Letterman Music Files | Ryan Adams Through The Years

Last night Ryan Adams made what will likely be his final appearance as a musical guest on The Late Show With David Letterman. The singer-songwriter has been a frequent guest over the course of his career beginning with a solo appearance in 2001 and continuing with several performances with his band The Cardinals, as well as supporting the likes of Willie Nelson and America. For his Late Show finale Adams was backed by his current band The Shining for a take (and a half) on a song he first performed on the show in 2002 -“Starting To Hurt.”

Another artist for whom Dave’s affection is apparent (before Adams’ 2014 appearance, Letterman asserted “we can’t have him on the show too often”) Adams’ previous Late Show contributions also include a solo acoustic Live On Letterman set in 2011. Below you can watch Adams’ performance of “Starting To Hurt” from the Ed Sullivan Theater last night, followed by every other appearance he’s made over the past 14 years.

Ryan Adams -“New York, New York” October 4, 2001:

Willie Nelson & Ryan Adams -“The Harder They Come” November 4, 2002:



Ryan Adams -“Starting To Hurt” December 10, 2002:



Ryan Adams -“So Alive” January 5, 2004:



Ryan Adams & The Cardinals “Let It Ride” May 25, 2005:



Ryan Adams & The Cardinals “Come Pick Me Up” November 4, 2005:



America (feat. Ryan Adams & Ben Kweller) “Ride On” January 15, 2007:



Ryan Adams & The Cardinals -“Two” and “I Taught Myself How To Grow Old” June 27, 2007:






Ryan Adams & The Cardinals -“Everybody Knows” November 1, 2007:



Ryan Adams & The Cardinals -“Fix It” October 29, 2008:



Ryan Adams -“Lucky Now” December 5, 2011:


Ryan Adams – “Gimme Something Good” September 11, 2014: