naomi

[zaphoophche]

cant wait for this concert

[NotBogSaget]

I love this too much.

[fryBASS]

he's actually playing some shows around the NY area in January.

[blupouncch]

My all-time favorite song ever... 10 years and running and it still haunts me, hell every NMH/JM song does. The sheer # of hours in which a NMH/JM song has been playing in my ears over those years must be astronomical. It has to become a part of your being at some point. w/o overt admission, I use NMH as a litmus test for friends/girlfriends... sadly too many fail and unknowingly remain just enjoyable contacts... NMH/JM should host an online dating service to ease these woes...

[thebaricat]

The lyrics are great, the chord progression is simply sublime, the singing is sadly... sub-par. As in, bad. Same as Bob Dylan; excellent poet/songwriter, lackluster performer. Absolutely no denying the songwriting ability, though. I still have fond memories of singing this brilliant piece to a certain Naomi I was infatuated with back in the day. It made her beam with joy every time :) I'll always be thinking of Naomi in full bloom... Keep writing, Jeff Mangum. I'll always be a fan.

[bryt12693]

@thebaricat I saw him yesterday and to say his singing was sub par is completely false- he was completely incredible

[balkankrum]

He's probably in bulgaria!!!

[bryt12693]

@balkankrum I'm actually seeing him at the Brooklyn Acedemy of Music in January. I can't wait!

[TheTerriblyTerrific1]

what does that douche say after he pops his string 

[SuperTlss]

@TheTerriblyTerrific1

doh?

[fryBASS]

@TheTerriblyTerrific1 I believe he said "Doh!"

[MsMadjad]

Wow I said absolutely twice!lol

[MsMadjad]

I absolutely love this man. Absolutely beautiful voice and lyrics.

[TheTerriblyTerrific1]

@MsMadjad one of the best song writers i have ever heard

[ChrisHominski]

1:44

[tonyhaamen]

Holy ?&$@ I would've cried if a string popped on me mid song. If there was a god of lo fi indie rock this is most definently him. Hallelujah!

[TheTerriblyTerrific1]

@tonyhaamen hah ! yes perfectly put!

[imgaston]

1:44

i would've died if that happened to me

mangum is god

[zimzum5000]

"You did a fine job"

[Lalevine1]

Beautiful, as always.

[L0veSings]

*string breaks* 'fuuuuu... Wait fuck it, I'm Jeff Mangum.

[miniraptorX]

Your prettiness, is seeping through. Oh my- you have no idea how many chills I had shoot down my back when I first heard that lyric.

[Binaryfreak01]

I love this song... does anyone know what guitar he has in this video? It's beautiful

[N1NTHW9RD]

@Binaryfreak01 gibson es125

its my dream guitar.

[TheTerriblyTerrific1]

@N1NTHW9RD ya its soo sweet

[miniraptorX]

Can you buy this show on DVD or something?

[qounqer]

i wish magnum would make a pornography tape, entitled "me fucking s3xy hipster chiks for 3hours, and moaning like i do in my songs"

[RHCPm4nn]

@qounqer oh wow. well you don't hear that everyday :|

[blarghieblarghie]

See you in August!

[mussman717word]

Dude, I would Kill for Jeff Mangum to play my guitar!

[Twooheadedboy]

i loveee you jeffff

[jordanandashlyn]

This is nothing short of amazing.

[dante224real1]

a string? get in mangums way??? FUCKNO

[JizzOnAPetriDish]

He's so fucking indie he plays with broken strings.

[lmla192]

Jeff Mangum songs are some of the most fun songs to cover in the world. i play king of carrot flowers and engine at least once a week.



[artistsandbox]

lol @ 5:31, good thing I always bring a spare

[lesa9410]

Good thing he disappeared instead of killing himself like Curt Cobain.

[llamalameness]

@lesa9410 Kurt Cobain. 

[rudawiz]

Oh my god. His string broke and he still played the song perfectly. I love Jeff Mangum.

