"California" by Rufus Wainwright

[bboinnngg]

I recall watching this at the time as I'd just discovered and fallen in love with him, and it was painful hearing him sing "neon" off key 3 times in a row in front of a national audience, considering the truly magnificent voice the man has. It was only later he admitted to doing crystal meth and such in this period, which I guess explains it.

BOY was he beautiful, though!! Still is, but DAMN - that head of hair ! Positively luscious ! Too bad he's gay !! I still love you, Rufie!

[SonOfSamXO]

You should check out Rob Bravery if you dig Rufus' music, he's really got that sound going, great songs.

[zachmasterzach]

And Conan is clean shaven and strangely chubby-looking.

[spinandmarty]

sigh--back when rufus was good

[handsdown101]

@spinandmarty And on Meth!

[gueibor]

The guy's a living porta-studio, fer chrissakes. His voice is ALWAYS flawless, and on top of it he makes it look like "Meh, this shit is easy, dude".

[dkurmanov]

this is sooo long ago wow! he's evolved so much and man i've been a die hard fan of his since this time too. now he's writing operas...haha...Rufus Wainwright..amazing!

[davenachfan]

I downloaded this song from iTunes when I made a compilation before a trip to California. I kept listening to the lyrics thinking, "Why would you stay in bed when there are so many wonderful things to see in that amazing state?" So I am sure it is all tongue in cheek. First Rufus W song I have heard - but had heard songs by his mother.

[vegansong821]

when i hear "rufus" i think of the naked mole rat from kim possible

[LimeGirl08]

@DakotaY12 He really does, doesn't he?

[headstock48]

Yummy.

[sk8chk101]

and he plays the guitar! so sexy

[benjaminkanarek]

Great song writer, singer and all round talent.

[SuperSnoopy555]

i love my rufus

[Zatarraxl]

"RUFUS" man and i thought my parents hated me when they named me dumb ass

[2008cheerleader]

int he one of the beatles son?

[hofnerrick]

@2008cheerleader no

[thinwhiteduke11]

@2008cheerleader no!

[handsdown101]

@2008cheerleader Wow... that's not even a little close.

[tbam73]

One of my favorite rufus wainwright songs. Isn't that his sister to his right?

[AhPoetry]

This just doesn't sound like Rufus to me...

[brendangray]

raped? nice one

[msscott73]

this is one of my favorite songs that he did way back when :-).

[squhillboy]

He's really a fucking prick in person, I was not impressed with him at all. And this was a VIP event with not that many people there, he's like a little kid who whines.

[iterociter]

@squhillboy That sounds far different from the few times I met him.

[octogirlpretty]

@squhillboy

Really? When I met him (Nov. '08) he was incredibly kind. It was after a concert too, when people wait outside the gate. He came out of his vehicle and took pictures and signed autographs. It was very "magical", if you will.

[TheRedOfTheRose]

God he's hot

[chikkenvoicesinmyhed]

saw him live, he was spot on and brilliant. when do TV performances ever sound good? even when it's your favourite band, talk shows never sound good

[lulululuqtqt]

@zombiekicker Are you now? Fair enough.

[dbfydtn]

He makes an effort to sing distinctively, trust me it seems wierd, but it wouldn't if you heard it at a coffee shop.

[IrishBog]

Love the way he sings "sleep instead"....off tone and wonderful

[Shepherdess]

Beautiful man!

[ArcadianQueen]

@vins1979 and like-minded tubers The thing about homophobes is that they are too thick to reason with. Or, they are closet cases. Either way, I have learned to not engage them directly. Why waste the energy?

As for those who use words like "faggot" - well, pity and contempt is really more than they deserve, n'est pas?

Rufus Wainwright is a rare talent, to be appreciated by those who understand this. Who needs the lowest common denominators to be on board with what Rufus is doing? .

[drband36]

He's got a nasal vocal delivery, yes --- because he doesn't open his mouth much. Some would label that a problem...others would file it under "distinctive vocal style".

The complexity of his melodies in particular make them a roller coaster to sing. He's got ears and musical chops to burn. If you don't like the TONE of his singing voice, understandable, but please don't say he can't sing. He sings circles around 97% of people on the planet and has impressive piano chops as well...

[iceaxe56]

he can't sing -plain and simple his dad must foot the bill for this mess--who would buy his cds--check out his video this boy with sean lennon--you will see what i mean

[apoptygmatracy]

@iceaxe56 yes he can :-/

[davemeisnerreggae]

are you serious? you must listen to shit music then.

