“Space Invader” - The National (LIVE on The Late Show)

[@curtislindsey1736]

Letterman's taste in music is always evolving. From Pearl Jam to Warren Zevon to the Foo Fighters to The National. He never gets stuck on repeat that's for sure!

[@shawnuel]

For me, the fact he had Nanci Griffith on his show 18 times pretty much says it all.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

@@shawnuel That was my first thought too! When they were talking about musical guests. I discovered Nanci on his show and became a life-long fan and I always looked forward to when she was on the show, you could tell how much he admired her.

[@shawnuel]

@@anastasiabeaverhausen8220 I discovered her in 1986 and was SO excited when she first appeared on Dave's show.

[@janetownley]

@@shawnuelI’ll have to see if that’s on KZbin! I miss Nanci and LOVE her music

[@davidc6032]

Zevon had some hits back in the 1970s and then spent years cranking out great stuff that never made the charts, but Dave always had him on until literally the end. As Warren said, Dave was his music's best friend. If you haven't seen his final appearance on Letterman, I highly recommend it.

[@gretchenlambrecht6557]

Love Stephen, love David, love The National. What a show.

[@MrTfrogco]

I've never heard of this band before...

[@burnacco]

@@MrTfrogco same wtf I think everybody here is just pretending 😭

[@youdbeinspired]

Colbert is a tool.

[@mcillancadfish]

I've been an avid fan of David Letterman since the 80's in NBC, 90's - 00's in CBS, and now in Netflix in his specials. This was truly something amazing! Thank youbso much Stephen Colbert for making this special! Now I'm going to copy this comment and paste it on every part of this video 😅

[@classactsexpertiseandinspi4815]

Would love to see Dave at least twice a year with Stephen, just batting the breeze about life like this. Lovely - I've missed Dave, I've been a fan since I first visited US in 1985 and caught his show when it was repeated at breakfast time on some channels. Was unique then still unique now and such a classy gentleman.

[@JohnnyRempit]

David Letterman's taste in music is absolutely impeccable.

[@zenseed75]

His show had a big influence on my music taste for sure.

[@rickm3779]

Never heard of this band until now. I was actually having a space invader moment and then watched this performance. The lyrics and music touched my heart and soul. Its been a long time, ironically not since the Foo Fighters a song and a band left such a great impression on me. Thank you Letterman… you are a gift, that keeps on giving! Love and miss you, David ! My only wish… Colbert would let you guest host from time to time. If there is a man who deserve to fill in the great Stephen Colbert chair… none better suited than Mr. Letterman.

[@ppettit]

meh ... this is mid

[@orbison]

Two words: Warren Zevon!

[@geelgarcia8294]

If this one moved you, you’ve got a deep catalog to work through of heart-wrenching sad dad tunes.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

Excellent performance. Drummer back there doin' work. Nice dynamics.

[@dayzaudio]

Everyone go buy their album to show some real support and love / give it as a gift to someone. Thanks Stephen for all the laughs and heart. And Dave for a lifetime of tying our lives together through our years and growing up. 🙏

[@mrufino1]

My gosh this mix is impeccable.

[@ВасилийЛегейдо-л8ш]

Love love love this song and this performance! Best band in the world

[@primalyscreamed]

Late Night TV doesn't get any better than this. Sublime.

[@jsegura525]

Just saw The National in Albuquerque on their tour. It was a smashing concert. Loved it. Will hopefully see them in Rome and Paris in the spring. Yahoo.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

DAVID LETTERMAN + STEPHEN COLBERT + THE NATIONAL = DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.!!!

[@cindywiech2675]

Only beat this if FF’s were on the show!!

[@BernDiggityDog]

Dave was my comedic hero and sanity savior throughout my professional career working afternoons at the Detroit Free Press. His amazing show with Paul and the band, the guy under the stage (Chris Elliot), stupid pet tricks, top 10 lists, amazing break-through musicians he helped launch, Larry Bud Melman, his flirty routine visits from Teri Garr, re-launching the career of and attention to Darlene Love, viewer mail and the countless trip into the audience for a variety of reasons. God bless you always, my dear cosmic friend Dave!

