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From: felmotes
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  • damn good

  • When he first starts playing, he keeps looking at the camera and the crowd, smiling as he does so. But as the song goes on, the desperation grows in his eyes as he looks off to the left. I can only imagine what must have been going through his mind at that time.

  • i would have been scared like him. so raw

  • gordon gano kinda reminds me of this guy.

  • @toolfantwo First let me inform you crying is not an emotion, it's an action. And if you're such a fan you would know that most of his albums have tracks that are nothing more Daniel just goofing off on the keyboard. From his music we know what gives him joy and what gives him pain. To say its only sadness seems like an uninformed statement.

  • damn, good.

  • is this on any of his albums? doesnt seem to be.

  • @TheEthanhausler On it isn't. To bad

  • awww, hes so terrified and nervous

  • if you want you can check out my song Interdimentional Beings..I used the cut up technique for the lyrics

  • I'm pretty sure it's Brian Beattie doing the commentary, not Jeff Tartakov.

  • so fucking awesome, god i was born in the wrong year, i cant believe music like these has changed into the shit on the radio today, MTV killed music...anyways saw daniel a few months ago he was greatttt!

  • wasnt fat at all :D looks cool. so does his music

  • This kinda blew my mind.

  • i love his songs, this one is one of my favorites. any time i need inspiration i watch the documentary about him

  • Such a strange form of genius....atypical...I'm a fan!

  • I like Gilbert Gottfried's version a lot better. THAT is true indie..... indie

  • Comment removed

  • Yes, but he is much better than you.

  • good person

  • That is kind of the charm in my opinion.

  • It is so wonderful! It reaches the hearts of men! Being such a person is a gift from God. Daniel is someone like this. It is a wonderful man.

  • People that dont understand him are heartless. I understand that he is unique and not everybodys taste in music but nobody has ever performed with such emotion. Daniel is truly gifted and haunted.

  • @loadedbongs Well put.

  • @loadedbongs Hmm I really do like Daniel Johnston a lot just to start. However to say that he has the most emotion of any performer is a little hard, there are a lot of artists that go out and put there heart into shows. There are more emotions than just 'crying'.

  • I like his music alot, and if other people enjoy it and it doesnt effect you, why are you so salty to everyone about it.

  • hey, well daniel johnston's music may be different from the type of music u like but u dont have to keep posting trash comments on his video, and I actually dont think hes a really good signer but his songs are beautiful. you have to relate to his songs to be able to like them. i guess u dont so just stop posting on a video that you dont even like

  • You're a joke. He's actually really good. And his lyrics are brilliant.

  • I remember seeing this on an MTV show called IRS' "The Cutting Edge" in 1986, I think. It was a look at Austin, Texas' music scene at the time. The episode also featured Joe King Carasco, Timbuk 3, True Believers, Doctor's Mob, The Wild Seeds and King Biscuit Turner. Great show.

  • This is so good it hurts,thanks to God for giving me the mind to understand.........

  • The mind to undrestand? What's to understand?

  • The mind to undrestand the difference between great music and shit music! just seen Dan in manchester and he didn't dissapoint. wonderful in fact. thanks.

  • Ha ha ha, it's not all about the music there is a person behind the music and thats the part u obviously dont understand,but thanks for trying!

  • gotta love his lyrics

  • You can see everything in his eyes.

  • Yeah, you're right, everything in his eyes.  Including the chemicals!

  • I posted the full version as a video response.

  • thnx 4 da 3 seconds!

  • I just don't get it.

  • "I had a flat tire on memory lane... this is amazing.

  • Just so everyone knows, especially DollarBob, there is no reason to argue on this thing. It's pretty ridiculous. It''s obvious that fear is the root of you trying to tell someone to take their meds. You are afraid of what you don't understand and if someone has a different outlook on life than you, you seem to think they are a little fucked up in the head. Don't be a product of someone else's bullshit. Try to realize the fact that we are all insane and need meds in someone's eyes.

  • I agree.. i think DollarBob has xenophobia

  • I have listened to this song non-stop for the last week and I swear it gets better every time.

  • Daniel has such a beautiful soul. I'm so glad to have discovered his music. God bless Daniel.

  • i wish i was there

  • Another thing is, I was diagnosed with bipolar at 17 but never had a full blown manic or psychotic episode until I was about 20. Its a progressive illness. I dont take meds anymore as a personal choice.

  • cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo

  • they really need to put this on a damn album.

  • I think I enjoy daniel so much because he's not just singing a song, he's telling a story, and from the heart.

  • i think he's the most erratic musician i know of, some of his songs are brilliant and some are just aweful

  • daniel has never made an awful song, every song is at least lyrically brillant. i dunno how you can say that.

