Brandi Carlile Performs an Acoustic Version of 'The Joke'

Singer Brandi Carlile took the stage with a moving acoustic version of her Grammy-winning song, "The Joke." She also chatted with Ellen about her big night at the awards show, where she won three Grammys, and was the most nominated female artist of the night.

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On Sunday night, our next
guest won three Grammy awards
and delivered one of the most
talked about performances

of the night.

Please, welcome the
amazing Brandi Carlile!

With your quiet voice

and impeccable style.

Don't ever let 'em
steal your joy,

and your gentle ways,

to keep 'em from running wild.

They can kick dirt in your face,

dress you down,

and tell you that your
place is in the middle

when they hate
the way you shine.

I see you tugging on your shirt,

trying to hide inside of it,

and hide how much it hurts.

You let 'em laugh
while they can.

Let 'em spin.

Let 'em scatter in the wind.

I have been to the movies;

I've seen how it ends,

and the joke's on them.

It is your brother's world,

for a while longer.

You gotta dance with the devil
on a river to beat the stream.

Call it living the dream;

call it kicking the ladder.

They come to kick
dirt in your face,
to call you weak,

and then displace you,
after carrying your baby on
your back across the desert.

I see your eyes
behind your hair,

and you're looking tired,

but you don't look scared.

You let 'em laugh
while they can.

Let 'em spin.

Let them scatter in the wind.

I have been to the movies;

I've seen how it ends,

and the joke's on them.

Oh!

Oh, yeah.

You let 'em live while they can.

Let 'em spin.

Let 'em scatter in the wind.

I have been to the movies;

I've seen how it ends,

And the joke's

on--

-- them!

Oooh!

Oooh!

Yes!

All right.

So you-- I was so
happy to see how

that room of all
these amazing people

responded to your
performance Sunday night.

Tell everyone a little
bit of your speech

that you gave when
you won your Grammy.

Well, I mean it--
--one of three.

And she was the most
nominated female artist.

I basically just outlined,
that I came out of the closet

when I was

14-years-old because
of you, and just

never attended any parties,
or was never invited

to a dance, or
anything like that.

And I basically said
that to be embraced

by such an enduring
and loving community
was the dance of a lifetime.

And it really was.

Yeah.

And it's a brave
thing to do too.

I mean, most people
that are performing,

and they worry
about their career,

so it's a brave thing for
you to be open and out.

And you're going to play
Madison Square Garden.
Yes.

How cool is that?

That's the kind
of thing, I mean,

when you're sitting in your
bedroom with your guitar,

and you're
17-years-old, you don't

think you're ever going to
play Madison Square Garden,

but you can hope.
And I mean, it is going to be
an unfathomable dream for me.

Yeah.

I hope you come.

Yeah.

Well, if I can, I will.
Awesome.

I love you.

I think you're amazing.

I love you, too.

All right.

Go to Spotify to stream
all of Brandi's music.
Everyone in audience is getting
a copy of her CD, By the way,

I forgive you.

Be right back.