly where it belongs.

[@MorganTremaine]

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

[@josuef.2593]

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

[@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 💀💀

[@augustcleavitt]

@@narddogyt5205 😂

[@augustcleavitt]

😂

[@JeffintheD]

Facts

[@treymeadows7845]

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

[@ritz2243]

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

[@MikeMSmall]

The performance that solidified my fandom!

[@charlottestreet3301]

The bassist looks like Johnny kockvilles in his 20s

[@peopletakepicturesofeachother]

so be cool

[@_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

[@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!

[@rawnuhld]

The most performance of all time 😢😢😢

[@mysticleafeon9618]

Correct

[@youarethebluestlight]

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

[@SamuraiKidMusic]

One of my fav performances

[@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.

[@patoren3gou653]

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

[@augustcleavitt]

😂

[@hollyjollyweezer]

i’m sure it will be just like their first album, too!

[@ValentinBetanzo]

4:15 BROOOO that voice crack omfg

[@a.a.l.dstudios6619]

It kinda fits though IMO

[@jacksoncurtain9612]

One of the greatest rock albums of the 90s.

[@alikat7524]

This song is slightly older than me but its one of my favorites of all time!!

[@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!

[@lion5150]

All of these are so romantic. 90’s. Guitar. Nerds. David Letterman. And myself still alive.

[@quinnfabray4946]

the bass player is my spirit animal😭

[@_tgreg1]

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

[@fractaled3129]

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

[@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?

[@Masterfredthompson]

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.]

@@Masterfredthompson thank you, at least someone thought so

[@Masterfredthompson]

@@-S.F.K. thank you

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

No, but they're both excellent..

[@ChowTimeVids]

3:55 Love this song's solo so much.

[@keithramsey2505]

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

[@bjornnickander682]

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

[@aaronsmith2054]

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

[@stevenedwards3635]

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

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

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

[@johnclarity]

Cant stop listening to 3:20 onwards. The solo is incredible. Its someone who is clearly not ok putting everything into it.

[@keys2thehiway]

They kick ass live

[@patandmacmusic]

Dave really got himself when he thought they were called Tweezer

[@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.

[@TheAbandonedAccount7]

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.

[@mrbobawesome]

Pat's drumming is on fire in this clip. That snare really pops, and he's just killing it back it there.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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. 😊🙏

[@somedude8791]

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

[@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.

[@kekoa028]

Man, Brian Bell is underrated as hell. When Rivers does his solo at 3:55 you can really hear how heavy Brian’s rythm tone is.

[@skinnydogkew]

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

[@ErenTheWarcriminal]

Thank you indie channel Letterman for uploading this

[@carverlabarberaofficial]

0:23 “wEezer” 😂😂😂😂

[@t3hb0ss]

This is an insane performance! Even 40 years later

[@cezzeboi2841]

30*

[@lavizol]

My best song like an old home. 언제나. 위져가 짱임

[@staxjackson1559]

I saw her in Indianapolis during the stadium tour a couple years ago. She still sounds great after all of these years. Her and Lita...ever since those Runaways days

[@lc-ii9ii]

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

[@cojac6SMG]

I miss the 90s and I was born in 95 that’s how incredible of a generation it was

[@gui18bif]

Live sound, amazing, the bass is perfect

[@Txcrossdabelly]

One of the best performance of all time

[@CaptanF0rever]

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

[@gubatus6347]

I always come back to this cover from time to time, amazing!

[@MissLippy-fy6bj]

Cover?

[@jimmyjames7720]

That bass tone!

[@TheBIGLebowski-jhp9]

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

[@lannyhelton9287]

Saw them in New Orleans at Tipitinas right around the time of this show.

[@gpc_4279]

Very nice. Excellent Weezer and Dave performance.

[@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!

[@mar6635]

3:24 my favorite angle

[@henrym7990]

Dave: “yeah! Yeah!! That’s great. Those are beautiful. Nice job. Good to see ya. Thank you sir.” Dave loved bands like this.

[@benny2253]

4:16 that voice crack was so painful omfg

[@zackmori8068]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@imixxyy]

Sæy it ain’t so

[@shredgardener9231]

October 26, 2022. this performance still rocks.