I was checking out Pigeons and Planes when I came across quite an interesting video. The video shows a homeless man (nicknamed Mustard), covering “Creep” by Radiohead. It was recorded on the Opie and Anthony show. Apparently they do a segment where they pick a homeless person off of the street and buy them clothes. Mustard was chosen for it and mentioned that he was a musician.
They gave him a guitar, and this was the result:
I gotta say, it is quite a powerful performance. This man sings the lyrics with passion, and meaning. Thanks to Pigeons and Planes for finding this!!!! Let’s make this guy the next viral video celebrity!
Jason — 17 Dec 09
i’ve seen this guy do this in washington square park he’s the man
Matt — 17 Dec 09
that dude was awesome.
Confusion — 17 Dec 09
I thought it was gonna be entertaining because it was so bad. I was so surprised. Thanks for the linkback
Naraya — 17 Dec 09
So niiiice.
I love what Jason said “he’s the man”.
thooor — 18 Dec 09
That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing. Also really enjoy reading your blog
Tabitha — 18 Dec 09
This is epic! if i saw this guy, i would give him a $20
thunderbay — 21 Dec 09
Mustard probably always wanted a chance to making a lasting “footprint” … to make a difference in someone’s life … to matter to someone … well, he succeeded. I hope this video does go viral not only to let the world hear Mustard’s heart speak but to remind the record business what music is all about.
Thank you, Mustard … thank you (thanks Will for posting this)
thunderbay — 21 Dec 09
I just found the link to 4 songs that Daniel Mustard did:
http://opieandanthony.tumblr.com/post/286862717/mustard-audio
Rosie O. — 21 Dec 09
Oh, isn’t that special.
You’re kidding. Right?
Taking a homeless person, dressing him up to be “presentable” then using him as, essentially, an organ grinder’s monkey.
Did they find him a home or give him a meal or change his situation for the better in ANY way that doesn’t serve the media?
Uh, no. Probably not.
Giving him “a twenty” would be insulting.
How about giving him a real hand up instead of a hand out?
People who find this type of “entertainment” lifting or redeeming need a better education on how we treat each other. I doubt Mustard gets residuals or holiday cards from O & A. And if they passed him again in WP, would they bother to acknowledge him more than a wave and a walk-by?
The next time you see a homeless person of either gender, ask yourself what it would be like if that person were you?
Tony — 21 Dec 09
Sorry..the only reason this guy is in the studio is that he is homeless. I guess that’s an advantage when you want to showcase lower than average musical talent. Shave this losers beard and put a clena set of clothes on his dirty ass and he will never see a second again in the spotlight. The pity factor got him some airtime. Now go back to your dumpster you fucking LOSER.
everyone — 21 Jan 10
@Tony
You are an asshole.
Thanks,
the rest of the human population
James H — 21 Jan 10
@TONY Wow, internet anonymity sure is cool..
@ROSIE And Rosie, why don’t you just assume more. Given that you don’t listen to the show, nor I assume would you enjoy it if you did – you would have no idea that Opie is doing his best to get Mustard sobered up enough to record his tracks for a small cd that he can make some money off of.
But you are right, it’s 100% profiteering on the part of the on air folks, and they surely don’t give these guys hot meals and money for food or clothes whenever they’re on the show. I’m SURE they never ever take them to the doctor.
They’re not going to invite them into their damn apartments to live, but give them a little something to make their lives potentially better… it’s more than I ASSUME (see how easy it is to do that) you and I have done combined.
It should be obvious I’m a fan of their show by now, but in knowing their show, I don’t have to assume that they are the assholes you assume they are. I KNOW what they do.
John — 21 Jan 10
This is boring. TONY’s kinda right.
Will — 21 Jan 10
Heh, it may be boring to you but it’s a pretty cool story to me. James H hit the nail on the head!
Ken — 21 Jan 10
Everyone has their gift, they just need a chance to show it to the world. Thanks for sharing.
kingdoc — 23 Jan 10
Rosie is a fool.
Opie and Anthony get a BUSSLOAD of homeless EVERY WINTER and spend HUNDREDS of dollars on them. It just so happens Mustard can play music.
How about you open your mind and listen to the show before you baaaaaa like the rest of the sheep.
Erik — 24 Jan 10
I stumbled on this and have been pimping it out for the last week. I wish that this guy could get some love from the people in the business that could change his life.
