TRANSCRIPT
Josh Groban is ready to get back on stage at Radio City Music Hall and he is ready to sing.
-I have dreamed of this moment.
♪ If you have a dream, go chase it ♪ ♪ If you feel hope, don't waste it ♪ ♪ If you find love, embrace it ♪ -Highlighting the eclectic show are Josh's Broadway costar Denée Benton, artist David Garibaldi, New York City Ballet's Tiler Peck, rising star Breland, and the one and only Cyndi Lauper.
-♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ You raise me up ♪ -It's an uplifting evening of music with "Josh Groban's Great Big Radio City Show."
-♪ Raise me up to more than I can be ♪ Come on, Radio City!
♪♪ -Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... -♪ The impossible dream ♪ -It's been two years since Josh Groban stepped on stage at Radio City.
Two very long years.
-♪ Staaaaaaaar ♪ Thank you.
Thank you.
Well, you look great.
Thanks for coming.
Hope I didn't squash your expectations tonight.
[ Laughter ] Met a sweet honeydew.
Introduced her to my folks.
They don't approve, so, uh, we cantaloupe.
[can't elope] [ Laughter ] I need help.
I need help.
[ Ringing ] Hi, Richard.
-Josh!
How are ya, buddy?
-Oh, you know, same.
It's, you know, been weird.
-Okay, first of all, take off the mask.
-Oh, the mask?
Yeah, no, yeah, no problem, yeah, sure.
Just gonna pop that bad boy right off.
-Now the other mask.
-[ Laughs ] I don't even -- I don't even know it's on my face.
-Josh, what are you doing?
-No big deal.
-You don't go outside!
Who are you gonna catch COVID from, yourself?!
-Look, Richard, I have a little problem.
-Oh.
Josh, you always call me with your problems.
Don't you have any other friends?
-You're it.
[ Chuckles ] Boop!
[ Laughs ] -Alright, what is it?
-I'm feeling a little anxious, Richard.
I don't know if I'm ready to -- to hit the stage.
I don't even know if I'm ready to hit the sidewalk, to be honest, and -- -Josh, I understand.
Take it slow.
Ease back.
75, 100 people.
Maybe a small cabaret.
-Actually, it's, um, it's -- it's Radio City Music Hall.
-Radio City Music Hall?!
[ Cheers and applause ] What are you, crazy?
Oh, my, that's huge!
I got an idea.
-Anything you could do.
-I got this friend.
He's got this thing.
It'll -- It'll help you ease back into the world.
It's like the Popemobile, only it's nondenominational.
♪♪ -Good acoustic.
♪ Mama made me mash my M&Ms ♪ ♪ Ma-- ♪ Come on!
I just had it detailed.
Fine.
♪♪ What are you doing?
What are -- What does that even say?
It literally says it right there -- "post no bills."
Post no bills.
♪♪ Thank you.
♪♪ I-I'm open!
♪♪ [ Laughter ] Okay, okay, alright, okay.
Oh.
[ Camera shutter clicks ] [ Laughter ] ♪♪ T-Tina!
Tina!
[ Cheers and applause ] Tina, hi!
-Hi.
Where do I -- Where do I put the dollar?
-Oh, no, I'm not trying to -- -Oh, okay.
Sure.
-What?
No, Tina, it's Josh.
-No problem.
Okay.
-It's Josh.
-"To Josh."
Have a good one.
-Wait!
-I better not see that on eBay!
-Wait, wait, wait, Tina!
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Here he is, fresh from a two-year engagement on his living room sofa.
Please welcome Josh Groban!
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -♪ Radio City ♪ ♪ I thought that it was the end ♪ ♪ It's so good to see you, my friends ♪ ♪ It's been a while ♪ Well, I mean.
♪ Times have been... ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ I rated zero out of 10 ♪ ♪ Zipping up my PJs until that day when ♪ ♪ We could be back here all over again ♪ ♪ So I've got to get out of my box ♪ ♪ And start to smell the bagels and lox ♪ ♪ Dip my toe in the showbiz waters and ♪ ♪ Get back to myself ♪ ♪ After two years on the shelf, so let's just take it slow ♪ ♪ You all paid good money, I know ♪ ♪ And it's my own moronic fault that I called this ♪ ♪ The Great Big Show ♪ [ Sighs ] ♪ I mean, have you seen the news?
♪ ♪ How much more is there for us to lose?
♪ ♪ I'm not meant for this isolation ♪ ♪ Aggravation ♪ ♪ Using Purell for...♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ ...Bit by bit, we'll get...somehow ♪ ♪ 'Cause I know that we have all been hurt ♪ ♪ But I want you to see what's behind that curtain ♪ ♪ So let me welcome you to the Great Big Shoooooow ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Over and over, I keep going over the world we knew ♪ ♪ Once when you walked beside me ♪ ♪ That inconceivable, that unbelievable world we knew ♪ ♪ When we two were in love ♪ ♪ And every bright neon sign turned into stars ♪ ♪ And the sun and the moon seemed to be ours ♪ ♪ Each road that we took turned into gold ♪ ♪ But the dream was too much for you to hold ♪ ♪ Now over and over, I keep going over the world we knew ♪ ♪ Days when you used to love me ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ And every bright neon sign turned into stars ♪ ♪ And the sun and the moon seemed to be ours ♪ ♪ Each road that we took, it turned into gold ♪ ♪ But the dream was too much for you to hold ♪ ♪ Now over and over, I keep going over the world we knew ♪ ♪ Days when you used to love me ♪ ♪ Over and over, I keep going over the world ♪ ♪ Weeeee kneeeeeeew ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you very much.
Good evening, Radio City Music Hall, New York!
[ Cheers and applause ] It is so amazing to see you all.
It is so great to be back in this venue, in pants.
[ Laughter ] It's all happening.
I have dreamed of this moment for the entirety of the time we were all just isolated and -- and missing each other, missing our friends, our family, the music we love, performing, my band, my crew, this orchestra, everybody that I've missed.
I've missed everybody.
I've missed you, damn it!
[ Cheers and applause ] I'm not afraid to say it.
This is an enormous play, as Richard Kind mentioned, to be coming back.
Uh, 87,000 square feet, this venue.
[ Woman whoops ] 87,000 square feet.
Yeah.
I -- I whooped as well when I heard that backstage just a minute ago.
That is larger than the largest New York City apartment by 87,000 square feet.
[ Laughter ] Um.
But we had to title "Great Big" because this is a big venue and it's a big night and we're feeling, you know, large.
Our hearts are large.
Um, I'm not inventive when it comes to coming up with titles for shows.
So we called it "The Great Big Radio City Show" because it is big and we are in Radio City, but we had some other names that we were thinking of.
I really liked them.
My lawyers did not.
