Mitski: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

August 31, 2015by BOB BOILEN
Watching Mitski perform at my desk, there are moments when I was worried for her. In her opening song, "Townie," the boys "are driving and they'll be drinking" - and a verse later, Mitski sings of love in ways that feel vengeful, not fruitful.
And I want a love that falls as fast
As a body from the balcony, and
I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground
I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat
Though I don't know what I'm waiting for
I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be
Moments later, she holds her guitar high with her mouth close to the pickup, which acts like a microphone as she screams to her mother for help:
Mom, would you wash my back?
This once, and then we can forget
And I'll leave what I'm chasing
For the other girls to pursue
Mom, am I still young?
Can I dream for a few months more?
Then, she closes with a song of dying in the hope of leaving a tidy room and being well-regarded when they come get her things. If it all sounds depressing, it is, but the glimmer of beauty comes in her smile and laugh at the end of her set. It's part nerves, part angst, and it all makes for a heartfelt performance sans filters: That's why Mitski Miyawaki is such an incredible performer. At night, at a club with the lights down and drinks in hand, it can be more pensive for all - more thought-provoking. But here in an office, the starkness somehow makes her music even scarier.
Set List
"Townie"
"Class Of 2013"
"Last Words Of A Shooting Star"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Lani Milton; Assistant Producer: Elena Saavedra Buckley; photo by Lydia Thompson/NPR

[@leothelion6245]

When she was yelling into that guitar.........she gets it

[@fionagallagherapologist5968]

yeah 🧎🏽‍♀️

[@brain0068]

I think she the very few who do get it but she GETS it yknow?

[@RossyR0ss]

Replying incase this comment gets 500+ replys

[@leothelion6245]

ANYWAYS thanks for the likes please send me money

[@louisaamabel708]

🧎 🧎‍♂️

[@muppetfriend]

i love mitski, she makes me feel like an inside out sock

[@j.o.g.j]

This is very well put

[@ilikefrogs5548]

why does this make so much sense

[@oksanarose6879]

this is the funniest comment i’ve ever read in my life bless you

[@mesajenniges1876]

no youve got a point

[@idedimi]

thank you so much for articulating this experience

[@tiredb973]

i’m so glad mitski invented the whole world she’s so considerate

[@aubreymichelle13]

It was very nice of her

[@isabelle9812]

fr

[@BEERBOMB113]

I love this

[@jodecics]

tru

[@corpsecle]

exactly

[@feryourmomslover4412]

Townie: daddy issues Class of 2013: mommy issues Last words of a shooting star: issues

[@haidyn2405]

precisely

[@bugbugbugbugbugbug]

Exactly 🤠

[@remy2710]

i’m a townie person

[@starlight7089]

@@remy2710 I'm more of a class of 2013 person :')

[@magdalenajaravega616]

i am:

[@fionagallagherapologist5968]

"mom, im tired" *instant tears*

[@Yvesening]

Yep🥲

[@om0_o]

"can i dream for a few months more" screaming, crying, throwing up

[@isabelle9812]

@@om0_o shitting, vomiting, bleeding, screeching, howling, foaming from mouth

[@om0_o]

@@isabelle9812 ok, calm down

[@isabelle9812]

​@@om0_o real

[@tarynnago8205]

i burst into tears at "can i dream for a few months more?"

[@indubitablyzara]

it's "I'll leave what I'm chasing for the other girls to pursue" that always gets me (but the whole thing, really)

[@cereal_21]

literally same

[@theindependent-official5884]

idk about you, but i lose it at "mom"

[@sentimentalgeek_]

the raw scream of mom gets me each and every time

[@lizzy4300]

@@sentimentalgeek_ Same😢

[@maggie5807]

When I was 18 I laid in bed and listened to this and cried so hard because I hated myself and everything so much. I’m 24 now and life is beautiful.

[@sanjivaniebhalla3760]

im 18 this gave me hope

[@hrdscum]

glad you're doing better now

[@tecitodechai]

@@sanjivaniebhalla3760 same

[@kennedypaiuk6847]

do you promise?