[@donnal.carlkuchinski1394]

Dave was such a huge part of my life....attended many shows first at NBC, then the Ed Sullivan Theatre....I thank him with all my heart for the joy he always brought my way and in 1994 I got to meet him on 53rd street...he was so very kind!!

[@floepiejane]

Didn't he also introduce the velcro suit? I remember some guy jumping up to stick himself on the wall. Crazy shit lol. Stupid Human Tricks? Anyway, great show tonight, Colbert. Thank you both for all the entertainment throughout my life. Cheers ✌🏽🌻

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

You speak for me. And I go back to loving Dave all the way to the NBC Morning Show he did (remember Coffee Cup Theater.)

[@AB_Cos]

yep, Leno was like hotdog water soup... Dave was a spicy burrito with a half hit of LSD

[@floepiejane]

@@AB_Cos Leno who lol

[@sargentrowell81]

This has to become an annual thing. Next year Dave should come back and Foo Fighters should play. 2025 he should come back and it should be Green Day. Just get all of the heavy hitters from his run that were so memorable.

[@longagoandfaraway7868]

Maybe Darlene Love and Warren Zevon in an AI hologram

[@oaks5777]

The week of Thanksgiving too! On his wife's birthday!

[@nursiemarcieable]

If Dave would agree to coming back, I'd absolutely sign on for THAT.

[@STOFLI]

Saw them twice in Europe and already have tickets for the 2024 tour. Great band.

[@jsegura525]

I just saw the National in Albuquerque NM USA two weeks ago... what a show, no barrier at the stage, folks were up at the stage and Matt was in their face. Where in Europe are you going to see them? ... Rome or Paris? We followed Sigur Ros 12 months ago from Paris to Luxembourg to Koln to Amsterdam and Brussels then back to Paris. Do you have a travel person to go with already?

[@STOFLI]

​@@jsegura525 In Munich, Matt ran across the hall and sang on a long bar. In Portugal, it was in an old bullfighting arena where he was suddenly standing in the ranks of the audience. Great shows.

[@Justusson]

What a great show. They should do more of these, with just one guest. Granted, they would have to be as interesting and funny as Letterman, but still 😊

[@nikobatallones]

It seems since the writers’ strike ended he’s done a lot more one-guest shows.

[@MsMiika13]

Love to see a Dick Cavett redux!

[@GracelessBeast]

Sublime song and brilliant performance! Outro gave me chills, just like the album version. I'm eternally grateful to The National for creating such a beautiful music that resonates with me deeply. And thanks to David Letterman for inviting them, he really does have a good taste!

[@CaseyJoLoos]

the national. 😭 every. 👏time! 👏

[@doodlebug36]

Best American band in existence right now.

[@zakamoriarty]

They are also without a doubt the best band I have ever seen live. I've already booked tickets for two of their UK shows next year.

[@JanetBeebe-nh9re]

Aren't they Canadian?

[@doodlebug36]

@@JanetBeebe-nh9re Nope. From Cincinnati, Ohio.

[@beckstar78]

@@JanetBeebe-nh9re their sound reminds me of some canadian acts for sure

[@naman-mishra]

@@beckstar78tell me which ones please i am content starved

[@carlfalt174]

Never heard of the band but loved that song

[@jsegura525]

Give their new album a listen. You’ll really enjoy it.

[@JanetBeebe-nh9re]

You're missing out

[@alanhyland5697]

I just figured out why I was so glad to see Dave on your show, with his boob-ish smile, and all that. It's not just nostalgia. It's the nostalgia that brings me back to a time when American democracy wasn't dying and the world wasn't about to end.

[@kkpenney444]

Right? I was thinking very similarly. Good times. Now heartbreaking times.

[@UnkleBen]

Globally Society has always been on the verge of implosion. I too think fondly of the 90s and 80s but there was a lot of War a lot of death and a lot of starvation happening then to we just chose to ignore it because we didn't have the internet.