But in all seriousness, we -- we are -- we are just so unbelievably humbled and grateful to be back here doing what we love, and we would not be able to be back if it was not for the incredible, uh, the incredible work of our front-line workers, our medical workers that have been tireless from day one of this -- when it was this unknown thing.
[ Applause ] They've been on the front lines, doing their best to keep us safe and trying to make sure that for you, for us backstage, everywhere, we're able to keep doing this thing that we love, and I want to dedicate this next song to them because they are the angels of the last two years.
This is called "Angels."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I sit and wait ♪ ♪ Does an angel ♪ ♪ Contemplate my fate?
♪ ♪ And do they know ♪ ♪ The places where we go ♪ ♪ When we're gray and old?
♪ ♪ 'Cause I have been told ♪ ♪ That salvation lets their wings unfold ♪ ♪ So when I'm lying in my bed ♪ ♪ Thoughts running through my head ♪ ♪ Ever feel that love is dead ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ ♪ Through it all ♪ ♪ She offers me protection ♪ ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ ♪ And down the waterfall ♪ ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ ♪ When I'm feeling weak ♪ ♪ And my pain walks down ♪ ♪ A one-way street ♪ ♪ Oh, I look above ♪ ♪ And I know I'll always be ♪ ♪ Blessed with loooooove ♪ ♪ And as the feeling grows ♪ ♪ She breathes flesh into my bones ♪ ♪ And when the love is dead ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ ♪ Through it all ♪ ♪ She offers me protection ♪ ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ ♪ Down the waterfall ♪ ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Through it all ♪ ♪ She offers me protection ♪ ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ ♪ Down the waterfall ♪ ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
Oh, man, Tariqh, you shredded on that.
That was amazing.
[ Cheers and applause ] Tariqh Akoni on the guitar, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] That -- You know what that reminded me of, what you were doing just then?
That reminded me of that -- Remember the -- Remember in "November Rain," the Guns N' Roses song, when Slash runs out of the church?
And he does the Slash thing in the church?
And the wind's just going back in his hair.
We had a Slash moment, you and I. I was your Axl.
We had FOG.
I -- That is a song by the great Robbie Williams.
It's a very, very -- Wonderful, wonderful British singer-songwriter.
So, um, this city has been through a lot many, many times.
This is a city that knows, understands pain, understands recovery, understands how to really get tough when it's time to get tough and rejuvenate and renew and find a way.
This city has so much will to find those ways.
And this was no exception.
The fact that art especially thrived during this time period when it could've shuttered -- I mean, we had shows that were closing, we had museums were closing, but it didn't stop actors from doing Zoom plays.
It didn't stop orchestras from getting their instruments out and doing TikTok songs from across the world with each other and it didn't stop art from being -- from blossoming around us, and this artist is somebody who just done so much for the world of visual arts, somebody I've watched online for a really long time and really wanted to make him part of the show tonight.
Please give a warm welcome to the wonderful artist David Garibaldi, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause ] David, I don't want to -- I don't want presume.
How are you?
Good to see you, first of all.
-I'm great.
Yes, we can hug now.
-We can hug.
I was gonna say, that's dry paint, right?
I was nervous for a moment.
-Yeah, there's a handprint on your back now, yeah.
[ Laughter ] -"Kick me."
You painted "Kick me" back there.
David, you perform with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole body goes into it.
Tell everybody a little bit about what it is you do.
-Yeah, so I'm a performance painter.
I create these large portraits in minutes to music, try to make the art process entertaining for you, for the audience.
-And you paint very quickly.
You paint with not just brushes but your hands.
You paint -- You just paint with everything.
-Oh, yeah.
-You're giving it all, and it's very, very quick.
-Yes, it's very fast, and I use whatever's nearby, so if you stand near me... -You're going to pick me up?
-...I may use you as a brush.
-I mean, my hair's been called many things, but a brush is not one of them.
Well, we have this incredible canvas.
Has risen for you.
-Yes.
-I'm going to let you go to where you feel most at home, and I'm going to take this mike stand over here, and David and I, we are going to do a song that I felt both represents how quickly the city has continued to move through this terrible time and also represents the brilliance of what it is that David does.
This is called "New York Minute."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Harry got up ♪ ♪ Dressed all in black ♪ ♪ Went down to the station ♪ ♪ And he never came back ♪ ♪ They found his clothing ♪ ♪ Scattered somewhere down the track ♪ ♪ And he won't be down on Wall Street ♪ ♪ In the morning ♪ ♪ He had a home ♪ ♪ The love of a girl ♪ ♪ But men get lost sometimes ♪ ♪ As years unfurl ♪ ♪ One day he crossed some line ♪ ♪ And he was too much in this world ♪ ♪ But I guess it doesn't matter anymore ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪ Can get a little strange ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Lying here in the darkness ♪ ♪ I hear the sirens wail ♪ ♪ Somebody going to emergency ♪ ♪ Somebody's going to jail ♪ ♪ If you find somebody to love in this world ♪ ♪ You better hang on tooth and nail ♪ ♪ The wolf is always at the door ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh, everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪ Things can get a little strange ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh, in a New York minute ♪ ♪ And in these days ♪ ♪ When darkness falls early ♪ ♪ And people rush home ♪ ♪ To the ones they love ♪ ♪ You better take a fool's advice ♪ ♪ And take care of your own ♪ ♪ 'Cause one day they're here ♪ ♪ Next day they're gone ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I pulled my coat around my shoulders ♪ ♪ And took a walk down to the park ♪ ♪ The leaves were falling around me ♪ ♪ The groaning city in the gathering dark ♪ ♪ On some solitary rock ♪ ♪ A desperate lover left his mark ♪ ♪ "Baby, I've changed, please come back" ♪ ♪ But what the head makes cloudy ♪ ♪ The heart makes very clear ♪ ♪ And oh, the days were so much brighter ♪ ♪ In the time when she was here ♪ ♪ I know there's somebody somewhere ♪ ♪ To make the dark clouds disappear ♪ ♪ But until that day, I have to believe ♪ ♪ I believe, I believe ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ ♪ You can get out of the rain ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-ooh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh, in a New York minute ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-ohhhh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-ohhhh-ohh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Everything can change ♪ ♪ In a New York minute ♪ ♪ Oh-ohhh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] David Garibaldi, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you so much.
Enjoy the ride, my friend.
Enjoy the ride.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] Oh, man, thank you, guys, so much.
I -- You know, we talked a little bit about arts education, and I would not be here if it was not for my arts teachers.
I am a product of a quality arts education.
I ham it up, but I'm an introvert.
Like, when I'm offstage, like, I'm a hermit, and I don't really go out much, I don't do much.
It's why I like New York 'cause it kicks my ass out of the door.
But when I was younger, I was especially really, really, like, awkward.
I had a hard time.