Flaco — 25 Jan 10
Rosie,
I see where you were trying to come from with your point, but James H is right about O&A. They do a lot of stuff for these people.
Tony,
You could say the only reason any musician gets noticed is because they were in the right place at the right time. How many bands have you seen that weren’t signed, yet were better than half the signed artists out there. Who cares why he got notices. If you judge him honestly on his talent, he has a cool style and a good raspy bluesy type voice. The point that is being made about him is the fact that he is a talented guy, and could easily have a record contract if he could keep himself cleaned up.
amanda — 27 Jan 10
that was great. i love radiohead, and this dude haha
shaun — 28 Jan 10
If more people showed this much heart when they sang…the radio wouldnt be full of sellouts…and we could get back to the true gritty meaning of what music and expression is all about…
Brian Failure — 28 Jan 10
as a formerly “homeless person” , I find Rosie O’s comments absolutely condescending. get off your sanctimonious soap-box, already
T — 29 Jan 10
Sounds good to me.
kromo — 30 Jan 10
This video is great. theres a lot of passion in those words. did anyone think that maybe this Mustard gentleman preferred to live the life he lives?
I don’t personally know him so I can’t say, but I know people that live a nomadic lifestyle that is liken to being homeless and they have chosen to live that way.
Whether or not Mustard feels this way, the video is amazing and I hope he has a fulfilling life.
Nicolas — 30 Jan 10
Woah! That, I must say, is “fucking special” indeed! Everything from the performance to how the lyrics connect with being homeless and the amazing delivery this man offers, it’s winsome in the highest degree. Someone get this man a record deal!
charley — 30 Jan 10
Hes awesome!
Kate — 1 Feb 10
I just liked the humanity of it.
Sure the fact he’s a bum adds to that, if Brad Pitt sang the same song it wouldn’t have the same effect. But Mustard chose the song, chose how to sing it. It’s obvious from the performance it meant something to him, and that helps in the deliverance of meaning to us the audience.
This project can only help awareness (and I mean that fully) of homelessness; by transforming the anonymous silhouttes of people we see on the street into people who has a real power to move our emotions as Mustard today did (for me at the least).
bre — 3 Feb 10
why do people have to be so fucking mean on the internet? No one gave that dude a “handout.” He got some clothing and an opportunity to share his talent by people who want to hear it. Im so glad trolls like rosie and tony have there anonymous forum to post shit on. Cant we just appreciate how fucking cool that was?
Wizzie — 4 Feb 10
I love his voice. I really hate radiohead because of their egos and this shows how much raw talent goes unrecognized.
Jeremy Pike — 5 Feb 10
man…if that is the talent on the street..what the hell are we doing paying for the stars..people like this should be performing this stuff..so much more emotion. Don’t get me wrong.. I really like radiohead, but Mustard has so much passion….
Jeremy Pike — 5 Feb 10
by the way, we should be paying Mustard what we pay Radiohead…just for the passion..
Greenchills — 5 Feb 10
He aint bad.
I agree with rosie to a certain extent in that too often people watch these and feel they can say hollow words such as ‘uplifted’. It reminds me of ‘playing for change’ which sounded great, but left a bitter taste when bono appeared on a song meant to showcase grassroots impoverished talent to win karma capital. A favourite pastime of his. He also sounded like a pretentious dick.
In this case there obviously is a big difference, as some of the other posters have pointed out, with o&a reportedly really doing more than their bit to get the homeless out of poverty. Much more than just a bit admirable.
Mustard here is a great singer, he probably wouldnt get a record contract but he is fantastic.
That doesnt mean that the rest of you who watched this and then felt better about themselves for taking time to listen to a poor man and being ‘moved’ as they heard what they wouldnt normally expect from the bottom and preach of ‘ real passion’, ‘humanity’ and ‘footprints’ are let off though.
You suck balls, you shallow cunts.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga — 5 Feb 10
Amazing! Shockingly awesome.
Lulu — 5 Feb 10
Wonderful. It’s nice to see a homeless man being able to show off his talent to the world, especially since he really DOES have a good talent, and really DOES show it well.
Greenchills, you call us ‘shallow cunts’, but honestly, you just insulted a bunch of people on the internet for feeling good about watching a homeless man singing with passion. You’re no better than your opinion of them.
