Top 50 Songs of the Decade, #2 - "Seasons (Waiting on You)," Future Islands

There have been a lot of great and/or memorable musical performances on late night television over the years - Elvis Costello beginning one song and then storming into "Radio, Radio" in December 1977, Patti Smith delivering a shattering performance of "Gloria" in April 1976.  More recently, there were incredible performances from Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar on SNL, and Billie Eilish just last year.

But however you rank the greatest late night TV performances, this one certainly has to be near the top of the list:



I think this is what they mean when they talk about leaving it all on the stage.  What makes the performance particularly notable is Letterman's reaction to it.  He was nearing the home stretch of his legendary late night career by this point, and on most nights was so grumpy and/or disinterested that it was difficult to watch.  But his visible joy following Samuel T. Herring's performance was in itself a joy to watch.

And well earned that joy was.  This is a great song, plain and simple, and one of those songs that sounds as exciting and fresh on listen #100 (or 200, 500...) as it did on first listen. 

Top 50 Songs of the Decade, #2 - "Seasons (Waiting on You)," Future Islands.