Rufus Wainwright performs “California” live in a television performance from 2001(when he was long-haired and extra-extra-skinny).
"California" by Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright performs “California” live in a television performance from 2001(when he was long-haired and extra-extra-skinny).
2020
Sooooo many years later and I still absolutely love this song. Amazing melody!
OMG, sooooo cuuuuuute! I like his hair longish like that AKA the Skater Look. I just got a screenshot from this and have it as my wallpaper on my iPhone. He is a cute guy. And #awesome!
No, sorry, there is absolutely no question he was off key during this song. He positively struggles vocally (try looking away from the screen and just listen), and this wasn't the first time for this-era Rufus – I remember it well. I love him to pieces, but I think this was the drugs wrecking his concentration and maybe nerves from being on tv.
Sooooooo beautiful, wooooooo!
Perfect voice
@spinandmarty And on Meth!
And Conan is clean shaven and strangely chubby-looking.
sigh–back when rufus was good
@2008cheerleader Wow… that's not even a little close.
@vins1979 Getting traumatized to the point where you actually invite male penetration as enjoyment? I don't give two shits about what he does in his personal time but invoking envy on someone that twisted is a tough sell. I'll choose the healthy, fully-functioning emotional state free of molestation issues over the pile of money any day.
I downloaded this song from iTunes when I made a compilation before a trip to California. I kept listening to the lyrics thinking, "Why would you stay in bed when there are so many wonderful things to see in that amazing state?" So I am sure it is all tongue in cheek. First Rufus W song I have heard – but had heard songs by his mother.
@2008cheerleader no!
Great song writer, singer and all round talent.
"RUFUS" man and i thought my parents hated me when they named me dumb ass
@squhillboy
Really? When I met him (Nov. '08) he was incredibly kind. It was after a concert too, when people wait outside the gate. He came out of his vehicle and took pictures and signed autographs. It was very "magical", if you will.
One of my favorite rufus wainwright songs. Isn't that his sister to his right?
this is one of my favorite songs that he did way back when :-).
saw him live, he was spot on and brilliant. when do TV performances ever sound good? even when it's your favourite band, talk shows never sound good
Love the way he sings "sleep instead"….off tone and wonderful
@Rikster1111 Seriously dude.. the fuck does that have to do with anything?
oh how i love this man! He's a genius and so beautiful and everything, but yes there are quite a few wrong notes and out of tune singing and guitars in this….. let's just say he is amazingly good at singing and guitar playing live now, even if he wasn't then.
He's got a nasal vocal delivery, yes — because he doesn't open his mouth much. Some would label that a problem…others would file it under "distinctive vocal style".
The complexity of his melodies in particular make them a roller coaster to sing. He's got ears and musical chops to burn. If you don't like the TONE of his singing voice, understandable, but please don't say he can't sing. He sings circles around 97% of people on the planet and has impressive piano chops as well…
he can't sing -plain and simple his dad must foot the bill for this mess–who would buy his cds–check out his video this boy with sean lennon–you will see what i mean
what is so horrible about this performance??
He looks sooooooo cute!
Great comment. With time I learned to leave most of the time the guitar parts for the end while composing/recording, so that it can be special instead of going all-out show-off guitar (unless its a Guitar Song), but like you said, the Guitar is not the Holy Grail of instruments
i love rufus, but this is one of the worst performances i've seen
this song sucks. omg wtfh.
first couple seconds reminded me of: doesnt remind me of anything……
I dont care who sang this SONG. It would still suck. to me anyway. Heard some hints of The Beatles. Almost saved it.
I totally agree!
So many haters! When I listen to music, that's all that matters.
Love the long hair look!
I love him!
it's beautifull
Now, imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger singing this. Accent and all 🙂
it's in 2001, read the description
Why do people always look for the perfect singer??..It's all about the attitude!
ReVox777!! how can you say these things? this may not be a great performance, but he has so many really good songs that his voice are great on! lol
whoa! that must have been a long time ago, he looks like 17
remind me of joshua todd, buckcherry vocalist
awh hes so cute exta skinny and with long hair 🙂
and thats totally not tim mcgraw on drums
This is such a great song!!! Love it, love him.
omfg whats the point in saying that?
oh god. he is my one true gay love lol
this is my introduction to rufus via "the history boys" and well, the guy has a certain style but the important thing about him is that he plays an instrument and is rather musical. I kind of like him since he is not doing the flashy, catchy, happy tunes we constantly hear on radio, he sounds more like a southern, blues, soft rock, hippie way?
Much better now.
At first I couldn't
believe it was him!