Contrary to popular belief Conan O’Brien didn’t die, he’s just moving to LA. But I’m cool with nostalgia if it’s an excuse to rewatch classic footage of a puppet dog zinging Stormtroopers. John Mayer, Will Ferrell, Abe Vigoda, and Andy Richter helped Conan say goodbye to Studio 6A earlier tonight, and in their first performance since “acute anxiety” preempted a 2007 tour, the Late Night host’s old friends the White Stripes played a seemingly under-rehearsed “We’re Going To Be Friends” with both Meg and Jack on guitar and vocals. Maybe they should’ve done “The Denial Twist.”
The night ended with the host choking back tears as he thanked everyone who believed in him over the past 16 years. Conan’s Tonight Show starts 6/1. With any luck his team’s inspired music booking will survive the move to 11:35 along with Masturbating Bear.
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Actually, he takes over June 1.
They played “We’re Going To Be Friends” because it’s Conan’s favourite White Stripes-song.
Yeah, at the end you can hear him say to Jack “that meant the world to me”
That was really bad. Why would they even need to ‘rehearse’ that song?
Because Meg doesn’t normally play guitar on it. She could use a few more lessons.
it being unrehearsed actually added to how good that sounded, definitely memorable.
as a both a huge stripes fan and conan fan that was absolutely perfect
I think the problem is Jack wanted to bring the same kind of emotion he put int songs like Jolene, but it doesn’t fit the song. It’s one thing for Jack to tear up for “I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man” and another to tear up for
“teacher marks our height against the wall.”
i noticed that too. it was a great take on the song but seriously, why does jack always almost cry when he plays it? it was even more awkward when they played it on snl like 6 years ago
meg looks like pre-baby Peggy Olson.
I always forget how ugly they are
seriously?
I watched the show and thought the White Stripes could have been a bit more musical.
Although, it was Conan’s favorite WS song, it just didn’t have any life to it. On the other hand, it’s quite lovely that Conan is a fan and he promotes unique music. Hopefully, Conan will continue to invite fringe artists to perform. Overall, I thought the WS were just fine. They could have brought the house down. Maybe they will make a new album and exceed everybody’s expectations. That would be cool.
no life to it? this was completely captivating. the best part of the stripes live is how tense everything is, how exposed they are and how every tiny moment is totally unable to be hidden. this performance was such a culmination of that.
i also loved the minor reworking of the melody, then returning to the original one at the very end.
I’ve always been on the fence about the White Stripes, and as a neutral observer that performance was pretty off-putting. I thought it would have been cool to have Jerry Seinfeld do last night rather than Thursday.
Seinfeld is a douche.
That performance was bizarre. Didn’t Meg drop out of their last tour due to nerves or something? And then her big come back is playing guitar for the first time in front of TV audience?
And I agree with mitchell – that song doesn’t deserve the emotion Jack tries to give it. It’s a sweet song, not bittersweet. It’d need another verse for it to be bittersweet.
Meg’s strumming is tentative and the performance was awkward, but if conan asked for that song I guess they had to respect that. Plus, they ARE friends!
I wondered, too, why on earth Meg wasn’t playing percussion, but then I remembered: THERE IS NO PERCUSSION part on that song, and since it’s Conan’s favorite, and he wanted both Stripes to perform, it seemed like a logical solution…
…though if there IS a new album, as the rumor mill is saying, I’d prefer if she stick to drums and red egg shaker.
There is a percussion part. Incredibly basic, but there is a pounding that keeps the beat. I’d call that percussion.
“… Abe Vigoda, and Andy Richter helped Conan say goodbye to Studio 6A earlier tonight…”
I got excited thinking it was Abe Vigoda (the band) and not the actor. That would have been awesome/kind of unexpected if they were on.
You should have been more excited that it was the actor.
I actually thought he was already dead, hence the band assumption.
I actually thought he was already dead, hence the band assumption.
Abe Vigoda the band doesn’t hold a candle to the man.
The band is ridiculously awesome. Have you even heard their new ep? It kills everything else earlier they’ve done so far.
why is his comment score so low? abe vigoda is an awesome band.
If you are not a stripes fan, or new to them I can see where one might not like the performance. In fact, I think the performance was intended for fans only (Conan included).
I haven’t watched Conan since Andy Richter left
You’re a Phildo. Seriously.