Greenchills — 10 Feb 10
To Lulu,
Absolutely not, but then I never pretended to be. I do apologise and repent a bit though, perhaps I was hasty and too rude.
I just think that this man is a great singer and should be judged solely on that. If I heard this guy anywhere I would sit up, his home-ownership status should not, and for me does not, have any bearing on that.
So again I went a tad far with my last critique but I stand by the more general feeling that people tend to like things more if they do not expect the object of thier enamour to be inherently worthy of it. Think of Susan Boyle and the hype around her after everyone laughed when they initially saw her and youll get an idea of what I mean, she wasnt actually all that good, but this was offset by her unconventional physical appearance in the eyes of the nation. I feel a similar thing is happening here is all.
Bisco — 11 Feb 10
Wow, I really thought he sang the song well. I like the way his voice sounds even though it’s probably a little harsher than it should be from his current situation. Just brilliant!
SiCKO — 11 Feb 10
Thumbs up for this man.
Shea — 12 Feb 10
I thought this performance was moving. Mustard’s expressive style isn’t only affecting because he’s homeless, but knowing that he has had some hard knocks gave the whole thing more depth. And then the comments kind of ruined it for me.
I’m with James H. I know a lot of people with Rosie’s attitude, and I think it’s an easy way out. I would rather risk being “sentimental” (even at the potential cost of exploiting someone’s circumstances for the benefit of my own feelings) than delude myself that minding my own business awards people in difficult situations more dignity. Also, HELLO: The guy is a performer, and performers need audiences. He volunteered that he was a musician after he was already promised the new clothes, etc.
Empathy is a hard enough state to achieve without the burden of guilt that any connection we feel is selfish. A performance like this reminds us that people in tough straits are humans of value–and it is only from that place that we can reach out. If I were homeless, I sure as hell would take a new set of clothes and a showcase for my music over being ignored.
Michelle — 14 Feb 10
The song already makes me emotional, but the context of it being sung here is quite powerful. He sings better then most of the ridiculous pop crap we support now.
c1f3r — 16 Feb 10
i liked his voice and he seemed pretty convincing. ill give 7 / 10
Charlie — 17 Feb 10
To Shea,
You would rather exploit someone so you could feel good than not exploit someone at all?
Thats a pretty shitty argument.
Thats like saying ‘I would quite like some sex today to make me feel good, oh heres a passed out person. Not having sex with her wouldnt give her any more dignity, I’ll go right ahead.’
doug — 18 Feb 10
SO… anybody out there who happens to be in Mustard’s locale offered to whip up a CD and help him sell it online yet?
I for one was very impressed, loved his style, and could listen to him on a regular basis.
jags6170 — 18 Feb 10
Mustard’s rendition is better. Loved it.
Mark — 21 Feb 10
His growl sends shivers down my spine, but in a good way. I love that Mustard’s cover is so raw.
Charlie — 25 Feb 10
If you want his cover you could always use windows media encoder and record it that way to a sound file.
It would be nice to buy his record if he gets it done though.
Anonymous — 1 Mar 10
He is a great subject for the game “Hipster or Homeless?”
Cody — 3 Mar 10
It sounds like radiohead stole this song from him. I propose a make mustard famous movement.
Warcraft — 7 Mar 10
It’s staged
Tori — 19 Apr 10
This guy was amazing. Truly an emotional performance.
The negative comments sadden me. Even if all these people did for Mustard was get him a new outfit and give him a little attention and love, so what? It’s something. It’s more than most people EVER do.
But. That was awesome.
timred — 26 Apr 10
Everyone has a story, no matter who they are or who they were.
I wonder what his story is…probably pretty messed up, but they guy has some talent….
Crooky — 26 Apr 10
Timred, you sly bastard. You ARE Mustard.
GBR88 — 26 Apr 10
Mad skills. Best version of Creep-EVER!
GBR88 — 26 Apr 10
Btw, people with negative comments…suck a dick!
Landon — 26 Apr 10
i hate hearing good music now. it just makes me feel shitty about my own musical abilities. watching this guy makes me feel even worse. whats this world coming to if this man is homeless?
