The Flaming Lips performed “The Castle,” the lead single from their new album Ocly Mlody, last night on “The Tonight Show.” The psychedelic performance got us thinking about the Oklahoma rock group’s long, storied career, and its many bizarre appearances on television. Here are the five best televised Flaming Lips performances.
“She Don’t Use Jelly” on 90210
No list of The Flaming Lips’ 1994 appearance on 90210. In the wake of their 1993 hit “She Don’t Use Jelly,” the Lips appeared on the high school soap opera. “Please help me welcome the cool, the crazy, the fabulous Flaming Lips,” Tiffani Thiessen’s Valerie Malone says as she introduces the group at the show’s local hangout, The Peach Pit. “You know, I’ve never been a fan of alternative music, but these guys rocked the house!” Teddy Montgomery says in the clip. Easily one of the weirdest moments in a career packed with weird moments.
“A Day In The Life” Feat. Miley Cyrus on CONAN
In 2015, The Flaming Lips collaborated with pop star Miley Cyrus on the album, Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. To promote the record, the band filled with middle-aged stoner rockers and the then 22-year-old former Disney star covered the The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” on Conan. It’s exactly as strange as you’d imagine.
“Space Oddity” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
As part of their promotional tour following their breakout hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly,” the Flaming Lips appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman to perform the tune, which David Letterman described as “my favorite new song.”
“Do You Realize?” on The Late Show With David Letterman
The Lips performed a relatively (for them at least) stripped down version of the standout from their 2002 album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, on The Late Show. But even without bright trippy lights, confetti, pop stars, or Star Wars character on stage, the group managed to convey the profound joy and sadness behind the song.
“The Castle” on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon
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