Josh Ritter Returns to Letterman ("To the Dogs or Whoever")

[foresstguy]

I've watched this video many times and the drum fill takes me by surprise every single time. Amazing...

[Ethonadon]

tom selleck on bass!

[leftcoastpunk]

He's my role model.

[jonforpresident04]

How are there dislikes?

[StanleyBradshaw]

this... thats the happiest drummer.

[willicalls]

This one burns into my brain - I'll be humming it (badly) all night (again). Josh is cool.

[0123juls3210]

<3 this man, this band, these words, and that melody

[TheeArtificial]

Who would like a totally unique woodburnt portrait of Josh Ritter that has been signed by the man himself for $5? Raffles are selling now for Save the Kimberley organisation to help save the prestine region of outstanding natural beauty in the far North West of Australia from industrialisation.

Checkout CIRCLE OF ONE FOUNDATION (dot) ORG (dot) AU and click on events for more details!...Tickets will be drawn on 30th August 2011

[The1Alpha2Omega]

Just saw him in Carrboro NC. It was the best concert I have ever seen and probably will ever see. He played every song with the same enthusiasm and energy as the last. Simply Incredible.

[intergalaticSonic7s]

the drummer looks so happy ... its contagious! :)

[JEP177777]

What a fantastic song !

[Harmonator1000]

Wow, that was amazing.

[jamesmoisson]

acctually i compare josh ritter to nostradamus but whos counting?

[mikeytikey1]

Frightened Rabbit brought me here - Scott Hutchison is touring with him now & if they think he's good then he must be good. And he is. Very.

[funniestbone]

@mikeytikey1 That would be the best. concert. ever.

[bstreich23]

I'd rather listen to Bieber

[zdarkmind]

@bstreich23 you redefine gayness.....

[OhDarling101]

@bstreich23 brave.

[Grawp55]

Sorry, i like other of his songs but this one is just a jumble of frantic pretentious lyrics crammed in and meaningless, with so many references just to be clever.

[leftcoastpunk]

@Grawp55 I have to disagree. It's not frantic or pretentious....Consider how great literary poets such as Robert Frost, Ralph Waldo Emerson and even modernist writers such Jorge Borges often create great works of art using allusions, abstraction and other literary devices...yet...a lot of their work (especially Borges) seems very meaningless to the casual reader when, in fact, there are reasons and meaning behind every line and word used....There is a reason behind the madness as they say.

[OhDarling101]

@leftcoastpunk Biever does that too. Baby has layers. . . . kind of like his hair now

[SeEsAw121221]

@Grawp55 All indie music is pretentious and meaningless lol It's not bad... but you just have to understand. And @Grawp55, if you compare Josh Ritter to R. Frost or R.W. Emerson... then you're delusional.

i love Josh Ritter's music but let's accept it for what it is.

[ME550Maranello]

I love Josh Ritter. He is the savour of music. Check out One Red Martian - Sly Dreamer. Also may be the savour.

[CSut21]

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but HOW THE HELL can you dislike this? I mean come on, an amazing freakin performance like this? 6 dislikes...Jack Asses!!!

[goshgollyg214]

Almost three years since this originally aired, and I'm still watching this video on a regular basis. Josh Ritter, you are an awesome human being and deserve all the success you've had (and way more!).

[amsterdamshusi]

What I love about Josh Ritter, in addition to his beautiful songs, is the fact that he is ALWAYS smiling onstage. You know that he is happy when he's performing. The spirit of the music gets to him and that, subsequently, gets to me. It's just a wonderful experience to listen to him and watch him play.

[TriumphT140]

Seeing Ritter live is magical, he is just SO happy to be up there doing what he's doing, that plus his music just makes your heart glow.

[dstter]

He is not Ringo. He is Rambo! yeeeah!

[panchovans]

brillaint, totally agree with comment below - this guy is class and always smiling on stage. what if other musicians had half his presense!

also love the r=drum roll at the end and letterman's comments v funny :)

[jcharles65]

Obies Rock! Liz Phair, Karen O, Chris Brokaw, Josh...who else? More to come!

[dreamer54321a]

Josh is incredibly genuine. I saw him first in concert in 2003, then in 2004, he did a solo mini show at a bookstore in Hagerstown Maryland. I drove 2 hours one-way to see it. After he performed, he signed CD's and chatted. As he was signing my CD, he looked up at me right in the eye, and said with a smile "So what are you up to today?". He said it the exact same way your best friend would say it. I was tongue-tied... what could I say, that I drove 4 hours to see him play?

[uselessidguy331]

The best live song I've ever heard...saw him last Saturday @ the 9:30 Club in DC. I'll put Josh right on par with Dylan in his prime. I've never seen a more genuine, sincere live performance...the guy is magical.

