First Aid Kit performs Letterman's other favorite song, 'America'

First Aid Kit performs &quot;America&quot; for Letterman — (Image credit: Late Show)

A few weeks ago, and before Ben E. King's death, David Letterman had Tracy Chapman on Late Show to perform "Stand By Me," one of the two songs he used to sing to his son, Harry. On Thursday's show, he brought on the Swedish duo First Aid Kit to complete "the one-two punch from his early days on the planet," playing Simon and Garfunkel's "America."

If you're familiar with First Aid Kit — their catchy song "Emmylou," for example — you won't be surprised by the crisp, beautiful harmonies. While Chapman brought only a guitar, the Söderberg sisters, Klara and Johanna, have a string section. It's a lovely tribute to Letterman, fatherly love, and Simon and Garfunkel, and a nice touch having a Swedish folk duo perform a song about discovering America. Watch below. —Peter Weber

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.