Neutral Milk Hotel - Ferris Wheel On Fire

Jeff Mangum and gang
4-12-98

[@Vartex]

is it me or is this the best song ever

[@mikadeutsch6777]

it’s true - & in its glow, is it not true that u/i/we have achieved jeff-lightenment too?

[@samshepherd854]

I met Julian Koster wandering around Melbourne before their show on the 15th, he is such a beautiful person to speak to. Naturally I bought an accordion after that show.

[@Milktacheable]

I really want an accordion like his, do you know if its just a concertina or something?

[@user-rx3js1no3s]

white people

[@jzonkel]

братишка haha relatable

[@IAmTheProphet]

I love this song to death. The lyrics and sound are just incredible. I really wish this song had been included on ITAOTS. I miss you and your music Jeff Mangum.

[@BrentHutchinson1]

This video is special. The low quality VHS only makes it more precious. NMH in Brooklyn on this rainy day with my ex girlfriend who I was in love with and she smartened up and broke up with me. Thinking back now, I'm so happy to have that experience.

[@andygump724]

2:20 I break everything in my house.

[@musicmachine91]

This is how I'd like to think his musical career ended. Playing this song, rocking out like he did. Quite possibly the most inspiring visual performance of a single song I have ever seen.

[@Jezzomika]

A studio version of this would have been spectacular, but I think that the live recordings have this irreplaceable charm. Insanely powerful music.

[@parasetamol8203]

a studio version was released now !!!

[@nolanwolfe]

@@parasetamol8203digitally at least. 2011 was the box set. I just wished they released a full band version. Isn’t it a vibe!

[@gigglehertz]

@@parasetamol8203 The solo acoustic version is good, but lacks the intensity of this performance.

[@mizshellytee]

the three souls who disliked this had their ferris wheels set on fire.

[@47issues]

Bruh deep down we all want our ferris wheels on fire

[@iwikepie]

how to rock out with a sweater

[@kayden825]

I'd personally be thrilled to meet any of the guys from the band plus Rob Schneider haha.

[@kingdoofus]

this, along with anything else done by them, is amazing. I almost exploded when I heard that he was going to be on the Chris Knox tribute album. It is absolutely amazing.

[@romeosdistress]

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL HAVE JUST GOT BACK TOGETHER

[@KenKowwwrb]

this song is too fucking good. I wonder if this would've been released if they stayed together. I can't even fucking imagine a late nineties elephant six studio recording of this.. holy shit

[@robbiejojo]

Jeff looks like he needs a hug. : I

[@mikogale]

he doesn't

[@najsmoluggi]

They sound so unique. I'm big fan of NMH. Greetins from Bosnia!

[@nolanwolfe]

This comment is from 2006

[@parasetamol8203]

@@nolanwolfe so?

[@nolanwolfe]

@@parasetamol8203 just blows my mind at how fast time really is

[@MrNotJoker]

my fav NMH song!!!

[@tigerboy1966]

thanks so much for posting this. i did not know this song before. the legend keeps on growing.

[@hhogan12]

What I wouldn't give to see NMH in concert now!

[@atomeyes99]

This is one of the best songs he's ever written. too bad all i have are two shitty live versions of it on cd.

[@ZombieInvasion5446]

it seems like everyone in elephant 6 has awesome sweaters...

[@neros12346]

ahhh the vhs is so nice

[@mattrmpt]

Best song ever. Furthermore, props on Lee Morgan pic.

[@cytoplasm7015]

holy crap these comments are ancient

[@Rajj07]

What is he seeing. He sings and looks off into space. It's almost as if he's singing to someone that isn't there, except to him.

[@jrgs906]

They're Back!

[@wassupimcharlie]

I. NEED. HIS. SWEATER.

[@najsmoluggi]

They got a fans here in Bosnia too! Fantastic NMH!

[@byron151227]

i have the live cd of this whole show

[@St.nobody]

Upload it homie

[@muskyox]

ho ho ho merry christmas fucking ho ho ho we're all just little jeff mangums of the heart YA KNOW?

[@kirbytrooper]

i think magnum is the best live i just wish i could see him live just one more time

[@themitchies]

It's amazing what you can do with 2 chords

[@RobMoWMEB]

awesome sweater seriously thought,

[@unfinishedind]

i can't leave this joke up for any longer in good conscience. BUT it occurs to me that he could raise a buttload of money for a worthy cause by playing a single benefit somewhere, if he could muster himself up for it.

[@AdlejandroP]

Yeaahh i was surprised too when i noticed it wasnt there

[@radishhousepictures]

i was 2 years old

[@Vin2241]

He also put out an amazing noise album with the guy from of montreal.

