Gee, I hope that jackass "andya" doesn't see that. He might wet himself over all that "celebrating madness".

It's funny, they get a taste of what adds to the perception of his genius, and they don't even know it. I guess when you are out to destroy someone, you may show your bias.

Very odd article. I question anything coming from the Huffington Post to begin with, but this guy was just out there.

I quote "The glare of lights cause Daniel to repeatedly blink as he instinctively avoids eye contact with these creatures who dwell in the real world."  Oh, ummm okay. I wonder how he came to that conclusion, and was certain enough to feel responsible about printing it as fact... That sums up my opinion of this extremely vindictive anti-semiic "writer".

Ok, so Daniel didn't write "Some things last a Long Time". Are there any other songs that we have been led to believe are his, that are, in truth, not his songs? Anything else we need to know? I am not only embarrassed but a little upset... I didn't realize I needed to research every song to confirm what he wrote, or how much of a song he wrote. Seems like the omission is benefiting some people, and leading the fans down a false path. What of that??

"So in celebrating his work and "creative genius" we are all in a way encouraging him to remain ill".

That's absolutely not true. That would be like saying that I desire to pollute the environment and destroy the ozone layer because I drive a car. No one is at fault for Daniel's condition, and I understand that it has greatly improved over the years.

As far as genius vs madness, who knows? My personal enjoyment of his music comes from his honesty and especially his ability to express simple things, their effect on people, and thus, causes me to re examine the simple things - and usually I discover that I did not understand their import and had dismissed them when I shouldn't have. He has helped me rediscover that part of how I perceive life. We all have had the same frustrations in life, love, friends, etc that Daniel has, but he knows just the right way to sum it all up.

Furthermore, my strongest argument towards his "genius" would be his "O. Henry" - esque ability to lead you down a path, then give it a little twist at the end, or often throughout the song. Examples of this are: In  "Some things last a Long Time", at the end of the song, he says "lifetime" instead of longtime. I got such chills the first time I heard it, because it really changed the gravity of the song, and I knew he was an iceberg 90% hidden. Another example is "Casper the Friendly Ghost" - It's not just some goofy song about a ghost, but a superlative commentary on appreciation, self-worth, and cynicism - the hero isn't a hero till he dies.

There is a deep simplicity to his music. His wordplay is fascinating  ("Smiling through his own personal hell", "Flat tire down memory lane" "The sun don't shine in your tv" and so on). I will say that his music should be approached in context - i.e., see the documentary...

I try to not get into the "Dylan was better than Leonard Cohen", "Shakespeare was better than Tolstoy" type of arguments, because there is really no point. A person's opinion is their own, but I try to stand up for Daniel Johnston and my opinion of him. He changed my life, and I was at a place where that could happen. Others' life experience is of course different. I guess people have an innate tendency to classify and rate and quantify everything and put it in a black and white context (and everyone wants to point to their favorite as the winner and say "SEE! That's my guy!!"). Certainly that is easier, but not really fair when it comes to artistic pursuits, imo.

Well that's all. I guess the best thing to do is listen to the music, and if it doesn't work for you, there's plenty more out there!

Would it be possible to put it on the Internet Archive? I am a big fan of the Dead, and some other bands who have thousands of shows there. Just an idea, I don't really know what the pros and cons would be...

I am desperately trying to find the site that has daniel's tapes, journals, etc... There were also some bootlegs on there... I thought it was linked from this site but I can't seem to find it... Anyone know?? Thanks!

Does anyone know or have the tabs, not just the chords, for Story of an Artist? I really love the intro on piano, and was hoping it would translate to guitar. (I hoped the same thing for "Clocks" by coldplay, and was disappointed). Thanks!!

"though he DOES possess an uncanny sense of timing when it comes to double-tracking vocals"

What are some examples of that? I'm not sure I know exactly what you mean, but I'd like to see that aspect of his music...

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.

Well in fact, during the trailer for the doc. and during the doc, he sings "...the number seven..." with some guitar strumming, but then I have an acapella version without that verse...

Also, I think that he is dancing (in the doc) to a beatles song, but they played "held the hand"  over that. I was wondering what he was originally dancing to. (I am basing this on the audio commentary, which says as much). Thanks for responding!

First, I got the dvd of the documentary, and it's amazing. I'm new to DJ and am quickly amassing a collection, since discovering his music has been the next evolutionary step in music for me.
One thought: The Laurie meeting was ill-advised, but I think it turned out okay. It was heart rending, to be sure, and they should have taken a bit more precaution - since it is a weighty subject for Daniel, but hindsight's 20/20. 

Also, does anyone know the actual song that Daniel was dancing to near the end of the documentary? On the audio commentary they said it was a Beatles bootleg, but not the specific song. Also, I've heard at least two different versions of "devil town" - one with some guitar and one without - what is the difference? I know some of the lyrics are different or missing in one version. Thanks.

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 think it's pretty ridiculous to compare DJ in ANY way to Wesley freaking willis. Willis is just a retarded sideshow freak with tourett's syndrome, shouting nonsense about "whooping batman's ass" and repeating "Rock an' Roll MAC-Donooold's" ad infinitum. I see that they are both outsiders, but DJ is an oursider artist, while willis is just an outsider period, and he should be.