The War On Drugs - Strangest Thing (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents The War On Drugs performing "Strangest Thing" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded August 1, 2017.
Host: Troy Nelson
Audio Engineers: Jeff Byrd & Kevin Suggs
Audio Mastering: Matt Ogaz
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Alaia D'Alessandro & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Jim Beckmann
kexp.org
thewarondrugs.net

[@D_B_Cooper]

I want to find a girl that I love as much as I love this song

[@radkid06]

AMEN TO THAT!!!

[@Kaos77girl]

Hello, you found me! :D

[@7eventhirty344]

DB Cooper don't go missing again! Come back, you have Gina now!

[@arshedfazal]

Word! Now that's a proper comment

[@D_B_Cooper]

After being heartbroken tonight I remembered this comment for some reason. No relationship can be worth how badly I feel now.

[@cryptovc]

It is very possible that this is the greatest song ever written.

[@majortom8990]

Maybe more cowbell? In all seriousness, I absolutely agree. 'I Can't Make You Love Me' sung by Bonnie Raitt is a contender, though. I don't know you, but I wish you everything good in life. ✌❤🍺

[@majortom8990]

That's a difficult feat, but I agree with your sentiment. Cheers.

[@mrhoffame]

All joking aside...I will easily give it one of the top 25 in the past 20 years!

[@Willhomes71]

“Be the writer of your own story.” Amen to that.

[@pauld205]

The melody. The tension and release. The melancholy. This song is both precious and devastating. The sax has a blade runner/vangelis vibe.

[@mrhoffame]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes!!

[@micaharlon9998]

The War on Drugs pulled me through a REALLY rough time, the death of Tommy B. Harlon, my father, the hero of my life. Thank you, Adam and Company.

[@wolfpack1211]

I’m so mad at myself for how long it took me to discover the greatness of this band. This is legit one of the best songs ever made

[@griptears]

every now and then I realise its been several months since I last heard it, and when i listen again i cant help but break down and cry at its beauty. I am so glad you have found it as well.

[@jamesredbow6346]

Yes

[@mikemike1477]

"the sky is painted in a wash of indigo", followed by the sax... what a lyric.....

[@chandrashekhermishra5847]

They play the outro in loop in heaven

[@ryckjunior9911]

I can't even count the amount of times I've listened to this song these past 2 years. It has taken me away from all this shit so many times. Pure bliss.

[@rockandrolldigit84]

I echo your wirds wholeheartedly. A beautiful piece from perhaps the greatest band ever from Philadelphia.

[@cameronbrown5134]

Amen

[@rudyb.gutierrezc.1083]

This song gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

[@tonyjamesr116]

Caught between the beauty and the pain, goosebumps! What a great line

[@theNeathBoy]

This guy is a class act. Writes from the heart, plays from the heart. When I recommend this to my friends I sum it up as ‘the best band you never heard of’.

[@johnford2661]

Your summary is close, but I believe Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree take that title.

[@mountainmanwannabe9495]

If in 20 years I shall need hearing aids due to listening to that solo while wearing headphones; then it will be well worth it.

[@user-sm5wp4uj1q]

Multi-layered musical perfection. What a band.

[@danielmorales7232]

Best song of the album, and best album of the year!

[@xerxesalmighty9444]

Amen. Epic!

[@ryckjunior9911]

That piano bit at 1:43 gets me everytime. Tear jerker

[@mrhoffame]

If you didn't know who this band was you would TOTALLY believe me if I said this is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and covered by Bob Dylan with Prince making a guest appearance on the guitar solo at the end. Like those artist or not....if you are conjuring up what they have brought to music over 5+ decades...you are TRULY making music!!!!!

[@XoXo475]

Absolutely spot on buddy ❤

[@slockyboy]

I'm living in the space between, the beauty and the pain.

[@Sterlingx11]

This is a breathtaking performance. Leaves you hanging on every chord until the explosion of guitars

[@Rocks4You97]

it would have been such a hit a few decades ago

[@nickschenck770]

This is a masterpiece.

[@DriesDhont]

Laying here alone in bed without my girlfriend who has been in hospital for a few days now. Praying tears to my eyes, praying for her that she will get better soon... 😢

[@ssssssarahhhhhhvz]

Dries Dhont breathtaking. I really got Lucky to have you by my side. You saved me before, in any possible way a woman can be saved. It will be allright aslong as we got each other. I love you so much 💕❤️💖

[@homosexualpanic]

So are you two married yet or what?

[@terranloudenback2102]

@@homosexualpanic She died.

[@terciopelomulticolor]

He looks like Neil Young and sings like a 1975 Bob Dylan! Amazing band, and the best song of the album in my opinion.