[@MsXenyy1]

Yes things gets eventually better

[@eleanor7024]

It’s like she’s playing alone in her room, except we’re all watching her. Such an intimate and vulnerable performance. thank you mitski

[@retroTiko]

ok but how can she sing without crying

[@_anhedonia]

Tiko ikr i cannot listen to class of 2013 without bawling my eyes out let alone sing it

[@teapeaa]

Im sure she cried so many times writing her music and singing it to herself over and over in her privacy

[@reece2217]

Daniela class of 2013 is so raw that it makes me want to cry till i have no tears left l

[@cpretzel2558]

I saw the bury me at makeout creek tour years ago and she cried on stage when she closed with last words of a shooting star. You could of heard a pin hit the ground in that moment. Everyone in the room was shook and holding back tears too.

[@bobsbigboy_]

Cuz it aint that deep. Songs are mid

[@kaylapagan8451]

her control is crazy. She can even control.. when she chooses not to control her voice ?

[@ImmaBrainGremlin]

The "lack of control" is an illusion created by skill.

[@adhesiveghost2834]

i think it’s a stylistic choice to show vulnerability but i could be wrong

[@Hannah-nh5qj]

She reminds me of Fiona Apple or Janis Joplin.

[@vdoza33]

@@Hannah-nh5qj or like a bootleg angel olson

[@Hannah-nh5qj]

@@vdoza33 Idk who Angel Olsen is, but I’m not comparing artists as an insult like you’re trying to- I’m pointing out vocal similarities between other great artists and the one I’m listening to.

[@linss626]

we all have unresolved childhood trauma but we all thought why get a therapist when you can watch mitski scream into a guitar

[@theblacksheep2374]

Im so happy mitski invented teenage years

[@crownde]

I'm so happy she invented years

[@Beabadoobee]

I think I’m in love

[@andrea-fj6tt]

talent recognizing talent

[@joanneofarc.]

it's you

[@awesomeface265]

BEABADOOBEE

[@user-jz4tt6vb6e]

bea?? 0_o

[@59michaelash]

She should play bass!

[@lesbiasian]

my favorite quote of hers: "i've gotten a lot of complaints saying that I can't play guitar, and it's true, i'm a keyboardist. but I do this because for a lot of girls it's kind of scary to try to start playing guitar cause you feel like you immediately won't be good enough. so I'm telling you right now, I can't play guitar and I'm playing guitar on stage. you can just start where you can."

[@eloisemae1325]

Awwwww I’m thirteen and i got a really cool electric guitar and a really great amp for Christmas and I’ve signed up for online classes and it is scaerryyyuy and my fingers hurt T-T but practice makes progress and I’ll get better with timee 💕 🎸 🎶

[@angelbabe1287]

@@eloisemae1325 me too but i have a lot getting in my way

[@barryscanlon3575]

@@eloisemae1325 if you want to be good, you will be good in the future. Be patient and devoted, and try not to compare yourself to others. Instead compare yourself to you in the past, and you'll realise how much progress you're making. Good luck!

[@bashmeesh]

Love!!!!

[@eloisemae1325]

@@barryscanlon3575 AAA- thanks your so nice ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

[@eli7465]

I can't believe mitski invented 2013! She's so powerful 😍

[@wonderhoy9049]

Ikr🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍

[@zombies.in.space.]

the fact that she invented the year 2013 and then every year before and after is just so heartwarming. truly an inspiration

[@macncheeselvr]

I wish mitski was never embarrassed about this tiny desk concert vid, she’s amazing and so powerful in here it’s mind blowing.

[@evee4365]

how was she embarassed?

[@milsdiary]

​@@evee4365her appearance, at least I think that's why.

[@grantboyer3529]

the control of the shakiness in her voice reminds me of johnny cash but with teenage angst i’m all here for it.

[@burntforest633]

@@OctopusWhoSeesAll that's not vibrato, more of a tremolo.

[@bashmeesh]

Yes Johnny Cash, I was trying to think of what that reminded me of

[@nasjordan2598]

@@bashmeesh huh....reminds me kind of dolores O'riordan

[@phroad317]

johnny cash uses vibrato what she does is weird and i personally think it sound like a teenage boy going through puberty

[@zazz1103]

@@phroad317 almost like its a song about puberty

[@andiem8575]

Mitski with exposed acne scream singing into her guitar has been constantly in my head since I saw this years ago and tbh it’s why I get up every day the raw energy in this is so powerful

[@veronicaryder7553]

honestly same, came back to this video again and I don't know how to stop feeling

[@eloisemae1325]

She’s so beautiful ♥️

[@HectorNazarioFiammE]

this performance keeps me alive, often.