[angelzyt43]

hes playing a gibson es-125

[UnderGroundWaterPolo]

@angelzyt43 i want one soo badly

[angelzyt43]

@UnderGroundWaterPolo haha me too man, me too.

[pezcor77]

And if she only really knew

One billion angels could come and save her soul

They could save her soul until she shines

[NaziJesus]

@pezcor77

that's a metaphore for ejactulating in a girls face

[deezyweasley]

hearing him sing hurts in such a good way

[JennyV777]

Just beautiful...

[dougiedannyluv]

I seriously don't even know what to say.

[NouhHallway3000]

Nothing personal but, nobody should ever cover nmh. Can't match Jeff. Save yourself the effort and fuhgitaboutit.

[DannyMullenBjj]

@NouhHallway3000 you are a moron

[NouhHallway3000]

@DannyMullenBjj Oh Please, Please tell me you can do a great nmh cover.

[DannyMullenBjj]

@NouhHallway3000 No I can't, I'm a terrible singer. But to say nobody can pay tribute to a great band by covering their songs is absurd.

[weamdebest]

@DannyMullenBjj Dont be a jerk for no reason, let the man play the songs, I dont see how its any of your business what he does. Its fun to play songs you know by bands you love, if you could do it, you would, so dont talk down to others about supporting bands they like through covers.

[DannyMullenBjj]

@weamdebest What the fuck man, that's what I was saying to him. Apparently you are new to Youtube, reread what I wrote. NouhHallway was the one saying nobody should do a NMH cover, I was telling him that's ridiculous. I think people should cover anything they like, especially Neutral Milk Hotel

[ryanthethird]

I think Jeff lives in Chicago, but wherever he lives, the man can write a song. And lyrics? . . . like no other. I do some covers of NMH and I would be honored if you'd watch them and give feedback. I do Two Headed Boy parts 1 and 2

[ryanthethird]

I think Jeff lives in Chicago, but wherever he lives, the man can write a song. And lyrics? . . . like no other. I do some covers of NMH and I would be honored if you'd watch them and give feedback. I do Two Headed Boy parts 1 and 2

[altramegachicken]

absolute legend

[angelzyt43]

i know hes in europe somewhere, making an album, if not writing a book...i can feel it.

[Meatykins]

God, what I wouldn't give to meet Naomi. She's my idol. And the fact that Jeff Mangum wrote his most beautiful song about her makes me even more envious.

[GaulKyle]

so pretty

[ZombieInvasion5446]

where the hell is Jeff Mangum

[kolaoncoke]

swimming in your speakers!!!

[BadCompany2113]

i like to think that he is still roaming around somewhere in the georgia hills looking for his naomi, or that he finally invented a time machine and is back in the 1940's feelin' up anne frank

[stude444]

@ZombieInvasion5446 He's in New York. and Hes back palying shows again.

[pp44]

"I hope that she will soon explode " When he is about to sing that line the string breaks (explodes).

[tangonoose]

without a doubt the most underrated and greatest singer/songwriter of all time,

wonder where he is ,

???????????

[chasethevdevil]

google holiday six collective tour

[tangonoose]

cheers matey :D

[Sonsofyesteryear]

Austin, I believe

[FLYfatassFLY66]

@tangonoose, I think he lives in Athens, Georgia right now. He started the Elephant 6 recording company. And yeah, he's freaking brilliant.

[mikerigley86]

@tangonoose

he recently joined the circus...played one set at a benefit last January and talked about how he had a wonderful nervous brake down and doesn't plan on playing again any time soon.

[willzxy676]

@tangonoose i heard he's still living in athens georgia with his wife

[Twooheadedboy]

@tangonoose touring as we speak...

[Andy8Tran]

@Twooheadedboy Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaat???????????????????????­????????????????????????????

[Twooheadedboy]

@Andy8Tran ha, you didnt know?? hes been touring, its the first time that the band has all actually been together in years. they are gonna play in LA, oakland, and SF. if you live in california, LA is already sold out. :) hes returning, i know he is.

