YipJumpFORUM

I was just curious about that aspect of his life. His music makes some references to it, but it's hard to tell if they're reality-based, or just more of the obsession thing... I know about kate mccarty and obviously laurie, but did dan have a normal dating life at any point in his life? Just curious about his life experience...

I would consider the following an example of a "normal dating life": During a time in the early 1990s when Daniel had his own apartment across the street from the State Hospital, he did in fact cohabitate with a young lady for a period of several weeks or months in what was was almost undoubtedly a monogamous relationship.

I forget the girl's name, but I'm fairly certain that they first met in the institution while they both were receiving treatment there. She always seemed rather aloof to me -- for that matter, neither of them ever really displayed a great deal of public affection for the other, in my presence anyway.

Beyond that, about all i can say is that I don't recall Daniel going through any sort of "bad patch" following the dissolution of their relationship.

  - notdan

I just wondered. I have become fascinated with not only the music, but with Daniel's life overall. I am kinda trying to piece it all together. My friends have varying opinions about how "smart" he was, citing his illnesses, etc and comparing him to (ugh) wesley willis.

In my opinion, Daniel's vocabulary, conversations (when lucid), and his thoughts put him at definitely above average, (not counting musical/ artistic abilities). I don't know him personally but his  gift is really in expression, yet he tackles some pretty weighty things in his songs, in a very profound way.

I think Daniel has shown me that I have overlooked the "simple" things in life, which really are not simple at all. In fact, the things I have thought I have mastered and have not thought about much since my younger years,  need a second look.  The simpler things led to the complicated ones that many of us are preoccupied with.  Don't know if I'm making much sense, but I have dfinitely had my life changed in a significant way through his music. I've come to make a couple of major decisions that I was scared to make before...

He really is beyond any other songwriter I have been affected by. Furthermore, I prefer his singing and performing to most of the cover songs. His music is everything music can be - it gives me chills to think about it.

J.J. -
I think you've caught the essence of Daniel's music.

It reminds me of something I read in a Zappa interview way back in the 70's...he said something along the lines of "...I am making music that I want to hear." I think that is what Daniel is doing as well. Of course, he's not alone in that sentiment, but he does have a unique way of of turning the highly personal and even private into a shared universal experience.

Not many artists can remain true to a single vision (and Muse!), which sustains them, for 25 years and counting. "Lost and Found," (his most recent release) for example, resonates with the same exact themes as "Songs of Pain," and even examines the same longing for the same person!

Leonard Cohen once replied, when asked a question about one of his new songs, "...New song? They're all the SAME song!"

As for your friends who "have varying opinions about how 'smart' he" is, here is a quick definition:

SMART-
*noun: a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
*verb: be the source of pain
*adjective: showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
*adjective: characterized by quickness and ease in learning

To aid in your friend's understanding, I'd suggest they try to write a song (or hundreds), make an album (or thirty), or create a drawing for an art exhibit (or thousands), or write, direct and act in a film, or inspire hundreds upon hundreds of fellow artists and writers to create, or...

'nuff said!

Daniel nails it solid in "Do It Right":

"To do it right,
Right from the start,
Don't 'play dumb',
And don't 'act smart!'"

That's a four-line philosophy that'll get you through life right there!

  - notdan

couldnt put it better myself

I can speak only of the early years (thru 1982) and I can tell you that we were both "relationship challenged" to use a P.C. term In those days.

I think he got mad at me when I got married in 1983. Although he never said a word. A mutual friend told me in the mid-eighties that Daniel thought I was Satan for a while.

Does Daniel have a girlfriend now? It's a shame if he doesn't, he seems like such a sweet guy.

"To do it right,
Right from the start,
Don't 'play dumb',
And don't 'act smart!'"

That's fine and meaningful 8-)! I like it !