First listen to Daniel Johnston - Story of an Artist

[@gregorykrug8034]

Daniel Johnston was amazing. His lyrics were simple, yet brilliant.

[@submandave1125]

Daniel Johnston isn't the most accomplished or erudite, but I have rarely heard the same naked sincerity in any other person's work.

[@triscat]

True Love Will Find You In The End. God bless the pained soul of sweet Daniel Johnston.

[@ChristopherMmmm]

Daniel Johnston is so pure and honest, most people just can't comprehend it.

[@MrJonube]

Exactly...He is the musical version of Charles Bukowski.

[@Lightmane]

Never heard of this guy before. 6:33 the sun don't shine in your tv That got me.

[@mik3y860]

Daniel was too pure for this world, he had a gift for story telling through his music but there was a thin line between his artistic imagination and the dark side of his mind. May he rest in peace ✌🏻

[@shanitaube]

Daniel had bipolar disorder he was very ill. The doco “the devil and daniel johnston” covers his very interesting and very sad story. He recorded his music over and over on cassettes and gave them to people. When he traveled for shows over seas he would do it without a band and local musicians would volunteer to accompany him on stage. On the tickets to his show the audience was requested to take into consideration that he might not make it a while show and to please not clap to loud :) his shows were always filled with a feeling of gratitude and empathy

[@Melissa0774]

It amazes me that he actually had all the support that he did. I feel like anyone else like him would've been ridiculed and written off as a weirdo, and yet this guy actually wasn't for some reason. He was incredibly lucky to have all that love and support in a world where most people with mental illness are treated like garbage.

[@iamhereblossom1588]

I thought he had a schizophrenia not bipolar disorder? Edit: he was diagnosed with both.

[@robertcraane7910]

One of my favorite artists of all time...he was at least real. I am bipolar too...I understand all his words and i feel his emotions...he was a treasure and my life saviour

[@georgewodicka4839]

A song that would have slid in nicely in many a Wes Anderson movie. Brilliance shrouded in eccentricity and perceived absurdity.

[@brittonparnell2168]

I remember when I discovered Daniel when I was in college in Austin in the mid 80's. I was purchasing some other albums, and Daniel had a few tapes for sale at the counter for about $3. The clerk talked me into buying one. I also remember Daniel being in and out of the State Mental Hospital during those times. He took a liking to singer and guitar player, Kathy McCarty, in another popular local band at the time, Glass Eye. Eventually Kathy McCarty recorded a solo album composed entirely of Daniel's songs titled, Dead Dog's Eyeball, and it is one of my favorite albums to this day. She offers up some polished versions of his songs which are a bit more HiFi, yet retain the emotion. Definitely worth a listen. Check out songs: Like a Monkey in a Zoo, Rocket Ship, I Had A Dream, Desperate Man Blues, and Hey, Joe.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

I was here in Austin going to College starting in 83. He was already known locally, just a talented artist with a lot of demons. I recall he would occasionally play a show, but it was mostly people buying his tapes and the school radio playing his works. I'm glad his Hi How Are You art is still on the wall of the old record shop (now a recently closed Thai restaurant called Thai How Are You). I've known a lot of people with mental illness, and at least Daniel had his music and art as a way to express himself and work through his challenges.

[@nathanweiss5174]

Daniel Johnston has intrigued me for a long time. Its music for a very specific mood, and you can't get feeling anywhere else. 'True love will find you in the end' Only in modern culture would someone so pure and honest end up being an eccentric for it. 'True love will find you in the end'

[@jodyparrish637]

Daniel Johnston is a gold mine of reaction content because it’s strange and these songs won’t get copyright strikes. He is one of Americas most interesting artists. He also did visual art that the music corresponds to.

[@Johnny-mp2ew]

This shit made me cry hysterically when i first heard it

[@briannewell6064]

Daniel Johnston is the last artist I thought would turn up on your channel. Bold move and I thank you. See the documentary and you will understand.

[@Pcrimson1]

It's amazing how some people don't need anything but either just a guitar or piano to make some powerful music. I've heard the name before and knew he had issues, but never listened. Thank for reaction, otherwise I wouldn't get it. I love it!

[@chadrussell70]

Daniel Johnston is missed by many. He made being sad go by a little easier.