[FutureAbe]

what is so horrible about this performance??

[taaang4lyfe]

sex muffin

[Squeaky1423]

He looks sooooooo cute!

[takashishimasu]

can someone explain the lyrics of this song? it seems to be ironic...

[witnessstreet]

Rufus is adorable, and I love - absolutely love - his music, but this performance is horrible.

[carryyouinmyheart]

i love rufus, but this is one of the worst performances i've seen

[caroline3286]

Anybody else excited about the new Rufus Wainwright 'Milwaukee at Last' Live Performance Boxset?

I pre-ordered mine from his new Universal webstore.

[gunz128]

first couple seconds reminded me of: doesnt remind me of anything......

[onlyonecolin]

here here R6Squad

[R6Squad]

To the people complaining about the guitar in this song, get your head out of your arses. Guitar isn't always the most important part of a song. I can't believe how many people out there actually think that it' the Holy Grail of all instruments. Unlike a lot of mainstream bands and musicians, Rufus doesn't rely solely on guitars and drums to make his music sound great. He writes great lyrics, has a unique voice, and employs different and unique styles, instruments, and musicians into his music.

[WinterWineStudio]

Great comment. With time I learned to leave most of the time the guitar parts for the end while composing/recording, so that it can be special instead of going all-out show-off guitar (unless its a Guitar Song), but like you said, the Guitar is not the Holy Grail of instruments

[MaxwellsAttourney]

this guy rips off the beatles constantly. Not rips off I guess. But blatantly uses their techniques.

[pauldazeley]

so who doesn't !!!, about 60 % of songwriter plagiarise the fab four not just this guy

[desertgrrrl76]

i am so in love with rufus.....

[Chanelcheers09]

horrivel

[thechubbyprincess]

he always takes my breath away!

[StereoTypeA]

This is like porn to me.

[Cesca0408]

So many haters! When I listen to music, that's all that matters.

[isabelalaaa]

I totally agree!

[bloodiedXangel]

True. And only time I've ever heard 'faggot' and not wanted to hit that person.

[LimeGirl08]

@vins1979 nice!

[Andarovin]

@vins1979 Getting traumatized to the point where you actually invite male penetration as enjoyment? I don't give two shits about what he does in his personal time but invoking envy on someone that twisted is a tough sell. I'll choose the healthy, fully-functioning emotional state free of molestation issues over the pile of money any day.

[ajcantrell89]

@Andarovin What? I don't know who told you all gay people were molested...but that's definitely not the case. All walks of life, and you're a fool if you try to rationalize your hate or feel superior to people based on misinformation. You may try to to pretend you're tolerant "and don't give two shits about what he does in his personal time" but your words are judgmental and self-righteous. Maybe you have some of your own issues to deal with?

[Sunshineinyoureyes11]

@ajcantrell89 well said :), oh man I am always shocked about the intolerance and the lack of empathy of people... man we are all human and life is about love, you need to love yourself to let others live their life the way they feel they have to live it.. we are all so different, but in the end we are all the same and distance is an illsuion.. the hate and intolerance you feel towards others should always lead you to your own issues, not accepting all of your own self

[TheParanoidAndroid1]

@Rikster1111 Seriously dude.. the fuck does that have to do with anything?

oh how i love this man! He's a genius and so beautiful and everything, but yes there are quite a few wrong notes and out of tune singing and guitars in this..... let's just say he is amazingly good at singing and guitar playing live now, even if he wasn't then.

[pianofogel1]

Love the long hair look!

[ZiggyStarletJones]

oh god he's so sexy!!!!

I wish he wasnt gay!! he brings so many girls to their knees!!

[born1965]

He was extra skinny due to his meth addiction, which he's talked openly about.

So great, even better now.

Rufus is amazing!

[isabelalaaa]

I love him!

it's beautifull

[purpleownz176]

Now, imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger singing this. Accent and all :)

[elessar2k49]

he's so beautiful!

[patdlover1916]

Love this guy.

[Orbster25]

Why do people always look for the perfect singer??..It's all about the attitude!