[@danielespinoza6569]

Gustavo Parada Gacitúa Concuerdo. Además, los solos son muy parecidos a los de Young por eso del 4:30

[@frankeinstein1570]

When I first heard that song (didn't know the band) I said, dude that sounds like Dylan singing, is it Dylan? No?

[@peterhermans5433]

Same guitar ”belt”as Neil on Old Black I think .....

[@kevkevdj]

And a little bit of Bryan Adams

[@hughnunez7331]

Fuuuuck I'm still crying. This is music for the Soul

[@WoundedEgo]

They have found a sweet spot... There's no sadness, just some kind of sense of defiance without malice. Whispers of "There's more and the door is opening".

[@sergioival84]

I don't know, it's not sadness, it never has been, but they can hit such a big range of emotions, it's melancholy, it's an urge for better things to come, it's that little hope that those better things will come. What an amazing band.

[@adrianr108]

I'm always amazed by the KEXP's sound engineering. Thanks for doing these and other bands justice. Feels like we're living in the space between with this lockdown. Gonna need some kind of releasing back into the wild rehab. But for now, listen to the music, Woah, oh listen to the music All the time

[@southernsaintjamie]

Amen!

[@libano90]

what a beautiful guitar solo, what a beautiful song, what a beautiful album

[@Macattack1338]

This is possibly the best live performance I've ever seen.

[@AldoXLC]

Everytime I'm feeling down I just return to this great song. You'll always find a place in music.

[@TerryR67]

actually brings tears to my eyes

[@sjice69]

Yep, it also hit me deeply.

[@Mufalucker]

Whether you're focused on lyrics or focused on the music, this song...this band, had all the bases covered!

[@alexanderwiser2711]

The man, the myth, Charlie Hall on Drums taught me how to play and is still a great friend today. This song kicks total ass.

[@chrisk7082]

Adam G is one talented individual! Great singer songwriter and a virtuoso guitarist 🎸 ❤

[@lcrooks69]

The melody of Coldplay, the lyrics of The National, the soul of Bruce Springsteen. Thank you so much for this brilliant ethereal music.

[@bobbyaxelrod5893]

Coldplay??? GTFOH

[@Ultraviolencari]

lcrooks69 TF COLDPLAY ?!?

[@danielespinoza6569]

lcrooks69 Don’t forget Dylan at the vocals

[@jimrollins7160]

The War on Drugs sound like....The War on Drugs.

[@pimpleneck79]

More like don Henley and U2

[@elryangoslingdelosfeos]

I have been following this band for a few years due to a recommendation, i have said it before and I will say it again now, this band saved my life on many occasions, i always return to their music when I am looking for peace and harmony, it is a pleasure to see that they make music so beautiful that it has the power to save lives, that is what this band is for me, a salvation, a pat for the soul, thank you guys, i only have to give you my thanks and my deep gratitude for healing my soul and my heart, thank you for helping me with your music to follow the path of light, thank you for getting me out of that dark place that is depression, much love for you guys.

[@poppafalcon5846]

Hearing this song for the first time, and realizing that I had no idea as to how much I NEEDED THIS TRACK IN MY LIFE.

[@nishantadas5937]

I watched them live in December 2023 It was a 75 minutes show I was so mesmerized by them that I couldn’t even take out my phone to take a picture or make a video. I was taken into some other planet, I was just not there.

[@mrhoffame]

I stepped around this band for so, so long and never gave them a chance...then I was in a record store, heard this playing and bought the album. I remember coming home, listening to it, and LITERALLY saying "Thank God Music is back in Music"!!!!

[@katebadley2765]

mrhoffame I did the same thing, i.e., ‘stepped around this band for so long” - - but you know, I think you have to be in a certain headspace to let this music in. You have to have logged some miles, earning it. As I age I find that my musical choices are more subtle, but heck if they don’t bring big waves of emotion. Maybe it’s counter-intuitive to most, but I love going there. Big feels, a solid cry-a spiritual bloodletting. I feel like the right music forces you to confront latent emotion that’s formed an albatross around your neck.

[@blagger42]

Well said Sir. You are so right. I love that guitar solo

[@ORLOSTguy]

@@katebadley2765 What a perfect description of being true to the music. A phrase I originally heard back in 1978 from the late drummer Jeff Porcaro.

[@mrhoffame]

@@katebadley2765 Could not agree with you more!!

[@jamesredbow6346]

This song breaks my heart every time I hear it. But it is simply one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.

[@charlesstover1520]

This is the greatest music ever made.

[@cbyam1300]

30 dislikes.... Now that's the strangest thing !!

[@philiphyndman3583]

The second half of this performance is even better than the album version. So dreamy with 3 chords looping until the end.

