Austin City Limits

-Austin City Limits presents a new force in modern R&B, Leon Thomas.

- Take your time.

What's the rush?

I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" Said, yeah She said, "Take your time, what is the rush?"

Said, oh I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" I'm a dog, I'm a mutt You love to pick my world apart But that's just how you are, yeah, yeah - But that's just how you are - How you are, baby - But that's just how you are -Thank you, Austin City Limits!

-It is Austin City Limits!

-Austin City Limits!

-All right, Austin, Texas.

-One, two, three, rock!

-All right, all right, all right.

Thank you very much.

-50 years of Austin City Limits.

Austin, Texas!

-Recorded live from Austin, Texas, it's "Austin City Limits."

[ Cheers and applause ] -Now a powerful R&B singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Leon Thomas.

- Say, yeah Put your hands in the air!

I want you to bounce.

Let's go.

Said, yeah Uh-huh Feel like I just got off the stage at the Grammys Feel like I just bought a new house for my mama Said, whoa Feel like I'm racing through the streets in Miami I'm in a Lamborghini, you in a Honda How many zeros can a young...count up?

Hey, hey, yeah - How fast, how fast - How fast Till it goes bad Oh, Lord, I'm a visionary Oh, Lord, I'm a visionary This...gettin' kinda scary So addicted to the top, it's always missionary I'm up at Tootsie's every night By now, I should be married Shoes and everything Amiri I fell in love and broke up with her at Booby Trap My therapist told me my problem is I'm too detached At least I got her a Uber back Middle finger to anyone that feel a way Paparazzi outside the telly, I feel like Ye My...drop dead gorgeous, drop dead gorgeous Said, whoa, yeah - Feel like I just gotta... Right side, make some noise!

7- Feel like I just bought a new house for my mama -There you go, there you go.

Left side, what's up?!

[ Cheers and applause ] I see you up top.

Make some noise!

- Racing through the streets in Miami I'm in a Lamborghini, you in a Honda How many zeros can a young...count?

Yeah - How fast, how fast - How fast can I go till - It goes bad?

[ Cheers and applause ] -And one day, his heart was stolen by a demon.

He never returned to complete his apprenticeship.

And from that day forward, he has been using his magic for entirely selfish reasons.

-Austin, it's been too long.

Did you miss me?

[ Cheers and applause ] -That boy is extremely dangerous.

His powers are far too great for someone without a heart.

[ "Dancing With Demons" plays ] - Said, yeah Another night ride lookin' down at the moon Looking down-down, feeling sorry for the moon I don't have to ask, yeah, I already knew It is what it is, and you are what you do Another night ride, I'm at war with the moon Another big mess, it's another monsoon Ooh, ooh Time passed by, yeah, you know it wasn't easy Take what you can 'cause you know these... Playing with your nose, baby, why are you sneezing?

Way I act cold, you would think I was anemic Going all night, I've been searching for a feeling Going all night, you've been searching for a feeling Way too high, 'bout to break through the ceiling Going all night, I've been dancing with the demon Oh-oh, oh, yeah Yeah Oh-oh, yeah Oh-oh, oh, yeah - Oh, oh, oh You can't seem to save yourself Save yourself Never learned to ask for help, ask for help, yeah Nobody said how dark the light be Blind to the high, can't sight see Scared of how wrong you might be You can't save yourself, save yourself Never learned to ask for help, ask for help Going all night - I've been searching for a feeling - Going all night - You've been searching for a feeling Way too high, 'bout to break through the ceiling - Going all night - I've been dancing with the demon Oh-oh, oh, yeah Said, yeah Oh-oh, oh, baby [ Cheers and applause ] Come on, Rico!

[ Song ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] Said, yeah - Yeah - Oh-oh, yeah, yeah -Goodnight.

[ Cheers and applause ] -How y'all feeling out there?

Austin, you look beautiful.

[ Cheers and applause ] Right now, I'm on a world tour.

It's called the Mutts Don't Heel Tour.

And we've been trying something really cool.

We've been making everybody bark when they feel the vibe.

I want y'all to try that on three.

One, two, three.

Everybody in here bark!

Let's go.

Let me hear it.

[ Audience barking ] Yeah, yes.

When you feel that vibe, yeah, let's do that.

Let's keep it going.

