A anti-war rock song based on an ancient Greek play. Who else but Todd could pull it off? Plus anybody who can rhyme "Lysistrata" with "you know I gotta" has my full respect.
One of my favorite Rundgren songs. But as Letterman performances go, I love "The Want of a Nail" with Bobby Womack. Especially because the back-up singers, including Rundgren's wife, look like they're having so much fun.
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
Eureka! I finally found this clip. Haven't seen it since it aired. I was in the "commons" area of my dorm at Roanoke College contemplating a late nite pizza when this came on. I didn't know Todd's music at the time, but was very impressed by this song. We watched Dave every night without exception in those golden days of yore. Great performance of a great song.
That "thing" is what us old timers used to listen to music on. Back in the dark ages, you know before PC's, IPOD's, and CD's. Man, we where so primative. It's amazing we lived so long with out all the technology. I still have all my vinyl and wouldn't part with them for the world.
Ah, still a favorite!! As many tunes as you have recorded, this one remains in the number one Spot! So, You go TODD. See you at the next show in KCMO!!! Love ya!
"Lysistrata (Attic Greek: Λυσιστράτα, "Army-disbander") is one of the few surviving plays written by the master of Old Comedy, Aristophanes. Originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BC, it is a comic account of one woman's extraordinary mission to end The Peloponnesian War."
Thank you for this! I first learned of Todd and Utopia after buying the "Swing To The Right" cassette at a roadside flea market in southwest Iowa back in 1990....This is my favorite song from Utopia and I'm glad to see this performance!
This song is a long way from the ballads he started his career off with Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light, Can we still be friends...but I love all of it. His work with Utopia, etc. too. Those Letterman appearances were great.
and.. Alice Oooper Remember this when Utopia missed a plane or what ever and Todd did the show all by himself at the Old Waldorf in SF with backing tapes
I LOVE this performance. Bad mullet. Todd is at his best when he writes material that scratch players can play (and sing) without effort. (Not to call Letterman's Band a scratch band, but they should like the title regardless.)
Message is still the same. Hope to see Todd in 3 days in St. Louis show. What an amazing performer. Met him once and he was a very gracious person. Rock On! Paul
A couple days ago Jeopardy said it was a Greek drama. I thought it was pretty funny when I had to read it. Anyway, this is my favorite version of this great song. Cheers
P.S. Another great song on that album is "Last Dollar On Earth"........We are approaching that now.......As usual Todd was ahead of his time................Maybe he can write some new songs that keep us out of Oblivion.............
@TheKarenpb yes he was a true star and still is... he freaks me out with stuff he did way back then and still now what he does,its so great He's a national treasure...no,a universal treasure! And On the 8th day God created Todd Rundgren.
@gravano2 .. Absolutely !!... He is above Average and Will Always be.. that's why it is great if we support his shows, and click his myspace mysuc to keep him up there on the mountaintop where Todd Belongs Rock Love, Cherry XO
@MrSluggo666 Oh, I didn't know. What has Lou done along these lines? Or are you just referring in general to his skills and intelligence as a lyricist?
Somewhere in my basement I have a VHS of this. Thanks for posting. Anyone know EXACTLY what type of guitar that is? I remember this being one of his faves in the late 70s-80s. It's a Fender something ... Jaguar? Squire? Mustang?
@@davidvawter4859 Thank you, David. Todd has played an eclectic variety of guitars over the years. His latest one, 'Pearly', is yet another. It debuts in this performance from the Ryman in Nashville. ua-cam.com/video/IFiqErBcXEQ/v-deo.html
@@MrCherryJuice I thought about going to that show but couldn't make the schedule work. He sounds great. I guess "Pearly" is the replacement for the legendary "Foamy" which was evidently swiped somewhere on the road in the last year. I think he needs to bring back the Veleno Ankh.
@huskerbird1 "If i'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss and any other crappy bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history, and that's saying a lot when you look at the "big hair" music era. I think he sold his production rights for Bat Out Of Hell for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all.
My proudest moment when I was 5, getting a library card and finding out that the book mobile would bring books to me. Still have stacks of books, real books all over the house.. don't read on a device I like to turn my pages in a real book. I walk into a book store and just inhale the book dust. My kids are all readers as well and love really great music. I think we did alright raising them. My husband was not a big reader as he was very dyslexic, but he still had a ton of books on baseball.
@jimhurst53 $? ive play house of bluess bb kings ect but happiest busking the ny subway system. Where a cetain type person is not going to a certain place to hear acertain type of music. The universal aspect of music i realize on those dirty platforms. People from india who never heard a badfinger song stands and listens to a sound theyre not familiar with and are diggin it... Its a rush
@musiccalgary "If I'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss the other crappy money grubbing bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history, and that's saying a lot when you look at the "big hair" music era. I think he sold his production rights for Bat Out Of Hell for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all. Since when did being rich have something/anything to do with artistic achievement or ability?
