Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston
“Story Of An Artist” is a telling of the traditional “artist’s narrative”: they are rejected by friends, family, and society for thinking outside of the box and doing what they love.
The song is likely autobiographical for Johnston, who as a young musician became “obsessed” with fame and art to the...
[Intro]
I don't know
[?]
It's like when you go to read your own poetry, you get all choked up
[Chorus]
Listen up and I'll tell a story
About an artist growing old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others aren't so bold
[Verse 1]
Everyone, and friends and family
Saying, “Hey! Get a job!”
“Why do you only do that only?
Why are you so odd?
We don't really like what you do
We don't think anyone ever will
It's a problem that you have
And this problem's made you ill.”
[Chorus]
Listen up and I'll tell a story
About an artist growing old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others aren't so bold
[Verse 2]
The artist walks alone
Someone says behind his back
“He's got his gall to call himself that!
He doesn't even know where he's at!”
The artist walks among the flowers
Appreciating the sun
He does this all his waking hours
But is it really so wrong?
They sit in front of their TVs
Saying, “Hey! This is fun!”
And they laugh at the artist
Saying, “He doesn't know how to have fun.”
The best things in life are truly free
Singing birds and laughing bees
“You've got me wrong”, says he
“The sun don't shine in your TV”
[Chorus]
Listen up and I'll tell a story
About an artist growing old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others aren't so bold
[Verse 1]
Everyone, and friends and family
Saying, “Hey! Get a job!”
“Why do you only do that only?
Why are you so odd?
We don't really like what you do
We don't think anyone ever will
It's a problem that you have
And this problem's made you ill.”
[Chorus]
Listen up and I'll tell a story
About an artist growing old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others just like to watch the world
Story of an Artist was written by Daniel Johnston.
Story of an Artist was produced by Daniel Johnston.