Todd Rundgren - Want of a Nail

[azsunkist]

KennyParkz-You may not know of him becauset he's not a top 40's guy. Kind of like how J.Depp likes to take odd roles. He is the genius behind so many grps you WOULD know of. An artist & an awesome performer. He has a following of ppl who just travel from st to st & country to country. He was asked by the London Phil to write the music for a tribute to the Beatles. He is married to Michelle & has a daughter & a son (Rebop). Very nice ppl-met them in Chicago where he plays quite a bit!

[AmericaniCast]

He has been famous. My 5 year old couldn't road trip without his Todd For The Want Of A Nail CD, he's now 24. They said Pink Floyd got to where they would not do to the studio unless Todd what there mixing for them! He is a hell of a talent. He just wasn't so into the top 40 stuff, but his Hello It's Me had us dancing on our hoods! Good question you had and dam good taste you have. J.D.Gragg catch me FB and I'll turn you on to really now known talent.

[okrabay]

he's not gay, he's power logged some of the hottest ladies back in the day, and i bet he still gets it when he wants it.

[KennyParkz]

can someone tell me why he's not so famous? like.. i havent heard of this guy... till now.. and he's fantastic.. why is he not up there with the greats?

[Darkwolfhowlslak]

Todd Rundgren is a super star, one of the most versatile artists in the business, nobody rocked an audience like Todd!

[entheos22]

Never holds back... he's got a box of nails!

[bry3921]

what's missing in this world is the album Bobby and Todd should make together. The two most under the radar hepcats you'll ever find

[petecellar]

I forgot all about this one. More proof that Todd had the uncanny ability to make even pop sound great!

[Darkwolfhowlslak]

Love this, absolutely brilliant!!

[jzjoynt]

Will Lee, Bass, c'mon y'all help me out....

Who else ??

Really that's the Letterman band...wow, we gettin' old...

[Brillister]

@jzjoynt

Anton Figg - Drums / Sid ??? on Guitar...This performance kicks azz!

[jzjoynt]

Will Lee, Bass, c'mon y'all help me out....

Who else ??

[addunlap]

This is a powerful song and loaded with meaning and unconventional references (e.g., love and war). Rundgren is a talent!

[TJS916]

@addunlap So true!, and interestingly, " The Want of a Nail" is a very old.. ( 1400's ) .. and well known proverb. TR admittedly "borrowed" the words from the proverb for this song.. but! .. he also fleshed it out with additional content and ended up with this freaking incredible piece. I have the "Nearly Human" album and have to say that this Letterman performance of "The Want of a Nail" is even BETTER than the studio version, which make no mistake, is excellent too!

[TJS916]

ianmackenziedavis: Interesting take you have on this...I mean... stiff and soul-less white people" ... really?? Bobby Womack seems quite in the moment on this, as he is also on the original recording. TR has that same "blue eyed soul" timbre to his voice that Daryl Hall has, and trots in on out when he wants to. The backing vocalists are recreating the EXACT same parts as on the original. This Letterman performance is stellar. Execution, style, groove, vocals... and Bobby Womack is hip to it!

[ianmackenziedavis]

Look, I like this song...I'm a big Todd Rundgen fan...influential artist, gifted melody writer, producer, etc, yadaya...I know. But, I'm sorry, Bobby Womack must be thinking why am I performing with so many stiff and soul-less white people? The sad thing is, Todd knows better. Why he is not comfortable hiring real black soul musicians and background singers to pull off the real deal is beyond me. Todd is from Philadelphia as is other white soul artists like Hall & Oates. I don't get it.

[ktr2567]

who's that hot dancer on the right? She's fantastic!  (alright this is just veiled jealousy)

[MERCURHILLMANIAC]

@ktr2567 thats his wife michelle

[MegaVelvetman]

I love the Lyrics!!!! Todd is Great!

[msluna37]

oh fuck yeah. Thank you as always Todd.

[sweatypalms77]

Such passion! Todd never disappoints...

[msluna37]

fucking a yeah. Thanks Todd.

[jimhurst53]

Please check out the same video link at 380p, better sound quality also!

You'll have to find it as they won't let me post the link here.

Poster was imharpo, only 3,433 views here vs. 33,157 views of this lower quality version.



[mgohler]

Is that Will Lee on Bass?

[MARDIUNO]

im sorry , whos the guy ...lol

[rabbitntigger]

this is the BEST!! ooeyyy todd is hot here, i luv his style!! luv him!! i could watch this video over and over!!! never get tired of TODD....

