Fan Request: John Mayer Performs "American Pie" | Letterman

Fan Friday Request:
"Hi Dave people,
John Mayer's performance of "American Pie" was one of my all time favorite moments toward the end of the show. Can you please post for me?
Your faithful fan,
Catherine, Palo Alto, CA"
(From "Late Show," air date: 4/17/15)
If you have a clip you’d like to see, email us at [e-mail]
#johnmayer #americanpie #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 artisanally-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.

[@veo16]

This was a 10 minute performance on strictly scheduled block television. What a moment if they took 1/5 of an episode just for this.

[@willsanborn2178]

I was gonna make a similar comment.

[@willsanborn2178]

@@Bobgarciagalan an hour show ranges from 42-48 minutes in length with the rest of the time allocated to commercials.

[@jmr07019]

Stop watching tv go see live music. Support smaller local acts 💯

[@alexs3187]

@@jmr07019 yet here we all are watching it on KZbin. 😜

[@fizarf]

@@jmr07019 Once upon a time John Mayer was a small local act. Hell...I saw him play in a music store a block from Berklee College of Music.

[@jackleonardo2167]

Understated guitar licks that fit his version of this classic. Man knew how to restrain himself. As usual, Paul and the band were excellent.

[@Notimp0rtant523]

See him on tour with Dead and Company next summer! The last time you’ll ever get a chance to see Billy, Mickey, and Bob all on the same stage, and John plays Jerry!

[@Dungeon_of_Regret]

He’s a great singer, he didn’t even need the guitar. I’d imagine it’d be terrifying as a performer to go without it though.

[@julianpapin9428]

That was Fantastic!

[@MyCousinBrenny]

This

[@christianlandrum892]

Remember y’all, John did this for DL. He knows his range and tends to stay in it. This was simply just a kind hearted gesture to send off a friend.

[@sayonzaman9149]

Who’s dl sorry

[@HumanGibsonSG]

@@sayonzaman9149 David Letterman

[@tornoofo17]

Who’s John Mayer sorry

[@HumanGibsonSG]

@@tornoofo17 Javid Metterman

[@todd1547]

@@tornoofo17 it’s spelled Mayor idiot. He’s the Mayor of NYC, duh.

[@jonnasorallo49]

Legendary performance! This is one of my dad’s favorite songs. It’s his 68th birthday today. 54 years on earth, 14 years in heaven.

[@Dairebentley]

Rip to ur father ❤🕊🕊

[@flogoro]

god bless his soul 🙏🏻

[@davidbarlow431]

A deceptively busy song that's hard to add to without cocking the whole thing up. John's restraint here shows what a master he is. Well done that man!

[@aprenderinglesconhistorias]

What a performance, just remembering all the lyrics is a feat in itself

[@paulwright4535]

Thank god for lyric monitors :)

[@zac3392]

ÓRALE

[@mikesaintjohn7805]

@@paulwright4535 Mayer actually screwed up the lyrics...he should have sung,"the players tried for a forward pass with the jester on the sidelines in a cast." He got it mixed ups but still a great performance

[@ethanrops5714]

@@mikesaintjohn7805 And right after he said "do you recall what was the deal" instead of "what was revealed", but still a great performance.

[@FakingANerve]

@@ethanrops5714 When your guitar/amp/playing sound that good, you get "artistic interpretation" tickets at load-in alongside the normal drink tickets.

[@chrisgiese1964]

The musicianship in this is terrific. Paul shines on the piano with his chord voicings and John’s gentle lead lines adding depth to the music without overpowering, with notes filling the off beats of the lyrics is just fantastic.

[@Julsdoy]

If I'm not mistaken this was done on one of the day's of the last week of the Letterman show, but arguably one of the best performances in the show's history. Absolute Masterclass.

[@codacreator6162]

Did you hear that guitar? Unbelievable. There are loads of guys who can play. But not many who can nail this song AND fill with licks that augment without clashing… bravo!

[@deadpoolz9161]

John thinks as a musician first before thinking as a guitarist, It’s quite refreshing.

[@ShamanicSavant]

It's called over embellishment. It has more to do with showing off and a need for attention than musicianship :)

[@cubnation]

​@@ShamanicSavantSo you call doing a favour for a friend "showing off?"

[@RobertMJohnson]

100s of guitarists could play fills for this rendition. stop with the inaccuracies and unnecessary drama

[@BoHorn]

His guitar added nothing and it 100% clashes.

