Aimee Mann: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bob Boilen | May 8, 2017 — "This song is called 'You Never Loved Me' — it's another cheery, optimistic number," says Aimee Mann, introducing the second of four songs in this Tiny Desk Concert. She has been writing songs on the human condition — more often than not with a strong sense of humor to underpin the inevitable melancholy — as far back as the '80s, when she was the singer and bassist in Boston's The Young Snakes. Mann's newest solo record, the first in five years, is baldly called Mental Illness — clearly, there's a deep honesty within these songs. (Also: This is Aimee Mann's Tiny return, so if you're loving this, take a look at her performance with Ted Leo in their duo called The Both.)

Mental Illness is available now:

Set List
"Rollercoasters"
"You Never Loved Me"
"Goose Snow Cone"
"Patient Zero"

Musicians
Aimee Mann (vocals, guitar); Jonathan Coulton (guitar, vocals); Paul Bryan (bass, vocals); Jamie Edwards (piano, vocals)

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Morgan Noelle Smith, Bronson Arcuri; Production Assistant: A Noah Harrison; Photo: Marian Carrasquero/NPR.

[LambentOrt]

Aimee Mann maturing like fine wine, full of infinite wisdom and earthy candour. She is one of the greats.

[Coolkem]

The Magnolia soundtrack made me a fan for life 😊

[charitygrant]

Aimee Mann has been a friend of mine since I heard her in 1984. I was a 4th grader. We've never met but she's a friend of mine. She's a friend of my mom and dad and my siblings and friends.

[ChiTownKel]

Aimee is a songwriting genius, pure and simple. Brilliant.

[MrPlucky]

Amiee Mann.I am Sandra Hamilton. Living in Trinidad 🇹🇹 &Tobago .Caribbean Twin Island State in the Caribbean. Where have you been with this JAW Dropping Voice Aĺl of MY LIFE??? Never heard of you til last Night.Nov 5th 2023. But Guess What Aimee.I have A Throve Of Your Music to Add to My I tunes Library. What A Joy!! What A Tremendous Gift to All Of Us. STLtay Safe and Thank You❤ BTY. I have not yet retrieved My Jaw from Off The Floor Just Yet.

[rtpmedic]

Whenever I hear Aimee's voice I stop what I'm doing and lose myself in that voice. What an amazing talent.

[duncanpelletiermusic]

every songwriter's favorite songwriter. next level.

[EricTheBody]

“You were conjuring that year, a ghost engineer”. As someone who obsesses over the past, this lyric just hits me. Aimee is really, really good.

[drewgormley]

Shes a chill and kind in person as she seems.

[londomaho]

When i was in the Army at Ft. Bragg back many yrs ago, this girl came to fruition, in a band called Til Tuesday. One day my buddies came to my offfice and said, Sarge, ya got to listen to this band called Til Tuesday!!!! I did and boy was i hooked on this Aimee Mann from the git go. I didnt know what she looked like until i saw her album. Needless to say i was mesmerized by her looks and those Ice Blue eyes. This girl could sing, play instruments and command an audience. I went to a concert and i was surprised that i actually got to meet her. She is Tall as i am. 6 feet at least. strong handshake, and wow, those looks and those eyes. I have and always will be a fan of her music and her great talent. She is timeless. She has a wit that is razor sharp. She gave me a hug and thanked me for the support i gave her. Very humble individual she is. One of a kind.

[jenniferkell]

Aimee Mann's lyrics drew me to her music. She sings about things we keep hidden inside, putting them out there in beautiful melodies that have gotten me through more than one heartbreak, relapse, and depression.

[shuddupeyaface]

Manchester academy. Best concert I've ever been to. And I've been to many.

[pamloper]

Could listen to her all the time. Like Joni Mitchell she is in a class by herself. Love, love, love.

[siebhotep]

I much prefer this type of up close and personal performance. Her voice is so delicate and pretty and there are no effects on anything. No reverb. Just the sound of these wonderful people playing and singing. Can't be beat.

[smileyhappyradio]

One of my favorites of yours Aimee. I hope to see you at the Greek, but wish you were the headliner. This is a great song for getting divorced, especially if they actually were a narcissist who only ever loved themselves.

[johnarnold]

A singular talent with a rare and hypnotic voice. Best listened to on long drives through remote mountainous forests in late fall

[aidanodonovan]

My favourite female artist! Quirky, off kilter, But fantastic song writing.... A Unique talent!

[nelsonc]

Aimee Mann...a childhood crush and now an adult crush. A great musician with the beauty to match!

[hansgroover]

I've loved Aimee Mann's songs since my friend Lucy's '99 house party, when she and the other girls put Magnolia in the VCR. That afternoon, some of us rude mechanical lads were enchanted and started becoming yer actual body-and-soul men. 🖤

[cafferacer]

I’ve loved Aimee since I first heard on MTV in my garbage childhood in 1985. She’s never let me down, just a wonderful, true artist to me personally. ❤