Okay, gang, Ann is going to have the full recap for you tomorrow, but I just *had* to get this posted right away, because that performance of “Empire State of Mind” was the best thing to happen in a show of utter gems. Extra mileage out of the pinstripe hoodie would always be funny, but this is just genius.
Video of the performance is posted at Alicia Keys Media; and here’s the official version from ColbertNation.com.
I also transcribed as much of Stephen’s verse as I could, because it’s effing brilliant. There’s one line I couldn’t quite catch; if any of you had better luck, let me know and I’ll edit the post. Edited. Thanks, frank!
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
I love New York, King of all the Cities
Lived up by the Guggenheim, ’til I got some kiddies
Moved to Connecticut, ‘bye George Pataki
Volvo to the dry-cleaners, pickin’ up my khakis
Shoppin’ mall is close, my community is gated
My shorties are all private school educated
Home theater system, 60-inch plasma
Clean suburban air, much better for my asthma
Still hit the city, Times Square, keep it real
Hard Rock Cafe for the appetizer deal
M&M Store, Disney Store, I’m in heaven
I own this town from 41st to 47th
Take you to The Lion King, that show is fantastic
Leave half an hour early so I can beat the traffic
I can get home really fast, driver rocks an E-Z Pass
Land of cheaper gas and the upper middle class
I thought tonight’s ep was incredible from start to finish! I found myself gasping at his audacity throughout, particularly the Glenn Back “KKK” reference. Mr. Colbert shows no fear and dares to take it to the limit!
And of course I loved the rapping with Alicia Keys. Thanks for posting the lyrics you caught.
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I actually started crying
I hate myself ;-;
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You are not alone. I had to tell myself out loud not to cry or else I would have. I was soo hoping for this to happen and I was thrilled that it actually did. :)
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omg that was amazing.
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I laughed so hard during this episode from start to finish. But the song was just…*sigh*…perfect. It was perfect. Easily one of my favorite episodes ever. Just when I think TCR can’t get any better, Stephen goes and pulls off an episode like this. Life is good. :)
And thank you for posting the lyrics!
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I feel the same way! This whole episode was filled with great music! Being a band geek, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s episode!
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the spinning. oh my god, Stephen Colbert spinning around brings perhaps the largest smile to my face in existance. gaaaaah.
watched this on tv with my roommate (who’s an Alicia Keys fan so she ran in to watch it) and after a few clips (to explain why i loved the spinning and the hoodie), she is converted to Colbert-fanning. :)
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Could you point me to the video of him twirling? I actually only saw it on the “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” fanvid but have never found the actual clip. Thank you! :)
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http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-august-1-2002/do-you-believe
all the way from 2002~
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“Volvo to the dry-cleaners…”
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Thank you!! I must have listened to it a half dozen times, but I kept missing the beginning of that line. When I read your comment, I just smacked my head and said, “Of course!”
I’ve edited the post; thanks for the assist.
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Wow. So beautiful and Stephen raises the bar yet again! It was so cute at the end when he was dancing with complete abandonment as he twirled, swung off his hoodie, jumped up and down and then looked like he was about to give Alicia Keyes a big kiss as they cut to commercials. Haha! I think he really does love NYC which is a beautiful thing and the catalyst for his love of the song. Sounded like he meant it when he though it better than “New York, New York” though that song it close to my heart.
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I already loved the song and then Colbert came in and made it even better, awesome episode.
I ripped the song and tagged it correctly for all you last.fm nerds (myself included), so enjoy!
Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down (feat. Stephen Colbert)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ixwdtmtmdzj
Also, if you missed Stephen’s version of Cheap Reward, here’s the link for that too…
Stephen Colbert – Cheap Reward
http://www.mediafire.com/?mxudilwkgij
Enjoy!
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Fabulous, thank you!
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Thanks so much!!! :D
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You are awesome! Thanks for the early Christmas gift!
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You. Are. Awesome.
Thank you! :D
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you!
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THANK YOU. :D
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Thank-you!
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A thousand times thank you!
(now if only I could get Bruce’s “Workin’ on a Dream” from TDS, I’d have both the performances I’ve seen live)
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Merry Christmas! :)
http://www.mediafire.com/?wftnzyd2nyf
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:’) YOU ARE WONDERFUL!
*barely restrains self from babbling incoherently at you*
Thank you so so much ♥
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Thanks so much! :)
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Oh, thaaaaaank yoooooooou! This is soooo much better than the version I was able to rip myself. Yay! ^_^
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Oh my God, I love you! Now added to my iPod so I can listen to this on the train (and cry in public)! So homesick…
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what a great musical performance! suit hoodie rulz!
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I hope someone gets an mp3 of this, please! Stephen is amassing quite a repertoire. :)
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Its so fun watching the band wildly entertained by Colbert.