@musiccalgary "If I'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss & the other crappy money grubbing bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history. I think he sold his production rights for "Bat Out Of Hell" for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all. Since when did being rich have Something/Anything to do with artistic achievement or ability anyway? It's Mozart vs. Salieri, sour grapes or the Grapes of Rath, take your pick.
A ridiculously great song.
A anti-war rock song based on an ancient Greek play. Who else but Todd could pull it off? Plus anybody who can rhyme "Lysistrata" with "you know I gotta" has my full respect.
What is truly amazing? It’s how he has been so good for so long and yet so underrated.
Of all of Todd's Letterman appearances, this remains my favorite...the lyrics are especially relevant in today's world.
Thought he played “hello, it’s me” pretty well. One of my (5) favorite songs.
One of my favorite Rundgren songs. But as Letterman performances go, I love "The Want of a Nail" with Bobby Womack. Especially because the back-up singers, including Rundgren's wife, look like they're having so much fun.
Unbelieveably great musician. He is still performing and goin strong.
He’s a true master of the craft. No one like him
I remember this broadcast. I was so blown away that he chose to play this piece. I've always loved it but never expected it to get national airplay.
One of Todd's best songs of all time.
PLEASE....never take this down! Just awesome. Love coming here again & again to see it. 5/30/2019
I know,right? omg so good. & he even dances the Todd shuffle.luv so much!
great play. Only Todd would write a song referencing a greek comedy.
I love the Todd Shuffle.
lol, you noticed everything i noticed
This song is amazing. should of been a huge hit.
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
holy smokes, this song kicks, and you can tell the band is down to play with a real rock star
I was so totally in love with this man!!
Then I realized I was in a long line.....
Eureka! I finally found this clip. Haven't seen it since it aired. I was in the "commons" area of my dorm at Roanoke College contemplating a late nite pizza when this came on. I didn't know Todd's music at the time, but was very impressed by this song. We watched Dave every night without exception in those golden days of yore. Great performance of a great song.
That "thing" is what us old timers used to listen to music on. Back in the dark ages, you know before PC's, IPOD's, and CD's. Man, we where so primative. It's amazing we lived so long with out all the technology. I still have all my vinyl and wouldn't part with them for the world.
Love every second of this performance.
Todd Rundgren! What can I say. The man could rock! And if you've seen him lately, you know he still can!
Ah, still a favorite!! As many tunes as you have recorded, this one remains in the number one Spot! So, You go TODD. See you at the next show in KCMO!!! Love ya!
Great song from an excellent album. Long live TODD.
great song.
great play.
This is one of my favorite Utopia songs. Great tune. Great lyrics. Powerfully sung. And it has great message! Todd is god!
Holy crap this is the exact performance I was looking for! Letterman summer of 1986 was EPIC!
"Lysistrata (Attic Greek: Λυσιστράτα, "Army-disbander") is one of the few surviving plays written by the master of Old Comedy, Aristophanes. Originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BC, it is a comic account of one woman's extraordinary mission to end The Peloponnesian War."
"Sex strike"
This rocks
Thank you for this! I first learned of Todd and Utopia after buying the "Swing To The Right" cassette at a roadside flea market in southwest Iowa back in 1990....This is my favorite song from Utopia and I'm glad to see this performance!
This song is a long way from the ballads he started his career off with Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light, Can we still be friends...but I love all of it. His work with Utopia, etc. too. Those Letterman appearances were great.
and.. Alice Oooper
Remember this when Utopia missed a plane or what ever and Todd did the show all by himself at the Old Waldorf in SF with backing tapes
omgod i love todd.
always and forever.
What an incredible talent; human being.
Can't wait to see you Todd Park West Chicago, one again (and again and again)!!!!!1
Thanks for listening to my long nd winded tale re Todd Rundgren... and Thanks for Your support for him.
Rock Love,
Cherry
I LOVE this performance. Bad mullet. Todd is at his best when he writes material that scratch players can play (and sing) without effort. (Not to call Letterman's Band a scratch band, but they should like the title regardless.)
Message is still the same. Hope to see Todd in 3 days in St. Louis show. What an amazing performer. Met him once and he was a very gracious person. Rock On! Paul
thankx cherry.....I'll support him any way I can
A great album. I listen to this, and it's 1982 again.
Great song, never heard this before!
Unbelievably Gorgeous
I saw Todd and Utopia do this tune at the Philadelphia Zoo years ago. It was magnificent!! Thanks!
Such a great song and singer!
GREAT SONG AND VIDEO...thnx BLANCOTRONCC
It's a good antiwar song, more subtle than some of the others.
Great song. I'd forgotten about this one.
A couple days ago Jeopardy said it was a Greek drama. I thought it was pretty funny when I had to read it. Anyway, this is my favorite version of this great song. Cheers
P.S. Another great song on that album is "Last Dollar On Earth"........We are approaching that now.......As usual Todd was ahead of his time................Maybe he can write some new songs that keep us out of Oblivion.............