[nudeone34]

Josh has such great charm & class...why can't more rock musicians have this vibe...always a pleasure to watch him & the band...(a fan in Milwaukee...)...

[jaymac070477]

I'm going to see him for the 1st ever in 6 days!!! Something tells me I'm about to be even more hooked on this guy...if that's even possible. I think he's our generations closest thing to Bob Dylan.

[GrizzliesBand3]

i love this guy, he is just freakin awesome,HIS NEW ALBUM IS COMING OUT TOMMOROW. I ALREADY HEARD A FEW TRACKS OF IT AND THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!

[gerryiam]

That last drum fill was sexy...

Awesome performance.

[CrazySurferChic]

amazing, but the drummer is slightly TOO happy for my comfort!

[chocoholic454]

@CrazySurferChic I just noticed how jolly he is....brilliant!!! Hes so frigin funny!!

[drummerboyrocks]

amazing performance!!!! :-)

[idgeit]

amazing song!

[dwilson94]

Saw him perform this at the Wiltern Nov. 19th 2009. Pretty wild performance so much fun!

[mrschrisdaughtry]

he's from my town! i saw him this summer in my own small town and i see him again in 2 weeks :)

[Ichimaru84]

hes from my town too! which means we must be from the same town

[DisasterCrafter]

0:52 that drummer's having a good time! lol who wouldn't though jammin' with ritter?

[nickdurrett]

this guy makes me want to cut off the computer, throw my televison out the window and just write more and more songs... he is off the chain

[thistledown]

I don't remember when I last saw a band have this much fun while performing.

[0123juls3210]

@thistledown never! :)

[luxou812]

@thistledown you are underexposed. This is boring and gay (not that kind of gay) to me.

[darkcanuck]

god like

[musicqueen05]

Such a belting performance of an excellent. Ritter is just amazing; lyrically and melodically!! He deserves much more attention than he gets.

[walkerlg]

Yes agreed

[Ichimaru84]

@musicqueen05 I met him when my choir performed with him.

[undonerep]

I can't decide which performance was better, Ritter on Letterman or "Song for the Road" by David Ford on Last Call w/ Carson.

[cowedbywisdom]

In between the apples and chloroform. Great lyricist. Thanks for posting!

[uselessidguy331]

Such a nice guy. A gift and a blessing to the music world.

[Kodiakbernese]

Saw him live last year - EXCELLENT!!

[irishmauddib]

hehehe look at his first time on letterman. He was scared as! Now look at this !!! Genius :)

David, dont let anyone on your show twice :) They get cocky!!! :)

[Pamicox]

fucking genius wooow

[rockerdude29]

Saw this dude on think TV two days ago at like 3 in the morning,and I just loved his energy,it looks like he is having so much fun up there playing,I couldnt find the band name because I fell asleep,but i finally found it,and he is a phenomenal musician.

[bullett2434]

he sounds a lot like dylan

[JinzoCreed]

I like Ritter much more than Dylan. Sorry to the Dylan fans

[frostedwinter]

He is much much better than Dylan, hands down

[hotdawgmoney]

Josh's main electric here lately has been his Gretsch. I know he's got the Ibanez and he also plays a Tele.

[timp12]

Nice outro with the drums :D

[grimatongueworm]

Cool song, but, um, I wish the bass player would just play the frigging bass and leave the drums to the um...DRUMMER! :-)

[VelvetRazz]

true true still great though!

[TenThousandSaxons]

So, I've finally found a way to explain just how much I like this guy. Per the omnipotence paradox:

Clapton is God, right?

Josh Ritter is that boulder that's too heavy for him to lift.

[ckad79]

Song sounds a lot like Subterranean Homesick Blues, but I can't say he's the next Dylan. haha It is good, but Josh reminds me more of many artists since his sound has changed a lot over the years. I do hear a lot of Nick Drake and Springsteen.

[johndylan08]

Next dylan perhaps?

[HearttackVine]

Ternus is way cooler

[frostedwinter]

Josh is way cool....Totally awesome tunes!!!!

[maddy19091986]

He's the BEST...no doubts about it!!

[frostedwinter]

Josh is way cool, and this is an awesome tune:)

[milesofmilestone]

what kind of guitar is the lead using?

[TheEthanSays]

one of those guitars is a Creston, but i'm not sure which.

[xXThatChadXx]

are you talking about Josh Ritter's Guitar?

i dont know what Josh plays but the other Guitar player has a Danelectro

[MilesStone92]

josh is using an ibanez talman.

[GregWest1988]

It's an Ibanez Talman

[milesofmilestone]

you are corrrect sir

[boyjeeneus]

omg! i didn't realize neil patrick harris played drums!

[floatbluorchid]

greatt song, but is he using a capo?