My grades weren't great.
I didn't know why.
I had a hard time making friends, and it was my teachers.
It was my theater teacher, my choir teacher, that kind of gave me those moments, those little moments.
Give it up for the arts teachers in New York City and across the country because -- [ Cheers and applause ] All the educators.
I mean, I love our teachers.
They are also on the front lines.
They're on the front lines of our youth, to make sure that they feel comfortable and confident in an ever-changing and terrifying world.
But, you know, being pulled out of the back of the choir and being told like, "Hey, you've got something, and I think that you could do something, and I'm going to give it to you as an assignment," 'cause that was important 'cause if it wasn't an assignment, I wouldn't have done it, and it was the most magical experience, singing my first solo for a group of kids that I thought for sure would just wedgie me for the rest of my life.
They gave me applause.
It felt like my first time realizing that this was my language, and so when I wrote this next song, I was thinking about that kid.
I was thinking about like that teacher and I was thinking about those moments, and this is for all of them.
This is called "Granted."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Have you ever felt it could all go away if you blink?
♪ ♪ If you never stop running, you won't fall behind ♪ ♪ So you think ♪ ♪ And you wonder in your heart if you still know who you are ♪ ♪ Who are you?
♪ ♪ Because nothing's as it seems till it all falls apart ♪ ♪ If you have a dream, go chase it ♪ ♪ If you feel hope, don't waste it ♪ ♪ If you find love, embrace it ♪ ♪ Never take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ The story's yours, go write it ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's undecided ♪ ♪ Our days are counted on this planet ♪ ♪ So never take a single breath ♪ ♪ Take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ -♪ Oh-oh-oh, ooh-oh, oh-oh ♪ ♪ Maybe it's time you bet on yourself ♪ ♪ Listen to your heart ♪ ♪ Just listen to your heart and nobody else ♪ ♪ So go find out who you are, only you know who you are ♪ ♪ Who are you?
♪ ♪ 'Cause all you have to lose is your best life yet ♪ ♪ So go ahead ♪ ♪ If you have a dream, go chase it ♪ ♪ If you feel hope, don't waste it ♪ ♪ If you find love, embrace it ♪ ♪ Never take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ The story's yours, go write it ♪ ♪ Tomorrow's undecided ♪ ♪ Our days are counted on this planet ♪ ♪ So never take a single breath ♪ ♪ Take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ -♪ Oh-oh-oh, ooh-oh, oh-oh ♪ ♪ Sometimes the greatest moment we'll ever know ♪ ♪ Are when we're letting go ♪ ♪ So let go ♪ ♪ Maybe our brightest days still wait for us ♪ ♪ In the unknoooown ♪ ♪♪ -[ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ -♪ If you have a dream, go chase it ♪ ♪ If you feel hope, don't waste it ♪ ♪ If you find love, embrace it ♪ ♪ Never take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ If you have a light, go find it ♪ ♪ The story's yours, go write it ♪ ♪ Our days are counted on this planet ♪ ♪ So never take a single breath, no ♪ ♪ Take a single breath for granted ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ -♪ Oh-oh-oh, ooh-oh, oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ooh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you very much.
Thank you so, so much, and thank you to those great teachers.
Um, it was nice to sit down for a second, actually.
I'm gonna sing a song now that's a -- that's a classic song, and this is a song that just has a wonderful arrangement.
It's one I've wanted to do a long time.
It's on the "Notting Hill" soundtrack, this song.
Great banger of a soundtrack, that "Notting Hill."
"Oh, how am I going to leave?
There's paparazzi outside!"
That's the whole movie.
That's the whole thing.
"I love you, but you're so famous."
But I love the movie.
I love the soundtrack.
And this song is an absolute classic, and we have an extraordinary arrangement done by these extraordinary musicians.
This is called "She."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ She may be the face I can't forget ♪ ♪ The trace of pleasure or regret ♪ ♪ May be my treasure or the price I have to pay ♪ ♪ She may be the song that summer sings ♪ ♪ May be the chill that autumn brings ♪ ♪ May be a hundred different things ♪ ♪ Within the measure of a day ♪ ♪ She may be the beauty or the beast ♪ ♪ May be the famine or the feast ♪ ♪ May turn each day into a heaven or a hell ♪ ♪ She may be the mirror of my dreams ♪ ♪ A smile reflected in a stream ♪ ♪ She may not be what she may seem ♪ ♪ Inside her shell ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ She, who always seems so happy in a crowd ♪ ♪ Whose eyes can be so private and so proud ♪ ♪ No one's allowed to see them when they cry ♪ ♪ She may be the love that cannot hope to last ♪ ♪ May come to me from shadows of the past ♪ ♪ That I'll remember till the day I die ♪ ♪ She may be the reason I survive ♪ ♪ The why and wherefore I'm alive ♪ ♪ The one I'll care for through the rough and ready years ♪ ♪ Me, I'll take her laughter and her tears ♪ ♪ And make them all my souvenirs ♪ ♪ For where she goes I've got to be ♪ ♪ The meaning of my life is she ♪ ♪ She ♪ ♪ Ohh-ohh-ohh ♪ ♪ She ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so very much.
I love that song.
It's so beautiful.
What a gorgeous arrangement.
Thank you all very much.
I have this song that has dancing in the title, but I've never performed this song with dance before, and so it is such an extraordinary honor for me to perform "So She Dances" with the incomparable Tiler Peck.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ A waltz when she walks in the room ♪ ♪ She pulls back the hair from her face ♪ ♪ She turns to the window ♪ ♪ To sway in the moonlight ♪ ♪ Even her shadow has grace ♪ ♪ A waltz for the girl out of reach ♪ ♪ She lifts her hands up to the sky ♪ ♪ She moves with the music ♪ ♪ The song is her lover ♪ ♪ The melody's making her cry ♪ ♪ So she dances ♪ ♪ In and out of the crowd like a glance ♪ ♪ This romance is from afar ♪ ♪ Calling me silently ♪ ♪♪ ♪ A waltz for the chance I should take ♪ ♪ But how will I know where to start?
♪ ♪ She's spinning between ♪ ♪ Constellations and dreams ♪ ♪ Her rhythm is my beating heart ♪ ♪ So she dances ♪ ♪ In and out of the crowd like a glance ♪ ♪ This romance is from afar ♪ ♪ Calling me silently ♪ ♪ I can't keep on watching forever ♪ ♪ I give up this view just to tell her ♪ ♪♪ ♪ When I close my eyes, I can see ♪ ♪ The spotlights are bright on you and me ♪ ♪ We've got the floor ♪ ♪ And you're in my arms ♪ ♪ How could I ask for more?