[purplestars77]

ReVox777!! how can you say these things? this may not be a great performance, but he has so many really good songs that his voice are great on! lol

[bellybutton4491]

whoa! that must have been a long time ago, he looks like 17

[tatzor]

it's in 2001, read the description

[pukhead007]

remind me of joshua todd, buckcherry vocalist

[frrrrrankenstein]

(when he was long-haired and extra-extra-sexy)

[diandhil]

awh hes so cute exta skinny and with long hair :)

and thats totally not tim mcgraw on drums

[DeidreShannon]

what a sexxy boy, such a cruel joke how he's gay...this is the kinda person that should be bi, then we all can enjoy him.....sighhh

[Drinkmans]

is that tim mcgraw on drums?

[Dizkneelande]

yes!

[willarveschoug]

bro, richard thompson's son is teddy thompson. rufus' dad is loudon wainwright. anyway richard thomson & loudon wainwright are both awesome.

[desertgrrrl76]

long haired and skinny....yummy!  i'll take rufus at any stage....love him!!! :-)

[whyohwhy999]

This is such a great song!!! Love it, love him.

[Naanynkaa]

...Life is the longest death in California... I love this song (fakt žeru tuhle písničku)

[ButterAndBread]

He makes really good music.

[Oxalicband]

damn he sucks :S

[Wallflowerperks]

oh god. he is my one true gay love lol

[stubartineoose]

omfg whats the point in saying that?

[ArtichokeHeart9]

Yeah, didn't everyone know that being super-skinny as a result of being addicted to meth was the big trend in the early 2000's? Man, he's dreamy here, though.

[Ooorsee]

Do you know Rufus' autograph adress?

Please send to me...

[sivartexperimento]

At 1:51 I marked this awesome, at 3:28 (+ some thinking time) i marked it favorite and threw it in the vault of the best views there are to see

[Moniek50]

Hmm.. I think he looked better back then. doesnt matter his music is just awesome ^.^

[butifarra61]

this is my introduction to rufus via "the history boys" and well, the guy has a certain style but the important thing about him is that he plays an instrument and is rather musical. I kind of like him since he is not doing the flashy, catchy, happy tunes we constantly hear on radio, he sounds more like a southern, blues, soft rock, hippie way?

[jamesyeahbaby]

Yeh, because who wants to hear catchy tunes, right?

[Christinekook]

Much better now.

At first I couldn't

believe it was him!

[ilbushra]

oh how i love you rufus

beautiful song

beautiful-er face

[Ooorsee]

YEEEEESSS!!!!!...he was long-haired and extra-extra-skinny. :D =)

[bbbbbooobbbbb1]

thats pretty insensitive considering he did get raped

[vellakills]

Did he really?

[kircerin1]

are you joking me there are way better solos

[Youtubax]

Best guitar solo in history at 1:50!

...

[angelgjordavsten]

I would like to say it was the worst solo ever. And I have heared a lot of guitar solos in my days.

[Youtubax]

Are you kidding me? this guy is meant to be the new Joe Satriani!! (ironic mode on)

[voidmachinery]

are u mentally ill ? are u serious, my friend ?  do u even have ears ? jus for ur comment, FUCK YOU ! you peice of shit ! geta fuck outa here !

[Youtubax]

lol Yeah I'm serious!!

[woody8367]

But i must agree! he plays better than EC "eric Clapton" LOL the guy was being sarcastic!!!

[beaudoinrock]

i agree that his songs are good but i dont like his voice:S

[babyycat]

Rufus your voice is so good. Always on tune.I love your music. God Bless you for the joy you have given me. And so many.

[munchkindelite]

This is one of my favorites by Mr. Wainwright. He is a beautiful musician. He does look too skinny there, sadly, but I do love long hair on him.

[waynebrasler]

It's lovely to know he came out the other end of his nightmare and we have the great Rufus we have today. It's sad to think we may have lost him and his music from our lives.

[frederikachopina]

so what happened to him?

[frederikachopina]

so what happened to him?

[waynebrasler]

What happened to him is that, unlike so many talented but self-destructive people in music (and I've known so many and lost so many) he used his brains, went into rehabilitation, got healthy and focused on excellence. Wildly talented, really the best composer and singer of our times, he is a hard hard worker, constant tourer and composer and lyricist of unbelievable range and imagination. True love, the golden prize (his words) he'd longed for, also came to him, bless him. Hooray for Rufus!

[frederikachopina]

thanks waynebrasler

yes, Rufus is just unbelivable...

[waynebrasler]

Many people have told me that Rufus' music has changed their lives, given them hope in a time of despair, brought them to life again after years of grieving a great loss. It's not because Rufus fans are dramatic people given to extravagent pronouncements, it's because Rufus is a great artist and a great inspiration. He has a great gift and he IS a great gift. And proof that life still has surprises in store for even the saddest person if you keep your eyes, ears, heart and mind open.