Their performance of that song at Bonnaroo is one of my favorite performances ever. This was not.
But it was better than Bette Midler.
CO’B already said the masturbating bear won’t make the trip west. No way at 11:30 Eastern — too many bluehairs still watching at that hour.
i thought it was nice….
After a year off, Jack could’ve farted into the mic and I would’ve saved it to my DVR.
The “acute anxiety” episode did not preempt the 2007 tour. The tour lasted for several months, including the entire Canadian portion, the US east coast, and US south, before the balance of shows (midwest and west) were canceled.
Yes, if you consider going onstage for a half hour, walking off, and not playing an encore to be “touring” (what they did at the show in Boston).
That was downright awful.
if you’re going to rework the song, why not rework it into a blues stomp or something with Meg on the instrument she actually knows how to play? i guess i’m glad they’re back, but this was just… awkward.
“I always forget how ugly they are” is the perfect hipster douchebag comment. Kill yourself.
Meg is most def prego.
She always looks like that.
did nobody notice how the sound of megs guitar was mocking a drum beat?! hellooo
Meg is preg.
Even the Meg-haters will agree… stick to drums. Give that girl a tambourine or something!
That was awkward. Really a great a song and no need to embellish, but Jack seems to never be able to do something “as is.”
i’m not even a white stripes fan but hey y’know it’s rock n roll, a bit sloppy but a worthy performance in the rough n’ raw sense, so give it a reat
i’m not even a white stripes fan but hey y’know it’s rock n roll, a bit sloppy but a worthy performance in the rough n’ raw sense, so give it a rest
I am a fan of the White Stripes, but it looked at though this was the first time they played the song. I think Meg was flustered when the flower fell out of her hair. I think the song was a great choice, but the execution could have been stronger.
http://diggingfordays.blogspot.com
Meg White can play her guitar anytime she wants on me.
I LOVE the Stripes, but this performance made me stop pining for them to reunite. She was playing “beats” on the guitar, yeah, and he’s Jack flippin’ White and all, but I was disappointed and it was a little hard to watch. Jack looked to me like, “This (playing w/Meg) is really over isn’t it?”
Please refrain from using, “flippin’” ever again. One because it’s “flippin” and two because it should never go between anyone’s first and last names. Especially Jack White.
The stripes always bring the goods
This performance was the epitome of why the White Stripes are so good: complete and total earnestness and an undying willingness to do something different.
That was absolutely one of the worst Stripes performances I’ve ever seen. Shiteous. Meg’s singing was awful, and Jack’s wasn’t much better. What an awkward and uncomfortable performance to watch.
Come on people, it was not that bad. It was a nice way to end Conan’s tenure. It wasn’t as bad as some weak ass Grizzley Bear performance on a late night show.
meg is so under rated..did you hear that guitar..soo much reverb..very black keys..sounded like a beat
Meg is pretty ballsy for someone who suffers from anxiety.
It would take guts to perform on national television with an instrument that you’re not really familiar with and be in the spotlight.
But there’s Meg being all half-assed and enjoying herself.
Watch the video again, Meg is obviously pregnant.
Terrible performance, the first to verses they weren’t even playing together.
I highly doubt Meg is pregnant. She never has been supermodel thin but she has always been absolutely beautiful. I think we’d all have anxiety issues if our musicianship and body were being constantly scrutinized and as heavily criticized by our ‘fans’ as well. Meg doesn’t get the respect she deserves.
Rumour has it that the different arrangement for the song was inspired by the lullaby that Conan sings to his kids. If that’s the case, I think it makes the performance doubly sweet.
I love how a band like the white stripes can come out, give a god-awful performance, and then have sycophantic losers come on a message board and say things like, “oh that was brilliant! the tension in that performance just shows how much of a genius Jack White is! This is what real music is, you douche bags! That was so captivating!” No, you saw a once-great band come out and stink. It happens.
It was really really bad, but the night was Conan’s, so it was up to him. If he didn’t mind that Meg literally couldn’t keep a beat on that guitar or came in late for harmonies I guess it doesn’t matter. But, to be clear it was bad, there is not mistaking it for a good performance because it was awful. No doubt. Super fans see what they want to see up there: “emotion”, “unique arrangement” etc. but if you rate it on an objective scale it was shit. If you didn’t know that band you’d think the same damn thing.