[ "Far Fetched" plays ] I keep giving and giving You keep taking and never forgiving When you gon' grow up and put it behind us Paid for my mistakes in Benzes and diamonds 250 fronted like you was my artist 5G just to cross the Atlantic We sat in silence for almost two hours You scrolled your phone, and we loved when we landed Who else gon' come through for you Had to spin the block for you Had to spin the block and let you out my sight 'Cause once you belong to me, you belong to me for life Belong to me for life, yeah - She got dreams of love and marriage - But that's far-fetched, far-fetched - 'Cause if we don't work out, girl, that's a large check If we don't work out, girl, that's a large check - She got dreams of love and marriage - But that's far-fetched, far-fetched - 'Cause if we don't work out, girl, that's a large check - Girl, that's far-fetched, far-fetched, yeah Oh-oh, oh-oh, yeah, yeah Oh, baby I want y'all to make some noise for my brother, Ty Dolla $ign!

[ Cheers and applause ] - Far-fetched I flew you to Europe, we had rich sex I put you in Hermes and the Balmain First time that you've been on a PJ You complain that you don't ...with small planes No more Vickie, no La Perla That...too expensive, you ain't eating no burgers I ain't ever sent the Uber, I sent you the car service And you still rock the same purses And you still using my Netflix Still stalking my 'Gram, I should get you arrested Ay, oh, whoa, whoa, yeah - She got dreams of love and marriage But that's far-fetched, far-fetched 'Cause if we don't work out, girl, that's a large check If we don't work out, that's a large check - She got dreams of love and marriage - But that's far-fetched, far-fetched - 'Cause if we don't work out, girl, that's a large check - Girl, that's far-fetched Far-fetched, yeah, yeah Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] [ Song ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] -Make some noise for Leon Thomas!

-Make some noise for Ty Dolla!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Audience barking ] [ "Lucid Dreams" plays ] Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah If you're with me, ah, yeah - Ah, yeah I can't wash you out my brain Like that stain on my favorite jeans Yeah, I said, "I need space," you said, "What's that mean?"

It's been months since you've been my main You even left your flat-screen So dramatic, you treat life like a movie scene Getting mad over everything You left a part of you in my living room You left your favorite shirt in my closet I played the game, but you made a move It's not a breakup, we just paused it But you keep coming back Keep you coming, you're my lucid dream You keep coming back - You keep coming, you're my lucid dream Keep you coming back - Oh, yeah Oh, baby But you keep coming back You keep coming, you're my lucid dream Oh, oh, oh Yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, baby Fellas, let's go!

Hold tight Yeah, baby Austin, go side to side Like this, like this Hey, darlin' Oh, yeah, yeah Said, oh, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] [ "Vibes Don't Lie" plays ] Let's keep those hands in the air.

I want you to vibe like this.

Vibe, vibe, vibe Flowers die, and diamonds don't You shouldn't have to try alone Tell me if you're mine or no We like Weezy and styrofoam She got her own Baby pushing G-Class, getting big figures She can buy whatever, buy whatever but a real hitter Vibes don't lie like the mouth do, oh Real hitter don't care what it come out to Yeah, it's a difference over here Arabian wood, smell me She only drinks water She keep that naughty healthy It's the kind of bad thing that feel good, love it Good thing that feel bad When you get too much of it, babe Way to live for a little, babe I need more of it Way too high for a little, babe I'm sure of it Yeah, yeah, baby I said vibes don't lie Yeah, yeah - I said vibes don't lie - Babe, yeah, baby - Vibes don't lie We don't gotta force it, know what time it is We don't trip about when the next time is We don't gotta force it, baby, just relax Is what it is, let it just be that Let it just be that Let it just be that Vibes don't lie like the mouth do Whoa, oh, oh Chris, give me somethin'.

La da da, da, da Da da da, da da Oh, oh Yeah, yeah Hold tight Vibes don't lie like the mouth do, oh Ooh, ooh, oh, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] [ "Party Favors" plays ] - Now put your hands in the sky If you're feeling the vibe And bounce, oh, bounce Yeah, bounce Yeah Yeah, I might get low on a two-year hiatus Marry a baddie who's always complainin' Who keys up my cars and tears up our paintings And spend her lil' cash like she don't want who made it Then tells me she's sorry And loves me like she really means it I let her drive the Bentley once And told her she could keep it She be keepin' secrets But that is not a secret But you know what they say sometimes Yeah, it's cheaper to keep it, cheaper to keep it - But for now, all she wants is party favors - Party favors Party favors Party favors Party favors Party favors Party favors Party favors - For someone who don't ask for favors I do way too many favors Party favors [ Cheers and applause ] Party favors [ Cheers and applause ] [ Audience barking ] I hear you out there barking.

