Josh Groban (Full Episode) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Hi, my name is Josh Groban and I feel. downright giddy about being Conan. O'Brien's. >> Now that's the right attitude. >> That is. >> You know, a lot of people come on here. and they're snarky or else they they. toss us something that it's an honor. No, it's not. [laughter] But giddy is. appropriate. >> It's giddy is appropriate. >> giddy honor. >> [music]. >> Hey there, welcome to Conan O'Brien. Needs a Friend. Sitting here with Sona. Movsesian, Matt Gourley, >> Hi.

>> and Sona and I are just back from. Morocco. >> Oh, that's funny. I didn't see you guys. there. >> Oh. >> Oh, really? Were you there? >> Yeah, hmm, I was there on my own. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Just wandering around. >> Yeah, that makes sense. [clears throat]. Um, no, we we were shooting an episode. of uh the travel series, Conan O'Brien. Must Go. Sona, you were kind enough to. come with me. >> Yeah. >> Uh because actually something came up on. this podcast. You uh expressed a desire. to get a certain product, a certain.

argan oil. >> Yeah. >> And so I decided I'm going to get you. that argan oil by taking you to Morocco. >> Yeah. >> So we did that. >> Is it a spoiler to say if you got. >> We can't say anything. We can't say. anything. What we can tell you. >> tune in for that? >> Well, it wasn't like the Ark of the. Covenant. I mean, you could probably get. this pretty. >> It's very readily available there. >> [laughter]. >> It apparently it's also readily. available here. >> You got scammed. >> I got scammed. We as we were like in the market hunting.

down the argan oil, someone said, you. know, yeah, you can [laughter]. yeah, you can get this, you know, on. Amazon and it will come from the same. store. >> [laughter]. >> that you found. But anyway, that ruins. the magic of travel. So but we had Well, tell me what you. thought, Sona. >> Oh, I had so much fun. I hadn't Yeah, I. used to travel when you do the travel. shows and I forgot how it's a lot of. work. >> It's a lot of work, yeah. >> It is a lot of work. >> seem a little tired. Are you tired? >> I woke up at 2:30 this morning and I.

didn't go back to sleep. >> I was east for a while for other things. So I was on that time and then we went. to. to Morocco. And so I haven't been on LA. time. in in quite a while. >> Yeah. >> So yeah, I've been waking up at like. 3:00 in the morning and like cleaning. out cupboards. >> Yeah. >> When I wake up and it's pitch black. outside and I know I'm up, I just start. doing tasks that I would never do. otherwise. Like I'll build a urinal, you. know? >> [laughter]. >> First I'll fire the porcelain. I mean,

I'll do all these crazy things because I. think you have that you're you're. revving, you want to be useful, you want. to get something done. Uh so yeah, I've. been actually mostly what I've been. doing is organizing. things that I haven't organized in a. long time. >> Mhm. >> And my wife was away, so I was alone. It's me, the dogs, and the cats. And. they're just They hear me in the garage. banging away. >> Oh my god. >> Yeah, I don't. >> I'm not productive. I'm not productive. I just watch clips of shows I like. >> Oh. >> On YouTube.

>> Oh. >> And I just scroll on my phone in the. in the bed. It's nice. >> It's called doom scrolling. >> It's not doom cuz my algorithm's really. fun. So it's like. >> algorithm? >> My algorithm's a lot of just silly It's. like, you know, silly humor. It's a lot. of really funny stuff. It I don't know. how to describe it. And then every once. in a while it's like takes me to a. really dark kind of place on Instagram. >> Like what? >> I don't know. There's just like. >> Like what's dark for you? >> I don't know. Sometimes I'm just like,

how did this end up here? I can't I. can't think of I'm really. >> good example if you had if you had an. example. It'd be a good time. >> good if I had an example for you. >> fights? That kind of thing? >> I get a lot of fights. I do get a lot of. fights. A lot of brawls and fights and I. love that. >> love language. >> I love that. I know. And they make me. They fire me up. Like they get me really. intense. Like I don't I don't know if. you guys get that same No. No. Just me. Okay. You like watching fights? I love. it. Sometimes I revisit fights I like to.

watch. >> recently. >> [laughter]. >> that's been going around. This clip's. been going around of. which is sort of an tangential to this, but this clip's been going around that. they unveiled this robot. It's one of. these really impressive, you know, up to. the latest model robot. It's coming out. It's doing all these cool moves and. spinning and stuff like that. And then. it. and all these families are around. watching it, like applauding. And then. it spins around and it kicks this little. kid really hard in the stomach. And the. kid doubles over and then kind of.

collapses. And I think the kid's okay. I. hope the kid's okay. >> real? >> I'm pretty sure it's real. And then the. robot sort of stands up and then just. starts to step back, retreat. And I. thought, does that robot feel shame? Is. it possible it feels shame? And I was. because I'm a human, I was reading in, oh, that robot just must feel so much. shame right now. And then I realized, it. doesn't No, it doesn't. There's no way. the robot's like that. >> That's darker than a street fight. >> I know. But we don't want it to feel. shame. >> Robot kicks a boy in the stomach.

>> It came up, yeah. >> Is it real? I don't want to see this. >> Yeah, yeah. No, it's not. The kid's. okay. And the kid And I think the kid. might have needed a kicking. You never. know. >> [laughter]. >> I don't want to bump people out, but I. think it's okay. >> it's not it's not funny, right? Oh my. god. >> Look at the. Here's the guy. He's like, "HAHA. HAHA. BOINK.". >> OH, NO, THAT'S AWFUL. >> OKAY. And look at the robot. It's like, >> Oh, no way. >> [laughter]. >> I must destroy to save oneself. >> Yeah. >> Oh my god. >> So anyway, >> Oh my god. >> That kid is standing out a little too.

far. >> What's that? >> That kid is asking for it. Yeah, he asked for it. >> he had it coming. You're victim blaming. You guys' algorithms turning you guys. into monsters. [laughter] I said, "Go. robot." That was my comment that I wrote. in. >> Oh, no. He shouldn't be standing Do you. remember when we were I don't know if we. should mention this, when we were in. Armenia. >> I probably know. >> was a guy doing donuts. >> Yes. And there was a perimeter of people. >> Where were where was I? Let me pick the. pick. We're in Yerevan, capital of. Armenia. >> And we're there for 5 minutes when we.

hear all this noise and excitement and. we go to this big square where all these. people are packed around watching and. there's a guy in the middle who's. accelerating really fast in a car doing. donuts and everyone's just it doesn't. seem like an official performance. I. think a guy was just doing donuts and. everyone came to watch the guy do. donuts. >> [laughter]. >> Cuz it's 1:00 and it's time for donuts. and everyone's but there's no barrier. between the people and the car and the. guy doesn't really he's not a. professional. He doesn't know what the. hell he's doing. And then at one point he swings around. and I think he hit a bunch of people. >> He hit people with his car.

>> they were okay. and I don't think people you know here. everyone would be like okay get. everyone's number and everyone's going. to sue everyone. There they're just like. that's what happens. >> Shake it off. We're good. Get back. around the perimeter. Get back to. donuts. It was crazy. Yeah, it didn't. make the show that we were shooting. >> Oh [laughter] no. >> No. >> You didn't know if we were going to do. that? >> We are opening with the robot kicking. the Chinese boy. >> [laughter]. >> I'm going to put that at the top of the. show. Well, what was your reaction to that? I. mean I don't know first of all I saw.

that thing it got sent to me. I don't. know if they thought or Conan's going to. love Instagram thought Conan's going to. love a. Chinese robot kicking a kid in the. stomach. Which I don't endorse. What now. that you've probably watched it more. than once it's. think that's what you want is robots. kicking kids. >> Yeah. >> Well. >> [laughter]. >> I can. I guess I'll just have to I made my bed. and I have to LIE IN IT. [laughter].

IT'D BE GREAT IF all my feed was robots. attacking children. And me watching for hours on end. >> You said it out loud it probably will. be. >> All righty then. All righty then. Remember that when that was a big thing? All righty then. >> sent to me. >> That was cool. That's what 30 30 years ago? >> It was over 70 years ago. >> Yeah. It's okay. You can just do it. >> I'll just get into it. >> Okay. We should do it. >> You're not crisp with any of your. sentences. You dribble. >> Okay, yeah. You should do it. And intro. And go.