[@wesleycarson9254]

38 year old man here and this gave me that anything is possible mysterious, depressed feeling of my late teens again. I haven't felt that in a long time. Thank you mitski. Inspiring

[@stargirl2094]

@@NoName-fo7mz learn empathy

[@jhonestebanramirezquintana8918]

I think she deserves a new performance here

[@lovehrz]

i think mitski's music can be described in one word as raw. it's not for people who like polished sounds. mitski's music is meant to be a knife to the gut, a punch to the eye. it's meant to make u feel the pain, & also to make u embrace it as a part of u.

[@bushman6964]

It sure gives me pain, in my ears

[@biggaylol5438]

@@bushman6964 im gonna get rid of ur ears coward

[@antonmedina7591]

this is not an npr video this is therapy

[@fionagallagherapologist5968]

free therapy :]

[@viktawrialoughy9818]

it's the other way around homegirl let's get you a doctor

[@urmomisgay6853]

okay home girl it’s okay let’s call the doctor

[@Cutekumavt]

Your therapy, my self harm we are not the same 😌✨

[@waterlemon9838]

I literally watched this after my thesis breakdown

[@feryourmomslover4412]

Therapy is very expensive, Mitski’s music is free

[@rain-cb3ze]

Trye

[@washingmachine2]

no, we need help

[@feryourmomslover4412]

@@washingmachine2 yes bug we are also ✨broke✨☺️💅

[@j.o.g.j]

The catra pfp and this comment is kinda worrying

[@lia928]

CATRA PFP AND MITSKI I WANNA BE YOUR FRIEND

[@azmxivq]

since no one did it, 0:00 - Townie 2:32 - Class Of 2013 4:39 - Last Words Of A Shooting Star thank me later.

[@rihanuchka]

Bless your heart, i hope youre okay now

[@_marso_marsel_6000]

Hope you okay now too

[@reeeeneeustaquio374]

Thanks you

[@samlee2562]

Thanks me later..

[@littlebodybigheart357]

Thank you :)

[@catemiller2161]

Sometimes you don’t want a solution, you just want to be angry and upset and take your time resolving those feelings by yourself. Screaming along to this session in my car at work on my lunch really helped me today.

[@finn8762]

the raw almost uncomfortable sounds of the first two songs are soothed SO DEEPLY by the last. she knows exactly what she's doing and it's incredible

[@micky_knuckles]

This.

[@rodietodie]

finn ! Yes!

[@potato.pancake]

people don’t understand that she intentionally does this!!! they say she sounds terrible but it’s art honey (she sounds incredible anyway; she’s literally mitski)

[@dominospikza]

finn ! she’s an amazing performer. all of her artistic endeavors are so calculated and intentional. i love her for it

[@spitgorge2021]

@Cosmin Eduard ok cosmin eduard

[@judyelkadi]

WHY ARE YOU GUYS SKIPPING STRAIGHT AHEAD TO CLASS OF 2013??!! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THE DISRESPECT TOWARDS TOWNIE.

[@sophiam4980]

FR THE VOCALS IN TOWNIE ARE UNMATCHED

[@judyelkadi]

@@sophiam4980 RIGHT???

[@souptheirl1482]

EXACTLY

[@fuops]

RIGHT?

[@acedia2]

SO TRUE

[@mirimelissa7343]

The way she unapologetically shows up with her raw emotions and intensity throughout the whole thing. The way she dares to break open and wear her wounds like diamonds, so proudly. Nothing inspires me more and there's nothing i admire more than that about her.

[@caitlinistired1050]

I love how she always goes “… thenx :)”

[@andie4464]

dear me in the future when you come back to this video again, i hope you’re okay.

[@maryam4259]

are you okay

[@boosouls]

are you okay?

[@andie4464]

no lol

[@LuluguimaS2]

I’m wishing the same for me

[@kristinepinlac2796]

I hope you'll be okay now and always. And for the times that you don't, that's okay too. I hope that you've found the strength to be happier. There's nothing wrong with you then and there's especially nothing wrong with you now. There is no one right way to live and life isn't a race so make whatever you will out of your life, just know that you don't have to live it alone. You deserve the world and I love you

[@cherryaleex]

Yes I Have Mommy Issues

[@mercedesinfantee3566]

same my mom told me she hated me not that long ago😕

[@aylsa]

@@mercedesinfantee3566 i'm so sorry.