[@jeffstokes7894]

Hey Daniel, I usually don't get the opportunity to chime into these this early on and I don't know if this aspect has already been pointed out, but ! when I heard you say, essentially you're unsure quite what to think about this rather dubious Artist & Artform, perhaps, I'm paraphrasing you, of course, I instantly thought "Oh! he needs to see the documentary- 'The Devil and Daniel Johnston'. It's a fantastically produced / written Doc. that really, and I mean Thoroughly, sheds light on what his story is about and therefore explains what you hear as his music. " There's More To It Than Meets The Ear!" - Believe me when I checked it out years ago, it took me awhile get the full scope of what exactly I was seeing (& Hearing) ...and answer questions I was culminating early on in the program. So YES this is certainly different stuff, but it has an even better story to it. - Peace man ✌

[@murdockreviews]

Oh wow - getting really into the depths of alternative and indie music. Won't give you as much views as the prog giants, I guess, but really looking forward to what you'll be discovering next...

[@williamkoscielniak7871]

The first time I listened to Daniel Johnson I legitimately laughed my ass off while nevertheless enjoying what I was hearing. I think it was such a shock to my system that laughing was the only way I knew how to handle it. I think what separates him is that he simply wrote and played music he wanted to without a care in the world for what music was supposed to sound like. He wasn't "trying" to be different; he WAS different, and he was just like a kid in a sandbox playing around with what he loved and the weirdness naturally emanated from it; kind of like a musical Andy Kaufman. Many people want to try and be different and unique, but the fact that they force it makes their art somewhat inauthentic. He was a very talented and very strange guy with low budget equipment who wrote whatever the hell he felt like on whatever recording equipment he had, and that combination of factors gave birth to his distinct style. Again, I don't think he set out to be different. I think the combination of his personality, living conditions, equipment, naivety, and innate talent happened to give birth to something distinct. The lesson I try and learn from him is to not try and be anything or anyone other than what I am. That means neither conforming to normalcy for the sake of conforming anymore than it means rebelling against normalcy or the sake of rebelling, but simply doing what comes naturally to me at any given moment and letting the chips fall where they may. EDIT - I don't know how to feel about his obsession with fame being called grandiosity, because to me if you're a genius or a savant, is it really grandiose to expect people to appreciate you? Van Gogh ended his life thinking he was a complete failure because no one cared about his paintings. But had Van Gogh recognized that he was a genius and realized that he was simply ahead of his time, maybe he would have survived instead of succumbing to despair and ultimately taking his life. To be brilliant but unrecognized and unappreciated has to be a terrible curse.

[@lethalphenomenon6061]

Another great artist and reaction, again. Thank you. Most reaction channels stretch the length of their videos unnecessarily but you have a way of digging INTO the artist instead of artificially trying to hit a duration. So thank you. Also... psst. SWANS ;)

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

The Swans. Yeah

[@lethalphenomenon6061]

@@Hartlor_Tayley hehe. Ohhhhh yeahhhh

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@lethalphenomenon6061 I saw them in the early eighties in small club. They were different and I loved the show, freaked out my gf though.

[@lethalphenomenon6061]

@@Hartlor_Tayley You are a great boyfriend, my man lmao I'm jealous!

[@lethalphenomenon6061]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Really hard to suggest one song by Swans for him to react to lol suggestions?!

[@mythicalashley9542]

Daniels music is something that you feel very deeply whether its good or bad happy or sad you feel it to your core

[@minktrappingpaddy]

Yep, think that's what's so special about his music. How he puts his feelings into his songs, only for them to be passed onto the listener . Sometimes, we don't even know what to do with them, but can't stop ourselves from wanting more.

[@louisskulnik7390]

He was an underrated musician and singer. He had a great ear. I am so glad he never "developed" via proper education. It is fine for many, but Daniel would have been wrecked by classical training.

[@TommiBrem]

I am not ashamed to say that this is has me tearing up everytime. Not as bad as Life in Vain with the Swell Season.

[@MrJonube]

Me too.

[@seanandguitar]

First time I heard this song was The amazing Jerry Fish singing in Dundalk to a small intimate audience...have to thank him for introducing me to this wonderful artist. Check out Jerry's version

[@thisguyarechris]

Daniel is a perfect clinical example of a child in an adult body due to mental illness among other things. His music is special because it is truly child-like in such a pure way, no one trying to be derivative can ever accomplish it. No one in their right mind can really accomplishment and it's a beautiful dive into the true self of a human being. RIP Daniel.

[@pablozee6359]

There’s an unspoiled and untainted purity and honest emotion to Daniel Johnston’s art that will make it forever unique. It always moves me to feel things I can’t articulate or explain, and to me that is something special. I was lucky enough to catch a handful of his performances while living in Austin that are some my most cherished memories. Daniel was treated with great respect and quiet reverence when he played small gigs around town.

[@doriwiljt]

Daniel Johnston was a treasure. ♥️😔. Watch the documentary when you get a chance.