  • I don't know... I've had severe manic depression since I turned about 17. You gotta understand that switching between deep depression, mania, psychosis, normality, and a medicated state constantly can be taxing. He just seems like a good songwriter and decent singer who is just wrecked from his illness. His songs are great, with him or as a cover. Wilco, Beck, the Unicorns, The Groovie ghoulies, Butthole surfers... I dont believe theyre all just trying to be all "indiecool". haha

  • a decent songwriter?

  • No I said good songwriter, decent singer.

  • I've been diagnosed bipolar (the "PC" term for manic depression) and I saw the great film based on Johnston's life. My medication helps me but hearing other people talk about their bipolar symptoms makes me question if I really have the right diagnosis...I get Johnston's music whenever I'm on the brink of sanity...other times it just sounds amateurish.

  • Well there's a few forms of manic depression. Bipolar I plus Psychosis, Bipolar I without psychosis, Bipolar II (also sometimes synonomous with cyclothemia) and rapid cycling bipolar I or II. Bipolar I is episodes of full blown mania, episodes of hypomania, and episodes of depression. Sometimes bipolar I also has psychotic elements such as daniel and myself. And bipolar II is just hypomania and depression. I always love his music, but I realize its genious when Im losing it.

  • you realize it is genius when you are losing it...um...that is a sign of you being fucked up dude...

  • Damn right I'm a fucked up dude, and proud of it. And if you knew anything about music beyond your own ego, you would realize that Johnston, just like Warren Zevon and Leonard cohen is an incredible songwriter who "real" musicians respect more than anyone you listen to. Kurt Cobain, Beck, Wilco...There's a reason they cover his songs and wear his shirts. Btw, you suck at starting flame wars buddy.

  • I like all those artists so obviously you are paranoid and delusional. I am a sane person and as such my opinions are more valid. I suck at starting flame wars? what does that even mean. if it is getting people to respond to you? if so, you responded to me...um...that is a success.

  • It's not to get people to respond. It's to get people pissed off. And I'm cool as a cucumber right now. And finally, just because you think you're sane doesnt mean shit. Personally I think I'm sane, but that doesnt mean anything. Wouldnt having an online conversation with a psycho be considered kind of nuts? The sun is shining, go outside and jump off a nice bridge or something.

  • cool as a cucumber? you sounded pretty angry in your last post...sent immediately after this one. I know you are not talented. that post was very unoriginal. in your cool, calm state you tell me to commit suicide? yet you are not pissed..you are mixed up.

  • music beyond my own ego?? you need to take your pills psycho!

  • I've already admitted I'm a psycho. Can't you do any better? You couldn't spot talent if it fucked you in your ass for three days straight, slapping you in the face and calling you Cindy.

  • hostile tendencies...lashing out...user name of a notorious terrorist...you need to calm down and take the meds. i think you just hide behind your diagnosis...more accurately you are a short tempered douchebag with a chip on his shoulder. you call it bipolar if you want...(unoriginal comment by you = no talent)

  • I'm not being hostile at all. My heart rate hasn't gone over 100 once haha. You'd know if I was being hostile.And yes I hide behind my diagnosis. I'm sure hallucinations are just a part of being short tempered. And this is youtube...I'm not writing a book here. Who cares if what I say is original or not? I'm sure harassing "crazy people" is lots of fun for you, but if you think that this is me reacting out of anger youre wrong. Just go look at my other arguments on here. I'm just bored as shit.

  • the brink of sanity ...hhaaa..get over yourself. it must suck to have a mental retardation/illness but without any talent to go with it. maybe getting his music when you are all cuckoo bananas is a sign that you really are messed up...

  • I've got plenty of talent. I made a documentary about creativity and mental illness that was written about in the NY Times and nominated for a Voice Award by SAMHSA.

  • what are you schizo? does this personality know that the other one is posting as timmcveigh...cuckoo cuckoo...Are you Napolean too?

  • radiohead, the flaming lips, sparklehorse, nirvana, sonic youth...(im aware not all of them coverd him but all have taken signifigant intrest)

  • You are correct! I know Kurt Cobain supported this guy to get him more known

  • and recorded songs like Dans

  • @ok19608 bright eyes also does a cover of devil town.

  • I'm hurting my indie cred by saying this but, I think people feel sorry for Daniel. His technique is hard to watch and his voice is like a cheese grater for the ears. Everyone says, "oooh but the lyrics and feeling!!", it's all cliche and the only emotion his voice conveys is confusion as it tries to wrap itself around the task of singing.