[@jviola04]

I love how they were off in the beginning and snapped right into time I always love when bands do that and especially when that happens playing live

[@jordangoodwin3580]

Definitely all have a click on

[@joelglanton6531]

​@@jordangoodwin3580I literally just blew my dad's mind explaining both this and quantization to him

[@022171]

"It's kind of a beast." The lyrics, man. The lyrics. Tough one to remember, even when it is your song. Don McLean himself was on Carson many years ago & did this classic. Johnny came over to shake hands after and Don said "Whew! That's a long one!"

[@bce3210]

Thank god for the teleprompter. No other way to do it on short notice, lol

[@drBaenz]

But there are countless people kno the lyrics. Don’t know any other song, that so much people can sing along…🍄🎶🪬

[@022171]

@@drBaenz Most people know the chorus, the sing along part. The verses get complicated. You can see Mayer lose his place around 5:10. "It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, with the jester on the sidelines in a cast..." John chunked that phrase. Absolutely no shame in that. As Dave said, it's a beast.

[@RobertMJohnson]

again, like others, stop with the drama. it's not that hard to remember the lyrics. you just have to rehearse

[@trottheblackdog]

Man, Paul Shaeffer's piano part is perfection. That's a lot of skill, experience and love right there.

[@68blues]

Superb comment!

[@davidkeightly9383]

I didn't even hear about this until recently. It's now one of my favorite music performances ever. Absolutely masterful version of an already legendary song. I had already liked John Mayer, but now he's one of my all time favorites.

[@andrewbaskett8581]

Its criminal how many people do not know or understand just how insane John Mayer is as a musician. just youtube his name and solo, some amazing tracks there. He just keeps getting better...

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Man that last verse gets me every. Single. Time. Tears 😭

[@jawojnicki]

"The father, son and the holy ghost." Amen!

[@SwanLP24]

3.52 when the hands goes alone with the guitar and the voice keeps the lead is just insane. Hand and voice two different minds.

[@tadghmurphy7807]

When you know a song it's easy, you don't think about it.

[@zachtbh]

3:50 - 4:05 flawless. Both of John’s guitar playing and singing did not went off tempo, so smooth 😚🤌

[@niekvanwensen]

That’s undoubtedly the hardest thing to do on guitar; sing and play lead with two totally different rhythms! Sounds so good

[@finnromy6304]

Everything about this performance is totally legendary. The fact it's on Letterman, the fact the CBS orchestra is the band and Paul Shafer is on the keys and the fact that John Mayer sings it and plays the guitar. Moments like this remind me that maybe heaven is a place on earth😀

[@foolonamoon]

Scary how refined this performance is. Best act at the talent show, no one is topping that one.

[@jeffhill5843]

Whole new respect for John Mayer .. excellent job

[@Invertedworldx]

Well glad this woke you up lol

[@MSWSB]

Instrumental virtuoso playing almost imperceptible rhythmic accents while paying true tribute to the lyrical story that Don McLean wrote. Bravo.

[@GJSsongsmith]

I used to do this song in my set … not easy to pull off . This is brilliant from John . Fabulous musician let alone the guitar playing and a band to die for !

[@ORagnar]

That's a helluva song to ask him to perform. So many lyrics and not easy to sing. 3/2/24, 4:10 p.m.

[@carinchanning9388]

This little gem is making my day! (And it's been a good day!) We grew up hearing my dad play this record. Nostalgic AF and so sweet to hear our Johnny who's so current in our community bring his sweet respect to it. NFA!

[@mrpowers4667]

Singing and playing is difficult enough, but singing and playing lead like this…my brain won’t allow it.

[@iguana2237]

You should check out Marcus king

[@sasipakassawamahasakda8682]

Next step lead and rap Eminem song

[@blubey123321]

Would also recommend checking out Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits. His ability to sing and play lead is incredible!

[@huelerhuelin3334]

@@sasipakassawamahasakda8682 That's about ten steps backwards.

[@greenmanalishi6963]

Most blues guitar players like Peter Green, BB King etc

[@dougddir]

That amazing Latenight Letterman letter leather jacket is priceless! I hope John still has it.

[@menow.]

Astounding. What a tribute to both the history of American pop music, and to Letterman, and also to Mayer for his willingness to do this.

[@franizmtechnology2737]

NAILED IT! Forever it will marked. Thank you John Mayer for this.

