Jonathan Richman is an American treasure.

If Johnathan Richman doesn't make you smile there must be something wrong with you.

This is who Adam Sandler wishes he was. Best concert I've ever seen in 30 years of shows? Jonathan Richman, little club, New Orleans.

I saw him in Seattle recently after listening to him for years. His energy is energy cleansing. He is the light and nothing but sunny vibes when performing. I love watching interviews with him because he listens and responds honestly. He just makes up songs to just play music for people. Beautiful creature.

I love how Johnathan reacts when the audience gets all riled up toward the end. You can see how happy he gets about it.

Won the audience over in 2 minutes. That's my JoJo!

In an interview years ago, Bob Dylan said that Jonathan Richman was a musician that he liked, him and Tom Waits.

Epitome of charisma.

Only adding to the comedic effect is the fact that he's imagining he's Johnny Cash while he sings this.

it's amazing how he manages to win over the whole crowd with a song about riding the bus! like compare the beginning where he's playing to awkward silence to the end where everyone's clapping and cheering. extraordinary songwriter & extraordinary talent!!!!!

"minor chord cus that was the sad part" Hilarious.. how does he do it.

I love him so much. Great vibes, amazing lyrics. Always. And the best part, time doesn't change this man. He keeps putting out the best, with the best energy. Low key genius. WOOOO!!!!

These Jojo performances on Conan are the best thing ever.

Just saw this guy do an opening act last night (2014) in San Francisco, and he brought the house down! A wild, raucous crowd there to see something totally different. Amazing.

I never knew about this guy, just watching him today, he seems great. Love the songs and the attitude he has seem really kind and sweet.

If you get the chance, see Jonathan live, without hesitation. Oddly enough, the less musicians he has backing him, the better he will be. He's at his best alone, or just with drummer Tommy Larkin.

no one can win over an audience like jonathan

He wore the same stuff at Bumberhoot this year. I never went to BBshoot--even when I had salmonella and lay in my apartment in Capitol Hill in 2000. I don';t mind missing him in Seattle anymore because EVERY time I hear him, he is a genius.I saw Jonathan for the first time in 15 years for me (Since the OK Cafe). My BF thought he saw me! i am in heaven!

The man is not only unique, he's an absolute gem.

@DJkevvykev I totally agree that this would have been perfect for Johnny Cash to sing. Among his many qualities, Cash had an offbeat sense of humor, and I think that he would have appreciated this song. It is certainly in his style. Remember, "A Boy Named Sue" was also not exactly a conventional country song. I can just imagine Johnny singing, "Salt Lake City, everybody off..."

I saw this episode of Late Night when it first aired and I was astounded. Like most of the live audience, I had no idea who this strange Bohemian was. I was amazed at how Jonathan Richman won this entire audience over with his talent, charm, stage presence and experience. I was hooked, after discovering him on TV, I must have seen him a dozen times in NYC. I got to say hello a couple of times and always requested a song in Spanish, which Jonathan always acquiesced to with pleasure. What an artist, this man. Gracias por la música, JoJo.

what a charmer.

This guy's a hoot...my new favorite... especially - I went dancin' in a lesbian bar...

I’ve been a fan since more than 30 years. And I can’t still understand how the makes me laugh and cry every time I listen to him.

Haha Jonathan kills it in this video, the best! His performance is excellent

this is one of my favorite vids. never ceases to make me smile! especially Jonathan's face when everyone starts clapping along ☺☺☺

My fave from the "Jonathan Goes Country" album. Awesome, thanks for posting!

I think I heard one time that he was afraid of flying .. ? But either way, I agree that the train or bus provides much more interesting characters in which to write about.

This video is precious - just magic.

This might seem stupid but I have to start taking the bus soon for school and I’m super nervous about it. But this song strangely helps me feel better about it, even if it’s silly.

Genius!! One of a kind!!

this man is just

This is great!!! Forgotten a bit about Jonathan in the last few years and realize recently just how much I still admire him. Rock on.

this is great, have to see him perform live

Love this

Thanks!

I drive one! They're all on the bus, & more!!

Fab performance.

can' t understand why he was never a lot more successful, seen him about 15 times in the uk (always in smal clubs) and never seen anyone hold an audience like him.

a unique talent!

He is a shaman.

Talk about enjoying life😜😍❤

Outstanding combination of stand up comedy and music :)

Genius!

Genius.

great stuff, like putty in his hands at the end!

RAHAHASSSSTAAA! nice song! from now on i'll teke the bus too :D

Unglaublich geil

Love it....drunk but love it more

Great cut from a great album 'Jonathan goes country' A verse or 2 here not on the recording.

