Neutral Milk Hotel / Jeff Mangum - Oh Comely

[whatthechump]

My dream has always been to see this song played live.. I guess I missed my chance.

[LOLFLUSHDRAW]

@olehh1 that fact that you felt it necessary to tell us you are 15 makes you a hypocritical moron

[BakehousePictures]

It's a potato!!!

[nickphilhower]

I love you Jeff Mangum. Jeff Mangum, I love you yes I do!

[infinityundone]

Why didn't he finish the song? :(

[SatanCantDance]

Holy shit.

[phroga]

My favorite thing about this video is when he can't reach the note at 2:35 but nailed it at 4:25. He might not be the strongest singer but he makes up for it with sincerity

[grasd2]

@KevinKolb4 just imagined my 89 year old grandpa typing that out

[brownteal21]

Let's hunt him down and force him to mate with our most attractive hipsters.

[TheTerriblyTerrific1]

anyone know of any books on jeff or neutral milk hotel

[brownteal21]

@TheTerriblyTerrific1 There is a book called Will Grayson, Will Grayson. The protagonist talks a lot about Jeff/NMH and how they inspired him.

[JumpsuitJamboree]

Jeff Mangum has to be the fucking greatest musical mind I've ever seen. I watch him play these simple chords on an awkward beat with a quirky weird voice, and say more lyrics than 10 songs by any other band, and he makes it all sound so infallibly perfect. Just nuances and pitch shifts that sound wrong but feel right. Every note he plays or sings taking the song somewhere new, and all the things he says being unintelligible gibberish that makes sense and means something. Just amazing.

[enroserie]

Never mind my age, I just adore this song.

[MrHumphreyDavy]

Get your fool ass back into the studio magnum!!!

[kaylamanor]

Jeff, you slay me.

[poada2008]

jesus man

[poada2008]

this is quite good

[MrPhant4]

@purplestuff he is in new york:-)

[thomo1888]

Prepare your mountaintop

[smokejc]

Some of the best lyrics I've ever come across right there.

[paulaaabear]

All sorts of fantastic.

[poada2008]

This is as good as E.T.  It fucking is.

[alund1306]

Jeff Mangum may be the only reason I'm proud to be from Louisiana.

[thewhimsicalwish]

@alund1306 but NEW ORLEANS!!

[LeeRoySand]

saw NMH at the 40 watt in athens in 98....great show.....

[chumanjames]

he is yoddling the whole time. lol

[tehchili]

man...this song was fucking epic trippin balls last night!!! pure genius!

[toobsockproductions]

@spongebong93 oh my god i had the same reaction, i literally broke down in tears after hearing this and i'm not afraid to admit it (but i'm 14)

[AnnaTheDrooganLeader]

He reminds me of Steve Martin.

[brownteal21]

Jeff Mangum is no musician. Jeff Mangum is a poet.

[sergangus]

And, a musician.

[alferdjeffers]

Unbelievably powerful. The best NHM song in my opinion. Just heartbreaking.

[KylaMcGinnis]

I love Jesse Lacey's (Brand New) cover of this also.

[totallybogass]

parks and rec sent me to this, cant believe i had never heard em before, awesome

[ChrisMorrisMusic]

if you listen to the very end you can hear the amazed excitement of a perfect take! this guy is the real deal- he is channeling something or someone! this is what real music is all about!

[tonyhaamen]

im pretty sure this song is longer than 5 minutes

[imgaston]

@purplestuff I second this. Jeff, if you're reading this, I am willing to make a formal contract.

[Toasttoastingfingers]

Thunderous sparks from the dark of the stadium

The music and medicine you needed for comforting

[Matheusnightwish]

" I Wish i Could Save Her, In Some Sort Of Time Machine "

[om3g4z3r0]

is THIS what THE world NEEDED ... good SONGS

[milkmilkmilk17]

HO-LEE SHIT!!!!! (my favorite part of Oh Comely) if you dont know what i'm talking about, turn the volume up really loud at the very end of the song when listening to it on your record player, cd player, iPod.