[@lijkert]

majestic

[@lloplop]

i like i said, clown, complexity does not equal greatness. In fact, just using 7 chords makes him an even better. He captures himself, a spirit, his passion in his playing. No amount of knowledge or technical complexity will ever achieve that. It;s natural. small minded schlub.

[@CameronClarkeOG]

This is the best song ever. Fo' srs.

[@solidaridadobre]

Jesus fucking christ this is an amazing song

[@xxxspongebobxxxk]

YELLOWCARD!? No way. Jeff should not open for Yellowcard.

[@islaewm2850]

Can anyone explain what this song is about

[@nolanwolfe]

A dream Jeff had about a Ferris Wheel being set aflame and him running through a crowd to get away as it fades from view

[@cytoplasm7015]

end of a relationship

[@ratpissoi]

On almost all of his videos the majority of comments are about that sweater :P Bloody awesome sweater though...

[@OlNoKnees]

Actually, that song was Little Birds

[@boozerverif]

@Blomstrom Blomstrom: No, no, that's Nana Grizol. *badumt bssh!*

[@ronrockets14]

Dude people say thing's like that all the time. I doubt meeting Jeff Mangum is actually his life's goal that he strives towards every day. It's just something he'd really love to be able to do someday. Stop taking it so seriously. This is youtube.

[@dsotm13]

@punksk8r19 there is. i can't remember where i got it from but i'm glad i did haha

[@boozerverif]

@nolanpotter1 nolanpotter1, Do you know what the blues is? A real blues guitarist can get more emotion out of 7 chords than any carefully developed super elaborate composition. Jeff Mangum may not have played the blues, but he certainly understood how strong music writing and cooperation works.

[@oproductions]

This song isn't on any of their demos. It's a live only song.

[@johanthepirate]

Good god man, you really don't need two accounts to flame a guy. Also, what's your problem with NMH? I think they were a great band, personally.

[@unfinishedind]

did you hear about the obama benefit he's playing in brooklyn?

[@stereobread7]

@SeedsAreUs I disagree, it's a completely different vibe

[@popomczowzow]

@imasuperbeaver opening for yellowcard isn't far from it

[@Flamboyant8]

@xxxspongebobxxxk agreed

[@solidaridadobre]

I think I'd loose all respect for this band if they ever did a benifit for a politician.

[@boozerverif]

@NmHman127Nugget probably.

[@JohnObi]

I think you should get a new friend. >;P

[@st1nee]

Personally, I think making fun of another person's dream is pathetic.

[@bebopalulahola]

Anyone know the lyrics? or tabs?

[@Muckruckuck]

damn, youre right, shame on me for shitting on his dream of meeting a regular person who makes good music! you know what would happen if he met jeff? he would be disappointed because he's probably expecting every word that comes out of his mouth to be profound and deep. it would be just as interesting as speaking to any other person. sorry, but his dream is stupid, and if im a douche for saying that then whatever. hopefully he strives for more meaningful things.

[@Beastman5K]

He's saying "Jill Carnes" you tools. They never opened for Yellow Card.

[@st1nee]

You don't really know what other people define as "profound and deep", do you? You also_ don't really know if this individual has such expectations. Maybe he'd just be incredibly happy to meet his idol. But hell, of course that's a stupid dream, because wanting to meet someone you adore is pathetic. And yes, yes, _all_ of us should strive for more meaningful things, because surely everybody thinks the same things are meaningful. It's not like we're any different.

[@bibekd]

lol pwnd

[@dsotm13]

if anything, yellowcard should open for jeff

[@PhillyFlyers8]

nolanpotter1 how do you know if Jeff Mangum is a great guitarist? his music doesnt call for intricate guitar licks or complex progressions, that doesnt mean jeff isnt capable of them. it doesnt mean he IS either, but still you dont know.

[@Muckruckuck]

"Maybe he'd just be incredibly happy to meet his idol" and here lies the problem. he idolizes him. this is not justin bieber. we dont need fanboys who think their favorite musicians are gods. idols are for fools.

[@lloplop]

so the more difficult something is to play the better it sounds?

[@Muckruckuck]

thats pathetic if your biggest ambition is to meet another person. jeff is an ispiration to me too but some people put him at god status. if people are going to see him as an idol they might as well be dumb little girls who worship justin bieber. jeff is just a human who makes great music, nothing more.

[@arrrvee]

boy, that's an ugliest sweater i've seen -- just kidding! hey thanks for sharing this!