♪ ♪ So she dances ♪ ♪ In and out of the crowd like a glance ♪ ♪ This romance is from afar ♪ ♪ Calling me silently ♪ ♪ I can't keep on watching forever ♪ ♪ And I'm giving up this view just to tell her ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Oooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] The transcendent Tiler Peck, ladies and gentlemen.
[ Cheers and applause ] That was so amazing.
Thank you so much, Tiler.
Give it up one more time for your very own Tiler Peck.
[ Cheers and applause ] This next song is another song I really, really wanted to sing.
I was intimidated, though, by this next song.
I knew it was one that I connected with deeply, but this is not the kind of song that you just, like, you know, sing out of nowhere.
It has to be felt.
It has to be the kind of thing that you've lived enough and have had enough perspective where it really, really means something to you.
And it wasn't one, because of those reasons, that I felt like I was quite ready to tackle yet.
And then the last two years hit, and I feel like we all have had a really, really healthy dose -- Henrik was talking about it, of perspective and gratitude and what it means to see things from more sides than you'd previously seen.
And so, um, I love this song.
I'm so excited to sing this song, and I'm especially excited to sing this song with a very special friend who you'll see in a minute.
This is called "Both Sides Now."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Rows and flows of angel hair ♪ ♪ And ice cream castles in the air ♪ ♪ And feather canyons everywhere ♪ ♪ I've looked at clouds that way ♪ ♪ But now they only block the sun ♪ ♪ They rain and snow on everyone ♪ ♪ So many things I would have done ♪ ♪ But clouds got in my way ♪ ♪ I've looked at clouds from both sides now ♪ ♪ From up and down, and still somehow ♪ ♪ It's cloud illusions I recall ♪ ♪ I really don't know clouds at all ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels ♪ ♪ The dizzy dancing way you feel ♪ ♪ As every fairy tale comes real ♪ ♪ I've looked at love that way ♪ ♪ But now it's just another show ♪ ♪ You leave 'em laughing when you go ♪ ♪ And if you care, don't let them know ♪ ♪ Don't give yourself away ♪ -♪ I've looked at love from both sides now ♪ ♪ From give and take, and still somehow ♪ ♪ It's love's illusions I recall ♪ -♪ I really don't know love at aaaaall ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Tears and fears and feeling proud ♪ ♪ To say "I love you" right out loud ♪ ♪ Dreams and schemes and circus crowds ♪ ♪ I've looked at life that way ♪ -♪ But now old friends, they're acting strange ♪ ♪ They shake their heads, they say I've changed ♪ -♪ Well, something's lost, but something's gained ♪ ♪ In living every day ♪ ♪ I've looked at life from both sides now ♪ ♪ From win and lose, and still somehow ♪ -♪ It's life's illusions I recall ♪ -♪ I really don't know life ♪ -♪ I've looked at life from both sides now ♪ ♪ From up and down, and still somehow ♪ -♪ It's life's illusions I recall ♪ -♪ I really don't know life ♪ ♪ At aaaaaaaaaaaall ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, my beloved costar in "The Great Comet of 1812" and star on your HBO TV screens in "The Gilded Age," Ms. Denée Benton, everybody.
-Hello!
Wow!
This is incredible.
-Denée, thank you for joining us on the show.
-Thank you for having me.
-And I hope we can do this again many, many times.
Give it up for Denée Benton one more time.
-An honor every time.
Thank you.
[ Cheers and applause ] I wrote this next song while I was kind of in the middle of a very, very dark time during the last year.
There is -- There are times in your life when you just want to, you know, you want to find songs that inspire you.
There are times in your life where you write or sing inspirational songs 'cause you're feeling like you're in that moment.
And then there are times when you write them because you really, really need to hear them.
Sometimes -- Like, the coolest thing about writing is that you get to write what you want to feel and then you hope to kind of fake it till you make it and get it there.
So this was a song that I wrote during that time period.
I didn't know if it'd be on the album, but it's called "The Fullest."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Lately ♪ ♪ Underneath this darkened sky ♪ ♪ A spark has finally come to life ♪ ♪ And washed over me ♪ ♪ Steer me ♪ ♪ From out of this delusive night ♪ ♪ I've got so much time for wild surprises ♪ ♪ I can't hold them anymore ♪ ♪ But how much this could mean to me ♪ ♪ If we only imagine ♪ ♪ Just how deeply we perceive ♪ ♪ All the colors that we found ♪ ♪ Would you follow me out on the thin branches?
♪ ♪ Going blind trying to soak up the sun ♪ ♪ I believe, I believe, that the space in between ♪ ♪ Is what we become ♪ ♪ Battle back through the fog to second chances ♪ ♪ Gotta fly at the end of the fall ♪ ♪ And when my hour's up ♪ ♪ I wanna say I've filled my cup to the fullest ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ -♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Breathe ♪ ♪ From hibernation, wake to life ♪ ♪ Untie the hands and twist the knife ♪ ♪ Before we stop going 'round ♪ ♪ And oh, I know ♪ ♪ That it's still so damn hard to try ♪ ♪ To plant a flower just to watch it die ♪ ♪ Can start to break you down ♪ ♪ But how much further we could see ♪ ♪ If we only imagined ♪ ♪ Just how deeply we perceive ♪ ♪ All the colors that we've found ♪ ♪ Would you follow me out on the thin branches?
♪ ♪ Going blind trying to soak up the sun ♪ ♪ I believe, I believe, that the space in between ♪ ♪ Is what we become ♪ ♪ Battle back through the fog to second chances ♪ ♪ Gotta fly at the end of the fall ♪ ♪ When my hour's up ♪ ♪ I wanna know I've filled my cup to the fullest ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ -♪ Whoa, whoa ♪ -♪ My friend, don't you give up ♪ -Don't give up ♪ -♪ Even though you've had enough ♪ ♪ All the pain that life can bring ♪ ♪ Lift your head and just believe ♪ -♪ Ohh, with eyes wide open ♪ ♪ We'll only know then ♪ -♪ Our love can tear down walls ♪ -♪ Oh, 'cause I watched them fall ♪ ♪ And I can't came back for more ♪ ♪ Follow me out on the thin branches ♪ ♪ Going blind trying to soak up the sun ♪ ♪ I believe, I believe, that the space in between ♪ ♪ Is what we become ♪ ♪ Battle back through the fog to second chances ♪ ♪ Gotta fly at the end of the fall ♪ ♪ And when my hour's up ♪ ♪ I wanna say I've filled my cup ♪ ♪ We'll be singing ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la ♪ ♪ La-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la, la ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la ♪ ♪ La-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Oh, we'll be singing ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la ♪ ♪ La-la-la, oh, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la ♪ ♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Oh, la, la, la ♪ -♪ Oh, la, la ♪ ♪ La-la-la, la-la-la ♪ -♪ Oh, we'll be singing, yeah ♪ -♪ La-la-la, la-la-la ♪ -♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh ♪ -♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ -♪ Ooh-oh, ohh ♪ -♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so very much.