I hear you out there.

[ Cheers and applause, barking ] [ "Just How Are You" plays ] Don't be afraid to move, Austin.

Again, again Ag-a-a-a-a-ain Again I left my Amex at the bar last night Don't know how I called a car I must've stumbled out and ended in your place I guess it isn't too far I'll always find the opportunity for mistakes That hit me hard the next day Way you pull up the memory and erase 'Cause that's just how you are Wrote all these songs 'bout you And you never even said a word Not even just to say you heard I guess "congrats" is your least favorite word And even though you have my heart Could never finish what you started You love to pick my world apart But that's just how you are, oh, yeah - But that's just how you are, are, are - How you are, baby - But that's just how you are, are, are - How you are, darlin' - But that's just how you are, are, are - Oh, yeah Nobu, Atlantis, in Dubai You been there more than a few times Arousing my suspicions Least you live a life worth livin' A life worth livin' Still young, never make bad decisions Ain't nobody trippin' Maybe them other hitters playin' victim, oh And this ain't my first rodeo I was lovin' vixens way before the fame Givin' models X before Tesla came, oh Hey, hey hey - Wrote all these songs 'bout you - And you never even said a word - Not even just to say you heard I guess "congrats" is your least favorite word - And even though you have my heart Could never finish what you started You love to pick my world apart But that's just how you are, oh, yeah - But that's just how you are, are, are - How you are, baby - But that's just how you are, are, are But that's just how you are, are, are Yeah, yeah -Y'all mind if I play a little bass?

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Song ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ "Baccarat" plays ] - The way I've been running through this ros You would think it'd wash my sins away It was never 'bout not loving you Guess I'm just used to loving in a different way If only you take time out your schedule To realize what I meant for you It would be toes in the white sand Better put your trust in the right hand - Now don't make me doubt it Make me live without it Throw one more afterparty When I paid for everybody I'ma take a blame every time Every time, just like Baccarat I'ma rock and roll, roll the dice a lot I'ma take a blame just like Baccarat You say I'm a player, but I'm not I just crush a lot, crush a lot I'ma take a blame every time Every time, just like Baccarat Text me at 4 a.m.

to see what I'm on Text you at 4 a.m., ain't get no response You a fine-ass walking contradiction How much I gotta spend for you to listen?

I ain't asking much but for your attention Why are you making it such a...mission When it's champagne for the pain And I'm only going one direction?

Yeah - Now don't make me doubt it Make me live without it Throw one more afterparty - When I paid for everybody I'ma take a blame every time Every time, just like Baccarat I'ma rock and roll, roll the dice a lot I'ma take a blame just like Baccarat You say I'm a player, but I'm not I just crush a lot, crush a lot Yeah!

Yeah, yeah Come on, Austin!

Winnin' every time I'ma rock and roll, roll the dice a lot I'ma take a bet just like Baccarat You say I'm a player, but I'm not I just crush a lot, crush a lot [ Cheers and applause ] [ Audience barking ] That's what I like to hear.

That's what I like to hear.

[ "Yes It Is" plays ] When I'm talking to you, I don't know what to say But I can call up a stranger and talk my whole life away Milwaukee margaritas I didn't know that was a thing Carry me home or marry me now I promise you everything Chanel in every city Sitting pretty, talking dirty, whoa, whoa Filthy mouth, filthy lips, but my teeth pearly Oh, I know Bible scriptures on your left thigh Verses you don't really live by All she do is work... Uber Eats, and get high Never will I fly you coach, babe Never will I fly you coach, babe Spend your summers on a boat, babe I'm a vocal coach for your throat, babe, yeah My ears are sensitive Tell me that it's mine, oh - All I hear is, "Yes, it is" - All I hear is, "Yes, it, yes, it is," oh My ears are sensitive Tell me that it's mine, oh - All I hear is, "Yes, it is" All I hear is, "Yes, it, yes, it is" - My ears are sensitive So when I ask you, "Is it mine?"

