Even after all this time, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon finds it incredibly difficult to put into words the profound emotions he experiences when watching videos of tens of thousands of enthusiastic Swifties joyfully singing along to “Exile,” the beloved track from Folklore that he co-wrote and recorded alongside Taylor Swift. During his appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday (April 2), when host Jimmy Fallon inquired about his feelings upon witnessing Swift perform the song on her record-shattering Eras Tour, Vernon described the experience as “out of body.” The connection he feels through this shared music brings a unique sense of awe and gratitude.
“Sadly, I didn’t ever get to sing it with her on her tour… she got to come sing it with us, but I saw those clips and I’m like, ‘Gosh, they sound better than one of me can sound,” Vernon expressed. He went on to share how incredibly moving it was to witness such a powerful performance and hear the overwhelming energy of the crowd. “No really, it was pretty powerful to just see that and to hear how that sounded. It was amazing,” he added, reflecting on the collective experience of music that transcends personal performance.
In addition to his reflections on Swift’s performance, Vernon discussed the innovative remix he created for Charli XCX‘s track “I Think About It All the Time” as part of the Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat remix album released last year. This fresh take incorporates a sample of Bonnie Raitt‘s iconic 1989 song “Nick of Time,” showcasing his ability to blend different musical influences and styles seamlessly.
“My friend Danielle Haim suggested that I sample ‘Nick Of Time’, the classic song by Bonnie Raitt, and I thought, ‘That’s such a brilliant idea,’” Vernon recalled. He elaborated that Charli’s song resonates with themes of urgency and the fleeting nature of time, making Raitt’s timeless track a perfect fit. He highlighted the close friendship he shares with Raitt, who he regards as his “number one” favorite artist, and emphasized her influence on his musical journey. “Our greatest living singer,” he praised Raitt, acknowledging her significant impact on the industry.
Vernon recounted the moment he reached out to Raitt to seek her permission to use her song, recalling her enthusiastic response: “‘Yep… let’s do it,’” he said. Raitt’s willingness to collaborate and her appreciation for Charli’s work made the process even more special. “She was, of course, touched. And she’s a huge fan of Charli’s, as am I.” This connection between artists illustrates the beauty of collaboration and mutual admiration in the music industry.
The talented singer-songwriter was on the show to promote the highly anticipated release of his fifth studio album, Sable, Fable, set to debut on April 11. He described the album as a profound two-part journey. The first portion, Sable, he explained, is “sad and hard to get through and kind of drudgy, providing a reflective look at the past… a narrative exploring the life of a man in a cabin that I’ve been absorbing over these years.” He noted that the rest of the record represents his current emotional state, where he is embracing creativity and doing whatever he needs to find happiness for once.
Don’t miss the chance to watch Bon Iver’s captivating performance on The Tonight Show below; it’s a testament to the magic of live music and the connections it fosters among artists and fans alike.