Give it up for this wonderful choir, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you so much, guys.
Thank you very much.
That was beautiful.
I feel it, feel it.
I feel it, feel it, yes.
That's what music can do.
We have so many incredible surprises tonight and so many amazing guests who have graced us with their yeses to come and join us on this wild, insane thing we've decided to do.
When I mention the greats, truly this is a name that has been on my personal fandom bucket list for so many years, somebody that has given me so much joy, given our whole family so much uplifting joy over the last many, many years with his extraordinary playing.
Please give a big Radio City welcome to the extraordinary Mr. Itzhak Perlman.
[ Cheers and applause ] Hello, sir!
-How are you doing?
-I'm good now.
I'm so happy to see you.
-Nice to see you.
-Thank you for being here.
-It's my pleasure.
Is this -- This can't be your Radio City debut.
-Oh, no, I do this every week.
-Every weekend?
[ Laughs ] Oh, yeah, I somehow -- -[ Speaking indistinctly ] -Somehow I missed the Perlman Revue every Saturday night.
-Every week I do this, like clockwork.
-What's your 11:00 number?
-Um...I have no idea.
-[ Laughs ] Okay.
-I just do it, you know...
Improvise.
-You just improvise it.
-I just improvise.
-Improvise master.
If there's one thing we know about you, it's the improvisational skills.
What is -- I mean, when I hear you play, the sound that you get from that instrument, can you tell me a little bit about what instrument you're playing, a little bit of the history of what it is you're playing?
-This is Stradivarius.
-A Stradivarius.
-Yes.
You know.
And, now, if it doesn't sound right, it's called a Scratchivarius.
-A Scratchivarius.
[ Laughter ] -Some people sometimes call it the "Notoni."
[no-tone-y] -The Notoni.
-The Notoni.
That's Italian.
-That's the Notoni.
Yeah.
-That's right.
Notoni whatsoever.
-Johnny Bag o' Donuts said that in the New York Times.
-Absolutely.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
-And, I mean, I just -- We were talking earlier that you don't get offended when somebody calls it a fiddle, that this is -- -Oh.
This is a fiddle.
This is a nice fiddle.
-This is a museum piece.
-I like this fiddle.
But that's what we call it.
We always call it a fiddle.
Yeah.
-You know I was in "Fiddler on the Roof" when I was a kid?
I was -- Yeah.
[ Cheers and applause ] -Oh, really?
-I was.
I was in "Fiddler on the Roof."
-You did?
What did you do?
I mean, what kind of voice did you have at that time?
-[Deep voice] I was Tevye.
-[Deep voice] Oh, really?
♪ If I was a rich man ♪ ♪ Hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba, huddy-huddy-huh ♪ -Oh.
Itzhak.
-♪ If I was a rich man ♪ ♪ Hudda-hudda, hudda-hudda-hudda ♪ -♪ All day long, I biddy-biddy bum ♪ Play.
Itzhak, play.
♪ Were a wealthy man ♪ ♪ Hey!
♪ ♪ Wouldn't have to work hard ♪ -♪ Hubby, hubby, hubby, hu-- ♪ It's enough already.
-Wow.
That's good, Itzhak.
That is amazing.
[ Cheers and applause ] Your voice is -- Receive them.
Yes.
You're a funny, funny man.
When we were rehearsing at your apartment, you said -- One of the first things he said to me is, "When we go out there, do you want to have a roast battle?"
[ Laughter ] I wouldn't dream.
-Be careful of what you ask for.
-I know.
I wouldn't dream.
My jokes are older than that violin, sir.
I don't want to... Um, but let's sing the song.
This is a song that we agreed on, and it's a song that I've -- I've thought of collaborating with you on this song for many, many years, and I'm so happy that we get to do it.
It's a song from "Cinema Paradiso."
-So, tell me.
What -- What note should I start on?
-You know what?
You pick any note, we'll follow you.
-I'll pick any note.
Okay.
-You just come in.
We got a crack band, and they will... -Alright.
Okay.
-They will follow you.
Are you ready, Maestro?
-Very good.
Yep.
-Okay.
-Woman: Itzhak Perlman!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Se tu fossi nei ♪ ♪ Miei occhi per un giorno ♪ ♪ Vedresti la bellezza che ♪ ♪ Piena d'allegria ♪ ♪ Io trovo dentro gli occhi tuoi ♪ ♪ E nearo se magia ♪ ♪ O lealta ♪ ♪ Se tu fossi nel mio cuore per un giorno ♪ ♪ Potreste avere un'idea ♪ ♪ Di cio che sento io ♪ ♪ Quando m'abbracci forte a te ♪ ♪ E petto a petto, noi ♪ ♪ Respiriamo insieme ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Se tu fossi nella mia anima un giorno ♪ ♪ Sapresti cosa sono in me ♪ ♪ Che m'innamorai ♪ ♪ Da quell'istante insieme a te ♪ ♪ E cio che provo è ♪ ♪ Solamente ♪ ♪ Amore ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Da quell'istante insieme a te ♪ ♪ E cio che provo è ♪ ♪ Solamente ♪ ♪ Amore ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] One of your great treasures.
Mr. Itzhak Perlman, everybody.
One more time.
Thank you, Maestro.
[ Cheers and applause ] Let's hear it.
Thank you, sir.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] Oh, my gosh.
I would like to introduce my next guest to the stage, and this guest truly needs no introduction.
But this is somebody that I have idolized, so many of us on stage have idolized for so many years.
She is a singer, a songwriter, a writer, an icon, somebody who has given so much to this city and to the whole world.
Please show your love for the absolutely incomparable Cyndi Lauper, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause ] -You know you're going to make me cry here.
-I don't want to make you cry.
-Right?
-No, please.
-Okay, I'm sorry.
-Take your rightful place at center stage.
-Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry.
-It's your stage now.
I am merely a pupil.
-How you doing?
-I'm doing okay.
-I know.
I was listening.
It's really great.
-Oh, my gosh, thank you so much.
That means so much to me.
I love your jacket.
That is so cool.
-You know me.
I like to go low-key.
-You're very low-key, yeah.
Well, there is black.
You know?
-There's black.
-But, you know, it's wonderful.
We are so happy to have you here.
Thank you so much for coming here.
[ Cheers and applause ] They love you.
I love you.
They're trying to play it cool, but they can't -- -They're awesome.
-We're basically all just trying to play it cool right now.
-Hey, it's awesome.
Alright.
-I'm so excited to sing with you.
-Are we going to sing or what?
-We're going to sing or what are we gonna do?
Let's sing something.
-Sorry.
-Let's do it.
We just do funny voices.