[tonyhaamen]

@milkmilkmilk17

I know right! i didnt think anyone else heard that. he was so happy cuz he recorded it right the first time. i wonder what he would say if he messed up mid song O_O

[HellShadee]

THE YOUNGER YOU LISTEN TO THE MUSIC THE BETTER YOU ARE.

Ah, youtube comments.

[beccaaa346]

@purplestuff yeah i would too

[TDubbs76]

JEFF! PLUCK ALL YOUR NOTES FOR ME AND BEND ALL YOUR SILLY STRINGS PLEASE!!

[zedkitty]

The lyrics to this song just slay me...it's eerie how a song written by a stranger I will never meet is so personal to me. It is like an aural hologram of an emotional period in my life.

[oreides]

@zedkitty

um. ya pretty much nailed it.

[artistsandbox]

what did he say at the end?

[shawnzo9]

@artistsandbox he says "Chris Someone is up next, thank you very much"

[RdSoxFan618]

Mangum takes my 11 years of English classes and shits on them with PhD in English from Harvard-like lyrics.

[Serileigh]

I would give anything to see him play...

[Jakeak74]

This songs sends chills down my spine.. Beautiful..

[BradWest96]

That's a lot of fucking words to remember. With no real structure to the song, this one must've been hard to memorise, even if they're his lyrics. Damn.

[T3hL337Sesshy]

@BradWest96 Listen very carefully to the studio recording, if you can get your hands on it. At the very end, there's a faintly audible "Holy SHIT" yelled by somebody in the studio. The entire recording was done in one take, on the first try. He doesn't need any studio tricks to make his music magical.

[BradWest96]

@T3hL337Sesshy I've noticed the "Holy SHIT" line before, and often quote it in public. Anyway, Aeroplane is one of my favourite albums of all time BECAUSE it's so raw, so easy to listen to. I love it.

[RawryMcRawr]

@BradWest96 when you've listened to it a few times you'll know it by heart :P

[BradWest96]

@RawryMcRawr Yeah, yr right, I've listened to it plenty of times now and I think I've got it down. :7P

[shanemoku]

...And then he gets up and walks off the stage like he didn't just rock faces.

[alliepeaa]

i love neutral milk hotel <3

[rivers221]

my god its just as good live...

[Nickolocity]

@spongebong93 Yeah dude for sure. This whole album is super intense.

[CancerWTF]

I need a new album.  Neutral Milk Hotel please. whole milk

[joannaholder]

Jeff M. is scheduled a rare performance in NY on May 6 for a benefit concert.

[quizlixx]

I would gladly sell all my guitars for a new album

[0c4pnh4nk]

you guys are featured in Will Grayson, Will Grayson - a novel by John Green and David Levithan.

[gurkmannen37]

is he using a "Levin" guitar?

[lilydujour]

Absolute and pure genius.  Beautiful.

[CrazedPeeling]

He's gorgeous!

His music, his stage presence, his lyrics, to how he plays his guitar!

Just got into this album about a week ago, and I'm hooked--and also sad they didn't release a lot of music, but grateful for this PERFECT album.

[pmpinbg]

that jeff mangum... is one amazing man :D

[ZakMorbid]

Best song of all time ever!

[linny5227]

i know exactly what you mean. i listen to everything. i first head them when i was probably a freshman in high school...and now im almost 20..but its just something about his lyrics and voice combined with the music that hypnotizes you and draws you in emotionally.