>> Well, anyway, right Sona? >> Yep. Yep. I got I got that one. >> Right Sona? My guest today is a. >> Sona, do you have a thought like when we. might want to end this podcast? >> [laughter]. >> I think it's coming up real soon. It's. coming up real soon. >> going to be taken away if we don't end. it ourselves. >> If we can't use this responsibly, yeah, they're going to take it away. >> Exactly. >> And intro. >> Thanks, Sona. My guest today is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy nominated. singer-songwriter. His new album, Cinematic, is a tribute to the silver. screen and it's out now. I am so happy.

he's here today. He's a funny, lovely. fellow. Josh Groban, welcome. Josh, I am so thrilled you're here. We. have had a connection over the years. because as a very young man. you came on my late-night show. and I thought this kid is very talented. but also really funny. >> Oh, man. >> And you were sweet and I thought I don't. think he's going to make it.

>> Mhm. >> But wouldn't it be nice if he did? And I. think I. >> [laughter]. >> Remember I said that to you. >> It's what you led with. >> Yeah. >> So I I I. >> My next guest probably won't make it. >> You really like to keep me on on edge. Yeah, I was I was nervous already but. that really threw me. >> You've had this brilliant career and you. remain a really nice person and a really. funny person which leads me to my uh. next topic of discussion which is not. long ago I was tasked with hosting the. Oscars. I remember we had this idea. there needed to be someone who could.

sing this. you know, sing my tribute in in. immediately. uh I think two of us at the same time. said, "Wouldn't it be great if Josh. Groban would do it?" And I remember. having the thought, "Oh my god, Josh. Groban, if he doesn't do it, I don't know that. we can do this piece cuz that's the best. person to do it." And I know that. whoever, if you weren't available cuz I. we knew that you were touring, >> Yeah, who was the second choice? >> Okay. [laughter].

This is not going to make you happy, but. it was comedian Patton Oswalt. >> Oh, Patton [laughter] Oswalt. >> Yeah. Yeah, yeah, no, apparently he's a. terrible voice. >> I'm imagining him in the night gear. right now and I'm thinking. >> was This That's just it. There was no. second choice. There was no second. choice and I know that if we'd found. someone, I'd have been mad the whole. time that it wasn't you and probably. tanked the piece. We reached out to you. We found out that you might be amenable. We should have a conversation. And the. next thing you know, I'm on a Zoom with. you and you're in Tokyo. >> I was in Tokyo. There was no cooler.

experience than being in Tokyo, first of. all, to begin with and then having a. Zoom with you about doing this bit. The. nothing will top this. >> Well, here's the weird thing, too. I. thought I remember it we got on the Zoom. and I said, "You must be on tour." And. Josh said, "No, they have the best sex. toys here.". >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> And this is where I like to shop for my. sex toys. And then for 20 minutes, >> Yeah. >> you were showing me these. >> had a bag I had two I had two Trader. Joe's bags full [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> of of dildos and. >> suction cups and tassels. [laughter] No,

no, no, LET ME CONTINUE. I NO, IT WAS IT WAS REALLY UH, IT WAS. like tourism for me. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. [laughter] The thing. is, no one builds like the. Japanese. >> True. >> But you kept turning them on and they. were like. ding ding. >> water robotics. >> Yeah, water robotics, yeah. >> Um, and uh, >> One of them had a song similar to the. one you wanted me to sing. >> [laughter]. >> It was uh, so I kind of said it like, you know, like this. >> So, next thing you know, we're. rehearsing. You're You killed it. We do.

it at the Oscars. You were great. And. then here's a weird thing about show. business. You killed it. and people really liked the piece and. people were so happy that suddenly. you're there. I love anyone who's. legitimizing a completely illegitimate. piece of comedy. So, the fact that you. were part of it. >> Yeah. >> um with your amazing voice, but you're. singing these incredibly stupid lyrics. about how I'm the greatest ever. And. it's over, but. from my perspective, I'm on top of a. mountain holding on to a fake, you know,

falcon. and being pulled off the stage and I. wave to you and you kind of wave back. and you go left and I go right and then. I'm into the show and I never see you. again. >> And it's weird because. I know that if I'd been watching that, I'd think, "Oh, cool. Now Conan and Josh. Groban get to hang out backstage and. trade old war stories." Go to a lounge? No, I don't see you anymore. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> So much of TV is bits over and then.

you're off to Belgium to do a concert. and, you know, I'm off I don't know. where I go, but. >> Well, to sleep for a week, I imagine. Like, I didn't I didn't I mean, that was. I knew though going into it that I mean, if I could see you even for a second, that would be great because your. responsibilities on a night like that. leading up to it and then on the night. and you make it look easy. I mean, it. really was I was happy that this was. scheduled on the calendar so we could. catch up. >> Yes. This is the only reason I'm having you. >> [laughter]. >> The only reason And first of all, this. will never No one will ever hear this.

There's no tape in the machine, said the. idiot who fundamentally didn't. understand how things work. Um but it is really nice to get to talk. to you. I was listening to the album you. did, Cinematic, and it's all these. different amazing. movie songs, songs from great movies. And I was listening to you sing The. Godfather theme and it has lyrics in. Sicilian. >> That's right. >> And I didn't realize that Godfather had. lyrics, The Godfather theme. Me neither.

And I was like, this is amazing. And I translated the lyrics, I used. iTranslate. And it's just going over the. plot of The Godfather. >> That's right. [laughter]. >> It was before The Godfather it came out? >> No, no, no, it came out at the same time. as The Godfather. And but the lyrics are. not imagine, they sound like such a. beautiful song, but all the lyrics are, "You shouldn't let your wife in Italy. start the car.". "She will blow up and her body will go. real far. >> [laughter]. >> Never sit with your back to a window.".

You know, >> [laughter]. >> yeah, it's. yeah, it's. enjoy the clams. Enjoy [laughter] the. clams. Yeah. >> Incredible. Just really, really getting. into the nitty-gritty. >> Really, it is. Yeah. There's going to be. a sequel and you'll see it's pretty. good. >> [laughter]. >> Watch number one and two, but three. maybe well, it's understood. >> [laughter]. >> Three's a mistake. Three's a mistake. >> Yeah, I go up for that one. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> But I was listening to it and.

just. Unchained Melody. There's I mean, there's a bunch of songs there. And. also, your Skyfall. >> Oh, thanks. >> Is fantastic. Thank you. So, I was. listening to all these and I was. thinking, first of all, the musicians. you have behind you, it's insane. >> 90 paid pieces, 90 players in London at. Air Studios. And singing it in the room. with them is like nothing else. There's. so much about my job that is just. isolated. You're in a hotel room, you're. in a dressing room, you're in front of a.

microphone. To be in the room with them. playing is like walking on a cloud. It's. cuz, you know, if you mess up, they have. to start again. If they mess up, you. start again. And it's just a it's an. incredible experience to to sing these. melodies with them. And the Sicilian. came because I I rehearsed it in Italian. There's an English-language version, an. Italian language, and a Sicilian. version. And I. >> Are you fluent in Italian? >> No, I I learned these languages as a. singer because I grew up learning these. art songs and I would I would sing in. French and Italian and Spanish. I don't. speak the language fluently, but I but I.

learn them as I'm of course when I'm. singing them. Uh but I sent in a demo of. the Italian version to Coppola and the. team. He would being honored for the AFI. lifetime achievement and he asked me to. do it for that. >> And I sent in a demo and I was really. nervous and I worked like for 2 weeks on. it and then they sent me back a note. saying like, "Oh, no, no. Mr. Coppola. would like it in Sicilian." And so that. is when I realized that there was such a. thing, looked it up, there was, and um. yeah, you learn something new every day. It was beautiful though. >> Did you ever did you think ever for a. second, you know, having your agent call.

and go, "Yeah, that's not happening.". >> [laughter]. >> Coppola. >> Do you know what I mean? Cuz I I send. that response back all the time, but. it's about much smaller things. >> Yeah, can Conan be there for the kids'. birthday party at 3:00? And I'll say, "No, I can be there at 3:15.". >> [laughter]. >> But I want my $200 upfront. >> throw your weight around. >> Yeah. >> yeah. >> Oh, you want it in. >> Sicilian? Now you get gibberish. >> [laughter]. >> That's what you get. >> Cuz what's [clears throat] really the. difference? >> yeah. What are you going to say, "No?". >> Well, I'm sorry. >> Conan! >> I think all foreign languages are just. gibberish.

