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#14 The Best-erberg

Paul Westerberg - "Let The Bad Times Roll"

Will Stallmeyer

Feb 5, 2023

Paul Westerberg has a way of ripping my heart out completely at a moments notice.

And few times has he done this better than in this ‘02 live performance of “Let The Bad Time Roll” on The Tonight Show. It’s just him, an electric guitar, and the saddest fucking song you’ve ever heard.

I’ve read that this performance happened shortly after the death of Dee Dee Ramone, which is why Paul switches some of his lyrics to lament, “Joey and Dee Dee home”.

I’ve watched this video dozens of times and it always reminds me of his incredible and uncompromising ability to write vulnerable, heartfelt, and aching songs.

Thanks for listening,

Will

2 Comments

Ottavia Paluch

Writes Things You Otter Know

Feb 5Liked by Will Stallmeyer

Dude. Oh my god. I started listening to Paul just a few months ago but that whole Stereo album has changed my life so fast. If you made a whole Substack about Paul and the Replacements I’d read the hell out of that.

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