[@StayBlur]

Really man, I did not know of this band and I just listened and then 3:33 came.. what an unbelievable good tune!! WOW!

[@mikemike1477]

why are there not 20x the views for this? Puts all the pop/rap/hip hop crap so far in the rear view mirror... breaks my heart for music today.....

[@helenesuss4606]

Am I living in the space between the beauty and the pain

[@peoplevsradio317]

Helene Suss just like dave mathews

[@a1d795]

Summer ride on a beach And howl at the day I've been hiding out so long I gotta find another way Late at night I wanna see you Well my eyes, they begin to fade Am I just living in the space between The beauty and the pain And the real thing Now the sky is painted In a wash of indigo I've been holding on too long In the howling of this cold Recognize every face But I ain't got everything I need If I'm just living in the space between The beauty and the pain It's the strangest thing Yeah, should-haves surrounding me Surrounded by the whole Surrounded by no other I wanna ride home Yeah, be the writer of your own story Let it turn into you into love again Yeah, be the writer of your own story Let it turn into you into love again Yeah, I can run slowly Don't run away again Yeah, I can run the stones Don't run away again I wanna run, I wanna run Yeah, I can run the stones Run the stones

[@shaunoakford9272]

Apart from every other fantastic thing going on with this brilliant KEXP recording... That drummer.. that drummer... that's a man in the zone.. on point.. and in command.. very, very nice

[@darktrain1971]

Just wow.. Goosebumps!😮

[@NeonPixels81]

*note*: These lyrics are for _this version_ of the song as performed. [Verse 1] Some are right underneath And "how I look today?" I've been hiding out so long, yeah... I gotta find another way [Chorus] Late at night, I wanna see you Well, my eyes, they begin to fade Am I livin' in the space between The beauty and the pain And the real thing? [Verse 2] Now the sky is painted In a wash of indigo I've been hidin' out so long, yeah... That I hardly know the score [Chorus] I recognize every face But I still got everything I need Am I livin' in the space between The beauty and the pain? ...it's the strangest thing [Instrumental Break] [Bridge] Yeah, should I survive the night... Surrounded by the whole... Surrounded by no other... ...I wanna ride it home [Instrumental Solo] [Outro] Yeah, be the writer of your own story Let it turn into your heart again Yeah, be the writer of your own story Turn it to... I wanna run... [Instrumental Solo]

[@hyrumnielsen4390]

Thanks. Get some weird lyrics elsewhere for the first couple and last few lines.

[@NeonPixels81]

@@hyrumnielsen4390 Part of the issue is he has peformed it differently here and there, for example the line "I've been hiding out so long", sometime's he's performed it as "I've been holding out so long...", and the line "Should-have's surrounding me..." he sometimes seems to switch to "...so should I survive the night", making the lyrics on Google and Spotify are a bit messy. It seems like he has a bit of a Dylan / Van Morrison thing going on.

[@3rdLamar]

No comment can do this song justice. It’s that perfect.

[@SpeedyJetson]

My soul gets teleported to outer space @ 3:33

[@jacksonwolf6123]

No at 4:57

[@kynes99]

It sounds even better on the album version I think

[@melissabrattoni]

This performance gave me goosebumps and tears simultaneously! LOVE IT!

[@sylvainletourneau9541]

We are not listening we feel it.... i'm like wowyess 😇💙

[@chefjonsf]

"If I'm just living in the space between The beauty and the pain It's the strangest thing" there is no space. there is nothing between beauty and pain. and that is something.

[@galooguy]

If there is life out there, somewhere, I truly hope they'll know us by music such as this.

[@RV-rz7tv]

I am so touched I even get teary thinking of what I just heard. Finding this band by accident on SoundCloud before the last record got out still got me feeling lucky and blessed. So Much love to all of you !!

[@christianborris6754]

So their live album, Live Drugs, came out last week. Its a fantastic album with great quality audio. I can say now that KEXP has THE BEST recording of this song out there.

[@christianborris6754]

@DJ Protegent They did, and it's great, but this is still better.

[@Sarlomac]

I agree. I think this is the best version of that song. It’s beautiful.

[@kevinvalde]

Lyrics Summer ride on a beach And howl at the day I've been hiding out so long I gotta find another way Late at night I wanna see you Well my eyes, they begin to fade Am I just living in the space between The beauty and the pain And the real thing Now the sky is painted In a wash of indigo I've been holding on too long In the howling of this cold Recognize every face But I ain't got everything I need If I'm just living in the space between The beauty and the pain It's the strangest thing Yeah, should-haves surrounding me Surrounded by the whole Surrounded by no other I wanna ride home Yeah, I can run slowly Don't run away again Yeah, I can run the stones Don't run away again I wanna run, I wanna run Yeah, I can run the stones Run the stones

[@crabsackmccringle1687]

Simplistic music, done with quality instruments, and precise structure. And it sounds amazing

[@richarddurocher2605]

Incredible! ... I must also say... amazing work by the KEXP audio guys... that's 2 songs of War on Drugs from KEXP that have topped their respective versions on the studio albums (IMO - Ocean Between the Waves and Strangest Thing-)... both in play and sound. Thanks so much to everyone in this video! Have a nice day.

