In their prime they were the love child of joy division and the smiths. One of the greatest indie bands of all time.

The red -head playing guitar is Richard from Arcade Fire

Aaron and Bryce use some incredible effects on their guitars, coupled with amazing musicianship. and damn, that rhythm section is flawless. and Matt... oh boy, what a perfect band.

Classiest rock band around

High Violet will forever be the best album in the history of the universe. Timeless and priceless.

That Letterman show was the first time I had ever listened to The National. 5 years later and still one of my favorite bands. I miss Dave's show. One of the greatest talk show hosts and always introducing me to awesome bands.

Still floored at how incredible their music is. One of my favorites from High Violet.

Matt's decision to grow a beard was the best decision of his life.

One of the best bridges of all time!

I guess I'm just not knowledgable enough on the technicalities of performances but I'm so surprised at how many people are commenting on how 'off' he was ... The whole time I was stunned at how amazing this was! Honestly I think they're one of the best bands live! But to me, it's more about the experience of hearing these songs straight from the source.

Love the way Pauls says "Ah, The National"

they are simply the best of the best in music right now.

Richard Reed Parry is like an angel here I love this talented and interesting man

what an awesome song love this band

love this song

Funny how they changed the line "You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think" to "You'll never believe the silly thoughts I think" :D

Uno dei migliori gruppi degli anni 2000...

Such a great band

Did any one notice that Arcade Fires Richard Reed Perry, is playing backup guitar, and vocals

I really enjoy this version of the song! especially when it gets all quiet at the final 'I was afraid' part

This is fucking rock and roll. One of the few good modern rock bands. You don't have to be so hipster about it with your "their Indie Rock/ Post-Punk Revival"

this band had me at "I was afraid/ I'd eat your brains"

That drummer is amazing.

FANTASTIC SONG

going to see them on March 17th in Shibuya. can't wait!! this song rocks.

The National awesome band and a very good album

I cannot wait to see them in Chicago with The Arcade Fire!!!!! That show will be spectacular!!

Thats the guy from Arcade Fire with the guitar right??

Theirs more people in this band then in some countries. love this song!

It's a hollywood summer

This is my favourite song on High Violet...so they had crappy sound on Letterman, they absolutely kicked in in Auckland, NZ in January...love my National boys...

LOVE.

Love it!!

Hunter S. Thompson on the bass guitar, John Lennon on drums, and Walter White on lead vocals...talk about a star studded lineup!

Letterman not holding the album the right way up stresses me out every time I watch this

great performance!!! I purposly tuned in to Letterman to see this but i changed the channel on a commercial and bob ross was on and i got a little bit distracted and missed this!!!

Anyone noticed that Dave was not holding the album the right side?

I love that Richard Parry joins them.

Great!

And a bearded Chuck Bartowski on the trumpet

Totally agree.....

Last time they played Letterman they has Sufjan with them and now Richard?! I can't handle this!!

Nice

@morangorama I thought so. He's great.

Matt Berninger sounds a lot more like Ian Curtis in this than Matt Berninger

I do admit that the notion The National played Conversation 16 on the Letterman show amuses me greatly... Outstanding track, but by golly I'd expect Sorrow or England as (vaguely) more crowd pleasing songs :) "I was afraid I'd eat your braiiiiiiiinnnsss".

@idn Then again, he is. But thanks for your contribution.

@ih8pikeys That's Richard Parry, from Arcade Fire, yes! He contributed in the album (Hight Violet) also.

You're right

@denali637 I've noticed the same thing, too. I love The National and enjoy watching them live, but am always surprised that Matt has particular trouble with the "'cause I'm evil" line.

I like just about any band that has brass in it! Lyrics are a little strange, but music makes that not matter so much. I have seen alot of comments for this band saying how much the drummer resembles John Lennon (a little), but none about how much the brothers resemble Dominic Monaghan from "Lost"!

@ih8pikeys No, and sorry I don't know his name. He plays with the band seemingly often (at least in NYC) and sings some of the high parts on High Violet.