>> OH, NO, NO, NO. >> NO? HUH. I'M SORRY. I thought everyone. spoke American. >> god. >> Canceled, canceled, canceled. >> we recording this? >> No, we're we're good. We're good. >> I'm pretty sure [snorts] America was the. first language. >> Oh, boy. >> Said the idiot. >> [laughter]. >> And then everyone lost their way. >> Oh. >> Goodness. So, I want to talk about your. origin story cuz it really fascinates. me. When you're a kid, you obviously. you're you're like singing in your room.

I think you're aware that you have this. thing you can do, but you probably don't. know what its value is or its merit. >> Yeah. >> And then you're 13 years old and you're. in a choir. >> Yes. >> And do I have this right? The choir. teacher's like, uh. you in the back. >> Exactly [laughter] right. >> Uh, why don't you come forward? I want. to hear you a little better. >> He Well, what he did was he which all. great teachers do is he recognized that. there was a student in his choir who.

really needed the push. I was not I. mean, I'm a ham on stage, but I am like. the most introvert on stage. And when I. was a kid, I was really introverted. I. had a really hard time making friends. My grades weren't great. I had ADD and. didn't even know about it. So, like I. was a little bit lost. And I was in the. back of the class and I was in the back. of the choir. And I loved being part of. it, but he heard that A that there was a. little bit of a talent there. I was by. the way, 13 years old, my voice still. hadn't changed. So, there was a talent. there, but it was very it was very high. So, [laughter] it was a real gamble for. him to say, "I'm going to put this kid.

in the front and I'm going to give him a. song." And he gave me the song. 'Swonderful', George Gershwin song. 'Swonderful' 'Swonderful'. And. and I [laughter]. and I sang it with all my might because. it was an assignment. He knew that if he. didn't give it to me as. >> Right. >> class thing, that I would never do it. for myself. >> Right. >> So, in in pushing me to the front, he. gifted me with a moment that changed. Even if I hadn't gone into it. professionally, a moment that changed my. my growth forever. You know, the kids. like the next day were like, "Whoa, man,

that was. you know, even the bully was like, "Bro, >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> I'm going to still beat you senseless. But I'm going to pause beforehand to. compliment you. >> [laughter]. >> on your incredible range. Voice of an. angel, now get in that locker. >> Yeah. >> Could you do it well? >> [laughter]. >> Could you do it yourself? I like this bully who just phones it in. Uh, get in that locker. >> Well, that's basically. >> your own underwear up so that it rides. into your crack? Thanks a lot. >> [laughter]. >> What are you doing? I'm on Amazon. >> had to do it in person back then. Now, it's all so anonymous online, you know.

>> I didn't like it, but I respected it. >> Bullies today is Zoom people. >> Oh, they just phone it in. Hey, oh yeah, what's up? Thanks for taking. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Can you stick your face in. in the in In yeah. >> Yes, sir. >> Have you got an ass? Then Duluth [laughter] Trading Company. is for you. I'm just reading what they. wrote, folks. For decades, Duluth has. been making workwear for harder workers. You got an ass, Sona? >> Yeah, I do. >> Well, Duluth Company is for you. From. highly abrasion-resistant pants to. heat-beating work shirts, Duluth.

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programs. Visit hyundaiusa.com or call. 562-314-4603. for more details. So, I just love that I. love stories where people figure it out. And I'm also picturing the teacher. Like, okay, let's. music teacher. Okay, yeah, you next. What is it? Jay Groban? Ja Ja [laughter]. Josh? All right, let's hear it. You know, THEIR GLASSES SHATTER. >> [laughter]. >> WHAT IS THIS damn name anyway? >> Yeah. >> It was. >> Yeah, okay, Pavarotti.

Let's hear this guy. I got to get to. lunch. >> [laughter]. >> His name is actually His name is Richard. Barrett and I invite him to every. concert that I do. >> Oh. >> Because. >> Still make him pay. >> I still. >> [laughter]. >> That's the trick I like to do. Ah, my. old comedy teacher. It's $700 for that. seat. >> I'd like to offer you the opportunity to. buy tickets to my new show. [laughter]. Uh, no, he's uh he he was he was not. that guy. He was super uh you know, excited to teach and still teaches. And.

you know, not only did he pull me out. from the back from the back, but he knew. that I like to play piano. He knew that. I was kind of gravitating towards the. drum set in the back. So, he's like, I'm. going to leave the music room open. So, just whenever you need to go in, have an. escape, get in there. And you know, it. having access to all that just changed. absolutely everything for me. >> Do you have perfect pitch? Can you. identify a note? >> Not I don't have perfect I can play by. ear. If I listen to something, I can sit. down at the piano and and figure it out. I actually can't read music. Everything. that I've learned how to play No, it's. true. >> That's the only reason you're here. >> [laughter].

>> WHAT THE HELL, ADAM? >> OUR our lesson's going to be really. disappointing. >> You push the button and you're ejected. [laughter] out of the Larchmont office. >> You land in a parked car. >> I parachute down in front [laughter] of. Noah's Bagels. >> Oh man. Well, >> the good news is I can get a great lock. and cream cheese. >> You land fracturing your pelvis, but. immediately order a schmear on a poppy. seed bagel. That's right, I said schmear. on it. >> You come out with pickles, Conan, huh? Yeah, you know. [laughter]. >> Uh. >> You probably found out you couldn't read.

music. >> [laughter]. >> Harrison Ford was here and I found out. he couldn't read music and I ejected. him. >> Oh, man. You start singing and then um. you have this moment, another pivotal. moment is you're 17, someone introduces you to to David. Foster, famous producer, arranger, and. he asks you. to do this thing at the Grammys. It's. like you were a kid. >> so close together like that the shy. 13-year-old whose voice was on the brink. of changing was 13 and then the call.

came in when I was 16. So the time. period between absolutely having no. clue, wearing this coat that was so big. on me, and getting this call to be part of. something that was. >> what was it? It was something a big a. big thing at the Grammys. >> David had heard me sing at a charity. event that he asked me to do, plucked. out of high school. I sang a song from. Phantom of the Opera. It was like the. biggest day in my life, but I went back. to class. I didn't think anything else. would come from it. So when he called me. and he said, "I'm at the Grammys. I've. written the song. It's called The. Prayer. It's for Celine Dion and Andrea. Bocelli and Bocelli is stuck on a tarmac.

in Germany. He can't be here in time for. the rehearsals. Would you step in and. would you sing this for Celine with with. Celine until he shows up? >> Do you mind? Do you mind? >> That's just insane. >> I. >> What? >> And I, being an idiot, I mean really, 16. years old, I did not have stars in my. eyes to be a solo artist. I was like the. I was I wanted to go to theater camp. I. wanted to be I wanted to worship the. throne of Sondheim and I wanted to like. that's what I wanted to do. So the idea. of like. like the music business, being a singer.

with those kinds of people, I was only. thinking, "Can I do this well or not?". And even though I was the hugest fan of. Celine, I said to him, "I don't think. I'm the right person for this gig." I. was so insecure. And Andrea Bocelli is. like one of the great tenors of all time. and I was very much like living in my. baritone world. I was not singing those. very high notes. And so I said, "I think. you can do better." I said, "Thank you. so much for asking me. I'm really. honored, but I I think you can do. better." And my mom yelled at me from. downstairs, of course I was still living. at and she said, "Who is that?" I said, "Oh, that was David Foster." Oh, oh,

"What did he want?" "Well, it's this. Grammy rehearsal, as it happens, and. Celine Dion is there and Bocelli isn't. and then. >> [laughter]. >> he asked me to to come and sing and. well, what did you say?" I said, "Well, obviously, I said I'm probably not the. right person for the job." And they kind. of went, "Oh, all right. Well, all right then." Um, and I could tell they were disappointed. David Foster called me back and he said, "I don't think you understood me. Get your ass to the Shrine Auditorium. through it." He Nobody had turned him. down before. So, he said, "Get get over. here." He barely gave me a pass. My dad.

shows up with me at the side door. Security is like, "Who are you?" I said, "I'm here to sing with Celine Dion.". >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Hi. I'm 17. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to sing with Celine Dion. >> And this is my dad. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> And and. we're here for Celine Dion. Which way to the microphone? >> [laughter]. >> And. you know, and like security guard had to. like walkie-talkie another guy with a. walkie-talkie who, you know, and so on. and so forth. And against finally, Ken. Ehrlich, who produced the Grammys, came. out and grabbed me and you know, it was.

just I was so new to it that it was such. another world. I didn't really permeate. how important that moment was to be for. me. I just wanted to do a good job. I. didn't want to embarrass myself. Celine, of course, came out and then I realized. how real it was, but the thing about. Celine in that moment was she knew that. David Foster was doing a thing, that. this wasn't just a job. She knew because. she'd been there at my age that David. was actually providing. a door and an opportunity to prove. myself. >> Yeah.