I know it was unintentional, but I thought it was adorable when Meg’s flower fell from her hair and she was all flustered after.
I love the way everyone here is acting as if there is some sort of “standard” by which these sorts of things can be judged by. What objective scale are you referring to, Peyton? Honestly, I’d love to know. I mean, art is basically just the most subjective thing in the world, but sure, on a scale of one to ten, that performance must have been a….
All naysayers can judge for themselves, as well as all the people who liked it, but nobody can ever EVER presume that they are right and somebody else is wrong about something like this. You can speak only for yourself, unless you want to argue that there’s some universal standard of beauty by which things can be judged. If that’s the case, knock yourself out. I don’t see why it’s important to convince anything of anything when it comes to art.
Now if you DO feel the need to judge objectively, and not just based on your own aesthetic impulses, take this into account: The White Stripes have never been purely about the music. I think they make real incredible music. I think Jack is a superb song-writer. I think Meg as a drummer is genius, but this was not purely a musical decision. The White Stripes are just as much about concept as they are music. Hence the colors, the symbols, the numerical significances, the getting on stage in on late night television and playing a song in a manner that you know is going to get ridiculed and thinking it’s a GOOD IDEA. Something about that performance seemed aesthetically pleasing to Jack and Meg, both conceptually and musically. And their opinion is the only one that matters. If you liked it, great, tag along. If you didn’t get it, that’s also fine. But don’t pretend as if your diagnosis of the performance is infallible.
You can say it sucked and it was god-awful and it was every other thing. But you’re wrong, because I thought it was great and it sincerely meant something. We’re both right and we’re both wrong, see?
And you’re free to call absolutely anything I just said bullshit. And you could possibly be right.
what the f***?
TLDR
Jack White is overrated. The Bond song wasn’t all that good. The Raconteurs are just another retro rock band. Many White Striipe songs just sound like other songs already done except with more childish lyrics.
It’s okay to like it, and the White Stripes are a fun band. But why anyone would call Jack White a musical genius baffles me. The term “genius” is one that gets thrown around too much. .
Oh well. I still want to go on a date with Meg White though.
i just took a few minutes to read through these comments and i gave everyone who hated in anyway a demerit.
Good idea. Message boards shouldn’t have any criticisms in them at all. If you don’t have anything nice to say, try one of these:
“That was a swell performance.”
“I agree!”
“The White Stripes are grand!”
“I have a crush on Jack White!”
“Yay!”
Well I just gave you a demerit, and gave merits to all you’ve demerited. But seriously, who cares? Saying the performance sucked should not be taken as a personal insult, or even an insult on the band, just that particular performance.
Personally, I don’t think the White Stripes are suited for this one song appearances, with Let’s Build A Home on Conan ’03 and the Grammys ’04 performances being the exception. On their concerts they usually start weak and build up momentum with time and feeding off of the audience.
I’m quite disappointed with this .
I thought it was really charming in a sloppy kind of way.
If you know the song then you would know that this arrangement is totally different from the original. From what I understand it was written the day before or day of.
Should have done “I’m Bound to Pack It Up.”
Wow.
I cried.
I can’t believe people don’t get why this is emotional.
Jack has said time and again how the innocence of childhood is what means the most to him.
By the way, Conan O’brien is God incarnate.
I’m sorry but Conan should of used they might be giants as his last proformer. They’ve been on over a dozen times!!
I got it. That is part of their thing. Sloppy but heartfelt…
What did everybody expect? Jack to fire Meg and hire Neil Peart? Start playing math rock? Stop judging artists for what they aren’t….appreciate them for what they are.
Are The White Stripes going into the studio anytime soon?
Oh my. I love the WS but this performance is enough to make me puke. Not only is Meg NOT a guitar player but Jack’s voice is cracking more than a pre-pubescent.
I like the White Stripes and all, but this “rendition” was kinda crappy. I wish they would’ve stuck to normal arrangement. Much Much Better. I didn’t even finish this one.
I came across this blog (it’s not mine, so please don’t delete my post) that claims they reworked the song to sound like the lullabye Conan sings every now and then. It’s the same melody/chord structure/tempo (I’m not a musician, I’m not exactly sure what it would be technically called). They also post a video of Conan performing the lullabye as evidence/proof.