Do you want to count us off and we'll sing this wonderful song of yours?
-Sure.
Hi, guys.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you ♪ ♪ Caught up in circles ♪ ♪ Confusion is nothing new ♪ -♪ Flashback, warm nights ♪ ♪ Almost left behind ♪ ♪ Suitcase of memories ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Sometimes you picture me ♪ ♪ I'm walking too far ahead ♪ -♪ You're calling to me ♪ ♪ I can't hear what you've said ♪ -♪ Then you say, "go slow" ♪ ♪ And I fall behind ♪ -♪ The second hand unwinds ♪ -♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ After my picture fades ♪ ♪ And darkness has turned to gray ♪ ♪ Watching through windows ♪ ♪ You're wondering if I'm okay ♪ -♪ Secrets stolen from deep inside ♪ ♪ And the drum beats out of time ♪ -♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ You say "go slow" ♪ -♪ And I fall behind ♪ -♪ The second hand unwinds ♪ -♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ A suitcase of memories I almost left behind ♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ -♪ Time, time, time, time ♪ ♪ You say "go slow" ♪ ♪ But I fall behind ♪ -♪ Ohhh-ohhh ♪ -♪ I'm falling, I'm falling ♪ ♪ I'm falling, I'm falling ♪ ♪ Time after time ♪ ♪ Come on, come on ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Oh, come on, oh, come on ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ You say ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Oh, come on ♪ -♪ Ohh ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Ohh-ohhh ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ Time after ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -The legendary Cyndi Lauper, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] I have a great privilege of inviting friends and guests and surprises into this show.
It's one of the most fun things that we are able to do when creating a show like this.
And sometimes I get to sing with artists that I've known for a long time, and sometimes you get an opportunity to sing with somebody who is just like a breath of fresh air and is a new artist and is somebody that, when you sing with them, you're like, "Oh, this is a new and amazing thing."
And this artist is absolutely one of those people.
He's somebody who's taking the country music world by storm and beyond.
He doesn't really have a genre.
But he's somebody that I've been thrilled to call my friend during this time and somebody that I'm so happy to invite to the stage.
Please welcome the wonderful Breland to the stage.
[ Cheers and applause ] He's coming over here.
He's coming from right.
When I go left, he goes right.
-I got you.
Hi, guys.
-There's no guessing.
I mean, you are brand-new to this industry.
You're a baby in the industry.
-Yeah.
I dropped my first song right before COVID hit.
-Nicely done.
[ Laughs ] -Yeah, great timing on that.
-But this song is so beautiful.
When did you write this song that we're going to sing?
-I wrote this song right after the George Floyd murder and I just was feeling like I had a lot of emotions.
-Yeah.
-And I wanted to have an outlet to express that, and you'll kind of hear what that's about in the song.
-That's such -- It's the best gift that we have, is that we're able to express and we're able to write and we're able to get it out of our system when we need to.
So, I'm going to go over to -- I'm going to go over here and let you take -- Okay.
One, two, three, four.
♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Got some sides you'll never know ♪ ♪ Things I handle on my own ♪ ♪ Show the highs and hide the lows ♪ ♪ That's just how it goes ♪ -♪ Been through things you'll never see ♪ ♪ I've got some painful memories ♪ ♪ Nights that I can barely sleep ♪ ♪ But pretend that I'm at peace ♪ -♪ There's a million things been on my mind ♪ ♪ I smile and say I'm doin' fine ♪ ♪ Anything to keep it all inside ♪ -♪ 'Cause real men don't cry ♪ -♪ At least that's what we tell ourselves ♪ ♪ And hurt the ones who try to help ♪ ♪ Wish that we could leave it all behind ♪ -♪ 'Cause real men don't cry ♪ -♪ Let 'em fall in private rooms ♪ ♪ Held 'em back in quite a few ♪ ♪ After all that I've been through ♪ ♪ I'm tryna start anew ♪ -♪ This kind of cycle's hard to fight ♪ ♪ Broken dads and sons alike ♪ ♪ Holdin' all the shame and pride ♪ ♪ Trying to survive ♪ -♪ With a million things been on my mind ♪ ♪ I smile and say I'm doin' fine ♪ ♪ Anything to keep it all inside ♪ -♪ 'Cause real men don't cry ♪ -♪ At least that's what we tell ourselves ♪ ♪ And hurt the ones who try to help ♪ ♪ Wish that we could leave it all behind ♪ -♪ Real men don't cry ♪ -♪ And you might say that I'm surely mistaken ♪ ♪ That showing my emotions is a weakness ♪ ♪ That type of thinking makes me wanna cry ♪ -♪ A million things been on my mind ♪ ♪ I smile and say I'm doin' fine ♪ ♪ Anything to keep it all inside ♪ -♪ 'Cause real men don't cry ♪ -♪ At least that's what we tell ourselves ♪ ♪ And hurt the ones who try to help ♪ ♪ Wish that we could leave it all behind ♪ -♪ 'Cause real men don't cry ♪ -♪ Go ahead and dry your eyes ♪ -♪ Nothing's wrong with you and I ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Give it up for Breland, everybody.
-Thank you, guys, so much.
Thank you, Josh.
-You got amazing things coming, man.
Thank you so much for doing that with me.
That was so beautiful.
Breland!
-I appreciate you.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] -Please give a warm welcome to the "Angel of New York," Martina Bruno!
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Panis angelicus ♪ ♪ Fit panis hominum ♪ ♪ Dat panis coelicus ♪ ♪ Figuris terminum ♪ ♪ O res mirabilis ♪ ♪ Manducat dominum ♪ ♪ Pauper, pauper ♪ ♪ Servus et humilis ♪ ♪ Pauper, pauper ♪ ♪ Servus et humilis ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Panis angelicus ♪ ♪ Fit panis hominum ♪ ♪ Dat panis coelicus ♪ ♪ Figuris terminum ♪ ♪ O res mirabilis ♪ ♪ Manducat dominum ♪ ♪ Pauper, pauper ♪ ♪ Servus et humilis ♪ ♪ P-a-a-a-auper ♪ ♪ Servus, servus et humilis ♪ ♪ Servus, servus et humilis ♪ ♪♪ ♪ P-a-a-a-auper ♪ ♪ P-a-a-a-auper ♪ ♪ P-a-a-auper ♪ ♪ Servus, servus ♪ ♪ Et humilis ♪ ♪ Et humilis ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] -A true angel of New York.
Martina Bruno, everybody!
[ Cheers and applause ] Amazing!
Oh, my gosh.
That was so great.
-I'm a little verkl-- -Are you verklempt, too?
Are you verklempt?
We're both -- We're both verklempt!
Um, when we talked -- You're doing great.
You look beautiful.
That was so stunning.
You, um, are -- Tell everybody what you're doing.