>> And that it was a lesson and that this. was a this was a moment. This was not. just a rehearsal. >> Right. >> And so, she kind of like clocked it and. she's like, "Oh, oh, got it. Josh, so. nice to meet you. Kiss, kiss." She could. see I was nervous and she made her sound. check about making me comfortable. She. grabbed my hand. >> That's nice. >> She's like, "We're going to do this and. when you look at me and you have the. Italian then I'll sing the English. We. got this. Just look at the prompter and. look at the You know, she was like pep. talking me out there." And I know now. that I've done a lot of sound checks for. TV shows, I know how precious those I. mean, you know from just.

>> You always get. >> much I'm sure. >> such little time. There's allowances for. Celine Dion in that moment, [laughter]. right? >> But I noticed that, you know, >> It's quick. >> Yeah, if you're doing the Oscars, they'll give, you know, and it's only appropriate like Barbra. Streisand all the rehearsal time she. needs. And then I'll say I've got to. >> sing where I catch a fake giant bird on. a mountain with Josh Groban. They're. like, "You've got 8 seconds.". >> Yeah, that's lunch. >> [laughter]. >> You have 8 seconds to get it right and. then get out of here.

>> Who are you? A. >> Host. Got it. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Um it's it's quick. And so now that I. know like that and that was a big song. that she was about to sing. Really hard. and that was a big moment. It was. nominated for a Grammy, an Oscar. So the. fact that she took her precious time. when many superstars of that time would. have looked at me as like stand-in. singer, all right, do the best you can. Let's get through it. >> You know, I might not have decided that. this business was for me had she been. me. >> So even though it you were for rehearsal. only, >> Yeah. >> right? And so. >> Well, Ken Ehrlich said to me after I.

rehearsed, you know, "We're still. looking to see if Bocelli can make his. flight. So buy go buy a suit in this. lunch break. Go buy a suit." I never I. mean, this is this feels so old-timey. Like this feels so like the old but now. you can Tik Tok yourself and get. yourself on you know, you can find an. audience. >> Right. >> But that idea of like, you know, the kid. the kid did okay. Go down to Men's has one down the street. and you know, I've got a tailor. Here's. his name and you [laughter] know, it's. it was like I'm like, "Got to get a. suit." I looked at my dad and I said, "I'm not like I'm not I can't do this on.

camera. Like this is not I'm not ready. for this." Um thankfully Bocelli showed. up. I got to meet him. He wound up doing. the song and I got to have a really good. story. >> to tell Bocelli. >> Uh you were okay. >> [laughter]. >> I thought I nailed it. >> I was uh. >> Cuz he's a notoriously bad singer. >> [laughter]. >> No, I was just I was so grateful that he. was going to finally go out there and. nail it. My dad did have a a camcorder. video of it and, you know, now of course. you know that filming a sound check for. something like the Grammys or the Oscars. is just absolute no-no. And uh and Celine saw that he was.

filming and the security said you can't. do that and she said, "No, no, no, let. him let him film that." So, that was you know, it just was she was. the absolute best that day and uh so, you know, but but then 10 years later I. got to sing that song on the Grammys. with Bocelli. So, we had like a kind of. a full circle and I've sung it with. Celine a few times since then. So, it. was just it's wild how those things Do. you remember your 16-year-old. get a suit moment? >> Well, mine came later. Uh mine came when I was 48. >> [laughter].

>> Still involved a suit? >> No, I do remember I mean, >> [laughter]. >> the story I have that kind of lines up a. little bit with that was obviously I had. these other all these other adventures. beforehand, but uh you know, living out. here in LA and and getting a chance to. audition. to possibly be considered to be a. late-night host replacing David. Letterman, which seemed insane, but I. they said show up in Burbank at this. time and I didn't have anything to wear. So, Lisa Kudrow, who's you know, my my. best friend at the time, she said, "Hey,

let's. I'll take care of this." And she took me. to Fred Segal and picked out a the worst. coat. and I'm sorry, Lisa, and we've talked. about this before, but I'm a very pale. person. I know now that I need to wear. blue. >> [laughter]. >> She was like, "Oh, this looks good." And. it was this linen floppy. >> [laughter]. >> jacket that was very like almost pure. white, maybe a little off-white. And so, I put it in the back of my. Taurus and some transmission fluid that.

was. got on it and stained it. So, I like. turned the and I walk out and I mean, people have I think looked up. You can. look up the footage of me auditioning. I'm like, "Everybody." And I've got the. floppy hair and then in. >> [laughter]. >> I I you know, I look like I'm trying to. pretend to be Don Johnson in Miami Vice. >> after he repaired his car. Could you see. the stain on the on the. >> think you could, but it was just a And. so, you have. you don't just have one moment like. that. You have In my case anyway, many.

of them and they continue, you know. >> And you know, they say luck is. preparation meets opportunity and you. know, these these moments, these points. of light continue. It wasn't just that. moment. It's like it's I can think of. that was a That was a tentpole of a. moment that I didn't I didn't know then, but the domino effect happened after. that. >> Now, most people not I'm not most, but. I'll say many, many people in your. situation, uh that's where the self-medication. starts. That's where alcohol, drugs, um.

people get into that kind of behavior. for a reason because they feel like a. lobster that's been shelled, but is. alive, you know? And and everything's. >> too literally too raw. >> You didn't have that. >> Right. Well, that's where my sex tourism. to Japan started. >> [laughter]. >> Um I will say. um it's uh that was a somewhat. [laughter]. Yeah, less dangerous way to uh. >> Okay, this is why I'm happy. That quote, if anyone missed the top, that quote out. of context is very um well, that's just.

bad news for you and your team. >> If this were in England, that would be. the headline of the of of the Guardian. >> Mirror. Yeah. The Daily Mirror, yeah. >> Wait a minute. >> [laughter]. >> No, but I I But I I was. I you know, I battled all I battled all. this stuff. I had anxiety. I had. depression. I had you know. And you. know, I had I I had certain medication. medication stuff. >> knew that you couldn't drink because of. your voice. >> Right. So, the pressure of needing to. sound really good out there, I think. kept me from getting into dangerous.

territory because ultimately. the feeling of not doing great out there. was worse than how good any of that. stuff might feel in the interim. >> Well, can I just say heroin would not. have affected your voice? >> That's you know, does it affect your. voice? Cuz if not, this is something we. should explore. >> Yeah, no, no, no. No, you should not. advocate for heroin. Is that what you're. doing? >> Well, I'm just saying. I'm a little shocked that that wasn't. proposed to you by your team. >> [laughter]. >> Just to take the edge off. >> My team, Adam Sachs over there is.

constantly saying, you know, uh I don't. think your career. >> any timing would be hurt by some of. these like a fentanyl or something AND. I'M LIKE. >> THAT'S TELLING YOU ADAM, THERE'S NOT A. DAY THAT GOES BY. >> ADAM, WHAT THE WHY? Come on. >> Oh, he's not going on mic now. >> [laughter]. >> The mic is staying so far away from him. >> He's got the he just took the mic and. buried a hole dug a hole [laughter] and. buried it. Now, I'm very glad you didn't get any of. those drugs, which by the way, I think. are very bad.