[ruracinme50]

Nail Imagery . . .horses, wars, religious implications (back up gospel sound- listen to that piano!!) love, a lots been lost due for the want of a nail! "I've been lost, I had plans and schemes, but the devil's in the details, I forgot one thing- no one to love me!!"

[dianacassel]

He looks just like his daughter.

[rabbitntigger]

i am not aware that todd rundgren has a daughter?? he does have to sons by a former girlfriend...

[rabbitntigger]

this is a WAY COOL performance!! todd looks especially good !! hair, suit ,his natural rhythm and great throaty voice oooeeyyyyy!!! he can rock and sing all at the same time...great folks with him also!!

[ogam5]

You can hear Thom (Bell) and Linda (Creed) quite clearly in this song, even of Todd didn't invite them at the time.....

[TrollhunterX]

Nice 'n' smooth. For the record, which of the backing singers is Michele Grey, and which is 'unknown'?

[Suzykansas]

@TrollhunterX Michelle is the one on the right..with the unbelievable voice!

[Suzykansas]

@Suzykansas Sorry..got an extra L in there ; )...Michele Gray Rundgren... Todd's wife, mother of Rebop, Stepmom to Randy and Rex...and AS cool as her husband!

[jasonjarvis1988]

Id love to see Todd do a live version of "Gaya's Eyes" like this it pulls my heart strings.

[chelababy1]

Todd is such a MASTER & GENIUS.Overlooked Ignored, and Misunderstood.

Todd Rundgren needs our support RIGHT NOW More Than Ever! Not finacially secure after all he has accomplished in the Music World and Computer World. Please support shows buy merchandise & spread the word.

Also please click periodically on his myspace music page. Help HIM RISE 2 this OCCASION !!

ROCK LOVE,

CHERRY XOXO

I am on Twitter too supporting TODD using same Username Just Loving Fan

[usagisama100]

行きました。中野サンプラザ・ライブ。

あつくるしいという人もいるが、俺は好き。

[alandhopewell]

The "NEARLY HUMAN" album, this song in particular, were when I realized that he hadn't lost it, after all.

[JustAintthatWay]

will joining in the exercise routine 'bout 3 mins in ... love it

oh man what a song

and done up proud by shafer & co

and b/u singers extraordinaire

great take

great 'tube

merci beau coup

[DarlovesG]

I love this. So thankful my big bro turned me on to Todd when I was just a teen. : ) So many cool incarnations but always still TODD!

[ihop28]

Me, my wife & 2 friends were in the audience for this. Just a happy co-incidence that TR was the musical guest that day.

[crowamonghens]

man he looks his best here. suit and all.

[jukietar]

todd rules!!!!!! been seeing shows since i was 12 now creeping to 45. still too much fun live and always a huge fan........... :)

[izzatluv]

wow, you were a very smart 12 year old! ;)

[MsToddisgod]

He's a Soul Man !!

[kahaki]

beautiful inside & out

[jcashtr02]

That intro is HOT!!!! 2 great performers!!!

[axeman1009]

Possibly makes my top ten Todd list! Lyrics are ingenious. So frickin' many songs to choose from though....

[jflinn210]

@axeman1009: I had forgotten how sweet this disc really was. This song, Parallel Lines, The Waiting Game, Can't Stop Running, Unloved Children, I Love My Life ... solid elpee. Solid Todd.

[Philtheactor]

@axeman1009 i know man but that's a high class of problem to have. I had the distinct pleasure of helping to select the music for a play I was the lead in recently called Private Eyes by Stephen Dietz. I have always wanted to use I SAW THE LIGHT and this was the perfect vehicle to close out the play. I'm seeing him in NYC on Dec 6th. Can not wait!!

[ruracinme50]

GO TODD GO~~~!!!

[ivanpojdl]

I am going TR on Wednesday. I am excite like a little kid!

[tommiecoughlin]

Thanks very much for the great tune from Todd. A fab performance to say the least. Cheers.

[SuperCrashRocknRoll]

This rocks!

[JeffWeavil]

another GREAT one from the master!

[thomefan7]

Unbridled joy!! Fabulous!!

[BamaBoots]

That's what it struck me as also. At the 3:46 mark of this song the drummer grabs the symbal and hits it. Then Todd does a scream and a Whoooo and the and unbridled joy of a dance. It"s so cool. I have started it from that point and watched it at least 50 times.

