David Letterman’s Top 10 Musical Moments

On Thursday, former R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills tweeted news to the world that David Letterman had announced his plans to retire from hosting "The Late Show." Mills and his former bandmate Peter Buck were guests on the show, backing pal Joseph Arthur on his cover of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side," from his forthcoming Reed tribute album.

The fact that Mills broke the news only seemed appropriate in some sense, since R.E.M. made their network TV debut on Letterman way back in '83 and went on to appear on the show a half-dozen times.

As a tribute to Letterman and all the great music he's brought us through the years — first on "Late Night" and later on "The Late Show" — here's our Top 10 Musical Moments on Letterman, delivered in Letterman-style ascending order.

10. R.E.M. with Dan Rather, "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," 1995

This is by no means a brilliant musical performance, but it's include here just for the sheer weirdness of it all. In this gag, famed newsman Dan Rather joins R.E.M. onstage to sing "What's the Frequency Kenneth?," which was inspired by the 1986 attack of Rather of by two men who repeatedly shouted "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" at the anchorman for reasons still unknown.

9. Jay Z and Eminem, "Renegade," 2010

Another classic pairing, but this is no joke. Two of hip-hop's greatest MCs joined forces for this rooftop performance of this track from 2001's "The Blueprint."

8. Bruce Springsteen, "Glory Days," 1993

Letterman is a huge Springsteen fan, but for some reason, the Boss never made it on "Late Night" until Letterman's final show for NBC on June 25, 1993, when he joined Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band on this rendition of the 1984 hit.

7. The Beastie Boys, "Ch-Check It Out," 2004

Over the years, Letterman has presented many great acts and artists that are no longer with us. Thanks to the magic of YouTube — and a camera with a fish-eye lens — we can enjoy the brilliance that was the Beastie Boys (including the late Adam "MCA" Yauch) as they emerge from the subway and take it to the street rapping 2004's "Ch-Check It Out" before finally taking it to the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theatre.

6. Bob Dylan, "Jokerman," 1984

Dylan's made numerous "Letterman" appearances over the years, but this just may have been his best. Here his Royal Bobness performed a blistering take "Jokerman," from his often-overlooked 1983's album "Infidels." Built to Spill does their version of the song on the recently released "Bob Dylan in the '80s" tribute album.

5. U2's Bono and the Edge, "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," 2011

U2 is another act that's made numerous "Letterman" appearances over the years, but none is perhaps more memorable than the time Bono and the Edge took it to the chairs alongside Letterman's desk for an intimate acoustic version of "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," from 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind."

4. The White Stripes, "Fell in Love With a Girl," 2002

Captured in all their red-and-white glory, Jack and Meg White ripped it up on their breakthrough 2002 single from "White Blood Cells," which very well could have introduced much of America to the duo.

3. Warren Zevon, "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner," 2002

One of the most emotional musical guest spots in Letterman history, Zevon made his final appearance on the "Late Show" on Oct. 30, 2002, after he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was the only guest on the show that night, urged his fans to "enjoy every sandwich" and thanked Letterman for his support over the years by calling him "the best friend my music's ever had." At Letterman's request, his final performance in front of an audience was this track from his 1978 album "Excitable Boy."

2. James Brown, “There Was a Time/Sex Machine/Cold Sweat” 1982

In what some have called Brown's last great TV appearance, the Godfather of Soul blew the roof off the sucker with this medley of classics, camel walk and all. Get on up!

1. R.E.M., "Radio Free Europe"/"So. Central Rain," 1983

In honor of former R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills breaking the Letterman's retirement news, we give R.E.M. the top spot with their first network TV appearance, back when Michael Stipe still had hair and mumbled a lot, and "So. Central Rain" was "too new to be named."

Thanks for the memories, Dave.

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