[twentyoutoftwenty2]

Yeah, thanks, wayne. Just got this guy's record on a lark and listen to it all the time in my shop wrenching on my little hot rod pick up truck. Talent, talent, talent.

[glitterglamgirl8]

Wasn't Elton John really supportive during his tough times as well?

Anyways, BEST RUFUS SONG. EVER.

[mrmarks65]

Absolutely. Rufus called Elton and Elton told him he ought to get himself in rehab and help him checked into one I think. I think his best so far is Do I disappoint you? Cheers!

[affdog1962]

I agree!

My daughter tuned on to him 2 years ago and I can't get enough.

[millbrookmusic]

yes, friend, you are correct.

[melomane88]

RUFUS, you are SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[millbrookmusic]

I miss this band lineup - Rufus, Martha, Butch, Jeff & Teddy. This was easily his best touring band thus far.

[nanicelis13]

i (heart) the cd omg

great artist!!

[tuzzzy]

hes such an interesting musician, real left of centre type of guy, and i love him for it, hes great

[gryggaa]

great artist :D

always have been, always will be

[panicpartydisco18]

:| helena!?

ah anyway

helena aka ///that one down there

sent me this

is good lol (Y)

[crumbycrumb]

I do find it quite upsetting that such a destructive drug could've almost destroyed him at this stage- watching the video, it's obvious from the wavering in his normally perfect voice and how skinny he is that he wasn't well at the time.

But it's still a great performance, despite that.

Nonetheless, I definitely prefer clean Rufus. Amazingly talented.

[b2squared]

I agree. But I just saw him in Palm Desert, CA this week and he is amazing and healthy and adorable. And he sang this song! Bravo!

[MaxTheAnaerobicAddax]

it makes me sad he was on meth cuz that means we may have less of rufus's music if he dies earlier...but as long as he doesnt like overdose...i'm happy!!lol

[animegirl12182]

it's all good now. He's clean these days. :)

[MaxTheAnaerobicAddax]

oh good!!!! yay 4 rehab!!!

[jhnm156]

wow! never heard this kinda stuff before!

zzzzzzzzzz,,,,,,,

[witchie382]

I think he looked prettiest at this time.

[RowHarderGoFaster]

That's 'cause he was on a LOT of crystal, which does wonders for the figure!

[DandelionsinherHair]

But shite for the skin...

That's not really funny.

[partaveitsi]

rufus is fabulous, it's crazy that someone is allowed to be so perfect. lol.

i absolutely love him!

[lala4493]

was it meth he was hooked to during this period??

[xXPureMorningXx]

yep.

[arabprincess11]

good voice.

[AliceAndSally]

great voice

[ghettogrl300]

ohhh this must have been during his tough time. His voice isn't as good as usual. I still love you!

[pepeYjuana]

Yes, I think he sings pretty sharp this whole song.  But even his bad is good! And nowadays his voice is second to none.

[mikaelamikaela]

aoch.. rufus really isn't in his best shape in this video. this doesn't do his voice justice at all :(

[skinhugging]

love the long hair

[riethc]

Wow biting. "I think I'd rather stay in bed." LoL Such a protest.

[Ginnybabe101]

this song is boring.. no offense to people who like it..

[Thinkerbell2000]

He's so handsome and talented!

[BenDover6910]

He didnt write the Shrek song

[pryorandrew]

You're talking about Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah...No, he didn't write it, but he did drastically change the intrumentation and vocal melody...

[Kayleighdid]

no offence but his music sucks. I THOUGHT HE WAS GOOD FROM THAT ONE SHREKSONG!!!!!but no

[bobahoosh]

i don't know about his other songs, but Another Believer in Meet the Robinson is quite good.

[BenDover6910]

Isnt this dude GAY?

[dotslashshawn]

Hell yes he is.

[warcholka]

Rufus is one of the most handsome boy i have ever seen;)

[BenDover6910]

rub my cock rufus

[greeny00]

what is the point in you?

[BenDover6910]

To tell the truth

[dotslashshawn]

Your truth is relative to you my dear boy...

[pryorandrew]

that you're gay?

[BenDover6910]

Youre a homo.

[pryorandrew]

great comeback! lookit fuckstick, I'm tired of you bashing my idols!