[rockwello]

i love todd's voice!

[gergsar]

he's one of the only white singers that can do the darryl hall/mariah carey thing with his voice...which is very cool

[galvestongal1194]

the lead singer looks like Snape. *giggles fan girlish*

[OldVillain]

"The Lead Singer'! Pftt!

Todd Rundgren you mean.

[galvestongal1194]

yeah, the guy in the front not playing an instrument, AKA, lead singer.

[OldVillain]

You've spent too much time reading the works of that writer.

[galvestongal1194]

yeah :) but i downloaded this song, and it's playing in my head right now.

[drumscuba]

I have watched this over and over - what a treat for everyone in the Letterman Show audience that night. Talk about laying down a groove - hot!

[bundangviking]

Can't believe Todd Rundgren wearing a tie!

[23kevincomic23]

Not familiar with his Utopia days of the 80's I guess. Get this. MATCHING suits and ties.

[axeman1009]

Gotta check out Utopia stuff. Warning...different creatively from album to album....

[LizzyJaye]

THAT my friends, is how rock n roll is supposed to be played. Will Lee was just have a grand 'ol time being part of the chorus line. My guess that this was rehearsed maybe once, twice at the most. It sounds really fresh and energetic.

[davidcrome]

awesome video. i just sent it to my friend dicarlo who played with todd in his first band woodys truck stop in philly in the 60's.

[DVincentW]

Thanks PattioDaddio1 for sharing this:)

[patiodaddyo1]

Be a nail, my brother; be that which holds everything together.

[welendowd]

background singer in black is way cute

[154163152742]

& will lee & the 2 beautiful harmony singers doing that marching/struting in place thing.

wow. what a blast to watch.

& as written b4, paul schafer's (sp?)enthusiastic band leadership (not to mention musical mastery) is always such a charge-up to watch, too.

one of the very finest musical highlights from the letterman show for sure.

peace.

[154163152742]

paul and anton givin their all. wow!

[Lizzzard7]

whathahelldidjuswha??? he sounds so amazing live! thats about twice as good as the recorded version!

[crowamonghens]

very underrated, obscure album.

[grahamclews]

I echo the earlier comments.. this is a classic tune, and what an awesome performance.. great to hear it live with Womack and Michele on backup vocals.. Michele is a great lady, she played one of my tunes on her radio show in Hawaii recently and said some very nice things about my vocals..

[PoffyTheCucumber]

What excellent ENERGY from the whole band, not just the front people. This is without doubt my fave song from ALMOST HUMAN - always has been, since I first heard it; one of those songs that seems like it's a cover, it "sits" so well; you just imagine that someone ELSE must have written it before this incarnation. TODD, like Wile E. Coyote, is a SOOOPER GENIUS.

[PoffyTheCucumber]

Awesome Awesome Awesome ro hear this live! That little blond chick is so smokin'! I presume she's Michele Grey...

[Rd2Utopia]

Hot Damn !!! Will Lee dancin' with the Girz...love it! Always love to see Todd on Dave. Hubby & I went to NYC to see TR & "The Liars" live on Letterman (a dream come true) I gotta get that vid up here on YouTube.

[154163152742]

luv your will lee line.

@ 2:40 lee actually pops out of todd's skull!

then @ 2:55 lee starts getting lined up for that 3 part (6 feets) dance step & oh baby that's a great camera take 3:00 - 3:05 the 3 of them treadmilling the stage.

just a wonderful tv moment (and im not even a letterman fan either but kudos when they are due & they're due here for sure.)

made a left turn once in manhatten & there was the latenight theatre marquee THAT was a cool surprise.)

peace

[bwworld]

Great stuff!

[suesoch]

I love this! Thanks for posting.

[katnpaulha]

three words, RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[1dandaman1]

I doubt that Michele was "coked up". She's a highly energetic lady!

[crowamonghens]

comments like that usually come from the medicated generation. they don't realize people actually had personalities and enthusiam before prozac came along

[merkiron]

HELL YEAH!!

[greygland]

Letterman ..back when Paul had hair..at least on the bACK of his friends

[tecateshay]

the girls are all coked up!

[elizeus49]

This was the old good times .. thanks for all the videos of todd on the you tube !! keep up guys

[rockwello]

Perfection!

[larkydozer]

I remember seeing this broadcast. Great album.

[vintageruby]

Brilliant! love it - smooth as velvet bobby womak and todd very good!. thanks for posting.