[thisnameztaken]

pause! lol

[dankhax]

amazing song

[indieifyoucan]

i miss neutral milk, everyone was so interested in how he came up with his lyrical magic, that he got burnt out, the way he wrote it was intensely personal, yet allowed the listener to make what they need it to mean. indie fans are too inquisitive, just let it hit, enjoy and draw the conclusions YOU need... kinda like built to spill, doug refuses to say there is anything personal in his music, yet its so intense he just wants to sing it and not talk about it... we should all be so lucky

[littlejimmyjames]

@indieifyoucan

i was saying just that in a lecture the other day. i played a song to the class and they thought it was good etc but the words, i said, were no ones buseness. and why spoil it? im shit at lyrics any way so i try to make em sound good instead. i love built to spill btw

[rubypuntcake]

words will never describe, jeff you have my heart

[Ghostofgrace92]

I hate how people have killed Music. I wish people still thought like I did and listened to music with heart and played it with heart and Wrote Verses and Guitar Pieces that come straight from the soul , no matter if no one understood what the fuck you were talking about , because it feels good to play , whether under a bridge or in a Pub , it's the thing inside the cries when all i can do is sigh. thank god we have Jeff to keep that alive.

[mistercath]

i think he quit while he was ahead

[tkmat]

i honestly believe this is one of the greatest songs ever written. the lyrics are intense. beautiful performance.

[peroxideh2o2]

Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｔｒａｇｅｄｙ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｈｅａｒ　ｗｈａｔ　Ｌａｄｙ　Ｇａｇａ　ｈａｓ　ｔｏ　ｓａｙ　ｒａｔｈｅｒ　ｔｈａｎ　ｌｉｓｔｅｎ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｉｓ．　：［

[belljar13z]

@peroxideh2o2 lady who?

[PAT095]

who ever was at this show is a very very lucky individual.

[nikiyadig]

i have never been so interested and infatuated with one human being in my entire life. Jeff is honestly the most inspirational character that has ever walked this salty earth. and its unfortunate how his message is only sent to a few people. i think he really has so much to tell.

[NightRanger77]

By his lyrics alone, or how he carries himself? Because from what I read, hes intensely private...

[nikiyadig]

just his entire being.

[stillwhising91]

AMAZING BAND.Sad there not together ,one of the last gifts the 90's gave us.

[hibberzz]

beautttttifulllll

[TheNYCLifeStyle]

It makes me very sad to think I will never get the chance to hear this live. I was FOUR when they disbanded. :(

[j0kerman2]

Hmm, think I was about nine when they disbanded. There just isnt enough people like Jeff from our generation making music anymore

[xraistlininblackx]

I was TWO.

[steve0619]

Pretty impressive someone of your age appreciates this music!

i thought i was young at 17 haha

Out of curiosity, how did you find NMH ?

[xraistlininblackx]

I had heard of them a lot but never listened to them until I saw Isaac Brock mention them in an interview. Haha. I downloaded On Avery Island, and was really disappointed, then I played my cousins vinyl copy of ITAPOTS all the way through. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

[yourcrapsweak]

oh my god i love this man.

[casperinfinito]

tremendo cancionero el q refleja jeff en ese disco inmortal

[ryanthethird]

yes, music like this is still being made. just look hard and you'll find it. in 98' people were saying everything sucked too. . guess they were wrong, huh?

(check out my songs, they aren't this incredible, but they're a start)

[ZRN959]

holy SHIT! Man, for a song with four chords, Amazingness (is that a word?) and Beauty come out.

[moderndaechristine]

do you happen to know what those cords are?

[ZRN959]

E-C then G-D

or D-G.

[moderndaechristine]

Thanks!

[steve0619]

most of the song (verses) is just E-C

then throws in the odd G and finally a D.

just play E-C, easy to work out where rest fits in

[ChefFlick]

that was amazing! please bring this music to Canada!

[piratewannabe2]

they disbanded in 98 :(

[yourcrapsweak]

they haven't been together in 11 years.

[saxonde68]

I'm compelled to comment, but I can't find the words...

[j0kerman2]

How about,,,holy shit, that was amazing!!!!! ;)

[saxonde68]

Thought about that, but still only managed to express the tip of the proverbial iceberg!!

[j0kerman2]

I know, they just dont make music like this these days

[saxonde68]

agreed and lamented...