[@kkpenney444]

@@UnkleBen The planet is going to be uninhabitable for billions by mid-century, but ok.

[@UnkleBen]

@@kkpenney444 was NOT saying we shouldnt care, or shouldnt try to save ourselves. just saying those "good ol days" were just as fuc*ed as now, we just werent reminded of it constantly.

[@kkpenney444]

@@UnkleBen And I say it's different. There was still a prevailing optimism that the future will be better for us and our kids; that we'll continue to progress. Not so anymore.

[@suzannehardesty7918]

For me, the best part of seeing them on the show is that earlier that week the guitarists were accepting Hall of Fame Artist awards at their high school.

[@WordAte]

The National is always finding a new way to express their sound. This is a great song.

[@Justusson]

Super great - I really enjoyed this one,.. ☝️👍

[@jsegura525]

A love song. I love it.

[@gheller2261]

Please, I beg of you to explain how this is a great song. Pedestrian lyrics, no melody, just a mish mash of sounds boring me to tears.

[@WordAte]

@@gheller2261 It is ok that people have different tastes in music. I imagine you scream at people when they eat foods you do not like.

[@jsegura525]

@@gheller2261- a song of love between two, that may never have happened if things had gone a different way. You have to have lived life and its experiences to grasp what some lyrics are really meaning. How and why did you get here to find a way to not like the National music.

[@lifeofnanaa]

my faves

[@rmatson]

One of the greatest Late Nights I’ve ever seen, all around, everyone!

[@lashendawest7509]

We love your show stephen colbert

[@ВасилийЛегейдо]

Masterful performance! Shorter outro than in studio version, but still sounds epic. Matt's mumbling adds to the wall of sound, Bryan and Bryce are on fire!

[@kitskivich]

What do you want to bet the band let Letterman choose the song too? I love that Colbert incorporated Letterman into the host role so he could walk on set and thank the band as he used to do.

[@longagoandfaraway7868]

I was hoping Dave was gonna do a monologue. And it would've been really cool if Colbert had snuck Paul Shaffer in with the band so when Dave turned to acknowledge them he'd seen his old buddy.

[@keytricec637]

At first I was thrown with the identical faces in the band. What a relief to know they’re twins and not just my mind playing tricks on me.

[@jsegura525]

I met the twins father at the show in Albuquerque 11/14/23. Dad was touring with the band 60 concerts and x countries. What a wonderful thing to do with the boys.

[@lorigoshert6667]

I hadn't heard them before, to my knowledge. Actual instruments, including guitars (relatively uncommon today)! Unique sound. I like it.

[@nightjarflying]

Guitars are very common today

[@calliope720]

You're in for a treat - they have an impressive back-catalog with a lot to offer. You'll probably like this new album, Laugh Track, and if you like the sound from Space Invader particularly, you'll probably really enjoy their 2017 album Sleep Well Beast as well. But I also recommend dipping back and listening to the 2007 album Boxer - that's where I started, and it made me fall in love forever.

[@Dee-x9f]

New to me, too. Shades of Gord Downie/Tragically Hip. Will have to check out more from them...

[@SethReddington]

⁠@@Dee-x9flisten to their albums High Violet, Trouble Will Find Me, Boxer. Fantastic band

[@LeeMillerMatsos]

Just beautiful.

[@gtrrs71]

David Letterman brought me so much good music I can't even belive it. David, we love you.

[@zyonsdream]

There are very few bands where I collect every possible piece of music. Alice Cooper, Static X and the National are all on that list.

[@reverandbishop4668]

Static X discography must be wild...

[@beans1030]

Love his voice

[@Em4gdn1m]

all 3 notes.

[@rma6070]

It's the first time I've heard the national it's like Lou Reed joined U2 and they decided to become a little prog! Pretty cool! I will have to check out more of these guys! Thanks to Dave and Stephen for inviting them!👍

[@alexkeller6139]

You have a beautiful and diverse catalog to work through, enjoy!!

