Deciphering Dave Letterman's musical taste

Has anyone been able to do it? Can some of you actually be watching one of his shows live and go, "Dave might actually like these guys"?

I mean here's this dude at 63, who by all institutions should be heralding The Rolling Stones as the last great rock band and everything subsequent as comparable to an infant's explosive discharge. He's been in the game (or at least has had his own show) since 1984, and has thus seen everything from Beastie Boys to Pavement to Britney Spears to Kanye , etc, and so on: if you've heard of it, Dave likely featured them. So I figure with so much exposure to the "latest & greatest" in the musical world that Dave might sift past the pretensions of his boomer generation and possibly like something (it's impossible to note because the camera never shows how Dave reacts to any of the acts on his show).

But most of the time he's only courteous - he'll shake the artists hands, repeat their name, and fin. Of yet, the only time I'm aware that he's given a personal opinion about one's record is with Stephen Malkmus's debut:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEanHqTHIyA
where not once, but twice, he remarks on how great the album is. Which only surprises me, considering Malkmus heirs from the ultimate in 60's, 70's heresay - that being Pavement, or as somebody had remarked in the "what your parents think about your music taste" thread - "mom: i've seen the led zeppelin too many times to stand for this shit".

Mostly it seems that if he doesn't think much of an act he simply thanks them, and if he likes them he makes sure to be vocal about it (just found this one in addition: he refers to the Yeah Yeah Yeah's as a "great, great band"). The exception I think would be The Strokes, of which I read in some interview with J. Casablancas that during the Take It Or Leave It performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csD4ZgMPgvg
in which Casablancas slams the mic down that Letterman is seen to be clearly annoyed with the act - but as aforementioned, all cameras are locked on the band. But I'm a little iffy on this source, as I'm pretty sure I read it in an unusually elaborate YouTube comment some time years ago. Um...

he loves Green Day.

they have a running gag with the drummer running off at the end of the performance, and Dave gets a kick out of that too.

the Foo Fighters' "Everlong" is one of his favorite songs and had them come perform it a 2nd time for his first show back after having surgery.

in the mid-90s he had Blues Traveler on CONSTANTLY and seemed to really love them.

fuk. i meant for this to go in ILM.

in the mid-90s he had Blues Traveler on CONSTANTLY and seemed to really love them.

He's had the Strokes on FOUR times, Julian C. on an additional, and I imagine they'll be featured once more whenever that new album comes out.

i grew up watching Letterman pretty much my whole life and in high school when i got heavy into music my brother and i had a VHS tape full of music performances from any time a band we liked was on a late night talk show -- i feel like i can remember several instances of Letterman being especially enthusiastic or bemused after a performance but at the moment no particular examples are springing to mind.

Blues Traveler have been on Letterman at least SEVENTEEN times apparently. not counting times John Popper sat in w/ Paul and the band.

kinda half-hearted re: Sleater-Kinney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYAitpi6Dhg

Dave was also good friends with Warren Zevon, had him on the show a lot and sang backup on one of his records once

http://i54.tinypic.com/r019br.jpg

whodat

posting this just for the moment when Joe wings his Telecaster back at the roadie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kJ2S9BasUc

tapes n' tapes xp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vmHaYZ2mEE

I've been working my way through the Larry Sanders box, and Larry's relationship to the musical guests is something that turns up on numerous episodes. I always figured it was modelled on Letterman--he's got the same kind of hard-to-read standoffishness. Likes: Shawn Colvin, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon. Confused by: Beck, the Butthole Surfers. On vacation for: the Wu-Tang Clan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBKm966ACdQ

Perturbed and with fair reason, wonder if he ever had The Residents on, prob not.

'enjoy yourselves..' ha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agkn0NybXUQ

kinda half-hearted re: Sleater-Kinney

Just a guess, but maybe he has no idea what to say to women who he knows won't ever in a million years fuck him.

Part one, great performance, ends with nothing but restrained professionalism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA57Pafq_NU

Second song, begins with a short chat with Buck and Mills, but obviously it was decided before the show that the lead singer was way too weird to talk to. Again, professional. Ed Sullivan-like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykp0Vq77IBw

Maybe as he got older and more successful, he got a little less stiff with the bands and so his opinions started to bleed through more often. But I can't imagine him being outright dismissive of a band.

I think that when he really loves a band, he makes jokes about them. That's the only way to tell.

I've been working my way through the Larry Sanders box, and Larry's relationship to the musical guests is something that turns up on numerous episodes.

I am doing similar, and it seems like Artie books or at least has final say on the musical acts, because both Larry and Hank are surprised that Artie let through Porno for Pyros (in fact he didn't, Paula was in charge that day).

Please head over to the Larry Sanders thread--I've been posting stuff there, and would be interested in hearing someone else's thoughts on the box.

Letterman seemed pretty excited about Janelle Monae's performance.

kinda half-hearted re: Sleater-Kinney

Just a guess, but maybe he has no idea what to say to women who he knows won't ever in a million years fuck him.

― I am Woolen Man. The scarf and I are one. (kenan), Tuesday, January 4, 2011 5:52 AM (16 hours ago)

um, you do realize that part of his job is holding conversations with gorgeous movie actresses pretty much every night? the guy knows how far Julia Roberts is out of his league but they still carry on this kind of weird TV flirting thing.

I love it when Lettermen responds enthusiastically to a really good song/performance.

He seemed to quite like Annie Clark/St. Vincent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zVlr-ynnAI

He just said the record cover was beautiful...?