[maxmarino]

r.i.p AF

[ChefFlick]

dear god...

[Tovacorona]

I was at this show. It was euphoric, delerious, amazing. A powerful artist for our time.

[dudesons441]

lucky

[xiaphias]

I love on the album at the end of the song you hear some guy, probably in the recording room, yell Holy SHIT!!

[charlequin952]

thats because he recorded the whole song through in one shot, on the first try. Jeff Mangum is a genius

[angelzyt43]

i ment mangum. i write mangum whenever i try to write magnum. ha. and vise virsa.

[angelzyt43]

jeff magnum is such a fuckin badass motha fucka

[godandxzd]

my all time favourite band+album...............

[MicaelaDesrosiers]

this song is amazing!

[h0merg0mez]

e c g d

[adamspun]

only three cords...? yeah so its well shit. i wish people would stop the technical obsession. This song is awsome, who cares if it is just him and a tambourine? what difference does it make? it still makes me want to cry and brood all the same. Fuck you and burn all u neo nazi rasist scum motherfuckers, burn like the blame and hatred burns unjustly in your hearts, many are lost and lonely and dont take it out on others. U will burn eventuly nazi scum fuckers!

[freemanizer]

I've only recently discovered this band. I love this song.

[Patotexitez]

sounds like some syd barrett solo songs, genius!

[lapdog1970]

will she remember me fifty years later, i wish i could save her in some sort of time machine. my favorite line, most genius!

[chrisahc]

2 chords ftw....

[dropxdeadxdinosaur]

Usually when the singer is also playing an instrument, they focus either more on the words or the playing. I don't know, I thought that was common sense...

[goo5o]

he uses more than just 2 chords

[jrobertwood]

Well he throws in a few more (G and D) but mostly its just E and C. Its not a progression used very often.

[sMC193]

no it's three chords.

[JAPrice91]

I love how the video looks a lot older than it is, it adds class

[weihoozie]

What do you mean? It's from 1997 and it was transferred from a vhs tape.

[JAPrice91]

when I watch it, I get a mid 80's feel. maybe that's just me

[methylparaben]

i cant believe this was 12 years ago. brilliant song

[ajkpchee1]

"oh comely" is probably one of the most beautiful, meaningful songs ever written. thanks jeff for this breathtaking performance.

[AnthonyWeston]

words can't really describe how good i thought that performance was.

[alestergray]

So beautiful. Jeff Mangum is so wonderful, genius.

[RussieSkies]

such an influential guy

[deatheater459]

i like sailing through

[naomiwitter87]

This is quite a powerful performance.

Beautiful.

His music is just beautiful.

[somaddict]

@ dashboardgurl2000

Jeff suffers from a pretty bad Bi Polar disorder. He kind of dropped off the face of the earth eventually due to this.

[pistolaslive]

@ somaddict

It was disorganized schizophrenia. He's back, he's well, and has his own radio program.

[somaddict]

That is excellent to hear!

A good friend of mine ran into Jeff randomly in New Zealand. Jeff talked to him about his mental issues and mentioned bi polar, so yes, my information is hearsay.

Is he back in Athens?

[dudesons441]

jeff has his own radio show?

[lloplop]

that is not true. you are confused or just a liar.

[dashboardgurl2000]

I dont know if Jeff realizes just how powerful this song is and how people hang on every word of his music. I mean, he just gets up at the end and scurries off the stage. It was like a lyrical smack in my face, I cant even explain. Its like someone reciting the most beautiful poetry and before you have time to let it register and thank them, they're out the door.

Silly Jeff.

[shanghaisam37]

it's weird, he skipped out on 'know all your enemies.'

[lloplop]

not weird. he always sings songs differently

[shanghaisam37]

this song changed my life too.

[go30tigers7]

I have alot of respect for Jeff, NMH is one of the most underrated bands in history but I like it that way, it being abit obscure makes it much more special to listen to.

