Welcome back to the show.
I'm thrilled to present tonight's musical guest,
and not just because her music raises
awareness for banned books.
That problem has already been solved,
thanks to California Governor Gavin Newsom's Instagram feed.
I posted a similar photo last week
but with a copy of "The Firm."
Less meaningful, but still.
Here with an exclusive performance
of her amazing song, "Judy Blume," Amanda Palmer.
[PIANO MUSIC THROUGHOUT]
AMANDA PALMER: (SINGING) People keep asking
me why I do things like I do.
And in all of this measuring influence, I forgot you.
You and me, lying behind the Monhegan hotel.
You told me things that nobody around me would tell.
That was the summer when everyone touched me at once.
It's like one they ignored me.
The next they were all down my pants.
But you were in bed with me, safe, before anyone else.
You opened beside me and held me when I needed help.
You and me, lying together, at night, in my room.
You've been inside me forever, Judy Blume.
I couldn't carry a tune, but I thought I could sing.
And no one had told me that thoughts
were a good or bad thing.
But I started noticing grown-ups would smile and cringe.
But you taught me that you could say anything you could think.
I don't remember my friends from gymnastics class,
but I remember when Deenie was at the school dance, Buddy
feeling her up in the locker room, Margaret,
bored, counting hats at the synagogue.
Davey was stirring the tea that she wouldn't drink.
Tony was watching his so-called friend shoplifting.
All of them lived in my head, quietly
whispering, you not so strange.
I don't remember the details of seventh grade.
All I remember is lying and being afraid.
But I can't forget Katherine and Michael going all the way,
Steph on the scale in the bathroom alone that day,
Karen pretending to puke so her dad would stay,
Margaret arguing with God while she masturbated.
All of them mixed up in my head, like a love letter.
All of them saying, Amanda, you know better.
You are not to blame.
The world's a frightening place.
So go on and think how you want.
You will not be alone with your thoughts.
Well, you will but you won't in a way,
'cause a girl thought it too in a book that the library bought.
People will keep asking me why I do things like I do.
And from now on I'll tell them, Nick Cave,
and I'll talk about you.
Judy, I can't believe sometimes that I'm an adult.
And the girls like I was think that I
have this shit figured out.
You and me lying together at night in my room.
You'll be inside us forever, Judy Blume.
For more Amanda Palmer, check out her website.
We'll be right back.