[@alena3464]

ayo same 🥶

[@leuvenfra]

i love all of you🥺

[@cara9511]

@@mercedesinfantee3566 tell her you hate her back even if you dont

[@Topfington]

Her music is so personal to her. And yet I can feel that hollowness of what she was feeling at the time

[@hihellohowareyoutoday]

Last words of a shooting star is perhaps the most beautifully written and heartbreaking song I’ve ever heard (though class of 2013 is a close second)

[@oforlikelalune1506]

0:02 Townie 2:17 Class of 2013 3:33 (SHE DOES THE THING WITH THE GUITAR) 4:33 Last Words of a Shooting Star

[@jackson-zo8pt]

THANK YOU for the guitar timestamp, i love when she screams during class of 2013

[@nopalito6424]

We are ALL here for the screams

[@sophiam4980]

TOWNIE WAS SO GOOD

[@elyssepolice]

Thank you

[@eva.b5354]

@@sophiam4980 IT WAS IMPECCABLE AH

[@ttt8527]

mitski's music makes me want to burn a house down in slow motion

[@RaRa-vf3zx]

I’m sorry what?

[@mill8722]

THIS😍

[@johnr8820]

What the frick is wrong with you

[@alegria1813]

In slowmo

[@jakemachineuwu]

i cant tell if thats a good thing or a bad thing but okay

[@Hungergameslover1312]

I am so desperately longing for the day where hearing "Class of 2013" won't have the power to make me break out into tears

[@kieran1183]

I feel like Mitski’s music encapsulates exactly how it feels be young, growing up, and in love.

[@tubingtubing1]

Oh my dear. Her music is like a punch from my 15-year-old self and a hug from my 34-year-old self in return. I love messy beautiful girlhood!

[@vickisigh2674]

omg you described it so perfectly....

[@justmart4455]

@@vickisigh2674 word

[@alohaworld]

A beautiful sentiment

[@kozhikkaalan]

the fuck? how did you capture it so perfectly

[@son2425]

Lol I love this!

[@hannahweedon9336]

Mistki made me feel confident in my own skin. You can write using simple chord progressions, you can have acne, you can be a singer, you can be all the things

[@alessandrafunaro9829]

Hannah Weedon i really needed to read this thank u so much

[@alien_from_andromeda]

Hannah Weedon RIGHT! She’s amazing

[@holamamelo2514]

you can be mediocre and still be famous it's what you're trying to say

[@muribs8137]

@@holamamelo2514 and you can avoid being a total asshole

[@markengelbert30]

@@holamamelo2514 and what you get with complex music if nobody listen it?

[@izzycoronado7147]

here bc of that one Reductress headline "Therapist Unknowingly in Constant Competition with Mitski’s Tiny Desk Concert"

[@athena2448]

SAME😭

[@bug6235]

3:35 literally crying and shaking and throwing up and bangnig my head against a wwall I LOVE HER SO FUCKNIG MUCH

[@monicasanto77]

“looking like a big pulsing void and radiating pain”

[@joaosantos-uj9uw]

iconic queen

[@Ellie-jr4zy]

Literally my favorite void wow queen

[@KiddingProductions]

she absolutely blew me away when she started screaming into the guitar. went through so many emotions in these 8 minutes.

[@sapphicism]

4:11 such an emotional line and then it just ends so abruptly?!?! MITSKI MY TEARS WONT CRAWL BACK INTO MY EYES

[@nin_.444]

she literally plays my three favorite songs by her in order in this I'm the chosen one guys

[@Vampyre_Brat]

class of 2013 is the rawest shit i've ever seen

[@zosia2030]

My day be so fine but then boom. Class of 2013 by mitski. Sobbing rn

[@Loh24158]

Me rn

[@angelicacarnis]

me being an entrapta kinnie with mommy issues and seeing this comment

[@una9906]

something about your mista pfp really completes the comment, thank you

[@zosia2030]

@@una9906 I thank you 😳

[@thisishalloween5589]

Same the mommy issues hit hard lol

[@Yara-ov1ii]

yes bestie scream at that guitar😌

[@Yara-ov1ii]

im never gonna be happy

[@annikaa881]

Hahaha true

[@mary-pf1tu]

she tells me its okay to be at war with everything around me and even myself but at the same time she recognizes that deep down i crave peace and acceptance

[@masterofneincontact4799]

Omg, you put it in words 😭

[@PragmaticOptimist]

06:01: "and you'd say you love me and look in my eyes but I know through mine you were looking in yours" ...speechless

[@rubyreduxx]

optimistic nihilist ouch... mah heart

[@jamesgrandjean6138]

Last Words is such a great song. One of my favs of hers

[@SunjayVideos]

i can't believe how Mitski invented breaking eye contact

[@ajhia9522]

she’s literally a lyrical genius

[@loganmohler737]

Powerful

[@Honeyapplepear]

I feel like this was so intimate, like it’s just her in a room without an audience or cameras. She’s just playing for herself and it’s so awesome.