You can check out the post here: http://www.musicforperfectpeople.com/
Jack White or William Wordsworth — who extols the wonders of lost youth better?
Marcel Proust? Dylan Thomas?
Completely Awesome!!!
Totally what I expect of the White Stripes!
loved it…. true artists shine… the white stripes are blinding..
I think they should do a whole album of acoustic/vocal songs turned into what they did with Going To Be Friends.
WOW!!
Amazing
“teacher marks our height against the wall.”
you obviously had different experiences…
I started to tear up before Jack did…
so it fits
I LOVED THIS PERFORMANCE!!! – - IT’S WHAT I LIKE
After reading all the negative jots far and wide on the internet I had already decided to hate this performance. Until I watched it, and I’m not even sure why I like it, but I do. It’s strangely charming and appealingly odd both in a sonically and visually compelling way. I’ll say this, only the Stripes could pull something like this off and draw such a divide, stir up such talk among music fans. Even those who claim to despise the band watch their performances and get energized enough to spread commentary every time this band raises their head. How many bands can claim allegiance even amongst the haters. Haha. I love this band. Hope they pop a new album on the shelves this year. Rock on Jack and Meg.
meg got knocked up by the guy from her sex tape!
They zigged when everybody expected a zag that’s what makes good TV…
I was expecting a zig actually.
When you get a zig you know it’s not rigged
White Stripes performance nearly put a tear in my eye. So did Abe Vigoda. “I’ll miss you Abe, I’ll miss you everyday.” Man, what’s Abe gonna do without Conan around?!
Jack White is the best rock star of our generation. It’s in his persona.
Meg was looking a bit chub, but I still get a chub thinking back to her sex tape, so she gets a pass from me.
I’ve seen the Stripes twice here in NYC and loved them.
This ‘performance’ on Conan was pure shit.
Not only were they like some open mike get off the stage quick PLEASE
but they ruined a perfectly good song.
I really, really enjoyed this performance. Completely unique take on the song (especially for a TV performance) and it was good to see Meg smiling on camera again.
Buuuuuut I kinda wanted them to break everything on set like Conan had been doing all week. Just play something nuts like “Let’s Build A Home” or “Black Math” and snap on a 9 minute solo and then break the whole set Cobain-style. If only.
So did Meg’s therapy come through, or did she borrow John Madden’s RV to get to NYC?
That’s the real story here – inquiring minds and all that…
That is pretty cool that they did this for him. Conan is hysterical. He deserved a good send off (and now he’ll be back but earlier!)
wonderful. perfect send-off.
Jack an Meg are amazing.
I’d have em on my talk show finale too.
this was the perfect tempo perfect presentation.
jacks tired voice adds to the emotion of closing a well known part of american entertainment.
“she loves the way you sing”
what could’ve topped this performance?
FAGGERSTROM!!!
i love jack so f.. all you haters
Meg as a drummer is genius? Yikes. I’ve heard better drummers in a junior high pep bands. You’ll find more rhythmic creativity from someone playing Rock Band. If something is bad, you can’t just say that it’s supposed to be bad and that makes it genius.
See, this “can’t” language is what I don’t understand. Why can’t I say that “if something is bad, you can’t just say that it’s supposed to be bad and that makes it genius.”
First of all, that’s not exactly what I was saying.
Second of all, I don’t think her drumming is bad. It’s simple, that doesn’t mean “bad.” I’ve been listening to the White Stripes religiously for six years, and I’ve never felt overwhelmed by her being “off-beat” or “sluggish” or anything. She keeps a beat, and she does it well. She’s been getting increasingly more precise over the years, but the concept of childishness will always worm its way back into the band and its music. There’s a reason Jack suggests that she not practice and that they don’t use set lists when they play.
Music is more than rhythmic precision. If there is no feeling or passion or meaningfulness, then it’s not worth a whole lot. That goes for all art. I mean, you didn’t see Picasso exactly coloring inside the lines, did you? Yet by some, he is considered a genius, if only because he took a technique and he did something interesting with it and made it his own. Perhaps it wasn’t always pleasing to the eye, but the concept is mind-blowing.
If you’re not feeling the White Stripes, that’s legitimate. But it’s also perfectly legitimate that I do get them.
And once again, I acknowledge that this is just my opinion and you have every right to disagree.