  • If you're intoxicated with other music then this is going to be difficult to decipher let alone digest. I think it only appeals to certain people. Yeah, to some who feel sorry for him, and to others who actually enjoy the cheese grater, cliche-laden confusion, as you put it.

    Just walk away---you don't get it, it's understandable, very.

  • your indie cred? the fact that you said indie cred defeats half your value in opinion.

  • i don't really have any meaning behind why i enjoy daniel johnston, i just genuinely enjoy his music. your explanation is completely twisted. i don't care if you listen to him or not why would i judge you if you don't. stop trying to compare yourself to this non existing criteria you think you have to abide by, be yourself. your "indie cred" is fake, there is no such thing. stop listening to everyone else.

  • @smirch I got into Daniel by the song True Love Will Find You In The End. Clearly, his technique is sloppy in this video, and I could see it. But I still listen to this song a lot.

    Stop thinking about genres so much.

  • the wildest summer that I ever knew/ I had a flat tire down memory lane...

    one of the finest lines in history. How I love Daniel...

  • Such genius! Great songwriter!

  • running water, runnning water what are you running from? you always seem to be on the run.

    go download/buy the live at SXSW tape from 1990 or whatever, its a near perfect live album.

  • awesome lyrics

  • ohh he's so cute! , I love this guy

  • un grande loco!!!!

  • "I look really.....scattered."

    Gives me chills.

  • loved!!

  • The WILDEST summer that I ever knew...I had a flat tire down memory lane....

  • damn this is a damn good song.

  • What tape is this track on?

  • I've been trying to find it for a while, and it's not even on "lost recordings", but it's gotta be somewhere!  It is my favorite. perfect!

  • why bother putting your dumb ass labels on him. hes not folk or indie or anything but daniel.

  • when he looks at the camera right as the video starts it is reallt weird i think

  • In this video, Daniel reminds me off the Femmes' Gordon Gano--from one of their live performances.

    He even sounds like him a little.

    I wonder if either one of 'em was an influence on the other?

  • yeah, you're right...gordon gano was also obsessed with religion too...hmm. i don't know about influence but maybe they just have similar mentalities.

  • this music says a lot

  • this is the real indie and folk music...that's pure feeling...well done daniel

  • a song in its purest form

  • THIS IS MUSIC! This is indie, im a record collector with over 300 12 inches (30+ rare - mega rare) and about 600 7's but Dan IS INDIE! Amazing, musical perfection, if that exists! This is it!

  • Dont talk with daddys cock in your mouth little boy.

  • This is folk music.

  • damn haters

  • Really sweet

  • hotttttt thanks for putting up :)

  • too amazing

  • I remember seeing this on MTV more than twenty years ago. Yes, MTV used to show music shows! And Daniel really stood out for me. I'm glad that he's still around and still making music. I saw him recently on The Henry Rollins Show.

  • bullshit! You watched the doc!

  • l love when they scream for Daniel while he plays.

  • do the make fun of him? i dont know how to feel about this guy.. i meen he might havesome good songs but i can see why the call him a genius..

  • its just personal taste.... i like his voice tho, so i dig his music

  • Mynewhero(:

    <33

  • i love the initial look and raising of eyebrows to the camera he gives

    very "hey! im on tv! and i deserve to be!" as nervous as he was

    its so sad to see him now, as unstable as he used to be, he had such confidence and talent

  • I love the look on his face when he says 'home' to the camera. :) He was so alive! Just absolutely loving the fact that he'd made it onto MTV. He really is one of a kind...Amazing!

  • Years ago, even before the documentary came out, there used to be an original copy of the video here on youtube, so sad they took it away, it was on 4:3 format and without the paper cuts andvoice over. :(

  • he. is. my. hero....

  • There has to be someone out there who has the mp3 without the commentary.

    Please come forward.

  • Daniel sounds nervice in some parts.

  • Okay well

    A. He's on MTV.

    B. It was one of his first live performances.

    Chances are he's gonna be a bit nervous.

  • This can't be his first performance. Is it?

  • I doubt it, but I think it's one of his first.

  • Oh i get what you're saying now.

    His first television performance, maybe?

  • I once got arrested in San Marcos.

  • this is a fortune

  • Did he ever record this song anywhere else? I believe I have all of his albums and I can't find it anywhere else...it's almost like he saved it for the day he'd be on MTV.

  • You are probably right. On his fansite rejectedunknown is written only "MTV appearance" on this song at discogryphy.

  • This was gonna be on the soundtrack CD for the documentary, but it never came out. A version featuring Daniel backed by the Rhythm Rats is due for release on the album "December Blues" but the release date for that has been pushed back and no new date has been announced. There's a version Daniel recorded solo which he gave to the RRs so they could learn the song, but it's not on an album either. - 1b2s

  • i love that song :D

  • His*

  • An opportunistic, valiant, romantic, naive rogue. Not necessarily misunderstood, just under-appreciated. Some beautiful songs, for which we thank you.