[@Vann-jn3jc]

Completely agree.

[@teetoo6669]

...there is a camera tho

[@badappple]

there is an audience too?

[@Honeyapplepear]

@@badappple 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@badappple]

@@Honeyapplepear whats up

[@easong2148]

I'm a 67 year old white guy. Mitski is the most radical thing I've heard in about 20 years. Simply awesome.

[@midoriayami9867]

Real

[@ravioliava]

I can't even her voice is just so beautiful and so breathtaking. And it was soo creative how she sang into the guitar which I think that was my favorite part.

[@jessicaspurrell_]

“she didn’t sing the last note right in class of 2013 its out of tune” no hunny. She just didn’t resolve the chord and ended it on major seventh it’s called dissonance

[@joselocalau123]

yaaaaassss🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rishita7944]

hello i love you i love this comment

[@whales2983]

THANK YOU

[@jeffersonmcgee9560]

Bruuuh

[@pierceclegg825]

Oh yea duh

[@marg3685]

Her voice sounds like she's yelling really quiet it's so good her lyrics are beautiful

[@illeanaestrada4903]

ur user 💀💀 but yes

[@777Contradi]

@@illeanaestrada4903 and what's wrong with it 💀

[@Sasha-jo4tw]

@@777Contradi it was probably something different a year ago

[@faithhaneul]

how does she not cry

[@mortal_meatbag]

she walks the line between delicate and devastating so gracefully. mitski forever

[@MUtley-rf8vg]

This girl sees clear melody in her mind. I am envious.

[@bandaatube]

I'm going to cry at this comment its so true

[@matrocious]

M. Utley which channel is on and is it daytime or night

[@kmjdlc]

as a senior in high school class of 2013 hit me hard. it’s so scary growing up and having to make such life defining decisions. i want to make my parents proud, i don’t want to be a failure. sometimes i just want to be young again. i haven’t cried to many songs. god she’s so real and amazing.

[@furamingo1390]

omggg same samee

[@vsheng]

100% feel your pain rn especially

[@Zoe-fd8ll]

yeah ❤️

[@willowbagley6170]

Ya know the one good thing about having a dad who you always disappoint and are never good enuff for is that you dont have to worry about making them proud because it will never come

[@Wonder.house7]

bro SAME i feel exactly like this Mitski is so so good

[@laila-lj2dx]

i remember watching this not knowing any songs or words , and i just went to a mitski concert singing every single word along i love her

[@lecarrenoirlecarrenoir530]

this will be in my kid’s history book

[@aleuimay2309]

mitski singing raw is actually something that can be so personal

[@ev9099]

try not to cry mitski tiny desk concert edition

[@aria6725]

shes the prettiest person ever

[@robin-ps8rm]

isnt she :)

[@Vann-jn3jc]

Its amazing how Mitski is able to be so vulnerable with the audience. I busted out crying, she makes me feel so seen.

[@WoodlandT]

This is the first I'm seeing of Mitski. I'm totally blown away. Seems to me she has such control of her voice that she can make it sound like its shaky or like anything else I'd imagine. Creative purity is off the charts. She's fascinating.

[@TheNinjapancake14]

Bjork control

[@pockywasp8909]

@Ribeye Robert D bc bjorks more well known and been around longer? LOL

[@val71999]

I love the bits where she's singing "badly". the screaming in class of 2013 especially. it's so raw and powerful and she's not afraid to sound real instead of sounding good. it's so much more beautiful and meaningful this way.

[@RoyaleExtreme]

This is my favorite NPR performance and one I revisit often. It's such an incredibly flawed performance; she's off-pitch half the performance and her guitar playing is all over the place. But oh my god, there's something so raw and vulnerable that hits me on a deep personal level that I just can't explain. I think you either immediately understand, or you hate it.