[Lalevine1]

@tangonoose I realize you wrote this a year ago, but he's playing a show in Boston September of 2011. Not sure the exact date, you'll have to look it up.

[tangonoose]

@Lalevine1

Thanks.  I'll be there.

(Ohhhhhhhh my old comments are so embarassing >.< )

[jsiriuspena]

@tangonoose he annouced in feb of 2011 he will be touring this summer. he lives in nyc.

[tonyhaamen]

@tangonoose brooklyn

[Shannonagins115]

@tangonoose

Apparently he had a mental break down and didn't enjoy music. I think now he lives somewhere in New York married doing whatever.

[bebopalulahola]

anyone know the chords?

[Tribune12345]

Barre A flat, Barre A, E,

Repeat a few times until Barre B.

Then the pattern is

E, Barre A flat, Barre D, Barre A.

I dunno the rest. Haha

[angelzyt43]

@Tribune12345

yeah thats the easiest way to play it. ive covered this song a few times and thats what i use. :)

[SeenAndNotSeen]

G# A E_ (in the transition to the next section, play B instead of E)

[E c#(minor) D A] x4

(B A) x2

The last section is the same as the first.

[steve0619]

google is your friend! :)

(i got them about 30 seconds ago ;) )

A flat is very awqward unless you play bar chord on E string...

[Mielikki7777777]

my name is naomi.....and i love this guy.....what a coincidence.

[kolaoncoke]

he is beautiful.

[bebopalulahola]

What kind of guitar is that?

[Wesleetu]

I'm pretty sure it's been settled that he's playing a Gretsch of some sort. I forget the model, sorry.

[JamieAdairFilmmaker]

It's a Gibson ES-125.

[bananimalistic]

a 6 string guitar...

[dsotm13]

more like a 5 string guitar at 1:44 lol

[AnthonyWeston]

one of my favourite songs of all time, jeff, you're a genius.

[brokenshines]

best live version of naomi out there.

[ruthg10]

when does he stop to breathe?

[wolfgirleatsbaby]

never.

[Ditch2012]

he doesn't breathe

[Havokz3]

He doesn't breath in.

Oxygen just knows to go into his lungs.

[erinbolton]

gahhhh poor guy.i hate breaking my strings in the middle of a song.he carried on with grace though :) i love this

[rokbom]

He seems to go into a trance when he's playing guitar. And when he realises he's singing the wrong lyrics, he just sorta 'snaps' out of it.

[leigh2612]

I love how people are arguing whether his guitar is unplugged or not, who cares, such a good song :)

[naomiwitter87]

1:55 - 2:00 = best five seconds EVER, he has the best smileeee (:

[ArthurEricBlair]

personally he reminds me of jeff buckley..

though, i try to see a little jeff buckley in everyone. XD

[turkeypizza123]

A voice like no other.

[yesnoyesnoyesno777]

Anybody know what guitar jeff is playing here? its electric which surprises me for an unplugged session. Still, he is awesome!!!

[Clemyntine]

I believe it's a Gibson ES-125.

[TheUnionBlood]

Yes. Clemyntine is right. He can play it unplugged, because it is a hollow-body and projects rather well acoustically.

[bilbomarks]

I believe it is plugged in as well as micd up. Even for a small, intimate venue such as this, an unplugged hollowbody electric would be inaudible.

[Clemyntine]

That isn't necessarily true. At 5:29, when Jeff's checking the tune of the guitar, it isn't plugged in, but yet it is audible.

[bilbomarks]

Not if you're sittting/standing in the back. The person with the camera is obviously very close. Mic/pluggin in is still necessary.

[LennoxBrigade]

ok, an unplugged hollow body the size of an ES-125 would have a great amount of acoustic sound, i strumed one like it and it was like a regular acoustic, unlike something such as most modern day hollowbodies. Of course the end part is true it is loud, but throughout this preformance it is plugeed in, lower left hand corner, that silverish cord is 4 the guitar, thats where the in-jack thingy is

[MacGrath17]

That "silverish cord" is actually Jeff's shirt dude.

