Joanna Newsom Sings “He Needs Me” at Punch-Drunk Love Screening

Joanna Newsom Sings "He Needs Me" at Punch-Drunk Love Screening

Photo by Robin Little/Redferns

On Saturday night, Los Angeles’ Ace Hotel held a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002 film Punch-Drunk Love. The screening featured a live score from Jon Brion, who helmed the movie’s score and soundtrack, and the Wordless Music Orchestra. During the closing credits, Joanna Newsom joined to perform “He Needs Me” from the soundtrack. Watch it below.

“He Needs Me” is a cover of the Harry Nilsson song, originally sung by Shelley Duvall in the Popeye movie. The Punch-Drunk Love version was recorded by Brion.

Punch-Drunk Love will screen live once again on March 19 at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music. Brion will perform with the Wordless Music Orchestra at the event.

Last year, Anderson directed two videos for Newsom: “Sapokanikan” and “Divers” from Divers. In 2014, Newsom appeared in Anderson’s film Inherent Vice. She also narrated its trailer.

Newsom will head back out on tour in support of Divers soon.

Read “The Atypical Fashion Cult of Joanna Newsom” on the Pitch.

A small taste of Joanna Newsom singing “He Needs Me” during the credits of PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE. #punchdrunklove pic.twitter.com/4C9yT59JPC

— michelle buchman (@michelledeidre) March 6, 2016

A tiny bit more of #JoannaNewsom‘s vocals during the #PunchDrunkLove credits at the Ace Hotel last night. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/7W9Z326XrP

— michelle buchman (@michelledeidre) March 6, 2016

Crying @ Joanna Newsom making a surprise appearance at this orchestral performance of Punch Drunk Love

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