[@madelineolia]

dont lie to yourself

[@Dimysam]

There are people who judge performances like a gymnastics competition and there are people who listen to the music.

[@jx3376]

@@RoyaleExtreme i agree but I also think it’s not as bad as you described, and I also know you weren’t saying it was really bad, so I’m just adding further thoughts on what you said! But it’s “bad” in the way that punk music is bad, which is a genre that’s respected for what it is. I think her singing is beautiful actually, like objectively? It’s like art-punk femme emo folk. It would be weird to overly judge it since every performance by any artist is full of idiosyncrasies. This performance is clearly very special. (To be clear, not disagreeing or arguing w ur main points, was just adding on to your thoughts!) :)

[@MISSMADISONMEDIA]

Björk vibes?

[@Sam-js7jj]

Class of 2013 is such a beautifully painful song. I have to almost ration myself with listening to it bc I’ve still never listened without crying

[@sharonious666]

sitting here crying wondering the exact same thing, just brings up something so raw and she executes it so well.

[@cozierhoezier4307]

Can't believe I missed on mitski for so many years, I love love love her

[@snseofsilnce]

3:34 "mom" Mitski sang, calmly.

[@mapl_xx6346]

i really don’t know if I should laugh or cry rn

[@binaanand3218]

@@mapl_xx6346 let's cry together😭

[@gloomygrrrl8056]

I was sobbing and this made me giggle like a mf 😭

[@marcus.taylorsversion8448]

THE GOBLET OF FIRE REFERENCE

[@cartoondeathnoises8756]

I see a lot of comments about how bad her bass skills are but like...her music is mostly about the lyricism and emotion and poetry, so I honestly think it would take away from the raw emotion in her songs if she were to play anything more than the simple chords and riffs that she does play. But, it's all subjective, you can think whatever you want about her songs, I just wanted to put in my two cents.

[@raemiller6035]

I feel that way about The White Stripes, too!

[@lennardvaarten7791]

Bass? She didn't play bass here?

[@leuvenfra]

that's a funny looking bass for sure

[@avileo]

it's bcs she said in an interview her instruments are simply to accompany her. when making a new song, she'll focus on the melody first, so that anyone can sing it even when there's nothing to accompany them

[@marcbaigrie2295]

That's a guitar

[@online-scribbler-67]

I have watched this clip over and over and over again.

[@Lane_11]

I come back to this video a lot

[@Jessica-kv2ob]

I'm not a musician, so I don't know how bad her voice is, or how bad is the way she plays the guitar, but what I do know is that she's special, her music means something powerful to me, I can feel her, I can feel her music and her voice in my heart and in my mind. this tiny concert is one of my favorites.

[@evl457]

it's totally moving and just grabs you. And her poetry is good

[@jinxtux4114]

this is so sweet

[@planeofimmanence2157]

There is simply different ways to play don’t let anyone tell you that there is good or bad ways of playing. What is revolutionary is almost always first seen as a mistake.

[@alien_from_andromeda]

Jessica that means she’s good💕 if she makes you feel deeply and whole heartedly then she’s amazing

[@Neuroneos]

It's called grunge.

[@ImWeirdAndILikeIt]

I've heard Class of 2013 multiple times, I'd even watched this version before, but as someone graduating from college in a few months, it really kicked in this time and listening her sing about the real fears of failure and feeling like a burden on your parents while still mourning your childhood/youth absolutely made me cry this time. Mitski's lyrics may be beautiful and poetic, but there's nothing vague about them; they hit right to the heart of the most specific relatable fears and desires and I love her so much for it.

[@catemiller2161]

First time I heard this song was in my last semester of college just as covid was getting bad in America and we were all going into lockdown. I was so scared about my future and whether I should move home or move out, and class of 2013 was a real comfort to me. All I wanted was for my mom to tell me things were going to be okay, just like when I was little-but with the world falling apart, our government’s lack of response, and everyone losing their jobs, I had little hope. Things are better now-I’ve got a steady job and I decided to move out-but there are times I still just want my mom to tell me things will be okay.