My first bus trip was back when I was in preschool. Talking about riding the bus. I wasn’t like other kids back then. I took the bus to and from school and it took over an hour and a half to travel to and from school. So an hour and a half to school and an hour an a half back home every day. Little did I know how independent I was going to bee taking the bus. As a blind adult who owns his onw business. Well, I love trains too but buses are my mode of transport cause i take them every day to and from work. A lot of people hate riding buses cause they are slow and take a lot of time when you can get into a car and zip over to where you need to go but the bus is an amazing vehicle. The bus helps me chill and I actually have gotten into a zone of relaxation every time i ride it to and from work. At the end of the day the bus helps me undwind from my work day. It is the starting of it. Little to many people know but the bus is a vital part of one’s day. Other than family and friends or room mates, the first and last person you will ever see during your day is probably your bus drivers. Also they can bee great conversational starters. Riding the bus is fun and relaxing. Many people think it is so painful to ride the bus but it is so not true. I always tell people I am a bus nut and i am crazy for the bus. I loved riding the bus even back in pre school. I was always excited to ride it and even to this day going to and from work. Commuting for me is fun and enjoyable. Bering on the bus gets me relaxed and going to and from work it is a time to chill and get in your zone. As a matter of fact, I am proud to take the bus. Many people are ashamed to ride it for some reason they think that only low class losers ride the bus but that is so far from the truth. Professional business guys ride buses and trains and I have had many talks with bus drivers and other people i see in my day about how proud I am to ride it. I ride buses so much during the work day as a working pianist the bus is the center of attention for me and the center of my day. Even if i am not working I find a place to go that deals with taking the bus. Pretty much in my daily activities when i am not working it is having to do with a bus of some sort. I ride them so much that I actually decided to make a playlist of bus videos, and songs. This song really describes me. I have songs about buses that I found and videos of bus driver interviews, from school bus drivers to greyhound and even sound effects of buses. Their is even P.O.V. Bus drivers whoops bus drives as well. And it feels like you are their. I have done it all i think. I have taken buses to an from and out of state and now of course commuting in and out of county for work. Their needs to bee more songs about the bus. Buses really are great and a great way to get to and from work especially. They bring people together and you can learn a lot of things from others who are riding. It’s pretty fun and a learning experience every time. Not every bus trip is the same. Each one brings a different experience. The trips to and from work are always different. The bus trip yesterday was not like today’s bus trip they are all different. What happened yesterday or last week is not going to happen again. It is going to bee a totally different experience.

Hell yeah! Johny Cash should have done this.

first saw jonathan in 1987. i was 17 and my friends and i stood outside a bar in fresno, california. jonathan walked up to the bar and said hi to us. we watched him and tommy (i think!?) from outside through cracks in the window blinds. then drove back home to tulare.

Honestly, I think he's every bit as brilliant as John Prine.

I love this guy and he's playing near me next week. Any thoughts on bringing my 10 and 8 year old daughters? I've never seen him live.

That guy, he's alright.

JOJO ROCKS Most Underrated man

He gives an impression of being educated.

@extremelybusy123 : yeah, that's it... he's like a punk/folk/poet songwriter with a sweet sense of humor. Just going from three songs I've seen so far... I see the Lou Reed delivery but I hadn't put my finger on it.

No guitar strap -- straight up gangster

genius

@BlackJacketJones : you're so right.

In case Jonathan is wondering does he no longer have the nicest hair or nose - I judged beauty competitions in grammar school - I did think I saw something of a lookalike on the Path on a visit to the US a few years ago and after i got back imagined or dreamt about a small valley i used to play in until banned when i was a child but this time there was a stranger on the other side of the stream - was I remembering it? - and so i walked in a different direction and came out at a place selling Krispy Kremes - unlikely this to be a memory- Penn Station? I think dreams are informational rather than a sign of ones imaginative powers even if I can feel pleased with mine. The real or imagined figure had straighter hair and was more formally dressed.

This is classic Jonathan. The crowd's all quiet at first and they probably don't know who he is, but he wins them over immediately with his charm and great lyrics. Old school flat haired coco FTW! -Jim check out our channel for some fun originals and cover songs!

greyhound never sounded so appealing....jonathan's successful foray into the world of rhinestones and cowboy boots.

3:08 Conan's awesome hair.

I always thought that -- Daniel even looked like him as a kid.

What is he saying from 2:32 to 2:35?

"Minor chord. That was the sad part there"

Can anyone tell what he mutters towards the end?

SO WOTS THE FUZZZZ??!

goddamn Conan

he reminds me of Shirley Temple.

Jonathan knows 1:30 am

240p is criminal

Cruddy lil rapper.

We've got to get Jojo on Coco! -Jim of The Long Holidays Check out our page we're very influenced by Jojo!

Too bad his guitar isn't audible. Otherwise this is such a GREAT live version!

Tribute to Johnny Cash ! Except he took train.

This must be EARLY Conan - his hair curl droops down over his forehead instead of standing up.

Johnny cash style

Better with the backup singers.

Jonathan "PETE SEGER" Richman... IMHO

im gonna have to disagree

Maria Marie loves him ❤

i love him i love him i love him i love him

Thanks!