[@cubnation]

I miss Letterman. He had that way about him that made people want to do things out of their comfort zone, and it always came out special. ❤

[@lindseylaquey7764]

Don McLean, with Paul Griffin on keys, created one of the greatest American classics... ...my all-time favorite. John Mayer and Paul Shaffer performed a super cover here. Bravo! ...and the slower tempo complemented John's style so well... Beautiful

[@JonathanMcneill]

John never ceases to amaze me

[@yolandacorke1501]

I only discovered this video a month ago and have watched it a thousand times. This is my favourite version of this song and it made me really fall in love with John and his music. Paul and band were awesome as usual. I get goosebumps every time I watch it. Dave I miss you lots.

[@mlabuda61]

One of my favorite songs ever! Don McClean’s was my first 8 track tape! ( proud to have grown up with this generation of music!)

[@violetblack3061]

I have listened to this over and over. All the musicians played tremendously and were having so much fun. John Mayer was superb I was absolutely blown away by his rendition of a song I love. He is a world treasure and I know he will get the recognition he so deserves.

[@jamiemarland6980]

This guitar performance is so inspiring. To be able to sing and play lead like that is so so difficult. What an absolute top class performance from John. I genuinely listen to this daily, go on John 🕺🎸

[@ChannelJtotheD]

Epic song. John’s version outshines with his beautiful voice and the runs on his guitar as a guitarist

[@jeromecote245]

A true classic song performed in a true classic way. Thanks!

[@hermanblume275]

Classic. John and Sarah Staley sang this on the drive home from dinner after one of his great University of Findlay basketball games. I was in the back seat, quietly amazed at their acapella version. They knew every single word of it, and Johnny was actually in tune part of the time. True story.

[@davidrahnis7341]

Great performance. The band kept it loose and gave John plenty of room to do his thing. Really well done.

[@lynnlee2282]

Wow he sang non-stop and playing the guitar too. Impressive. Not easy and not everyone can do this

[@Whiterabbit1701]

I felt that John was somehow constrained a bit in the beginnig but then I fell in love with that version somewhere around when the jester sang for the king and queen

[@pritt871]

My mom watched this performance, and after it was over, she looked at me with all seriousness, and said "He looks like he's gotten too thin." My mom, who has never met John Mayer but knows how much he means to me and his impact on my musicality, got worried about this man, and I will never forget that level of empathy and kindness. We're fortunate to have been a part of this mortal coil together right now, y'all. For better or worse, we're doing what we can. Be kind always, no matter.

[@360.Tapestry]

any relation to josh ritter? - end -

[@pritt871]

@@360.Tapestry Man, I wish. I'd love to be able to have that feather in my cap.

[@ImmaFlamingo]

What a beautiful memory to have. ✌🏼

[@RobertMJohnson]

He’s in shape.

[@chrisvelazquez822]

@TheRealDonaldTrump-ys8tjnot true

[@ronflatter1235]

1:52 The moment that locked me in. When Jerry Foley dissolved to that shot looking out at the audience, the sometimes vast Ed Sullivan Theater became intimate. It was just us, the little clique that watched Dave faithfully since the ’70s.

[@cameroon5404]

A legendary piece performed by a legendary band led by a legendary singer and guitar player.

[@craigbrockway652]

Dave brought out the best in the best musicians, a most memorable performance by John.

[@carolynluckas1219]

THIS has instantly become a CLASSIC rendition. Thanks John.

[@TheFergie9]

The pianist accompanying is the real star..beautiful

[@danielboyd4079]

Assume that’s Paul?

[@TheFergie9]

@@danielboyd4079 Paul Shaffer, I beleive

[@theshape3370]

I’m a guitar player and love John and I have to admit 7:45 till the end, that was some of the most beautiful piano playing I’ve ever heard in my life

[@TheBreadman24]

You got that right Dave, that was very special. Just a modern day legend doing his thing.

[@kstepko]

My phone died on the final note of this song. Poignant. 🥺

[@Brandon-youtube]

How are you commenting

[@nicolasagrawal9474]

@@Brandon-youtube she came back.

[@kumilati]

It's not often I sit through a 10 minute video. Love the original, love this version.

[@michelrenaud3431]

What a fantastic performance of this classic. Side note: Paul is awesome on the piano.

[@mjflores7678]

I love seeing Paul get so into it. What a performance from everyone. Man

[@austinglazer]

There are some absolutely beautiful shreds as undertones in this wow.

[@reubination]

He is so gifted it’s absurd.

[@acousticarchivefortwayne930]

I remember when this song originally came out and have heard a few cover versions but nothing like this performance. The sheer amount of lyrics for a singer to memorize is a feat in itself let alone creating a musical structure to support them. This version goes right to the heart. Thanks.