[@joselocalau123]

what i love is that she appeals to universal feelings through very specific experiences. So maybe i am not asian american or biracial, but i still feel Your best american girl deep in my gut because it talks about feeling like you’re not enough, like you will never fit in

[@anidiotsandwich2132]

Lyrics: *Townie*: There's a party and we're all going And we're all growing up Somebody's driving and he will be drinking And no one's going back 'Cause we've tried hungry and we've tried full and Nothing seems enough So tonight, tonight The boys are gonna go for More more more And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be Smell that, it's wet grass, and smoke in my hair I think I've had enough But he wants a finale and I came prepared And we're not going back And I've tried sharing and I've tried caring And I've tried putting out But the boys boys boys keep coming on for More more more And change change change is gonna come, but When when when? And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be Class of 2013: Mom, I'm tired Can I sleep in your house tonight? Mom, is it alright If I stay for a year or two? Mom, I'll be quiet It would be just to sleep at night And I'll leave once I figure out How to pay for my own life too Mom, would you wash my back? This once, and then we can forget And I'll leave what I'm chasing For the other girls to pursue Mom, am I still young? Can I dream for a few months more? Last Words Of A Shooting Star: All of this turbulence wasn't forecasted Apologies from the intercom And I am relieved that I'd left my room tidy They'll think of me kindly When they come for my things They'll never know how I'd stared at the dark in that room With no thoughts Like a blood-sniffing shark And while my dreams made music in the night Carefully I was going to live You wouldn't leave till we loved in the morning You'd learned from movies how love ought to be And you'd say you love me and look in my eyes But I know through mine you were Looking in yours And did you know the liberty bell is a replica Silently housed in its original walls And while its dreams played music in the night Quietly It was told to believe I always wanted to die clean and pretty But I'd be too busy on working days So I am relieved that the turbulence wasn't forecasted I couldn't have changed anyways I am relieved that I'd left my room tidy Goodbye

[@VJuliaL12]

I always come back to this video

[@wormzinmymilk]

her music is like an open wound and these live performances are like ripping the bandaid off, bleeding, vulnerable, real. every part of this fills me with pure emotion. i wouldve never guess how much i would cry over some songs, but thats the power it has.

[@SCWoodbury2009]

I dig her angst.

[@lyonsvalley8197]

it took me a couple of listens but class of 2013 had me teary eyed like when i listened to my smashing pumpkins and death cab for cutie cds... it hurts but in a way that is familiar and comfortable. i hope one day i can get to that level of musicianship

[@jamaigar]

she has an ocean of it. Her songs are also weirdly arranged, something that is not quite represented here. It's a blast

[@ayaduhh]

Watching this for the first time as a 13 year old girl, I felt something indescribable till this day. She’s one of my role models

[@islaradcliffe6158]

as a 16 y/o who experienced what u are experiencing right now (i discovered mitski at 13) I’m proud of u

[@VictorFlores-nw9wy]

You are here for Class of 2013 AGAIN???? are you okay?

[@whales2983]

nah i'm here for townie xoxo

[@_LoveLandFrog_]

I’m here for the liberty bell that’s a replica held in it’s original walls.

[@jeanpierrepolenareff8401]

No and it wasn't a phase it's a chemical imbalance I needed medication

[@kalmiakid9592]

Mitski really woke up put on a tanktop went to tiny desk and made us emotional

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

Don’t shame the tank top

[@yepisuredolikecats3979]

It actually makes me extremely happy to see her with acne, like me

[@evildeadening9826]

same

[@esgib1385]

i love acne, it’s just so beautiful to me for some reason. I have it myself, and i like it, it’s a part of who i am

[@abbylololol1671]

The way she doesn't cover her face at all just helps to build a vibe for me, she's being so genuine and sincere

[@spider-swift]

She just looks so... normal and down to Earth, it makes me really happy :)

[@mistressbcm]

Like us, friend, like us

[@Sritski]

I just watched a bunch of other tiny desk concerts but as always circled back to my favorite singer of all time

[@AnthonyGoesToGigs]

“I don’t wanna take antidepressants. What if I lose my sparkle, huh?” The sparkle: 3:35

[@aurora1349]

what beautiful beautiful rage she's got

[@spyke2856]

mitski: "mom will you wash my back this once and then we can forget and I'll leave what I'm chasing for the other girls to pursue" the npr employees who came in thinking this was gonna be a normal day at work: 👀

[@gabrielledennis549]

"I always wanted to die clean and pretty, but I'd be too busy on working days."