[@hah424]

I remember hearing Daniel Johnston on some movie/TV soundtracks back in the mid-90s (Kids, My So-Called Life). We tried going to the local music shop, looking for his albums, but you couldn't find them anywhere. It wasn't until the documentary that his songs became widely available. Love him/miss him.

[@eddieschneider1947]

the way you intently listened to the song inspired me--great job!

[@wallbangerreactions]

Nicely done Daniel. Just catching up to your Daneil Johnston reactions. The Vincent Van Gogh of music was a beautiful comment you quoted. I am a big Johnston fan. Author Richie Unterberger called this Naive Rock.

[@jacobnorth153]

thank you for reacting to daniel!

[@suburbansymbolism]

Daniel is the best song writer of our time. R.I.P. Daniel Dale!

[@musicfan8253]

It’s already been said Daniel but if you get the opportunity to watch the documentary, “ The Devil and Daniel Johnston”, please do. It will perhaps help give perspective.

[@Nickel138]

Great documentary about him. Sad stuff. He is loved in Austin, to this day.

[@hereintheyear]

Outsider art. There's a lot of private press recordings from the late 60's and beyond and self released tapes that convey a similar feeling. The Shaggs were probably the most "famous" among these; Jandek, Yximalloo.... This song and the main piano line is brilliant. Once you dig in you get an ear for it and begin to appreciate these home recorded or small studio efforts. Like someone who would look at a lot of art, maybe you don't just want perfect mountains.

[@GroversCorner]

Thank you for this Daniel. A real eye-opener.

[@bryanforis1839]

Dont forget to listin to any music when you listin everything you get life’s greatness be open minded

[@kamkelevra]

Thank you for introducing me to this

[@GrinGillis]

Beautiful song. One of the greatest. “Walking the Cow” is my favorite. I feel sorry for people who can’t get into him. There are so many people in the arts who just don’t get it. They never will. They work for the wrong reasons and to fulfill a whole different trivia way.

[@dtreesforever8861]

You will understand him more if you see the documentary " The Devil and Daniel Johnston! ☺

[@bradsmithstudios8881]

This is a very special song.

[@jvs333]

Daniel was the Van Gogh artist of our time. A brilliant disturbed genius

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Wow. Thanks for reacting to Daniel Johnston. His songs got played on the volunteer/college stations in the early eighties. I remember his song Speedy Motorcycle, if that’s the right title. I had a friend who was a wonderful and brilliant painter, she got a job working in an art factory cranking out paintings of coastal scenery and sailboats at an hourly wage, for sale to tourists. She got way more money for her real paintings but the art factory job paid the bills.

[@rofyle]

He couldn't sing or play worth a lick, but I have never heard anyone pour themselves out so genuinely as Daniel did. I cried the first time I heard True Love Will Find You In the End. I couldn't help it

[@eddieschneider1947]

"TRUE LOVE WILL FIND YOU IN THE END'" - BEST Daniel Johnston song. YOU MUST listen to this cover: Someone feat. Benjamin Longman - True Love Will Find You In The End -Daniel Johnston Cover-

[@tkm0000]

i dont know what about this song but it just makes me break down, maybe its his voice or the piano but its so beautiful

[@minktrappingpaddy]

Gets me every time

[@dailyflash]

His meds caused him to put on a lot of weight and gave him tremors. I was fortunate to see him perform once.

[@Yosef1952]

Wow. Raw, pure, totally un-self conscious. This moved me. My heart goes out to him (posthumously).

[@williamkoscielniak7871]

Un-self conscious is a great description of his music.

[@bingusbongus2882]

great vid

[@d2dMiles]

Very unique. The storyteller seems to be lonely, sad, albeit stubborn, the amateur style of recording sounds like a grammophone, the voice could be that of a 15yo boy. Fascinating atmosphere, really intense.

[@Ifrekinlovecookies]

I think he was like 14 or 15 when he wrote this song so he very well might be that old in this recording

[@e.nowbodhi144]

Daniel Dale Johnston, will there ever be another? Others will walk on roads he paved. Any kid getting flak from mom and dad or whoever about their creative pursuits can find a friend in Danny. If I had to decide his single best song, it'd be between Walking The Cow and True Love Will Find You In The End, but they're all as sincere as music gets

[@eddieschneider1947]

the guitar covers of this song on youtube are really good--D and Em only

[@leoscone4036]

Check out Fred Neil, "That's the Bag I'm In". Trust me.

[@magictransistorradio4933]

Daniel Johnston didn't commit suicide. He had a heart attack.

[@wzrdonthetrack]

Are you Canadian

[@robertchinnery9806]

Godawful music.