[@johnheath4305]

yes dave good band

[@travisthornton1792]

Seeing a Gibson Non-reverse Firebird VII in a live performance is atypical; seeing two of them on the same stage is exceptionally rare

[@blairtinkle4563]

Letterman, Colbert, The National. Aces.

[@jeffbangkok]

Thank you

[@Bsalts123]

legends. kings.

[@33CHRISTINA33]

💖💚LOVE💚💝

[@captainkane1984]

Love, love, LOVE these guys! Somebody once described them to me as “what happens when Math Teachers form a band!” 😂

[@denisefreitas6727]

Awesome!!!!!!

[@ardhiynwa556]

Best band ever 🎉

[@sashafathi6332]

THANKS STEVEN

[@hugomego7329]

I love late night music. I feel like I'm in a bar in ❤NY.

[@Rubin4749]

Letterman was ALWAYS "My guy". My favorite late night host. So this is a kind and generous thing from Colbert. Extremely kind. So both Colbert and Kimmel are the guys now. But this was a genuine and kind thing Colbert did. Letterman was at the core of my heart always. We love you guys so much. Letterman I love you

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

The best American band in 2023.

[@mathewpayes7019]

Broken Bells from Live on Letterman was one my favorites.

[@julieaudreyward4474]

A great song-- able to interpret into a personalized definition of love and liss😂

[@RippieFarmer]

If no one has said it yet, David looks absolutely awesome with that beard❤

[@rma6070]

Nowadays I'm kind of used to it but for me it still looks like Dave with some fur on his face.

[@JordanJones16]

Youn did an amazing show

[@Jwdryswak]

Dave's the man...

[@HimanyannoOkan]

This voice brings back memories.

[@monl3807]

Never heard of them i should have im David's age .😮 1:46

[@martintburgess]

"Are those your drums?" Dave

[@carschmn]

How cool for them to get a call when they’re supposed to be in India that David Letterman wants them to come to the late show.

[@jsegura525]

What is this about India? They just wrapped up their US tour. Now they are going overseas.

[@carschmn]

@@jsegura525 watch the whole letterman interview. Dave said the band was originally unavailable but changed their plans when they heard he had wanted to see them.

[@daveclark8337]

@@jsegura525 Dave made a joke that the band was playing in Mumbai the night before and came to the Ed Sullivan at his request.

[@momphard]

Hot damn.

[@TheMrsEmpty]

I didn't know Frank from Shameless played guitar with them! 🤔😂

[@stevebrown1221]

That was my first thought! William H Macy

[@DavidHenderson-z7z]

The National sound a lot like Bowie.

[@shawnuel]

Just after this performance was when Colbert first experienced any sign of the burst appendix that occurred the next day after taping the show. Man, that guy has gone through it with multiple Covid bouts and the appendix asploding!

[@nursiemarcieable]

Okay, now that I know David Letterman likes The National, I have to give them a listen. I mean, back in the day, Letterman had The Killers sing at his reception. He's really with it!

[@jasonhalogen]

the ONLY thing missing is Dave asking the drummer how he likes the rentals.

[@torontorox]

✌🧡

[@looneygardener]

Not my cup of tea, but that's fine. Love Dave and Steve!

[@beckstar78]

never heard em before this, but the singer reminds me of a cross between bruce cockburn and maybe leonard cohen and a twist of ohgr from skinny puppy.

[@ronparsons8786]

Hot damn

[@KunstimHerzen]

I love it!❤

[@martiemc8398]

Among the top of Stevens, interviews! Up there with Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen, the Boss!

[@colwilliamnoydb4134]

Like Carson, David became the hand of god of a Comedian or a Musical Group. Davids taste in music is amazing. The Foo Fighters and Dear Norm McDonald was a happy ending.

[@Cartier_specialist]

I thought Dave would request Warren Zevon Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner. I'm well aware Warren is no longer with us but I always thought that was Dave's favorite song.

[@TheeGaryValentine]

I always remember Dave’s infatuation with Natalie Merchant.