When we talked a little bit in the subway -- By the way, way better acoustics right here, don't you think?
-Sure.
And a more captive audience.
-And a more captive audience.
That's the truth.
Exactly.
You have been studying, as well as singing.
You are going to Yale to study divinity and social services.
Is that right?
That's unbelievable.
[ Cheers and applause ] There's just no -- -Well, actually, I'm double majoring.
-Yes.
-I'm double majoring at UConn for social work.
-Okay.
-And at Yale Divinity School for divinity.
-Okay.
No big deal.
And singing when you have time?
-I love to sing.
I have to sing.
-Absolutely.
-So -- You make time for what you love, right?
-You absolutely do, and I think I speak for every single person in this audience that I think we'd like to hear a lot more singing from you, so please, on behalf of all 6,000 people here tonight, keep singing, Martina.
Thank you so much.
-Thank you all.
-Martina Bruno, everybody.
One more time.
[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, my goodness.
Those are the moments where I just get to stand on the side of the stage and I get to -- I just get to just -- I get to just have a little weep.
After I put on my new suit.
Do you like my suit?
New me.
It's a new me.
[ Cheers and applause ] Um, I, uh -- [ Chuckles ] I have the stage.
I have a new suit.
I have a belt that clicks.
[ Click ] Ohh.
I've lost one pound already of walking back and forth on the stage.
They gave me the stage.
They said, "You can do anything you want with the stage.
You can juggle.
You can have inflatable costumes.
You can have lasers shooting out of your eyes."
What can we possibly -- What can we possibly do next?
I have no idea.
[ Choir vocalizing ] There's options.
I can sing another song.
I could read you a monologue.
I could do some poetry.
What is that noise?
I hear a thing that -- Oh, my God!
What?!
Is that a drum set?!
Ohh!
Don't you do this to me.
Don't you toy with my emotions.
Don't you toy -- Oh, it's so pretty.
I should sit.
I wanna sit!
Can I sit?
Oh, my goodness.
Like a glove!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] I had to do it.
It was right -- It was right there.
Give it up for Mr. Kaz Rodriguez and Daniel Sadownick.
The real percussive masters on this stage.
[ Cheers and applause ] [As Garth Algar] I like to play.
[ Laughter ] Thank you for indulging.
Thank you for indulging my inner -- my inner Muppet, basically.
I just -- [ Chuckles ] Um, this -- I'm going to give the band a break.
I feel like you all -- You deserve -- Not you, Mark.
Not you, Mark.
Sit down.
But this incredible band, I'm going to give them just a minute because this song, you know, I'm a musical-theater fan.
We've established this.
[ Cheers and applause ] We've seen the pictures.
But I am.
I went to the Interlochen Arts Camp.
I went to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
I was theater, like theater, theater, theater was my escape.
So when I recorded this song -- This song is from "Les Misérables."
Any "Les Mis" fans out there tonight?
[ Cheers and applause ] This song feels so relevant to me right now.
And I want to dedicate this song to the people of Ukraine.
I want to dedicate this song to those that are way, way, way outside these doors that are fighting for their freedom, they're fighting for their right to exist, and to all of those that have had to leave, I want to dedicate this to them and hope that they are able to get back to their rightful home.
This is called "Bring Him Home."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ God on high ♪ ♪ Hear my prayer ♪ ♪ In my need ♪ ♪ You have always been there ♪ ♪ He is young ♪ ♪ He's afraid ♪ ♪ Let him rest ♪ ♪ Heaven blessed ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ He's like the son I might have known ♪ ♪ If God had granted me a son ♪ ♪ The summers die ♪ ♪ One by one ♪ ♪ How soon they fly ♪ ♪ On and on ♪ ♪ And I am old ♪ ♪ And will be gone ♪ ♪ Bring him peace ♪ ♪ Bring him joy ♪ ♪ He is young ♪ ♪ He is only a boy ♪ ♪ You can take ♪ ♪ You can give ♪ ♪ Let him be ♪ ♪ Let him live ♪ ♪ If I die ♪ ♪ Let me die ♪ ♪ Let him live ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him hoooooome ♪ ♪ Bring him hoooooome ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Um, alright, well, this -- [ Indistinct shouting ] Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I don't think my mom's in the audience tonight.
That was -- Thank you.
Um, this is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Way up high ♪ ♪ There's a land that I heard of ♪ ♪ Once in a lullaby ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Skies are blue ♪ ♪ And the dreams ♪ ♪ That you dare to dream ♪ ♪ Really do come true ♪ ♪ Someday I'll wish upon a star ♪ ♪ And wake up where the clouds are far behind me ♪ ♪ Where troubles melt like lemon drops ♪ ♪ Away above the chimney tops ♪ ♪ That's where you'll find me ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Blue birds fly ♪ ♪ If birds can fly ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Why, then, oh, why can't I?
♪ ♪ Someday I'll wake and rub my eyes ♪ ♪ Until that land beyond the skies ♪ ♪ Will find me ♪ ♪ I'll be a laughing daffodil ♪ ♪ And leave the silly cares that fill my mind ♪ ♪ Behind me ♪ ♪ Ohh, somewhere ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ If bluebirds can fly ♪ ♪ Over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Why, then, oh, why can't I?
♪ ♪♪ ♪ If happy little bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ Beyond the rainbow ♪ ♪ Why, oh, why ♪ ♪ Can't I?
♪ ♪ Can't I?
♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] This is a song that I first heard in the back of a taxi cab in Dublin, Ireland.
I was promoting my first album.
Yeah, let me take you back.
I was just -- just 21.
I was in Dublin.
I was 21.
You can imagine the rest.
[ Laughter ] Not that they care in Dublin if you're 21.
I think 18 is the age there.
But even so, I wanted to make my parents proud.
I waited to get a pint till I was 21.
I promise.
And I was in Dublin and I'm -- You know, I'm a few pints in.
It had been a long day and I'm just kind of feeling -- feeling the Dublin air and just kind of thinking to myself, "What a cool, what a cool day, what a cool trip.
This is so cool I get to do this."
And this song, this song comes on the radio.
And I'm like, "Oh, that's a great song."
I just loved it.
I just thought, "This is really beautiful."
And then I got to my hotel, and I didn't think about it again.
And then David and I were in the studio, and we were recording my second album, "Closer," and we were just working on stuff, and all of a sudden, a friend of his came in and says, "I got some songs I want to play for you."
This sounds very old-timey.
"Hey, guys, I don't know what you're doing.
I got some songs for ya."
He put out his vinyls and they said, "Oh, that's gonna be a hit song."
No, he played this song and I went, "Oh, my God, that's my -- That's my Dublin taxi song.
I know that song.
That song's beautiful."
And it's beautiful sober.
It's beautiful both ways.