@cyezak Yeah, this is discussed below.

dagli Stati Uniti direi il migliore!

🎉

I know it's been mentioned but look, it's Richard Reed Parry...

Is that the dude from Arcade Fire?

The National has the strictest dress code in all of music.

3:30 on had me moving at my desk

I think the kids are in trouble Do not know what all the troubles are for Give them ice for their fevers You're the only thing I ever want anymore Live on coffee and flowers Try not to wonder what the weather will be I figured out what we're missing I tell you miserable things after you are asleep Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Everything means everything It's a Hollywood summer You'd never believe the shitty thoughts I think Meet our friends out for dinner When I said what I said, I didn't mean anything We belong in a movie Try to hold it together 'til our friends are gone We should swim in a fountain Do not want to disappoint anyone Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city to all the silver girls Everything means everything I was afraid, I'd eat your brains I was afraid, I'd eat your brains 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil I'm a confident liar Had my head in the oven so you'd know where I'll be I'll try to be more romantic I wanna believe in everything you believe I was less than amazing Do not know what all the troubles are for Fall asleep in your branches You're the only thing I ever want anymore Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls Gave us black dreams Leave the silver city to all the silver girls Everything means everything I was afraid, I'd eat your brains I was afraid, I'd eat your brains 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil 'Cause I'm evil Traduci in italiano

Yeah...

That guy from Arcade Fire???

I love people who don't get The National ... "I was afraid I'd eat your brains...."

anyone know what guitar aaron is playing? It looks like a gold top ES-335 but as far as I know those were only made for one year in the 50s. One of those now is worth like 15k

@RevRyan15 Unless you play the silver trumpet or drums, apparently! Amazing performance though!

@denali637 It's kind of funny, you call it a "mistake" when they're the ones that wrote and are performing the song. I mean, you're most likely correct, but you can't say for sure. Who knows, maybe Matt did that on purpose. Just a thought lol :P

@denali637 i think you are being a bit nit picky...his vocals sound okay. maybe a bit weak at times but i think they sound just fine.

@druminvader to be fair, it's probably so people can read the text properly

@Von2good disagree...i think it is one of THE strongest. and apparently they do too or they wouldn't have played it on national tv.

Gotta love RRP...

Mr. Letterman is correct in saying they are Rock n Roll. Indie Rock/ Post-punk revival is a sub-genre of Rock and Roll. Stop trying to nit pick.

are those your drums? nice drums

Some years later...the video cover much much better

What about his drums David?

Berdy Ted Mosby on trumpet! awesome as usual!

@ElainaBuie I'll have to check them out. If they are more dapper than The National, I'm expecting to see full tuxes.

@denali637 Yeah, that's true. But it kinda adds a little charm and...humanity to the performance, don't ya think? Which I especially like with The National since their music is so human already. Or, you could say the human imperfections in the performance keep a balance with the inhumanly good music lol

i wish the voice went deeper @3:40

Do you think they have enough band members? what no cow bell? with that said this is a great band and song!

@surfwaxafghani thats nice...

Ron Weasly is in The National!?

No, Interpol does.

The american Arcade Fire

Holy Shit! It is Richard fro Arcade Fire.

Is that Ron Weasley in the middle there?

@txwindyrider this song isn't one of their strongest on the album so I mean they were already at a disadvantage going in. but they didn't do terrible.

@RevRyan15 false. that goes to Interpol.

when i said what i said i didn't mean anything

@denali637 who cares? its rock n roll.

is there a sardar in the band?

You probably haven't heard of Interpol.

You're holding the cover incorrectly David

its not a dress code. they actually like dressing nice.

The Darlingtons sound kinda like these guys.

@morangorama Wow... =P

@pappukumar420 lol thats what i thought that watched the video too. its just a guy wearing a beanie though.

hahaha nice, but I'd have to give interpol that distinction.

Bryan Devendorf is a fucking God.

haha he says just about anything is rock n'roll, don't worry about it

@nickfromCO I'm definitely picking nits, it's just that he has the same issues in every single video I've found of them playing this song live