    So thankyou.

  • YOU FUCKING DUMB MOTHER FUCKER!!! You take that back right now! Daniel is an amazing performer, writer, artist that just has a little problem with the devil.

    that all!

    do you like the devil? is that what your trying to tell me?

    choose the number 9 ladies and gentlemen and if you choose the number, you get the number 10! and 10 is GOD

  • was that comment directed towards me?

  • The way you use the word "retard" seems pretty disrespectful and unnecessary. I recently found out about D.J through a song by french artist SoKo- i find in his music, like hers, there's a feeling of both the magnitude and the frailty of being alive. It's some of the most genuinely human and honest stuff I've heard,and it grabs at my insides and tugs.. This is a man that decided to share himself with the world, and he does so in such an intensely honest way i'm sure it embarrasses a lot of ppl

  • that was a perfect comment. you are articulate and soulful. thanks for making thursday afternoon inspiring.

  • The way you use the word "retard" seems pretty disrespectful and unnecessary. I recently found out about D.J through a song by french artist SoKo- i find in his music, like hers, there's a feeling of both the magnitude and the frailty of being alive. It's some of the most genuinely human and honest stuff I've heard,and it grabs at my insides and tugs.. This is a man that decided to share himself with the world, and he does so in such an intensely honest way i'm sure it embarrasses a lot of ppl

  • He's voice and music isn't THAT great, yes... but he's a really a brilliant writter, that's what it matters.

  • a true example of a naive person who didnt want to accept the laws of society and wanted to live his own life his own way. live on daniel. love always.

  • Great observation.

    Great friggin' observation.

  • Syd Barrett, Roky Erickson, Daniel Johnston, Phillip Dick, all one-way trip with LSD or other drugs, mental illnes, genius.

  • me recuerda a los VIOLENT FEMMES

  • most legends have developed mental illness who cares

  • No legends ever cast demons out of old ladies and wrote the Mountain Dew song.

    His mental illness is usually the topic when people are making reference to Daniel Johnston...but there's more to the guy.

    Look up "Museum of Love". He was a brilliant song writer.

  • The wildest summer I ever had, I got a flat tire down memory lane.

  • I've never seen anyone look this nervous.

  • his eyes say it all, touching

  • Very poignant in its own way. I feel uncomfortable too. He should be loved and helped. Praising him as a 'genius' is counter-productive.

  • i concur with crimson rush.

  • Thank you. So do I. LOL!

  • he may have developed mental issues of a period time, that doesnt mean that he shouldnt be respected for the music he created. I dont think this music was the result of any mental disorder beacause it was the result of an extremely sensitive person with a troubled unbringing. Nothing should be taken away from his music because he developed mental disorders. By that logic you would have to completely discredic sid barret for he creation of pink floyds sound simply because of his mental disorders

  • I completely agree with you nagaplease, weird name by the way, but many musicians are a bit different psychologically they wouldn't be able to think outside the box if they didn't. and counter productive to what crimsoncrush he may have developed some mental issues over his life but let him be it doesn't look like he is hurting anyone and those who modern medicine deem to be mentally ill can be called geniuses

  • Mudfish67 - very true. I hope he is surrounded by those who care, and it seems he is.

    By the way, I love his face in this footage: he makes you want to reach out to him in a positive way.

  • thats why his music is so special...because its real

  • I agree with nagaplease

  • pure raw and fearless

  • the man commentating would be Jeff Tartakov. He is the founder of 'Stress Records'. and I think to this day still produces and sells Daniels cassettes and merchandise. I got the info from the movie "The Devil and Daniel Johnston". Does anybody know where I could find this version of the song without the commentary?

  • Thank you.

  • Wow. He looked great back then.

  • I was wondering, does anybody know whose voice that is commenting around the 1 minute mark? I can't put my finger on it.

  • There aint enuff music like this on this planet. Its so soulful and when he sings he actualy means it man. As the BJM would say, Thank god for mental illness coz if daniel johnston is the result, then thats just great.

  • Sure his 'techical' skill is lacking... but since when has music HAD to be high in technique to invoke feeling. The reason daniel is such a great musician is because his music invokes alot of emotions which is something not alot of muscisians can do. AND THAT is why daniel is such a legend...if you dont get this from his music then its no wonder you dont enjoy it.

  • yes.

    and if you have to explain this to someone, they're probably not going to get it anyway. all good: Move on to something you can digest.