>> Oh, good, good. Yeah, you did you fixed it. >> My genre of music though, my genre of. music though was not like I did not have. that crew around me. >> [laughter]. >> What about your roadies? >> Hey man, you got a bump a line. Hey man, your Ave Maria was really. killer, but you seem A LITTLE TENSE. >> I WAS [laughter] WITH VAN HALEN, but now. Groban, this is what I think you should. do. >> Yeah, yeah. Musical theater's fine, but. heroin's better. >> You know, [laughter] it's like an. episode of like remember Cop Rock?

>> Sure. >> Remember Cop Rock? Everything I relate. back to Cop Rock cuz everything's a. musical. I remember like guy like guy in. a trench coat going, you're singing the. high note, but here's some meth. >> [laughter]. >> I did not have that singing guy in the. trench coat like after my classical. scales saying like, you know, >> It's interesting to me that I'm glad you. brought this up because I have I have. gone No, we're going to go off the. drugs, but more specifically into into. musical theater because and musicals. that I've always to this day I can never. reconcile. I I as a kid and I can't now.

as an old man. I can't reconcile the. What do you think we ought to do? I. don't know. It's kind of tricky. >> Yeah, sure. >> But maybe we should I was [laughter]. like, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? WHAT IS IT?". >> TAKES YOU OUT OF IT. >> YEAH. AND and I'm I'm I'm always want I. I would love to be in a musical where. someone does that and other people go. are are you know, "What are you doing?". >> Yeah, record record scratch. >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah. >> Well, there's two camps of people. There's there's those that just think. it's absolutely ridiculous and don't get. it at all. You, perhaps.

>> Tell me. Um. >> [laughter]. >> You know, I'M I'M NOT PUTTING YOU BOTH. IN THE SAME uh you know, what I mean? >> Well, I'm with one of the Kardashians as. well. >> [laughter]. >> Why is that clown singing a high note. high note? Ridiculous, you know. Uh and then those that are totally swept. away. I was one of those kids that was. totally swept just totally swept away by. it. And I I the combination of music and. story and that you could break into a. song and that that the singing of that. song would somehow tap into some deeper. way of expressing the story. >> Uh I just I suspended that disbelief. >> I do make uh an exception for The Music.

Man and I'm obsessed with the You Got. Trouble song and I feel like I was put. on this earth to do that and someday in. my life I need to do it cuz I. you know, and I wrote a Simpsons episode. about it and it's also something that I. just and and then later was asked uh cuz. I know you've worked uh with the. Hollywood men's uh gay choir. >> Yes, that's right. Gay Men's Chorus of. Los Angeles. That's right. >> And um What did I say? >> You butchered the name. >> I said the Hollywood [laughter] gay. >> The Hollywood foreign choir.

>> What did you do? >> I know I think they're Believe me, I've. worked with them and their name is the. gay Hollywood. >> [laughter]. >> That's right. >> choir that men frequent. That's what it's called. >> frequent. >> [laughter]. >> And guys, hello. But I got to I got to. work with them. >> [laughter]. >> Speaking directly to them. >> I know what That's your camera. >> Yeah, you got to look it right in the. camera. >> Hollywood. Hello, it's me. >> [laughter]. >> Um. David. >> I'm an ally. >> Um. >> I'm so out of control.

>> You're unstoppable. >> What do I say to you every day? >> He called me once he will always just. text me ally and once I was in the car. with my boyfriend and he called me cuz. he knew we were in the car and I. answered and he just SCREAMS ALLY. >> [laughter]. >> BECAUSE THEN I CAN SAY LATER on I went. on record. >> Okay. >> I'm just. I need to be stopped. I'm an ass but. >> [laughter]. >> they I performed the troubles the not. the trouble song the monorail song which. was my version of it at the Hollywood.

Bowl for this Simpsons anniversary which. was one of my all time favorite moments. in show business and they were. absolutely fantastic and really funny. >> [snorts]. >> Um so I've always thought oh my god okay. I need to figure out a way where I get. airlifted into a version of. you know or a rendition a staging of. music man and I just get to do that song. and then I'm airlifted out. >> I mean I don't know after the beef you. clearly have with musicals I don't know.

if that's going to happen to you. >> myself also from Chalamet. >> I also [laughter]. >> My my beef is always just ballet. >> Yeah that's it. >> I'm down with musicals. I do love. musicals I just not a beef it's just. that I could never make the the logical. leap. >> Right. >> Um. >> But the music man is where the line is. okay. >> Yeah. >> I love that like that's the one where. you're like [laughter] but that guy. >> You know why? >> with his little traveling salesman box. when he breaks into song I believe. >> [laughter]. >> You know why? >> Why? >> Because it's it's that Rex Harrison. thing if he's kind of talk singing.

>> Okay. >> You know now listen my friend you know. it's all that kind of thing that makes. more sense to me because I often start. talking to people in that musical rhythm. and yelling at them. I mean [laughter] I. do. You could see why I would want to do. a song where it's like now gather around. everyone and I'll tell you what you have. to know oh you got to you know. that as opposed to I I a mayonnaise. sandwich. >> [laughter]. >> Well, it's not it's not trying to be. real. >> Why can't you take a second and go, Conan, you have a beautiful voice. You're not. I've given HIM EVERY.

OPPORTUNITY. >> I wish to have a mayonnaise sand- I. mean, come on. >> THAT WAS. >> [laughter]. >> WOW. YOU KNOW WHAT'S CRAZY? He's wiping. blood from his eyes. The blood that comes out of Josh's eyes. when he hears music [laughter] being. butchered. >> All right, that was hairs on the back of. my neck. >> [laughter]. >> Fantastic. What a beautiful Irish tenor. you have. >> hairs on the back of your neck. >> Not your uh not your hair. It's just. other hairs on the back of your neck. Um. [laughter]. They go all the way down. Uh.

I'm kidding. Stop it back there, all of. you cackling. We should address I want. to address the Timothée Chalamet thing. for just a second cuz he was right there. in the first row when we were at I think. he's an amazing actor, and I actually. have met him a bit. I don't know him I. really don't know him that well, but I I. think he is a really good guy. I really. do. And. >> called on it. It was a bit. >> Yeah, I'm going to take a second and I. just I don't know. I just think I was I. thought that was okay. Maybe that wasn't. a great thing to say, but you know, I I. I don't know. I just think I was I. thought that was I just think I was I. thought that was.

Okay, maybe that wasn't a great thing to. say, but, you know, I I. >> It ultimately helped. >> Yeah. >> Ticket sales skyrocketed. I mean, like I. the the thing I took from it is like, all right, people are going to have. their their hot takes, their opinions, as people should. And then you can. disagree with it or not, but ultimately, like if what he said meant that. everybody went, "Yeah, it stinks. Uncool. Whatever it is." And then and. then sales dropped, well, then that. would be one thing, but no, every- like. ballet companies were saying, "Use promo. code Chalamet.". >> Yeah. [laughter]. Yeah.