[nevanmcc]

Mr. O'Neill. Flip you for showing me this video. Cant stop watching it. Brilliant brilliant stuff. Great band behind him too

[Frankthetank647]

Filthy Mcnasty

[joesfde1]

La polla

[jimbojim68]

Dave says "Nice to meet you" but it was the band's second appearance. What's up, Dave, you don't know good music?

[EternalEraserRain]

dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooood!

[19Javier55]

I read in Josh's web he loves to receive handwritten letters from his fans. I wrote him some months ago. Last week I received a postcard from Idaho. Guess who was. Thanks Josh.

[floatbluorchid]

hahaha that is so cool.

[sayacate]

awesome! where did you find his address? I couldn't find it...

[thatericguy1]

nice to see band members who are happy, smiling, obviously having a blast.

[darreneedens]

what kind of guitar is he playing?

[ahoman1]

maybe a fender jaguar...

[darreneedens]

take a look at the head stock... definitely not a fender.... who ever gave you a plus one should check as well.

It has 3 tuners on each side, which is what left me confused. You can see it at :12 for sure.

Thanks anyways.

[jonsays]

its a creston. creston guitars are handbuilt in vermont by a cool guy. google creston guitars.

[darreneedens]

Thanks so much!

GOOGLING now

[kerstea]

I love this video. I love this song, and everything about it. And this version just does something for me that the recorded version doesn't. Fantastic. < 3

[visga]

I agree. They're awesome live performers. I like how they interact onstage.

[bnj962]

Josh Ritter is awesome live. He's a great performer.

[timp12]

It sure was :)

[distiller56]

drum fill on the end was bamf

[Satyridae]

God, I love this band. Each of the members is doing two instruments at once (As much as I could keep track) and STILL sounding amazing, not to mention how much fun they're obviosuly having. I love how the drummer's rocking out to Josh's voice before he even picks up the sticks, and the breakdown at the end~ If only all bands were as enthusiastic as this. Cx

[ThisIsWar257]

does anyone know what kind of guitar josh is using? he seems to like that company, im just not sure what it is

[prpleppleeater]

Love it live it love it and live it. Love Josh Ritter, he is such a BAMF. Come to Portland. Again. SOON! I'm bummed he skipped it on this summer's mini-tour!

[matt83629]

why do they have the guitar playing also playing drums

[tinymech]

Why not is the real question

[dylankmusic]

That's the bass player. People go to rock shows to see the artists as well as hear them. Imagine a show where all the musicians just stood there stiff with stoic faces. Would that be as fun? The drummer could obviously handle the part but it's a lot of fun see two people on a drum kit.

[mm02116]

Awesome, thanks for posting! Saw Josh this past Friday at Boston Symphony Hall where he performed with his band and the Boston Pops orchestra. He brought down the house! Also met him after the show and he was so amazingly sweet! I don't think there's a nicer musician on the planet!

[mamacoke]

I was at that show too. The best show I ever saw!

[cactusfarm]

letterman is such a cock

[FXMAN66]

Thanks for sharing. WTF does that have to do with the clip?

[SocramOL]

Buenísimo.

[SOCOMJ3SUS]

How is this guy even close to Dylan?

Almost everything in this song was derived from something Dylan did sixty years ago!

[cassnate6259]

Every musician has influences, that's what makes music what it is! Josh definitely channels the likes of Dylan and Springsteen, but if you look deeper into his music, you'll realize that he is a HUGE original talent. Not to mention one of the most kind and compassionate musicians I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

[norella81]

Amen!

[cammayhue]

hey dumb ass, I don't think this was derived from something Dylan did 60 years ago. If you would have said maybe 45 years ago I might not have known you were dumb. Try not to bring other people down with you. I know its hard, but some of us actually understand the progression and roots of music, write me back with an artist in the last 20 years who didn't derive their music from someone else.

[libertiny]

G-R-E-A-T comment my friend!

[hinafan01]

EAPPWIA. Extremly amazing perfect person who is awesome. ONly way I know how to describe him. ~^-^~ you rock Jooossshhhh!!!!!!!!

[justinmc16]

this guy is super talented

[WindsweptAngel]

I was there last night too, was pretty amazing, came all the way from nott's to see him :).

[lupetland]

I just saw him at a tiny social club in Leeds, UK and....wow, he was so amzing! The venue was tiny, and there was such a great atmosphere...lots of audience banter, with one slightly tipsy student buying drinks for the band...Josh was in really great voice, and was enjoying himself so much! I think he was quite impressed by the ecstatic reaction from such a tiny, and utterly packed venue. He deserves international recognistion!

[uselessidguy331]

I cannot reiterate enough how exceptional Josh Ritter is as a song writer. In an age of standardized, canned music, Ritter transcends the status quo. Your can really hear a part of the artist in this song; he is a brilliant musician and a breath of fresh air.