Clives — 26 Apr 10
haha crooky
John M. Hoyt — 26 Apr 10
Is that a Taylor guitar????? =)
Troll — 26 Apr 10
All the trolls on this board, including myself, only claim to fame is posting here. Mustard can play the guitar and hold a tune better than 99% of the population. His ass may smell, he may have rotten teeth, and sadly he is probably still homeless, but he posesses one thing that all of us secretly desire for, musical talent.
So all you haters, and so called advocaters, remember one thing, while you get ready for your 9 to 5, or drag yourselves out of mommy and daddy’s basement each and every morning, at least Mustard did something amazing once in his life. Oh and it didn’t involve being drunk or a whore to accomplish!
Steve — 27 Apr 10
Outstanding! I hope someone in the music industry was listening!
Interactive Content 45 « Artistic Alliance — 30 Apr 10
[...] Creep (Radio Head Cover) – Mustard|watch it here [...]
jsin — 3 May 10
so where can i buy this song at?
AMI — 26 May 10
The guy did a good job. Give him a record contract, and in a few years he’ll be just like all the other signed artists out there: greedy marketing rats that concentrate more on how much they can make with the least effort than on what they write or how they perform.
That’s the beauty of it – it’s a reality, not a gimmick. Leave it for what it is, and enjoy it. If Mustard wants to make it, he has a chance to maybe clean up and get local gigs. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? Does everybody have to be a star?
nnd — 18 Jun 10
That was retarded, even Nickleback sing better then him. He just butchered that song and you all like him just because he’s a bum.
greg — 8 Aug 10
ketchup is better
Jinx — 30 Aug 10
Wow. Sure must be awesome to behave like your sh*t doesn’t smell. Maybe some of the people who left a comment here will be homeless one day. I sure hope so, wouldn’t that be ironic? Would also be a fitting end for someone so arrogant.
Amie — 30 Aug 10
goose bumps
Ceasura — 2 Sep 10
I got uncomfortably powerful goosebumps. So cool.
Tom — 10 Sep 10
So, his voice isn’t the best. He put a lot of heart into it. The guitar wasn’t the best; but it’s a hell of a lot better than me and he put a lot of heart into it.
He puts heart into something he loves doing; that’s respectable. It’s easy to give hand outs. And as someone said, that’s not what he needs… but it can still help in a way. A meal and clothes are better than 20 or even 100 dollars. And letting him spill his heart into song is just as good, perhaps better.
Bisco 2 ;) — 3 Oct 10
I think this was really passionate and brilliant.
His raspy voice may be a bit rough but it has SOUL!!!
Click on the link someone left that directs you to 4 songs he sang on O&A….they are all really spectacular…
His voice reminds me of certain biscuits frontman. ha!
Chris A — 5 Oct 10
I LOVE THIS MAN
He is incredible. He plays right under the arch in Washington Square.
Does great covers of The Cure, lots of other songs. I see him every day.
Amit — 5 Oct 10
wow love the way he says wtf ….nd love the raw emotions…..Go Mustard…
Kristy — 21 Oct 10
All of you are condescending bastards. Just because he’s homeless does not mean the fact that he can sing makes him a thousand times more lovable. It means he’s a normal human being like you and I. He just lives his life differently.
Get over yourselves. You are not above him. He is not above you. He’s normal just like you are.
lcedes1949@hotmail.c — 29 Oct 10
hes awesome.
dragonfly — 28 Nov 10
i don’t see him complaining…so why are you guys? O_o
lori — 7 Dec 10
I thought this was awesome! I would definitely stop and listen to this guy perform I am sorry that he is homeless but I think rosie totally missed the point.He is not preforming here because he is an organ grinders monkey.He is preforming because he is a musician and he also has a gift to give and we are listening and enjoying this gift as fellow humans, one to one, not gawking at a sideshow .Thank you mustard for the song.
Rutherford — 18 Dec 10
He is now signed, coming out with an album and has his own website.. rags to riches
http://www.danielmustardmusic.com/
Bart — 8 Nov 11
Why do people have to argue over this mans life. He’s going through though times… Longer than anyone of us will ever probably go through and his escape is music. So how bout the haters STFU.
Tahnee — 10 Nov 11
This is wonderful really enjoyed it.
Alex — 8 Dec 11
was wondering how a homeless guy could afford a taylor…then i read the description of the video
Susan — 28 Feb 12
I love how his voice can be so rough and so smooth. I’d buy his album. Kudos!