>> If you want two-for-one tickets, everybody was you know, sometimes you. need a heel for everybody to go, "Now, wait a minute.". >> Yeah. >> And every- he actually he elevated it. People And then you had And then Misty. Copeland came on the show. Our bit was. was written before he said those things. >> Yes, right. Yeah. >> So, we you know, people were asking me, "Did you do that? You you right in. front. Did you do that?" And I said, "No, we we wanted to do it anyway.". >> up with that before that whole thing, but anyway, just, you know, I just. >> Just a moment to say, he's all right. >> [laughter]. >> Also, and I I think he's an incredible.

act incredible actor. >> Incredible and incredible and talented. actor and uh. and who amongst us hasn't said things? >> I mean, truly. >> Um you did this interview. >> this interview is time. >> [laughter]. >> This whole interview. >> Yeah, this interview alone you said a. lot. of things. >> I just say I want to double down. >> down on this. I believe when at the. beginning of time everyone spoke. American. >> Okay, there [laughter] we go. >> Oh my god. And I think American is a. language. >> And also, what's wrong with fentanyl? >> Yeah, okay. >> And also, >> Use promo code Conan [laughter].

for your black tar heroin needs. Let me. tell you. Uh hey, so let's talk about this. [laughter]. You were always interested in comedy. That's always been an interest of yours. I know you're a talented mimic. At some point, you. because you are [clears throat]. a renowned singer, you get this. opportunity to be. in The Office, voice on The Simpsons. You get to start. playing in that on those little playing.

fields of comedy and you're you have a. facility for it and you really enjoy it. and that must just been I mean, you have. fans who are comedy fans of yours who. don't know you sing. >> very true. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> And if they're just tuning in right now, they think, "Oh, they have the comedian. Josh Groban on.". >> I'd be honored if you would. >> and then they're like, "Oh, wow, he. sings.". >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> In fact, thank you for that opportunity. on the Oscars to to present my singing. voice. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> [laughter]. >> It really uh. >> I thought you should finally be heard.

out. >> for my streaming. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Um so, I talked about those first years. of my career where I just felt like a. shell of myself. Part of that was. because I felt like a a huge part of my. brain was just going untapped and you. know, in high school I got to work with. that choir teacher, but then I also got. to start an improv troop. They I had a. free period and we had a black box. theater and they and when everybody else. was just having snacks and, you know, what do kids do? Rolling the dice and I. I don't know. >> Wow. >> You really [laughter] had no social. life. >> You really had no life. >> You now know I had no social life, you.

know. >> had no childhood. You know when you. >> You know, they were trading cards and. >> run down the street in your buckle. shoes. >> smoking cloves and, you know, I I don't. know what they were doing. >> You [laughter] had like one of those. weed rims that goes down the street. >> it. Yeah, I was playing I was playing hoop. and stick all the way home. >> Hoop and stick [laughter] all the way to. the butter churn. >> And uh. And uh so they said you got anything you. want to do? We got an hour free period. and I asked my theater teacher, I said, can we do improv? Can I do improv? I I'd. taken some classes. This is actually.

very funny side quest is that in the. valley there's a theater called. Connection LA Connection Comedy Theater, that's it, in the valley. And I was one. of the youngest people they had they had. there taking classes there. They now. have a very strange painting of me on. their wall. If you drive down, I think. it's Victory or one of the streets in. the in Burbank, uh I think it's next to. like where the there's a trophy shop on. one side and a gun store on the other. and then there's [laughter] this improv. building and it's got like me and Will. Ferrell, who I guess went there and uh.

Matthew Perry's face is on there and but. we all look like bizarro versions of. ourselves. Any tribute painting of. someone is by definition weird. I There. are no paintings that are kind of bent. and weird, you know? There are no. paintings of me anywhere as a singer, but for some reason LA Connection was. like. >> [laughter]. >> this guy this improv master, we must. have him on there. Um but improv was. like an escape for me. So I started. there and then, you know, for the vast. majority of the beginning of my career. the label and everybody else was like, you have to be the guy who's on the.

billboard all the time. You You cannot. stray from the brand of singing these. serious songs and being the serious guy. on the pedestal because people are. getting an emotion from the songs and. you don't want to ruin that. Honestly, it started with Kimmel. He gave me. he he said, you know, cuz I wasn't. getting couch time. And you, give me. couch time like. being allowed to talk and show my. personality was not something as a. singer you normally get to do. >> Right. >> Kimmel said we've got a panda that is. not mating right now. Uh I think it's.

Ling Ling the panda. >> Yeah. >> Would you do a skit where you sing a. ballad trying to make the pandas horny? >> Right. [laughter]. >> And I was like. here we go. And away we go. And so that. was the first thing. >> That's the only important thing. >> Uh yes, there's a a little little Josh. the panda. It's uh it's uh no, there was. I think I think that worked. I don't. know. But he then he had me back to sing. Kanye West tweets. Right. And then he. had me back to sing Trump's tweets back. when we we could laugh. And um. >> Those were good times. >> And so just I think and then friends. that I knew that did these shows said.

we've got a funny little thing or we. want you to play yourself in a bizarre. way or. >> Sure. Yeah. >> And I just always said yes. I said yes. to all of them because for me it was my. way. of just kind of exercising some of that. stuff that I felt I wasn't able to be. myself. It's freeing. It's fun. So, yeah, that's that's important. >> this just fascinates me, but let's say. you're singing something like, you know, Unchained Melody or some song that had. where you have to hit these heights and. you know those notes are coming. Do you. ever get in your head about that or are.

you just at this point know, oh, I I. know exactly what to do there and which. I'm sure you do, but when you have to. take it up several octaves? >> Yeah, you might be training for a long. time. You might technically know that. the notes are in your range. >> Yeah. >> But uh it's it's takes a lot of. kind of practice mentally to get. yourself to a place where. you just decide to say and and it's not. because you don't care, but there has to. be a certain amount of it because. yeah, if you care that much.

often times the the mind and the voice. are connected and you're going to get. tense. And then the more you say, "God, I hope it comes out.". The sick thing about it is the more. you're going to regret how it came out. >> I don't know if you're aware of this, but you sometimes say it out loud. >> Well, did I did. >> Yeah, I No, no. No, no, what I'm saying. is I've watched you do the national. anthem once. >> [laughter]. >> And when it came to rockets red glare. and this was in front of a huge stadium. filled with children. Well, you said you. said, "FUCK IT.". >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> [laughter].

>> AND IT'S LIKE, "DON'T DO THAT.". >> timing the jets, sometimes you have to. vamp. >> [laughter]. >> It's just I tried to stretch. They You. know, you see the. >> [laughter]. >> camera guy is going, you know, doing. this. He's like, "Uh. IT. ALL RIGHT.". >> [laughter]. >> I THINK YOU SHOULD START WHEN YOU'RE. GOING to hit a really great impressive. note saying, "Watch this.". Just before you do it. You break out of the song and go, "WATCH. THIS.". YOU [laughter] KNOW. >> THERE WAS A SINGER I I WON'T NAME HIM, but there was a singer kind of There was.

a tenor that I used to see that was kind. of coming up around the same time and he. used to do something before he'd hit. high notes where he like he'd be about. to sing the high note and he'd go, >> Yeah, oh no. And I just would go, >> [laughter]. >> "Get this. Here we Watch this.". >> I don't like I don't I don't like that. at all. >> Yeah, it's just yeah. >> Yeah, check me out. >> If I did that if I went. it definitely wouldn't come out. Like. that's a surefire way to jinx a high. note. >> I would completely go this other guy's. way. >> Yes, you would. >> I would go the other way uh and glorify.

My favorite thing is to say check this. out and then fail. I think [laughter]. it's the funniest The funniest thing in. the world to me is, "Watch this." And. then wipe out. >> [laughter]. >> And then completely wipe out. I think. that's very funny. >> Yeah, you don't start your Oscar. monologue with, "Check this out. All. right, here we go. All right, what says. Hey, you ready to laugh? WATCH THIS.". [laughter]. >> YEAH, AND TO JUST SEE THAT THAT MOVIE IS. SO-AND-SO. YEAH, SO-AND-SO, you know. Boy, that would be aw- That's a good. joke, by the. >> I did have I did have one performance. where I was kind of sick. I was with. David Foster. He By the way, I should.

preface by saying he's been the most. supportive and he's been a great mentor, but there was one time where I think he. knew that I should just buckle up and. sing sing the note. And I was being kind. of a baby about it. I had a cold and I. said to David, "This song, please, will. you just make sure I don't sing Can I. just not sing the note tonight? Can I. sing around it?" "Yeah, yeah, no. problem, no problem." We get out there, gets up to the note. He's got a mic at. the piano, right? He goes, "Here comes. the money note." Right before. And that was a lesson learned. That was. like And by the way, because I was so. surprised that he said it, popped right. out. Sure. And it was like, you know,

it's tough love. >> Yeah. Oh, why? >> Yeah. A lot of phlegm got spit out in. THAT MOMENT. >> [laughter]. >> YEAH. >> BATANG. >> YEAH. Um so, you do I mean, okay, there's. another question. So, I'm driving around. listening to Cinematic. and uh. you know, just I mean, the Breakfast at. Tiffany's theme. >> Moon River. >> Moon River, which. >> which you do with your. >> Yeah. >> And then it it devolves into bickering. at one point. >> You apparently left the milk out and it.

was overnight. >> Those dishes [laughter] will never get. done. >> River. >> There's no duet with me and my dad. >> [laughter]. >> The it in that one is very faint. It's. >> [laughter]. >> It's It comes after the jazzy key. change. It's a little off mic. >> How cool to get to do that with your. dad, who's amazing. >> One-of-one experience. >> Yeah. >> I. great great musical arranger, Vince. Mendoza, gave us that beautiful. arrangement. And there was always a. moment in the song for an instrumental. And I had great trumpet players that I'd.

kind of reached out to get feelers. I. talked to Wynton Marsalis and Terence. Blanchard, my heroes, to say, "Hey, I'm. doing this song. Would you Would you be. interested?" And they both said, "Send. me in.". And then I said to myself, you know, my. favorite trumpet player is also my. favorite person. And my dad is turning. 80 this summer. He hasn't played the. trumpet anyway in any way professionally. since the '60s. >> Right. >> And I asked him. I said, "If I I know. you played Moon River as a kid, if I got you to rehearse in a 2-weeks. notice, do you think you could get the. lip and could you think you could do. it?" And he says, "Well, let me see.".