[@hellokittyswife9989]

lamo they cried

[@ihsmmiallt]

i thought it was "watch my back"

[@skycheng17]

i'm always almost brought to tears whenever she sings class of 2013. also just realised this is in a higher key

[@rowanh420]

this video is what made me fall in love with her music, it means so much to me

[@ricardomorin7863]

Seeing her grab the empty water bottle after her last song, forgetting for a split second that she finished it after the previous song, then not knowing what to do with it, I can relate to that

[@aise1756]

I simply love last words of a shooting star, at the same time that the song is calming the song sounds like the end of life, the freedom of death

[@valeriaz1219]

MOM WOULD YOU WASH MY BACKKKK THIS ONCE AND THEN WE CAN FORGET

[@valeriaz1219]

AND ILL LEAVE WHAT IM CHASING FOR THE OTHER GIRLS TO PERSUE

[@emeluzun4731]

townie: There's a party and we're all going And we're all growing up Somebody's driving and he will be drinking And no one's going back 'Cause we've tried hungry and we've tried full and Nothing seems enough So tonight, tonight The boys are gonna go for More more more And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be Smell that, it's wet grass, and smoke in my hair I think I've had enough But he wants a finale and I came prepared And we're not going back And I've tried sharing and I've tried caring And I've tried putting out But the boys boys boys keep coming on for More more more And change change change is gonna come, but When when when? And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be And I want a love that falls as fast As a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat Though I don't know what I'm waiting for I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be class of 2013: Mom, I'm tired Can I sleep in your house tonight? Mom, is it alright If I stay for a year or two? Mom, I'll be quiet It would be just to sleep at night And I'll leave once I figure out How to pay for my own life too Mom, would you wash my back? This once, and then we can forget And I'll leave what I'm chasing For the other girls to pursue Mom, am I still young? Can I dream for a few months more? last words of a shooting star: All of this turbulence wasn't forecasted Apologies from the intercom And I am relieved that I'd left my room tidy They'll think of me kindly When they come for my things They'll never know how I'd stared at the dark in that room With no thoughts Like a blood-sniffing shark And while my dreams made music in the night Carefully I was going to live You wouldn't leave till we loved in the morning You'd learned from movies how love ought to be And you'd say you love me and look in my eyes But I know through mine you were Looking in yours And did you know the liberty bell is a replica Silently housed in its original walls And while its dreams played music in the night Quietly It was told to believe I always wanted to die clean and pretty But I'd be too busy on working days So I am relieved that the turbulence wasn't forecasted I couldn't have changed anyways I am relieved that I'd left my room tidy Goodbye

[@ahucian5663]

thank youuu!!

[@nana-kc8ew]

thank you

[@13gudadod]

2:32

[@13gudadod]

4:48

[@tarynnago8205]

i didnt understand townie when i first heard it. ive just started my first semester of uni and the lyrics hit me square in the chest

[@abbi7025]

this is me currently right now

[@Wheurjiddowowieneiddn]

i can painfully relate to last words of a shooting star and class of 2013 and honestly those songs will forever hold so much meaning to me

[@manuelbrunet6266]

Pure harmony and truthfull introspection...I would love if today's music was more like hers

[@txtnines]

POV: you are very sad

[@txtnines]

The way i come here like every month 😭😭

[@dead2519]

that is correct

[@pudding1255]

Oh so sad

[@prithvithakur7950]

@@txtnines i come here every day im not ok

[@corvid2910]

Class of 2013 is that feeling of being a small child, after a scarring lucid dream crawling, sobbing, to your mom’s room begging to sleep in her bed with her. Just one night, you won’t shuffle or be loud, it’ll be just one night. Please mom, I’m scared. Ill be quiet.

[@rondeanichi3633]

stop you are making me tear up

[@garbagepilebonk]

I cried

[@nobody-qc7xc]

bye i cried

[@lux____602]

Cool, crying even more now

[@donutpond]

class of 2013 is the feeling of being a teenager waking up with a nightmare but forcing yourself to stay in your own bed because you're supposed to be too old to be afraid of things anymore

[@lizasplaylist]

Man i cried so much. God mitski always hits home with her songs

[@LeifKendall1]

She’s incredible! Loved her for years but this is extraordinary!!!

[@tgldude777333]

She has such a beautiful, powerful anger that she's channeled into beautiful art, and she wears it proudly. Her music is an ode to the messier sides of ourselves that we're taught to repress. At least, that's what it meant to me.

[@noel-bg3ei]

this was exactly what I was thinking