[@lnsarto2404]

I hope "Eyes to the wind" isn't that far in your top list :)

[@daithelowis]

Seriously, Eyes to the Wind on KEXP was 100000x better than album version, and the album version is still my favorite song on the album!!

[@sapodilla25]

Eyes to the Wind is also so so so beautiful on KEXP.

[@BeeEmEcks]

I didn't know a song could be this good

[@timothywagner8798]

Absolutely dig this dog. It’s a go to for me. I find it mesmerizing, uplifting and emotional. Love TWOD

[@joaocordeiro2036]

This is pure MAGIC!

[@jjclaws]

God that feedback at 3:39 makes my hair stand on end. Amazing solo. This band produce such a layered wall of sound. Just incredible

[@lyndaframe1986]

❤ I am loving every track of TWOD especially live versions❤🙏🎶🎧

[@jonathansosa1781]

Unbelievable.

[@babelD]

This song always makes me cry, so much emotion in it. gorgeous

[@jamesredbow6346]

God dsmmit i know I’ve commented before but this is actually the best song I’ve ever heard in life. This song is the goat. God it makes me feel.

[@kihunipunk]

Hands down one of the best songs I've ever heard. Everything about this band is absolutely incredible.

[@strictlynorton]

Adam is amazing....

[@allenroy1638]

Charlie Hall nailed it at 4:23! And then an amazing guitar! Wow just wow!

[@AleksandarGospic]

Amazing! Just discovered The War On Drug, what a treasure to find!

[@Alex-dz2oi]

3:33 is that moment when you’ve been acting strong, holding your emotions back and you hit a breaking point where your voice shudders and it all comes pouring out at once.

[@artwookie]

A little sax goes a long way , guitar tone, and a little Dylan whine to his voice. Good sounds!

[@Ben180173]

Stunning. I love when a person knows how to really play a Gretsch.

[@Joni_H8]

One of the best songs.. Ever.

[@lonankeane4241]

what a magical blend of sound. genius

[@thomaswilliams3799]

Therapy

[@kevinurban1963]

SUCH A GREAT BAND

[@dmoneyrepresent7024]

The quality of all aspects of this are incredible…the set, the audio and the camera work…simply beautiful. Thank You for the time and energy that went into this

[@Finsami71]

This is like Jesus takin my sins away and sayin' it's okay.

[@ryckjunior9911]

Absolution

[@winchoschaferofficial6252]

This music is just beautiful. And this band is something else 💜💜💜⏯

[@michaelarmstrong2625]

This is the best band on the planet…. And it’s not even close anymore!

[@nobodyisperfect49]

Verdammte Axt...was für ein Song. Brutal gut. Was wäre die Welt ohne Musik

[@Jelle528]

Probably my favourite song off the new album, excellent sound mixing as well

[@millionvivy]

What a band, what a songwriting, what a sound. Magnificent.

[@stephenhudson6055]

This song is everything.. the solo @4.26 👏👏👏👏👏

[@radkid06]

There are so many lines in their songs that just hit home for me. What an incredible band.

[@cesartorres3835]

This music is just too magnificent for words to do it justice. Audio euphoria that transcends dimensions.

[@Aureliants]

Their songs are out of this world, love them so much

[@Yoyimojo]

So awesome how they dedicated that song to Cheryl! The true mom of indie

[@radkid06]

Best performance I can find of this one...what a masterpiece.

[@demomictlan]

what a wonderful performance!! simply powerfull!!

[@TemptedYouthMusic]

Amazing, emotions so strong :)

[@letmetellyousomething123]

Magical song.

[@kalikalay7]

wow. my heart just grew ten times its regular size---sigh

[@fireflysean]

Best track on the album. Bloody love it.

[@aliceportela3760]

I love that every version I listen of The War on Drugs songs there is a slighty difference in the way Granduciel sings some words. I thinks that’s fucking incredible :’)

[@exponent42]

this sounds even better than the studio version, amazing

[@user-hx5eq6qg9x]

Beautiful.....underrated band

[@miguelangelflores7571]

great song, you're great Adam G.

[@rohaihuparaguay]

Every note from that white falcon guitar feels like sparkling candy dipped in honey. Not just an amazing song but also, what a transcendental guitar tone.