[ Laughter ] And so we stopped what we were doing, and we started recording this song, and I never -- I never could've imagined that this song would take me everywhere in the world, that it would be re-recorded by a thousand people, become kind of a modern classic, and it's a song that I think the reason people love it so much is that it could mean so many different things to so many people.
You know, it can be about a friend, it can be about a parent, it can be about a loved one.
If you're spiritual, it can be about God.
And so it has become the soundtrack to so many people's lives, and so, you know, as I said, if you know it, sing along.
It becomes the same chorus three times.
That's it.
This is called "You Raise Me Up."
You guys have been amazing.
Thank you so much again.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ When I am down and, oh, my soul so weary ♪ ♪ When troubles come and my heart burdened be ♪ ♪ Then I am still and wait here in the silence ♪ ♪ Until you come and sit awhile with me ♪ ♪ You raise me up so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪♪ I see you.
I hear a few brave souls and I see you.
I want to see those lights in the air.
Let's light up Radio City Music Hall.
And I want to hear you sing at the top of your lungs.
When you know it, sing it.
♪♪ ♪ You raise me up so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ So good.
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ You raise me up so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ Come on, Radio City!
♪ You raise me up so I can stand on mountains ♪ Let me hear you!
♪♪ ♪ To walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ Radio City ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ You raise me up ♪ ♪ To more than I can be ♪ ♪ To more than I can be ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] You sound so good and you look so good!
Give it up for the Cuffari Choir, everybody!
[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much for being a salve for our souls.
We love you very much.
Thank you.
Good night!
[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] New York, thank you so much.
Thank you so very much.
I can't tell you how much that means to me.
We are so blessed to be here and so blessed to be back and to be welcomed like that.
There is nothing -- I say it all the time -- there is nothing like being welcomed by New York City.
It can be -- It can be an intimidating place when you first get here, especially if you're in the arts.
It can be an intimidating place when you first come to New York because it's a city that commands, you know, greatness.
You got to be good and people are, you know, they'll tell you.
[ Laughs ] And, you know, but there is nothing -- there is no better feeling when you feel like New York City gets you.
There is no better feeling, and so thank you from the bottom of my heart for getting me and for letting me get you, and it just means so much because -- and especially now.
I've always been grateful, but this has been a really hard couple of years for everybody.
It's been really, really hard.
And, you know, be kind to yourselves because we're still figuring all this out.
We're still figuring this stuff out.
We're still trying to figure out who we are at the other end of this.
We're still trying to figure out how to be vibrant and we're trying to figure out how to be vital in what we love and what we do and the connections we have with people.
And I feel and I've always felt very, very lucky that music and the arts has a way of making us feel the things we didn't know we're feeling and it has a way of giving us a language when regular words won't do it.
And so to be able to in a place where I have the privilege of being able to do that is something that I don't take lightly and is something that I feel very, very, very, very grateful for, and so I want to sing this next song in that spirit.
This is called "The Impossible Dream."
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ To dream the impossible dream ♪ ♪ To fight the unbeatable foe ♪ ♪ To bear with unbearable sorrow ♪ ♪ And to run where the brave dare not go ♪ ♪ To right the unrightable wrong ♪ ♪ And to love pure and chaste from afar ♪ ♪ To try when your arms are too weary ♪ ♪ To reach the unreachable star ♪ ♪ This is my quest ♪ ♪ To follow that star ♪ ♪ No matter how hopeless ♪ ♪ No matter how far ♪ ♪ To fight for the right ♪ ♪ Without question or pause ♪ ♪ To be willing to march, march into hell ♪ ♪ For that heavenly cause ♪ ♪ And I know if I'll only be true ♪ ♪ To that glorious quest ♪ ♪ That my heart will lie peaceful and calm ♪ ♪ When I'm laid to my rest ♪ ♪ And the world will be better for this ♪ ♪ That one man, scorned and covered with scars ♪ ♪ Still strove with his last ounce of courage ♪ ♪ To reach the unreachable ♪ ♪ The unreachable ♪ ♪ The unreachable staaaaaaaar ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ And I'll always dream the impossible dream ♪ ♪ Yes, and I'll reach the unreachableeeeeee ♪ [ Audience cheers ] ♪ Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you very much.
[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Plays intro to "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Grew up in a town that is famous ♪ ♪ As a place for movie scenes ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Noise is always loud ♪ ♪ There are sirens all around and the streets are mean ♪ ♪♪ ♪ If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere ♪ ♪ That's what they say ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Seeing my face in lights or my name on marquees ♪ ♪ Found down on Broadway ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Even if it ain't all it seems, I got a pocketful of dreams ♪ ♪ I'm in New York ♪ ♪ A concrete jungle where dreams are made of ♪ ♪ There's nothing you can't do ♪ ♪ Now I'm in New York ♪ ♪ These streets will make you feel brand-new ♪ ♪ These lights will inspire you ♪ ♪ Let's hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork ♪ New York, have you had a good time tonight?!
[ Cheers and applause ] I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here and I want to introduce these incredible musicians that I have behind me that I'm so honored to play with every single night.
On the drums, hailing from London, England, we're so glad to have him back, Mr. Kaz Rodriguez!
[ Cheers and applause ] On the bass, hailing from Cameroon, show your love for Mr. Andre Manga!
[ Cheers and applause ] Over here on percussion, hailing from the Bronx, New York, give it up for Mr. Daniel Sadownick, everyone.
[ Cheers and applause ] On the synthesizer, the organ, the rows, the keys, everything in between, one more time show your love for Mr. Mark Stephens.
[ Cheers and applause ] And our music director, on electric and acoustic guitars, show it up for Mr. Tariqh Akoni!
[ Cheers and applause ] Let's hear it for this wonderful orchestra, friends, conducted by the wonderful Mr. Carl Rydlund, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause ] I want to thank my amazing crew, everybody who put this together.
I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, and I want to bring back this choir one more time.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ One hand in the air, Radio City ♪ ♪ Big lights, big dreams, all looking pretty ♪ ♪ No place in the world that can compare ♪ ♪ So get your light in the air and let me hear you say ♪ ♪ Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
♪ ♪ In New York ♪ ♪ Concrete jungle where dreams are made of ♪ ♪ There's nothing you can't do ♪ ♪ Now you're in New York ♪ ♪ These streets will make you feel brand-new ♪ ♪ These lights will inspire you ♪ ♪ Let's hear it for New York ♪ -♪ New York ♪ -♪ Oh, where dreams are made of ♪ ♪ There's nothing you can't do ♪ ♪ Let's hear it for New York ♪ ♪ These streets will make you feel brand-new ♪ ♪ These lights will inspire you ♪ ♪ Let's hear it for ♪ -♪ New York ♪ -♪ New York ♪ New York City!
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ We love you so much and we'll see you again.
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ]