And he unzipped his. his trumpet, you know, case that had. Dizzy Gillespie for President on it and. it had had was dusty, hadn't been opened. since like the 70s. And, you know, every time I'd call the. house, I'd say, "Mom, how's he doing?". I'd be hearing. you know, in the background going, "He's. rehearsing." And I said, "How's it. going, Dad?" He said, "Good, good. You. know, I actually think I might be able. to do this." So, Greg Wells, our. producer, set it up. I said, "Look, this. is going to be my dad. I want this to be. special and we need to have some. patience. He hasn't played in a while.". So, Greg's credit, he said, "We got to. do this at Sunset Sound, which was Louis.

Armstrong's favorite studio in LA." And. then he called and they said, "You know, we actually still have Louis' stool. So, if you want, we could set out the stool. for your dad to sit on and we got the. old mics he used to record into." And. I'm going, "This is just turning into. not just a song, but like a core memory. family moment.". And, you know, my whole family showed up. and my brother and my sister-in-law, my. 2-year-old nephew who's walking around. and, you know, I got pictures of my dad. playing the trumpet for him and it was. just, you know, it it and he crushed it. He totally. crushed it. So, I got my musicality from.

him. He went into business. His mom. said, "That's no way to make a living.". >> Yeah. >> And to have a song that is a tribute and. a thank you for what he put in my DNA. is just it's the best. It's the best. thing I've ever recorded. >> My uh. my father-in-law is an incredibly. talented musician um and, you know, great. you know, he can play uh jazz guitar and. you know, that kind of Dixieland style. and he's just I mean, he can play like. Django Reinhardt stuff. >> Oh, great.

>> And um he's really. terrific and he would always sit in with. other bands and stuff and he played at. our wedding uh and. but he's someone who. you know, that's what was his his real. love, but he thought, "Well, you know, I'm married, I'm getting married and I'm. going to have kids, and I must be. responsible. So, he, you know, worked in. insurance. And there's so many people. who are great artists. I think we live. in a culture now of this is my dream, and I'm I must do it. There's so many.

people who you know, make decisions that. this is what I want. I want a stable. Yep. income for my family, and they do. that. So, people like your like your. dad. >> And he could really well. We have one. recording of a live performance he had. in the '60s. And he was I mean, truly. phenomenal. And you know, he became an. executive recruiter. You know, he's a. headhunter. You know, he goes out and. finds jobs for people, and he's. brilliant at it. He's got Luckily, I. don't have that side of the brain. If I. wasn't doing this, I'd be lost. But he.

has also the businessy he can focus like. he really focus, and he can do that, and. he's great at it. But for him to watch. me do it for a living, my brother's a. director, to kind of watch our artistic. endeavors blossom. >> Right. >> his I think been really. >> uh. and and you're able to do that because. >> Well, yeah. >> He was responsible, and. >> Did what he had to do. >> Sit down. So cool. That's exactly right. Is that he went into to do what he did. to make sure that we were able to say, "Hey, I liked going to the theater. Can. we Can I join the theater camp? You.

know, can I get a Can I get a you know, an instrument to play myself?" And that. is the greatest the greatest service he. could have ever possibly done for us, yeah. >> I think our final message here is don't. pursue your dreams. >> [laughter]. >> Do you know what I mean? Don't. >> Speak English. >> Yeah. >> Do heroin. >> I call it American. >> Oh, so Oh, sorry. Speak American. Do. heroin. >> And deny your dreams. >> Yeah. I call old English ORIGINAL. AMERICAN. >> [laughter]. >> 1,100 AD [laughter] English to me is.

like, "Yeah, that was American." And. then they made it English. Um yeah. >> I'm a that just doesn't quit. Well, uh latest album, Cinematic, it's. really it's amazing. And And also, I. mean, I was thinking do you. do you ever just drive around and listen. to yourself and enjoy it or is that. impossible? >> Well, there's so much of that that. happens when you're doing mixes and you. got to make sure you're you're listening. with a critical lens because you just. want to make sure that everything is. balanced right. So, I mean, yes, you. accidentally. get chills sometimes and you say, "Well,

I sounded good there or that really. sounds great.". >> You prick. >> My Yeah, that's true. [laughter] It's. true. Ah, here comes the high note. Ah. Yeah. >> I'm going to rent you a convertible and. we're going to get a bumped up sound. system and you're going to listen to. cinematic driving around LA and people. are going to see you listening to. yourself and pointing at yourself at. stoplights. >> to point at you. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> What a voice, eh? >> Yeah. >> Uh. >> Uh Josh, this has been a real delight. >> Um met him you were a teenager, I. believe, when I met you and you were.

>> again, really sweet, really funny and I thought. and now here you are. uh and you're an incredibly, incredibly. good guy and uh terrific artist. So, glad to know you and thanks again for. your help. >> Listen, thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for being an inspiration for. so many years. You make it look easy. I. know how hard it is and you're just such. a beacon of light for so many. So, that's This is the one I'm I'm going to. stick the landing here with some Take.

it. Take it. >> Well, you heard it here. I'm a huge. influence musically. You are a Josh. Groban. >> Hearing your Danny Boy [laughter] really. uh. >> Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes. Maybe I can do this FOR A LIVING. [laughter]. CONAN O'BRIEN GOES BROKE IN 1 MONTH. >> [laughter]. >> Um Josh, thank you. Big news, Sona. >> Yeah. >> Did you know T-Mobile recently partnered. with the National Park Foundation? >> No way. >> Yep, they're making it easier to stay. connected so you're free to wander.

>> Well, that's really cool. >> And I love a national park. I I do. >> I do, too. >> I've been to many of them and I want to. see all the rest. It's on my bucket list. to see them all. >> Okay. >> Now, there's one thing you have to have. if you're doing that, good signal. It's. a priority. >> Mhm. >> Do you know what I mean? You got your. maps, your music, this podcast. >> Yeah. >> So, take America's best network plus. their off-grid satellite coverage with. you. Look, we're all a little spoiled, but we like to have access to all our. stuff, and suddenly you don't have it. because of a bad signal, that's when I. throw my phone into the Grand Canyon.

>> Oh, okay. >> Literally filled half the Grand Canyon. with phones. Then I got T-Mobile, never. had to chuck them again, you know? [laughter]. >> Good. >> So, wander over to t-mobile.com and. switch. Best based on analysis by Ookla. of speed test intelligence data for 2H. 2025. Wow, that's some sentence. T-satellite with capable device in most. outdoor areas in US where you see the. sky. That's important, you got to see. the sky. >> Yep. >> Service may be limited or unavailable, included with experience beyond or $10.

per month. Auto renews, cancel anytime. That was. probably meant to be said by a robot. really quickly, but I just did it slowly. so you could really understand. >> In celebration of your upcoming. appearance in the new Toy Story movie. >> Toy Story 5. >> Yeah, the new one. Yeah. >> Yeah, okay. >> [laughter]. >> Uh we have something special to show. you. >> OH MY GOD, IT'S OUT. >> OH, [screaming] HOW COOL. Look at that. >> This is my character. His name is Smarty. Pants. >> It's a toy for the listener.