[@johngomillion4872]

What an awesome performance by an amazing artist. I forgot just how amazing this song from my youth is.. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

@5:15 when you forgot the lyrics of an iconic song...but JM recovered quickly ❤

[@fuiers]

I only got to see the twilight years of Daves but it has not stopped me from going trough his earlier years. I remember watching the videos from last week of his show and this performance always stuck on me. Such a perfect song and I could Imagine that Dave personally had asked that would someone perform this song.

[@nateds7326]

I don’t understand how John plays lead and sings so well at the same time. I can’t multi task like that at all! I guess that’s why he’s John freakin Mayer.

[@ElSantoLuchador]

The high note at 03:08 ("knew") -- I think he surprised even himself.

[@pencilsandlight1318]

American Pie is on the short list of great pop tunes. Mayer knocks it out of the park!

[@A7X31610]

Short?? Hello?

[@sofiablakey6454]

Love this song & John Meyer did an excellent job!!!

[@MichaelHughes124]

Lead guitar played improvisationally while singing lead vocals with style? John is the effin’ man, man.

[@Rockandrollmademe]

Legendary performance

[@Mauriciovideomaker]

A spectacular performance for a fantastic song, an iconic moment of art!

[@robspring81]

John is a master musician , plain and simple.

[@cameroon5404]

This is I dare say better than the original. The sound couldn't possibly be more pure.

[@I-l-l-l-l-l]

Loved Dave's appreciation. Great moment.

[@sanakamran007]

Letterman always appreciated John. ❤️

[@Darryl6636]

Talk about cool John was even wearing a Late Night Letterman jacket we know possibly it was 1959 when the music died but the day late night tv died was when David Letterman retired we miss you Dave those were some great episodes

[@Tjk186]

So memorable ....So enjoyable...thanks John and every menber of the Late Night band

[@ralex3697]

He’s a legend, incredibly talented

[@radiofan]

Don Mclean's version was catchy and a great sing-a-long. John Mayer's version pure poetry

[@jefft9893]

Wow. How have I not seen this before? Amazing.

[@larranagadelapenaanaregina2945]

Huge fan of John always ❤

[@scottthomas3672]

I met John Mayer at an Open Mike in Buckhead ATL. I am sure he has played this song more than once.

[@piyawattarasombut3011]

The talent and the charm is overwheming. Thank you.

[@ericravn-fischer8664]

This performance it just goosebumps

[@thethreelittleones6247]

It’s 2024 and I’m still watching this amazed how historic this was leading up to letterman living the night show what a moment

[@nancybegin5870]

Well done John Mayer❤❤❤

[@raspyni]

This is the kind of stuff I'm miss when this ride is over... Not a single 'influencer', special offer, piece of news, or traffic. Music and love are about it.

[@ratmanxi]

Wow!!! Such a good rendition!! Amaziing!!!

[@lindaraesmutz4929]

“We asked him YESTERDAY.” 🤯 Absolutely insane performance.

[@drBaenz]

Sitting here., and listen to one of these few iconic songs presented in a way, only deaf people aren’t touched. I hear it, and it feels that it’s related with a lot of memory’s and there feelings, but there are no concrete memory’s - feels like a collective memory, touching the soul. 🍄🎶🪬

[@pablopardo8010]

This interpretation is so beautiful and well done. John Mayer's a God

[@pamelastilin7893]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🥰🥰🥳🥳🥳You aced it John, Excellent performance!!!! I knew you’d be able to sing 🎤 it🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️Love You

[@p-Claud73]

What a performance!

[@TristanandIsolt]

What a beautiful cover.

[@gdconde]

I've seen this 5 times already. Amazing performance!

[@joannatrentin3886]

He is so beautiful and intense he is everything for me the one of a kind ❤

[@nicolehastings6675]

Amazing as always. Beautiful voice, amazing piano.

[@leftyspade]

Amazing performence, superb maximus

[@matthewpalsgrove2090]

heck yeah!! love it! what a musician. . . you'll remember

[@honordevs]

I felt like he wasn't completely sure about it, then we went on a journey with him, where he found the song and sound. Incredible.

[@tubesteen]

Pure class.

[@seaarebee5417]

bass playa killin' it too

[@bobmurica4174]

Classic performance. John is a true musician.

[@vaughnswank]

WOW just WOW! absolutely legendary!

[@fahering]

He really did it!!!

[@amychinlai4249]

What a great song for john to performanced! Great !!!