[@toddtalley1]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@hippydippy]

"More Pedal Boards!" LOL

[@craigcampbell1843]

I was hoping to get to hear Dave ask the drummer if the drums were his. You know he did. Bad move on the sound guy’s part. Or the producer. Or the edit for KZbin. We were all waiting for it.

[@jerkchapter12]

Can’t believe how many comments I went through before someone said it.

[@henkar6920]

Dave didn´t ask if the drums were rentals...

[@nathanhickey8932]

FUTURE ISLANDS “I’ll take all of that ya got!”

[@Jmp5nb]

I’m trying to imagine that without Chump and his band of traitors just how nice comedy can be without politics. A great show tonight!

[@jimmyradosta]

I was hoping Dave would ask, “Are those your drums?”

[@jsegura525]

The Nation make music about real life experiences. If you don’t understand the meanings, ask Google to explain. ❤

[@FerretsInBathtubs]

Reminds me of The Tragically Hip

[@janetownley]

The C Train to Rockaway eh 😊

[@allcal88]

Wish he still screamed sometimes 😔

[@kareneverett125]

[@432bass]

The silencerss/U2/REM

[@imwelshjesus]

Ren is now.

[@Yourereallykiddingme]

Dont forget Future Islands...

[@hunedog8693]

Heavily influenced by Leonard Cohen IMHO with minor Alt Vibes.

[@ROOKTABULA]

I don't understand... They are playing instruments, aren't snapped to a grid, aren't using autotune and are singing lyrics that aren't banal and throwaway. How will this band find an audience in today's music buying public?

[@craigcampbell1843]

It sounds like you need to get out more.

[@DarrellLong71]

They've had a pretty good run for the last 25 years, so .... :)

[@ROOKTABULA]

@@craigcampbell1843 Sounds like someone being sardonic is something you fail to recognize.

[@craigcampbell1843]

@@ROOKTABULA I recognized the intent but that would still imply that you think there aren’t many bands out there today who play real instruments or that consumers today don’t listen to many bands who play real instruments. If you think that then you’re not really listening or paying attention or need to get out more or go to different shows. Maybe your only exposure to live music is SNL and late night talk shows.

[@ROOKTABULA]

@@craigcampbell1843 Anal retentive much? You must get invited to a lot of parties.

[@vivianzenari8522]

i'm a twin. Can i join the National?

[@jeffmaehre7150]

I don't know if they invaded the peformance space, but they commanded it.

[@wowwow8617]

These songs are much better with drums

[@ismaeils]

Ngl, there's a big gap in The National's performance between studio records and their live music. Listen to Space Invader. It's a masterpiece on record.

[@fredricclack7137]

National WUT?! 🥱

[@GwendolynnSueDoe]

Shave, Dave. Please.

[@d2mini]

I didn't know William H Macy was in The National.

[@ikestoddard2458]

Did Letterman have Jim Carroll sing “People who Died” ?

[@OfTheGaps]

The National? I thought they'd changed their name to Panasonic.

[@1ManNamedDan]

Pretty great performance except where the vocal mix got jacked at the end, no echo or chorus and volume dropped on main mic 3:00 and the back ups had no volume either (see singer check on them 3:59). Sound mixer should be looking for other work by now for such a colossal failure. This band is worthy of Dave's hype and their live show is usually way better than this.

[@moviescinema958]

So true! Really disappointing, could definitely tell something was wrong 😕

[@MuddyRavine]

Actually the vocals are louder here than in the recorded version for the 2nd half of the song. They are supposed to be buried and mumbled. Just saying, I don't think anybody needs to be fired for this... that seems like a little bit of an extreme reaction.

[@YearwigY]

From 3:00 the vocals are deliberately mumbled and quiet

[@annmarieholland4242]

I'm not a fan of this mumbling!

[@PaulWolfe1]

Yeah that's how the song sounds, to go with the madness of the lyrics. "Quarter after four in the morning and my heart [is] software gore" ("Software gore" is a tech term meaning massive software malfunction)

[@youdbeinspired]

To be honest, I love The National but there's always something too 'loose' about Berninger's live performance. It's inaudible and lacks power maybe because it's just too low.