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Oh my goodness!! Now I *really* can’t wait to see this episode!!
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I love the big grins on Alicia and her band watching Stephen rap and spin around. Pinstriped hoodie! Woohoo!
I have to wait until tomorrow to watch this but I know it’s gonna be worth it.
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Thanks for transcribing this Ms. I! I couldn’t keep up when I was watching last night and I was hoping the lyrics would end up being posted somewhere. :-)
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Wow, finally getting to see this and all I can say is wow. Stephen rapping was really good, still prefer him singing though, but still it’s good. Nice to see a reappearance from the pinstripe hoodie too.
I nearly cried too from this. The part where he harmonizes with Alicia (although you can’t really hear him over her) was probably my favorite part.
Thanks for transcribing the lyrics too, Ms. I.
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So good. I just watched it again. I am in awe!
Fangirl *squee* — loved when he pulled the hoodie off and his hair was all messed up! — *Squee again!*
Alright, I think I have composed myself! Thanks for the lyrics!
The performance has gotten some shout outs [HEY!] from EW Popwatcher blog and NY Times Arts Beat blog! Only Stephen… :)
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That performance was so freakin’ amazing. I loooved Stephen’s rapping part. I’ve been listening to Alicia Keys and Jay-Z’s version of it all day, but now that the mp3 was posted I’m going to switch to listening to that amazing version. So thank you Cromptown for the mp3!!
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This was SO WONDERFUL! :) Empire State of Mind is possibly the best song of this decade.
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The performace totally blew me away. Not that whenever Stephen sings I don’t find it massive, but something about this gave it an extra push to make it more incredible. Also, now I feel proud to live in New York (except its Queens not Manhatten, which I think is what the song refers to).
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This one is absolutely great. I have to put it right up there with the Manilow duet.
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@Yahtzee He’s referring to Connecticut. Hell, Queens IS the city in comparison! :)
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You just made my borough awesome!
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Ha! Honey, Queens does not need my help to be awesome!
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You find my borough awesome! You’ve just become awesome.
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It is indeed fabulous. Not only the rapping but the singing with Stephen and Alicia at the end. And he did the twirling move! Too much. Thanks for transcribing the lyrics!
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Hey, do you know where I could find older music performance files from Stephen?
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This is a really great comprehensive list from Comedy Central Insider that they posted after he sang with Elvis Costello: http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/2009/11/23/colbert-sings-stephen-colberts-best-vocal-performances/
You’ll also want to check out the “Yes You Can’t” episode from Strangers With Candy (Season 2) on hulu.
OH! And this is a fan-freaking-tastic list from NFZ’s sister site, Colbert University. http://colbertuniversity.nofactzone.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=54
Hope that helps! Enjoy Stephen and his wonderful voice! :D
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I really appreciate your post, I think you and I would have a lot to talk about because I have been to all the links you posted multiple times and exhausted them all. Haha.
I was actual looking for a site that would allow me to put Stephen’s older music performances on my ipod as music files. I was able to do it with the latest Elvis performance and Alicia Keys but I can’t seem to find anything else.
Thanks for your reply though, I went back to all my favorite videos just for a little refresher.
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You’re welcome! Yes, I do think we would have a lot to talk about, because I could watch that man sing and dance all day, haha! :D I’ve seen those videos multiple times as well.
So are you looking for a site that has Stephen’s musical performances as mp3 files? Because I haven’t been able to find one of those sites either; if you do end up finding one please let me know, because I would add the songs to my Stephen playlist in a New York minute, lol. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
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I saw a list once posted on The ColbertNation Message Boards at the official sites. Not sure if it is still there or who posted. Ok, I’m not that much help–but if you have a keen eye [and time] you may be able to find it! :)
I wish I knew how to make them. It could help me pass the downtime during the holidays!
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Ohh I wish I knew how to make them, too. Stephen singing = LOVE.
I’ll probably be listening to him read “The Lie” by TC Boyle over the holidays a lot, since I love that story so, so much. Oh! And “Jingle Man Christmas Boy” for sure!
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Oh my God, I love you! Now added to my iPod so I can listen to this on the train (and cry in public)! So homesick…
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Here is the link for the .mp3
http://www.mediafire.com/?hk2zgcnjtdm
Thanks to this youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afVFIOSHXKU
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Scratch that,
better copy is actually found higher on this thread:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ixwdtmtmdzj
Cromptown
December 16th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I already loved the song and then Colbert came in and made it even better, awesome episode.
I ripped the song and tagged it correctly for all you last.fm nerds (myself included), so enjoy!
Alicia Keys ? Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down (feat. Stephen Colbert)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ixwdtmtmdzj
Read more: http://www.nofactzone.net/2009/12/16/alicia-keys-and-stephen-colbert-perform-empire-state-of-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-352951#ixzz0hwR1xnjN
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