[rorrt]

calling him exeptional is not doing him service, he is truly original, IMHO hes better than a Young Dylan, and i think soon he will be better as a alround music experience, Lyrics/Backing Music

[ahoman1]

I completely agree with you. I believe when his career is over, he will be one of the best singer/songwriters we have seen.

[blue2blueinthenight]

It sure is good were entitled our point of view.

To even use his name in the same sentence as Dylan at this point is sheer naivety IMHO.

[rorrt]

Its your opinion, you're entitled to it, but i will say they are both great, but IMHO he currently is better than a YOUNG!!! Dylan, not an older Dylan

[chumpymonkey]

Also saw the Groningen show. It really was *that* good. So much positive energy! You can tell Josh + band are really doing what they love and sharing it with the rest of us...

[motivemotley]

Just saw him in Groningen(The Netherlands)

Easterday the first,very good performance!

We enjoy:)

[loochdog]

Just saw him in Ottawa and was blown away. So glad I got to see them in a small club. Truly talented him and his band.

[kreic029]

wonderful, absolutely. in my top ten albums of all time! if you can, go see him live!!!!

[mehmeh202]

Such a good performance...love it.

[00missprism00]

How fun is this?! Exhilarating!!

[VideosTimes2]

Not sure they come any better than Josh Ritter!

[boogiman007]

this is what you get when 2 neuroscientist have sex ? shit!

[jarchri]

Best Concert I've ever been to!!! I saw them live in Boise, ID. Unbelievable. You all owe it to yourself to find the lyrics to this song and read through them... "She spends all of her time lovin me plenty, cause she knows there will come day when we won't be getting any." To true.. Great Band and a lyrical genius!!!!

[akroyd]

jachri,

"she MAKES THE MOST OF HER TIME BY lovin me plenty..."

[jonnyroasta]

THIS IS SO WEIRD WHAT'S GOING ON???

This is hecka good though.

[tinyvesselsx]

Wow, that was awesome.

[pythoniac]

nice one, doug! :-) shame about the sound, though, liam sounds like he's playing in the bath. :-(

[doodlebug1012]

awesome -- as usual

[Netweb]

Of all the Josh Ritter videos I have seen this is by far the best performance I have ever seen the band perform.

[dotsie7320]

good! more great stuff from josh and band to send out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Always cheers me up on the dumbest of days.

[rosepose88]

wow so awesome to see you guys kicking it! you really WENT for it, I just love watching this!!!!! love you all, rose p

[benedictus41]

I just love how Josh always has that smile on his face. It's nice to see arists and musicians are actually having fun. Can't wait to see you in Athens, Mr. Ritter!

[shawnogordo]

Great performance, as to be expected.

[blascologique]

incredible stuff !! pls do another US tour with glen hansard!!

[raggytrousers]

brilliant, the drummer is smiley/smilier

than JR?

yep this album is fantastic as are his others.

who's your man with the hat?

[pythoniac]

he's austin nevins, the new lead guitarist. i serious asset for the band, too. :-)

[brklyn2sf]

Conquests is the best record of the last ten years.

[pavement27]

When I saw this on Letterman I became an instant fan...Such amazingly exciting lyrics...Reminds me of mid sixties dylan energy...This is just one of the best songs I've heard lately. I also hear "Temptation Of Adam" and realized good lord this guy is an amazing talent. And there are few people who can write a song like this guy.....Josh Ritter is a new favorite...

[paulartsondotcom]

Man, this is fantastic. Twice on Letterman now, how great!

[xXxlilxhottiexXx]

Top Man Top Band back in UK in March tickets booked for Bloomsbury 31st cannot wait

[LaurieBlue14]

LOVED it!

[sarahem78]

I love Josh!!! And it's so awesome to see how happy they all are to preform. He brings a great energy to the stage and he's so wonderful to see live!

[geeksquad4ever]

That was AMAZING!!!

It just cracks me up to see Josh

jump around like that!

[jkorn1]

Wow...what a great performance. Can't get better than that!

[rcpedersen01]

Liam's awesome.

[ckad79]

My favorite band. Glad to see you guys getting more attention on a national level.

[Satyridae]

+Squeal+

LOVE.

[spaceelevators]

And check out that hair. You go Josh!

[spaceelevators]

The sound on this is fabulous. Another great performance. Kudos to Josh and the boys!

[allatsea113]

i'm smiling so wide right now. love is the only word to describe this.

[beckywestnoteast]

woo hoo. that was awesome. you ALL sound and look fabulous!

[melancholyjen]

josh ritter is love and this song is lust.

[karmakelly]

Oh that was superb..you guys were rocked that one out! Best thing I've seen on tv in months :)

[Shazie22]

Awesome!!!!!!!!

[oakshield]

oh shit son, this makes me happy

[pechohawk]

Great stuff

[pechohawk]

Outstanding! Hope to see and hear more

[HeatherRoo22]

love.