Tim Minchin and Matildas Perform 'When I Grow Up' on Conan

Tim Minchin along with tour Matildas Mabel, Gabby, and Mia sing "When I Grow Up" on Conan June 15th, 2015

[traumtanzerin]

when he starts smiling when the kids start singing... aww

[pfmgf]

The look of sheer surprise and pride on the kids faces when Conan started naming and acknowledging them. We forget to appreciate kids way too often.

[lyncohn]

I love the little smile Tim gives when the girls sing their first line - you can tell this is absolutely a passion project for him. So hoping Matilda tours Australia again so I can take my 11 year old before she's all grown up.

[LouisaKellyHarper]

I love the way he smiled when the girls sang the first line behind the curtains.

[tampazeke]

That first line, "when I grow up I'll be tall enough to reach the branches that you have reach to climb the trees you get to climb when you're grown up" is PROFOUND! Minchin is a musical, lyrical, comical genius! So much talent wrapped up in one man.

[MooseyFate]

You can tell he's making up harmonies and shit near the end. He's amazing.

[jugglinbob]

I love Tim smiling as the Matildas start to sing, and also that he modulates his voice to match. Kids larynx's are changing all the time - which makes it difficult to hit a "pure" note - here they are slightly sharp at the start and then slightly flat half way through (notably 5.00) - but even though Tim is the star - he's meeting their pitch. It takes a minute, but by 6.00 its there

[ladyjane]

Tim's lyrics completely capture what goes through a child's mind when thinking things so big, that are much less important as an adult. Quite the lesson for many of us, and very fond memories.

[trogdortheth]

This interview is rough when you realize that only two years later, the animated musical movie that he dedicated four years of his life towards would be cancelled by new execs at Universal due to "reassessment" at the company. Hans Zimmer was even working on the score with him, and names like Hugh Jackman, Margo Robbie and other huge names from Australia were on the project as well.

[Rambit]

I feel like Tim's rich natural Aussie accent really adds dynamics to his vocal harmonies that you wouldn't otherwise hear unless a singer was really trying to project

[allyoursphotography]

Seen tim a couple of times live, I have never seen him look happier than playing here.

[PlutoniumBoss]

Conan hasn't read much Dahl if he thinks Tim's dark leanings are anything but an asset to Matilda.

[MorrowProduction]

To a person who has dealt with lots of depression and pain and just generally suffered through life.... This song is like a knife in the heart...As kids we think everything is so black and white, everything is good or bad. You have a vigor for life and you wake up loving, happy, and enjoying the simple things in front of you every day....But the older you get the more you realize everything is more grey than black or white, and the good and bad are not as easily defined. Happiness becomes harder and harder to feel or attain. And all the while... the parents who had children, know all of this, know the struggle, know the journey.... but we can't warn them of whats ahead.... because they are so innocent and have everything we wish we still had... and there's no way we are going to ruin that by warning them about what the future holds.... The heartbreaks you will go through, the pain, struggle, and wars you endure just to stay alive. Even warning them of what the future holds gives no hostage to fortune, for they are experiences you have to live yourself to fully understand.

Its so paradoxically painful....I can't listen to this song without feeling completely overwhelmed emotionally because of the dualities it raises in my mind....

[rjones]

Saw the girl on the right on tour at the Kennedy Center in DC. I'd literally been a father for just over a month at the time, and it really put things in perspective seeing a kid that young being the center of a huge performance. It gave me a newfound appreciation for child actors and singers. The pressure alone has to be overwhelming.

[eiebsrebla]

Kinda heartbreaking to hear him excitedly talk about the animated project he was working on, knowing it was eventually cancelled:/

[swarm]

I don't know why I didn't think Tim Minchin wouldn't be good at making kids songs but holy shit was I wrong. That song was great. I really enjoy how it flips back and forth between the when i grow up -> ill be able to deal with grown up things because ill be grown up. It's telling kids that they will have the insight to deal with issues that are currently out of their control. To not be overwhelmed by the issues that seem scary because one day they will know what to do.

[jonimaricruz]

I’m 74 and this is my song. Thank you, Mabel, Gabby, and Mia and thank you, Tim, and the boys in the band. Lovely.

[Mijochda]

It's so weird listening to Tim Minchen sing a song that doesn't have an hilarious if borderline offensive twist to somewhere. Kinda spent the whole song in anticipation of it, and had to remind myself, wait, it's from the musical.

Still absolutely loved it though :D

[pinnataisabella]

brilant performance and i really want to cry without any reason!

[FarmWeigh]

Tim is an absolute genius. My daughter and I saw Matilda a few years ago in Melbourne. One of the best days of my life.