Moments ago, Bright Eyes performed a rousing rendition of new The People’s Key cut “Jejune Stars” on the Late Show with David Letterman, which I was about to share as a solo video post before reflecting on the possibility of this being among their last string of TV appearances and fondly remembering past notable post-midnight moments from Conor Oberst and friends.
Our first listen to I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, for example, arrived when they played opening cut “At the Bottom of Everything” on the then Craig Kilborn-hosted Late Late Show with the following political, provocative dedication from Oberst: “This song’s for the governor of California [Arnold Schwarzenegger] and the president of the United States [George W. Bush], two men I admire a lot… for their biceps and their creepy, fascist agendas.” And then, of course, there’s “When the President Talks to God” on the Tonight Show, as well as a trumpet-smashing performance/interview with Craig Ferguson.
So, without further ado, an 8-year span of Bright Eyes on late night television:
“Beginner’s Mind”
“Jejune Stars”
“Hot Knives”
“Classic Cars”
“When the President Talks to God”
“At the Bottom of Everything”
“The Trees Get Wheeled Away”