10 Daniel Johnston songs I LOVE with a passion!

[fifbeat]

Not that anybody REALLY cares, but I just had to get this list out. Daniel's melodies are to die, cry and cheer for. They creep into my heart, screw with my mind and put a smile on my face. For the last month or so, I've been listening to these songs several times every day, if that.

I think I'm going insane. I seriously have stopped listening to other music, other than Johnston's.

In no order: 

All Around The World - From Lost Recordings II. It's as if it was too perfect for a complete version of this song to exist in this world (no pun intended). A masterpiece.

You're Not Laura - From Lost Recordings II. Pure magic. Has the makings of a top 10 hit, as hinted by the MTV "host" at the end of the song.

I'm Just A Fool For You - From White Magic. Possibly Dan's best and most heartfelt vocals, at least from what I've heard so far. Phuck it! It's his best song ever (for now). At 00:09, listen to that emphasis he puts on the words "you see..." Better than sex.

A Little Bit Of Soap - From Respect. My favorite of all the Daniel Johnston's covers. Just feels so right. Can't explain it. 

Too Young To Die - From Retired Boxer. This is the song that gets me everytime I hear it. It's sad but so warming and beautiful. I love the lyrics and the feel I get when I hear the words "Don't be a tease, smile for me please..." 

Going Down - From Don't Be Scared. Painful to listen to. The work of a certified genius (see my signature/quote at the bottom of my postings).

In A Lifetime - Great song. Expecially the verse that starts out with "You take a lot of sh*t"... I like how the song ventures out into a slow melodic break, then back again... John Lennon is smiling down at Daniel Johnston.

Grievances - From More Songs of Pain. Another painful one to listen to.

Take a Little Walk - From Lost Recordings. In the same vein as "All Around The World"... a happy, bittersweet catchy piece of work.

You Are The One - From White Magic. Another dark love song where Daniel just spills his guts out. One of my favorite songs. Period.

These songs, along with dozens and dozens of his others just brighten my day and enhance my life.

What about you guys/gals? What are your favorite Daniel Johnston songs that really do something to you? Don't be scared... share your thoughts.

[K1r0ft]

What a great list!

I’ll have to share mine later today.
I know of one that seems quite appropriate now:

Good Morning You

[K1r0ft]

The documentary was awesome and my first introduction.  I knew I had to get his music – all I could think of is Jeffy Tartarsauce, “people wanted to get to know the t-shirt and listen to the…”
Well, that’s exactly what I did.

The songs that really mean a lot to me change depending on my mood.

The cd’s I have right now – im never very far from them. They’re always within arm reach.

People can have a hard time dealing with losses in their life. Whether the loss is a life or a relationship; music has always been my elixir for that stuff. I think I use those examples because it was this music that addressed those feelings so clearly.

I recently ran into an old friend from 20years ago – a good friend that I hung out with for a bit. I put on some of Daniels stuff to see what he thought about it: Pot Head, Wicked World and Walking the Cow – all the way through no words, just listening. “So what’d you think?” his reply, “His music is the kind that when it gets in your head, you get into his mind. It’s kind of scary”. ‘YES’ is what I was thinking – spot on. I couldn’t have thought of a better complement.

Daniel Johnstons music has inspired me to pick up another instrument. My little casio is waiting for me every night when I get home. I cant read a lick of music and fortunately I was blessed with the gift of mimicry (lol) my tympanic membrane(s) are hyper sensitive to Daniels early stuff – the bass lines on his piano are heaven to me. Lonley Orphan On The Run –man…
I’m Gonna Buy Me A Car – “I don’t have anything but I love you with all my heart” says it all.

[fifbeat]

The docu was my first introduction as well.

I couldn't say that any of the music tidbits featured in the docu turned me on to his music, but it did lead me to take a chance on buying the compilation album "Welcome To My World".... it looks me awhile to get into the CD. Maybe one day it was just playing, and in the back of my head, I started to notice catchy melodies and ingenius lyrics. Dug one song. Then dug another. The next thing you know, I started getting hooked and here I am now...

If there are any complaints about the docu, it was that his music was not showcased well. But like the director says in his commentary, it's hard to fit it all in a 90 minute movie.

All in all, I feel robbed that I just discovered Daniel Johnston about a year ago...

[K1r0ft]

Oh man, from the doc, the lead-in to Urge; i wanted to get a tape recorder and tape the whole segment so i could have it with me. I havent had that type of drive since the BJ and the Bear show when i was a little kid (LOL) It ment that much to me.
I knew that this artist was pure gold

[fifbeat]

"BJ and the Bear show"... lol

I remember that. That's where each episode ended where B.J. took whoever the female guest star was and kissed her, after they walked to the rear end of his truck.

I sure hope they come out with an extended edition/directors cut of The Devil & Daniel Johnston... so much footage I have yet to see. I wish they'd release it soon.

[notdaniel]

All in all, I feel robbed that I just discovered Daniel Johnston about a year ago...

No, the 95% of Bill Hicks fans who discovered the funniest man alive after his death in 1994 were robbed.  (www/sacredcowproductions.com; www.billhicks.com)

Dan has proved to be an unlikely survivor, and thus you were only "robbed" of the chance to say you were a Dan fan "at the beginning", and most people who claim such accolades are liars anyhow!

You can still hear all of Dan's early "classic" songs, you can see him perform live, and you can witness his continued growth as a performer. You're right in the heart of things, bud!!!

By the way, here's some clips for those who've been fussing about MTV 1985 footage online:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itWEUa-CoqU 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0x81OWf72k

  - notdan

[fifbeat]

Not Dan, great clips, thanks!

And, I guess you're right. But, I could have used this music years ago!

And dude, I LOVE Bill Hicks!!!! =)

"rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreal fuggin high on drugs...."

I know it's as easy as doing a google search, but does anyone know how to DL youtube videos?

[madnell]

across the varied span of dan's career there are many songs/recordings
i love with a passion, but the piano pieces on 'why me', live in berlin, are some of my very favorites. 

the spirit moves so purely through him to the listener and, inside and out, atmospheres are miraculously rearranged.

[madnell]

BILLIONS/ROCK!
YEAH YEAH YEAH!

[Henry Long]

"I’m gonna rock the world with my power!"

[madnell]

CHORD ORGAN BLUES

For every chord that is played
There's a reward in my heart that is paid
Because my soul loves music
And it loves to hear it made

Singin those
chord organ blues

[giant panda]

This list is going to change with time (I still haven't heard White Magic or Retired Boxer, among other albums). In no order:

Grievances
Held the Hand
Some Things Last a Long Time
Honey I Sure Miss You
Walking the Cow
Life in Vain
An Idiot's End
Museum of Love
Speeding Motorcycle
I Had Lost My Mind

Pretty generic I suppose, but these 10 come to mind first.

[fifbeat]

Nice list. You're in luck if you haven't heard WHITE MAGIC. I guarantee you there are a handful of songs on that album that will stick with you. Probably my favorite album of his whole career (even though it's more of a compilation thrown together by his brother)...

[giant panda]

Like I predicted, my top 10 has already changed quite a bit. Surely You Don't Work All Night needs to be in my top 10, for one thing.

Also, I got White Magic, and Alien Mind Control is on the way from amazon. I got their last copy and there was only 1000 pressed, as i understand. White Magic is good, and I agree with your selection of You Are The One, which is my latest obsession. It sounds like the best song John Lennon never wrote, but at the same time sounds distinctly like Johnston.  The piano interlude at the end is incredibly gorgeous/creepy.

I also much prefer the White Magic version of Tears Stupid Tears.