Its the non-verbal "Oooooooooaurgh" as he's stepping off his dais I find more probative.

Not that this is all that unusual, but his Al Green fandom ("Let's Stay Together" in particular) has always been pretty clear. There was one time I remember where he was especially animated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QztIY43lPgI

likes drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M65Dx0STe2M

lol

he claimed at one point "She Don't Use Jelly" was his fave song

I know the cellist in the drummer video -- his instrument is an el Cheapo pawn shop find.

I used to hate it when Paul & "The World's Most Dangerous Band" would barge in on the music performances until I saw this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwhyGz2tQJc

"This woman is quite busy, have you noticed that"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7xIbxGPwPk

He's had the Hives on a couple times now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shbwokU0Y_c

I'm pretty sure he has no involvement in picking the acts. Its done via record label / production company / tv network horse trading

Of course

Clearly Dave loves drums, given he's hosted drum solo week for the last couple of years (I think).

I used to hate it when Paul & "The World's Most Dangerous Band" would barge in on the music performances until I saw this:

― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, June 13, 2013 3:43 AM (4 hours ago) Bookmark

paul's slammin' keyboard solo in this always cracks me up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzuoXDC9ESw

Dave apparently loved Levon Helm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZaU3VtMfoM

And he had James Brown on multiple times, starting in the early 80s when James couldn't get arrested. On one appearance (which I can't find the clip for), James tried to get Dave to dance. But since the song was running long, the cut to commercial at that moment. When they came back, the song was still going, Dave's jacket was off, his tie was loosened, and he was drenched in sweat. Apparently, James had gotten him to dance.

"That's all you need/want" seems to be Dave's highest complement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxawVMQ02dc

I want to see a documentary on Paul Shaffer. Dude as lead and still leads an amazing musical life.

Basically, be intense and have a good beat and regardless of genre Dave will show respect. Also don't be Wu Lyfe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5hsaj7qhI

I want to see a documentary on Paul Shaffer. Dude as lead and still leads an amazing musical life.

― Emperor Cos Dashit (Adam Bruneau), Thursday, June 13, 2013 10:45 AM (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I flipped through his autobio (We'll Be Here For The Rest Of Our Lives) in a bookstore once; definitely some interesting stuff, but not nearly in-depth enough.

Obviously loves Darlene Love and her "Christmas" song since he has her come back to sing it every year. I imagine he likes Phil Spector-type stuff in general - seem to remember Ronnie Spector coming on and Dave being extra enthusiastic. I think it was the same with Carole King too.

One of the coolest things I ever saw on a Letterman show was his 5th (I think) anniversary show, at Radio City Music Hall. Carole King and Paul Shaffer traded licks on the Hall's massive built-in pipe organs for the intro to "Chest Fever."

Dave utterly scoffed at Nick Cave postperformance.

"That's all you need/want" seems to be Dave's highest complement.

that applies to his guest expectations, too - isn't it basically 'three good stories'?

lol at "haha, is that your regular drummer?" on the wu lyf one.

dave has got to be an amateur drummer, right?

huge lol at 'is that yr regular drummer?'

lol @ wu lyf. that shit is terrible even for a band playing letterman in the 2010s.

I always got the sense that he actually liked The Jesus and Mary Chain.

The only time I saw him openly disparage music on his show (apart from Wu Lyf, hahaha) was when the band played "Giant Steps" after his monologue.

"Paul, what was that? I didn't like that."

"Dave, that was 'Giant Steps' by Mister John Coltrane."

"Hm. Yeah, I didn't care for that at all. Do me a favor, don't play that one again, alright?"

When At the Drive-In performed, following the commercial break after their performance, Dave was seated at his desk, where he had the following brief exchange with Paul:

Dave: I hope they're not neglecting their studies.

Paul: Who's that?

Dave: The band.

(audience laughter, Dave says good night, credits roll)

he made that same joke about L7!

btw i hadn't thought of L7 in about 15 years until this thread

sound s like u pretended they were dead, haha

Dave drums. http://youtu.be/2gzeedL21x8

for some reason i have this beastie boys appearance seared in to my memory so vividly

i think it was right around the time i was starting to stay up late enough to watch letterman and i was pretty hyped on ill communication

i totally remember how dave kept mentioning how SCARY the beastie boys were gonna be

great edit of that appearance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGtrF3E3TMg

"nice job on the drums"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw_G5nwwxZg

So I thought to myself that if I've cracked the code, Dave probably adored the Alabama Shakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCkO3U1S87g

wow that selena gomez performance was incredibly limp... people listen to that stuff?

Listening is only about 23% of the Selena Gomez Experience.

he loves airborne toxic event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BNzKXETa2Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1yBkqcULrA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIWS8TMOcCQ

he's always seemed into it when the yeah yeah yeahs played iirc

i think he likes tom waits

dave was the drummer for Gay Dad iirc

Listening is only about 23% of the Selena Gomez Experience.

― Mr. Mojo Readin' (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:58 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

dare i ask what the other 77% is?

No.

Reticent looking in the mirror of absurdity that is Lyle Lovett and Randy Newman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_pkoQnnXOs

Not sure where but I heard once that he has an assistant make weekly c90 mixtapes for him that he jams on the treadmill. I want to say that he requested a tape one week of only 'The Rat' by The Walkmen.

This assumption seems questionable:

here's this dude at 63, who by all institutions should be heralding The Rolling Stones as the last great rock band and everything subsequent as comparable to an infant's explosive discharge.

http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2013/6/Check-out-this-montage-of-David-Letterman-talking-to-drummers