[Tribune12345]

Except NMH isn't underrated..... o.O In fact there is practically NO bad review of their "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea."

Little known maybe, but not underrated.

[stantheguy]

Why did NMH go on hiatus?!

Seriously, get it back together Jeff and make a return.

[AngleUK]

i agree, but then at the same time i wonder if some things should just be left

[vgibson122389]

this song quite literally changed my life.

[stellarkate]

He is insanely enticing. I love to love him.

[lloplop]

i dont feel that was about those albums. ok computer is great, dont get me wrong. all of the early elephant 6 albums are great. they all have that athens georgia sound. i dont know about godspeed now. check out von hemmling

[Blackwaterdesigns]

Will do.

Those are just albums I'm fully able to listen to from beginning to end, maybe only not enjoying one part of a song. I've also recently gotten a taste for Funeral, and Kid A, Burn Piano Island Burn, Feels, and Nouns.

Oh, these are all albums for the record. I'ma go give this Von Hemmling a try.

[lloplop]

sorry I was drunk and confused last night! Von Hemmling is a cool band, the album from 1993, but not fully listening. I have yet to find anything as lyrically satisfying as NMH. I just like everything they made, so it's not really ITAOTS, it's also Avery, Beauty etc. Check out Van Hem, but I just think all Elephant 6 bands rock. The Gerbils, Circulatory System, Nan Grizol, Major Organ and the Adding Machine (mangum plays in this band) Olivia Tremor Control. check out the Elephant 6 site

[professorbrango]

the song was still being developed at that point. it was two songs; 'oh comely' and 'goldaline.'

[N1NTHW9RD]

he left out the best part!!!!

know your enemies,

know who your enemies are

[dlewis7]

He's a genious. Done.

[ilikethenumber8]

This song never gets old.

[dansnikolayevich]

TOOOOO GOOOD

[dudesons441]

god bless the 90's

[StevoHuff]

"This song is so emotional I think its part of why he no longer performs it. This song in particular is quite depressing although beautiful. I wouldnt want to continually play this if I were him. He played/said what he needed to and not to sound pretentious but what it is, is perfection."

- probably the most inspiring thing about Jeff Mangum. he came into the music scene to get some shit off of his chest, then when he said what he needed to say, he just left.

[00AntennasToHeaven00]

I'd say any of the songs on AOTS are very emotional, especially this one and "Two Headed Boy"

[daylightfolds]

thanks for the link as well! great upload!

[ishtanbul]

This song is so emotional I think its part of why he no longer performs it. This song in particular is quite depressing although beautiful. I wouldnt want to continually play this if I were him. He played/said what he needed to and not to sound pretentious but what it is, is perfection.

[NatHarry]

This is the best thing on YouTube

[Guitar4Life2007]

excellent song and performance. i think jeff and NMH are totally and completely UNDERRATED! this guy deserves to be highly recognized for his talents.. totally amazing..

[sulakid]

I wish he was still here. His songs make me think of wonderful yet indescribable things. I love him. No covers are anything close to his art.

[DarknessHowls]

I actually like the live videos of the songs more than the studio recordings...his voice just sounds better, in my opinion, here.

Either way, great song+album!

[naomiwitter87]

I love his voice. it's so unique, and beautiful in it's own way. plus, this song is just immaculately written.

[loewen23]

this song gives me chills.

[matinlawence]

me too! Its my favorite song

[slaughterhouse7]

Somtimes I just can't listen to this song in it's entirety, especially if I'm stoned (lol) because the imagery is just way too powerful. I feel overcome.

[titojack8]

amen. this is the only song to actually make me tear up.

[nitros3000]

This one makes me tear up, so do both of the Two Headed Boys.

[OPCXZNN]

Aeroplane Over the Sea is one of the few albums where I really enjoy listening to all the songs and not just a few of them.

[bedlamsoothsayer]

they did a surprise show they didnt tell anyone aabout a couple of months back