[LennoxBrigade]

no its not, im certain that that is a cord, check out the start of engine, you can see clearly that thats light hitting a cord then it continues, plus thats where the cables plug in in on the ES-125, exactly where it plugs in

[haeste80]

its not his shirt LennoxBrigade is right its for his guitar

[coldcaptainess]

The more I am listening to this song the more I love it. Actually that goes for all of the Avery cd. Also, Jeff has such a baby face in this.  So sweet.

[lc1212]

reminds me of my sweet sweet sam<3 thank you jeff, спасиба jeff

[ilessthan3cats]

I'm participating in said race, ok?

brb, getting time machine.

[cupidsvikktim]

i'm gonna marry him in some sort of time machine

[amazingcoffee]

Cupid, I'll race you to him.

[rvbsarge]

i absolutely love this song, and what chords is he playing during the chorus, i think i'm playing something a little different

[bilbomarks]

E-major D-flat D-major A-major.

[SYMbolinA]

why does he not come out in public anymore?!!?

ugh

[lemonmonkey5]

i saw him at the elephant 6 show in pontiac, michigan this past monday.

it was fantastic.

he just sat around near the bar watching the show with everyone else. i was like 5 feet away from him all night.

[lc1212]

lucky fuck. did you talk to him?

[ryanthethird]

No shit? Mangum was in Pontiac just 7 months ago? Where does he live? what does he do?

[MonMccool123]

Hey appears in public sometimes, but doesn't perform. He went a little nuts after "In the Aeroplane Over The Sea." I heard he did hand claps in an album a little while ago but thats about it.

[cupidsvikktim]

jefffff

Lovely as always

my fave on earth

[NaomiOwnsYou]

Good song <3

[Hilbill88]

I LOOOOVEE this song. damn. i love neutral milk hotel

[dinowhore369]

yea! this is my favorite neutral milk hotel song!

[faceshutup]

Wow, i have yet to hear a song by Neutral Milk Hotel that doesn't captivate me. And that pisses me off cause I will never get to see them live.

[JGSturgeonmaster]

you never know....he showed up in New Zealand a few years ago....

[SilviteReign]

If by "a few" you mean seven, then yes, yes he did.

[Callistheneitus]

Haha, zing

[anniekolle]

i completely agree with you!

[ricardinho112]

naomi is the name of my girlfriend. lol.

[Bimkovitz]

He's quite a human being.

[fraulobsto]

One of the best.

[TheRenniemeister]

It's at the 40 watt club in Athens, GA. (14th October 1997)

[LTcrew]

what a melody

[strimboli44]

Is this at the pheonix?

[buckturgidson9000]

kudos on the site indeed. lots of stuff there.

[kirbytrooper]

kudos on the site

[TheRenniemeister]

I just had a look at the set list, he performed Holland 1945 before Naomi. So it was Holland 1945 that he found really hard to sing.

[geekyunicorn]

I'm going to guess "Oh Comely" since it's so long?

[antaeus051]

what song did he say was hard to sing before he performed this one

[GoHoGsGo06]

haha i agree..perfect timing. Still finishes out the beautiful song wonderfully

[pdecarlo]

I'm hoping...[string breaks]...she will soon explode.

Couldn't have been more beautiful of a moment to happen.

[auditorysystem]

i love it when he breaks the string. for some reason his startled little jump is beautiful to me.

[KWhuda]

I loved how he smiles after he continued to play when the string snapped.

[lifer7429]

i'm surprised that after he broke the string he didnt just switch to a normal A chord, he figured it out in the end though. Great song

[muse5life]

man I love this

[geekyunicorn]

This is my favourite song ever.

[whato1986]

One of the best songs ever written

[kitkat5467]

im seriously inlove with this song

[Jahmichael123]

fucking great

[vrv1020]

I loooove this song

[LAMAAOW]

<3

I wish NMH would get back together

[Apolito85]

haha. Amazing face when he broke the first string.

[rockernino]

Thanks for putting this up!