@TheKarenpb
yes he was a true star and still is...
he freaks me out with stuff he did way back then and still now what he does,its so great
He's a national treasure...no,a universal treasure!
And On the 8th day God created Todd Rundgren.
Beautiful
Love this!! Todd should play the lead break tho... Saw you in Liverpool, England. Best gig ive seen in years.
Great song! Great performance! Todd RULES! Dave RULES!
Historical!
@nemafann we were cutting edge...and there for each and every advance in tech...I can remember spinning 45's in the early 70's...
perfection
2.00 this breaks into musical brilliance right then, you can tell the band knows it.
Todd is Godd
que bello es..Love you Todd.ÑLove You!!!
HOW cute!!
Todd like Surge on 48Hours lol...
@gravano2 .. Absolutely !!... He is above Average and Will Always be.. that's why it is great if we support his shows, and click his myspace mysuc to keep him up there on the mountaintop where Todd Belongs Rock Love, Cherry XO
@nemafann
i must protest. "old timers" should have been quoted in your post ;)
@MrSluggo666 Oh, I didn't know. What has Lou done along these lines? Or are you just referring in general to his skills and intelligence as a lyricist?
Oops wrong year! This was shown in July 1986.
Utopia, none other, none better, no other line up does it for me but Willie, Todd, Kasim, & Roger, sorry!
...like it, but "Rebel, Rebel" in there right ?
Moutaintop! Higher! Higher! Higher!
How high are those cymbals?
I missed the screaming Gibson SG in the lead break .
Somewhere in my basement I have a VHS of this. Thanks for posting. Anyone know EXACTLY what type of guitar that is? I remember this being one of his faves in the late 70s-80s. It's a Fender something ... Jaguar? Squire? Mustang?
Years late, but Todd's guitar here is a Fender Telecaster Custom.
@@MrCherryJuice According to Todd, it's a Mustang modified with a whammy bar.
@@davidvawter4859 Thank you, David. Todd has played an eclectic variety of guitars over the years. His latest one, 'Pearly', is yet another. It debuts in this performance from the Ryman in Nashville. ua-cam.com/video/IFiqErBcXEQ/v-deo.html
@@MrCherryJuice I thought about going to that show but couldn't make the schedule work. He sounds great. I guess "Pearly" is the replacement for the legendary "Foamy" which was evidently swiped somewhere on the road in the last year. I think he needs to bring back the Veleno Ankh.
He's known around here.
@huskerbird1
"If i'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss and any other crappy bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history, and that's saying a lot when you look at the "big hair" music era. I think he sold his production rights for Bat Out Of Hell for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all.
One for all the kids who bothered to read a few books in school.
My proudest moment when I was 5, getting a library card and finding out that the book mobile would bring books to me. Still have stacks of books, real books all over the house.. don't read on a device I like to turn my pages in a real book. I walk into a book store and just inhale the book dust. My kids are all readers as well and love really great music. I think we did alright raising them. My husband was not a big reader as he was very dyslexic, but he still had a ton of books on baseball.
Well, I read a lot of books, but never ran across this play. Respect.
@jimhurst53 $? ive play house of bluess bb kings ect but happiest busking the ny subway system. Where a cetain type person is not going to a certain place to hear acertain type of music. The universal aspect of music i realize on those dirty platforms. People from india who never heard a badfinger song stands and listens to a sound theyre not familiar with and are diggin it... Its a rush
@rockwello unknown?? I wouldn't say that!!??!!
It is if you're British, man. Which all the best people are.
heh Todd. ;)
can't find "shinola" or "healer" or "back to the bars"😈😇 in fact, they won't even print my comment. oh well.
Will Lee is an excellent bassist, but yes he does seem to need an image consultant ! thanks for the post!
Who on earth is that band?? No one I've ever seen with Todd.
he looks like frankenstein with that haircut
Uh! Can you say that again in English?
@musiccalgary
"If I'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss the other crappy money grubbing bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history, and that's saying a lot when you look at the "big hair" music era. I think he sold his production rights for Bat Out Of Hell for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all. Since when did being rich have something/anything to do with artistic achievement or ability?
anton? whats with those cymbals I guess u think that looks hip, it looks? like you need a ladder
@musiccalgary "If I'm so rich how come I'm not smart." Kiss & the other crappy money grubbing bands made fortunes on the biggest load of crap in music history. I think he sold his production rights for "Bat Out Of Hell" for over $800,000. I don't think he's hurting for or worries about money at all. Since when did being rich have Something/Anything to do with artistic achievement or ability anyway?
It's Mozart vs. Salieri, sour grapes or the Grapes of Rath, take your pick.
chela-- if u r serious, I would help Todd in a NY minute.