All you ever say is, "Yes, it is" In Rene Caovilla, walking 'cross a tight rope Bruises on her heart from jumping off boats Gone for the weekend, yeah, that was the plan at first Left on the 1st, and it's already the 31st Young, wild, and free, I can't tame her Young, wild, and pretty in Miami, I can't blame her She a Virgo, so I can't explain her Just tell me "Yes, it is" - All I hear is, "Yes, it is" All I hear is, "Yes, it, yes, it is", oh - My ears are sensitive Tell me that it's mine, oh - All I hear is, "Yes, it is" All I hear is, "Yes, it, yes, it is" - My ears are sensitive So when I ask you, "Is it mine?"

All you ever say is, "Yes, it is" [ Cheers and applause ] Oh, my ears are sensitive, baby When I ask you, "Is it mine?"

Ask you, "Is it mine?

", just say, "Yes, it is" Oh, yeah All you gotta do is say, "Yes" - Don't deny what you feel -Austin, can you sing with me tonight?

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm about to let you know You make me so, so So, yeah, yeah Let me undress you, darling I'm about to let you know You make me so So, so, so - You make me - So, so, so, so, so Oh, yeah, baby Hey, yeah Oh, whoa So, so, so, so, so So, so I said, "Is it mine, babe?"

Is it mine, darlin'?

No, yeah Is it mine?

Yeah, yeah Just say, "Yes, it is" Oh, say, "Yes, it is" Oh, say, "Yes, it is" Yo, fellas, keep going.

Austin, I want to play a little game.

I want you to do this for me.

Repeat after me.

Say, yes, it is - Yes, it is - Yes, it is - Yes, it is -Keep that going.

Yes, it is - Yes, it is - Yes, it is - Yes, it is - Oh, is it mine?

- Yes, it is Oh, I said, "Is it mine?"

- Yes, it is - Oh, is it mine?

- Yes, it is - Oh, is it mine?

- Yes, it is - Oh, it is mine, baby?

Oh, is it mine?

- Yes, it is Just say, "Yes, it is" Say, "Yes, it is" Say, "Yes, it is" - Yes, it is -Y'all sound beautiful.

Look at y'all.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Audience barking ] [ "Crash & Burn" plays ] I've lived a life that's full Pour my heart out on bar stools Woke up with no recollection Way too few regrets to even mention Cali been too crowded, I think I should move Thinkin' life in Mississippi could be smooth All these...wanna do is post and hashtag Same old... different handbag, oh I might get high off the 405 Crash and burn just to feel somethin' If I could die just to feel alive To live in the sky, I can't feel nothin', oh, yeah Crash and burn Whoa, crash and burn - Oh, oh - Said, yeah Crash and burn, crash and burn I hate I had to dub her She was one of my favorites Tried to thug it out, but she kept testin' my patience, oh Sent her back to the city Why couldn't you just take your blessings and go?

Why'd you have to make me leave you alone?

Why you always got to run to your phone You're twenty-three and actin' your age, huh?

Ironic how you the bad vibes and you sage, huh?

I wish I could've had you here with me But you're a liability, a liability, oh I tried, but silly me 'Cause you're a liability, a liability, oh I might get high off the 405 Crash and burn just to feel somethin' If I could die just to feel alive To live in the sky, I can't feel nothin', oh, yeah Crash and burn Oh, yeah, yeah Oh, yeah Crash and burn, crash and burn [ Cheers and applause, barking ] You know, Austin, I feel like I got one of the coldest bands in the world.

Can y'all make some noise for that right now?

[ Cheers and applause ] Fellas, show 'em a love song.

I am the hunter And I am the hunted Hey, hey, hey Hey, yeah, yeah Hey, yeah Hey, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] -Make some noise for those brothers.

[ "Treasure in the Hills" plays ] - Oh Hey, hey, hey Hey, yeah, yeah Play by the rules But I'd rather do something naughty Let's find a room Inside this after party Been on a hunt, found what I want Found what I want in you I found treasure in the hills - I found treasure in the hills I found treasure in the hills - I found treasure in the hills Chase more than diamonds and gold I'm trying to find me a soul Chase more than diamonds and gold I'm trying to find me a soul You live alone Right now, it's you and your shadow Let's change that up Let's take it into tomorrow I been on a hunt, found what I want Found what I want in you I found treasure in the hills - I found treasure in the hills I found treasure in the hills - I found treasure in the hills Chase more than diamonds and gold I'm trying to find me a soul Chase more than diamonds and gold I'm trying to find me a soul Said, yeah Oh, yeah Said, yeah Oh, yeah Oh, babe [ Cheers and applause ] -I dedicate this next record to Grandpa John.