>> It's a toy for um. >> [laughter]. >> Uh it's a toy for Well, basically my. character in Toy Story 5. I think I'm allowed to talk about it. I. have no idea. >> The movie's out. >> Yeah. >> Is a potty training. uh. device. And so. I think this must be my voice, right? >> Yeah, put it up to the mic. >> WELL, HELLO THERE. PICK A NUMBER. I mean. It could be me. >> think it's you. >> No, it it's.

>> and number two. >> I I mean, I recorded these, so. they take the sound bits from the movie. No, they had me do it for the toy. And then like I was like, you know what? I'm never. >> [laughter]. >> That's you. What's that? You did it here in this. studio. >> [laughter]. [laughter]. >> You know what I did? I decided they're.

like. >> [laughter]. >> It's so weird. I'm being interrupted by. myself. >> Finally, there's karma. Oh my god. >> I can't get him to shut up. >> It's motion activated. >> Oh, he's motion activated. That's what. the problem is. Yeah, it is. It is. motion activated. >> Oh, it does say it right there on the. box. Can you turn it upside down? >> Um, I'm just going to put it on the. floor for a second just so I. >> can you yourself go on the floor, too? >> [laughter]. >> And can I And can I be boxed and put. into storage by a collector? Um.

Yeah, uh they said, "Oh, do you want to you. know, I guess they can use a different. voice." But they said, "Do you want to. do your voice for the toy?" And I. remember thinking, "I'm never going to. be a toy again.". And yeah, I want to be the voice of the. toy. I do not think so. >> [laughter]. >> Well, this is the opposite of a cash grab. Yeah, this is not that. This is uh I. mean, and I don't I don't care cuz it's. to be part of the. the toy story saga was just a delight.

and to be in the same company of these. amazingly creative people and these huge. stars. So, I was just super happy to to. do it. But, um yeah, so now it's a it's. a toy. >> I wonder when my youngest daughter gets. potty trained to fool use that. >> Um, I think your wife will nix that. >> But what if it you find out people are. using it and children all over the world. are getting constipated? >> [laughter]. >> There's an epidemic of constipation.

among children and [laughter] we think. we found the. >> Yeah, kids just seize up when they hear. my voice. >> I love that. the the time you're in a Pixar movie. it's when you're a roll of toilet paper. >> [laughter]. >> Well, that's how the toy looks but I'm. not a roll of toilet paper. >> I know but that's that's what it's. modeled after. You're it's a you're. you're. toy Yeah, you look like a roll of toilet. paper. >> No, you're looking at it the wrong way. >> a roll of toilet paper. >> It actually is like just a roll of. toilet paper. >> No, no. >> Oh my god, your eyes light up. Okay.

>> You just talked over my toy. which is so you. My toy was trying to talk and you in. typical Sona fashion. >> toy. >> Okay, I'm glad I didn't talk over that. >> [laughter]. >> Let me see this thing. Oh, look now I. like when you put it face down and he's. just talking into the into the table. >> Alone again. >> Wow. >> [laughter]. [laughter]. >> That's Smarty Pants when he's low on.

battery and he sounds drunk. >> Oh. >> Um that's my method as an actor. >> Oh, that's good. >> I have to be honest, as we record this. I've not seen the movie yet. So I don't know what's going to happen. Um this could be the end of me. >> Really? >> What? Are you joking? >> You just never know. >> No, you're joke. It's it's going to be. great. >> I do not want to be the guy that. up Toy Story 5. >> Oh, you're so. >> I don't think you. >> Maybe you'll get a spin-off. >> What if I leave the podcast to go double.

down on my Smarty Pants gig? >> [laughter]. >> What if I start touring and I'm in a. Smarty Pants costume? >> I go to conventions and I have, you. know, one of those I just do this a lot. and take pictures with people. >> Yeah. >> I think it's a good idea. >> Yeah, that'll work. >> Uh anyway, so. that's it. I am the voice of a toilet. training toy. >> This is exciting. >> Are you excited? Now, this is a big deal. for you, animation and Disney and all. that, right? >> Well, I'm not a like one way or the. other on Disney cartoons, but Toy Story. and Pixar, they're pretty amazing. And.

plus, now that I have a daughter that I. go to the movies with, this is going to. be amazing. Absolutely. We go see a lot. We we love. going to movies, so I mean, this would. be Sometimes we're stretching to find a. decent movie. This would. >> The only thing I've seen I go to the. premiere tomorrow and I will see the. movie for the first time. I have and and. there are whole chunks of the movie I. don't know cuz they only give you your. part. >> Uh-huh. >> But, um, one of the things that. they did let me see was the opening of. the movie.

Uh, and it's just stunning. >> Are you in that or do you have a. or a grand grand entrance of it? >> I mean, I don't know. I have not seen. anything to do with my part. I'm totally. in the dark. So, uh, but they show the. opening of the movie, which is quite. cinematic and amazing. And I just, uh, they are. because David Hopping and I got to go to. Pixar to record my parts and, uh, they're formidable, these people. They're just really amazing. >> Are you going to take the boys?

>> I am. Yeah. >> And when he comes on screen, are you. going to whisper to them, "I have. complicated feelings about that. character.". >> [laughter]. >> I think no, they know that Uncle Conan's. in the next Toy Story movie. >> They don't know which part I am. >> They have no idea which part you're in. >> Just tell them I'm Woody. >> OH MY GOD! THAT'S BLASPHEMY. Absolutely. not. No way. Do you get to go to. Disneyland for free? That's one of the perks of being like a. Disney employee. Do you have a badge? >> No. >> Oh, okay. Are you So, you're not like.

you were just like temporarily there? If. you wanted to go to Disneyland for free. or get tickets for somebody who wants to. go to Disneyland for free? >> from [laughter]. me. >> Okay. >> And I will be and even if I try to. purchase a legitimate ticket to. Disneyland, they will probably tell me I. can't have it. >> [laughter]. >> Okay, this you know, we floated the idea. of the three of us going to Disneyland. and and recording there. I think we. should do that. >> Would you I'd do that, sure. Yeah. >> I would do that. >> Yeah. >> I love Disneyland. >> I want to I took a date to Disneyland.

once. >> Years ago. How old were you? >> I was. um I was when I was first living out. here, so it would have been like 1986. I. would have been 23. >> How was the date? >> It was a good date. >> Yeah, that's great. You can do all the. tours, yeah. >> it takes a lot of the awkwardness out of. it cuz there's so much to do. >> Why would there be awkwardness with me? >> [laughter]. >> What are you What are you talking about? >> Did you make her go to like the Hall of. Presidents? >> I. It gets worse. I took her to the Hall of. Presidents and then made her we stayed. cuz I wanted to see each president talk.

multiple times. And then she got upset when I said I. told her she started to say something I. said, "Quiet, it's Martin Van Buren. coming up.". >> [laughter]. >> He was the sage I said he was the sage. of Kinderhook. >> [laughter]. >> And she went, "What?". And I said, "Old Kinderhook, Upstate New. York, Martin Van Buren. [laughter] His. lineage was They were Dutch and um. then I snapped at her and I never saw. her again. She left in tears. And then Martin Van Van Buren looked at.

me and went, "You are a dick, sir.". >> [laughter]. >> You know so much about Martin Van Buren. >> He said, "You know more about me than I. do." She And then Martin Van Buren said, "She looked hot." And then Lincoln said, "Sure did.". >> [laughter]. >> "You up, son.". And then all the. >> yourself, young man. >> You cockblocked yourself and that's hard. to do. And then. >> [laughter]. >> um. all the presidents just spent like 40. minutes telling me.

what an absolute. >> They [laughter] had a roast. >> They just went after me. >> I would watch the Hall of Presidents all. day. >> There was a Kevin Hart a Kevin Hart. robot came out. And he said, "I'm not a. president, but I want in on this and. then he went [laughter] after me and so. it was all the presidents and Kevin Hart. roasting me for making my girlfriend go. see [laughter]. the Hall of Presidents. Anyway, she fled never never to return. again. Anyway, Toy Story 5. >> [laughter]. >> do it man.