This was one of his favorite songs.

I hope he's enjoying it up in heaven.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ "Breaking Point" plays ] Slow dancing in this burning house I don't wanna go nowhere It's hard for me to listen When there's miles and miles of distance Feel your heart is drifting, but you're right there I call you home But I might be alone, oh And I can hear it in your tone, we're in the danger zone In the danger zone Way past the breaking point 'Cause I can't turn down the noise You are my only choice And we're both just filling voids Way past the breaking point 'Cause I can't turn down the noise You are my only choice And we're both just filling voids Breaking point Breaking point Oh, ooh They told me love was fragile They told me love was breakable I thought that I could handle But that is still debatable I thought that this was for me But it's feeling impossible Breaking point, breaking point, yeah - Oh, oh, oh, oh - Said, yeah, yeah Said, yeah I said, breaking point Breaking point Thoughts running through my head How bad can it get?

No, I'm not the type of man To run off on a bet And showed my full hand Rip my plans for you What am I going through?

What are we going through?

Our love is my only proof That this is what I'm supposed to do They told me love was fragile They told me love was breakable I thought that I could handle But that is still debatable I thought that this was for me But it's feeling impossible Breaking point, breaking point Oh, yeah Said, yeah Breaking point, breaking point Yeah, yeah I said, yeah I said breaking point Breaking point [ Cheers and applause ] Put your hands in the air if you love yourself.

We all go through things.

But just know that it's gonna be all right.

[ Song ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ "Mutt" plays ] This song is very special to me, ladies and gentlemen.

It's because it changed my life.

And if you happen to know this joint, sing along.

Come on, let's fly.

She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"

I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" Said, yeah She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"

Said, oh I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" I'm a dog, I'm a mutt I can't smoke on reggie, so pardon my bluntness I see past pretty faces, so I got trouble trusting But I'ma let my guard down for you Said I'll put my guard down for you Said I'll be vulnerable So you can break my heart if you want to She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"

I want y'all to sing along, Austin, if you know it.

I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" I said, oh, oh Yeah, baby She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"

- I'm a dog, babe Hey, yeah - I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" - I'm a dog, I'm a mutt New crib, told her, "Come through" It's time to break it in Thirty-two, like my pants size 'cause a...tried breaking in New condo, say your name at the front You can stay if you want It's been one of those nights One of those nights I ain't had in a minute It's been a minute Had to pop a shroom to re-create the feeling - Ooh, yeah - But it's never the same as the first time we did it First time we did it But I'll let my guard down for you - Said I'll put my guard down for you Said I'll be vulnerable So you can break my heart if you want to - She said, "Take your time"... -I see you up there!

Up top!

[ Cheers and applause ] I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" Said, yeah - She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"

- Said, yeah - I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" I'm a dog, I'm a mutt [ Cheers and applause ] [ Audience barking ] -I love you so much, Austin.

Thank you.

My name's Leon Thomas.

Peace.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continues ] I'm feeling really good.

You know, I think it's like a mixture between, um, adrenaline and wanting to do really well and make my fans proud.

And then, also, just a bit of nerves.

You know, when you got those cameras on you, it's a little different than when you're doing, like, a live show for a tour.

But I had a good time.

You know, I was really having a lot of fun up there, especially when, you know, I got comfortable.

It took about two songs and I got in there.

My grandmother used to throw a family concert every year.

So, ever since I was like 6 years old, I would be on a stage with my entire family singing songs and playing instruments.

And I don't know.

I mean, music has always been such a big part of my life.

It never really felt like work.

It felt like just a language that I knew how to speak.

And, um, I found out later I could get paid for it, which was pretty tight, yeah.

I mean, I wrote all of my songs, early on, on acoustic guitar, and, um, they felt like it was a really good progression for me to work with an amazing icon like Babyface.

The first song we did never came out or anything, but I'll never forget him letting me know that, you know, he really saw something special in me.

My new mantra is, I want to connect, not perform.

And I think the same should happen in the studio.

You know, you want to -- You want to connect with the artists you're working with in a human way and find, like, a tangible story to kind of work the -- the art around.

That's the thing that's going to connect with audiences all over the world.

I mean, everybody has a different life, but the human experience is very similar.

[ Cheers and applause ]