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
Daniel Johnston‘s 1982 song, Story Of An Artist, is featured in a new commercial for Apple’s Mac.
Johnston is an old Gen-Xer who use to pass out cassette tapes of original songs he recorded at home. He gained a small cult following in Austin, Texas, in the 1980s, while working at fast food chain. That following grew significantly during the 1990s, when Kurt Cobain was seen wearing a T-shirt that featured artwork from Johnston’s 1983 album Hi, How Are You.
Although many people on Twitter have expressed disgust over Apple’s use of the song, I think it’s great! I love it! The song is sweet and melodic, childlike and soulful. I’m an Eef Barzelay fan, and his music has a hint of Johnston. I hope you like the song.
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
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.”
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
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 TV
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”
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
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.”
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.
–Daniel Johnston, 1982
Wow, people actually complained? Taylor Swift’s music scares me more.
Daniel Johnston was the 20th century’s Vincent Van Gogh. A beautiful, albeit tortured soul.
You know longer have to fear the devil Dan, because he isnt real. It was all bs that they put in your head. Your fans know you were a good person.
Drink lots and lots of Mountain Dew and rest easy my friend!
Made me fall asleep and forget what movie I was watching
Hazard of the song, I guess. It’s like a lullaby. LOL.
I feel like suing Apple. I think this song has scared me, mentally and emotionally.
I heard the commercial and researched the song. LOVE it. The music and his voice are perfect for the words!
I have played it a jillion times and want to buy Macbook to go with my 3 iPads!
I haven’t heard the commercial lately. Have they pulled i?
I think they have. I lvoed it so much!
I thought it was a woman, too. And I find the song to be pleasant and harmless–I think the people who are so angry at it should have some milk and cookies and put their heads down on their desks.
Heck yeah!
I love it. It resonates.
Thank you for making this post about the Apple commercial that grabbed my attention & I wanted to know more because Inliked the message but wasn’t sure I liked the “singing”. It is art in the purest form & supports the artist in all of us-
This song sucks
Good Lord what a horrible song!
I thought it was an old lady singing
I just ran forty feet from my home office to the tv room because I heard a Daniel Johnston song playing. I have known about his music since the late eighties when I was a college radio DJ. Thank you Apple for using his song in your commercial. Jennifer, I really like your blog. Thank you for this post. Anyone who has not thought about Daniel in awhile should watch the documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston”. He is an artist who has such a tragic story. The film gave me a new perspective of him and his music.
I ran to my computer to blog about it the first time I saw the commercial. The song makes me happy.
These people have no heart its raw and pure the words and tune are so beautiful its music truly from the soul in its purest form thank u so much unlike any other bravo daniel….
Yes, Bravo, Daniel!
I swore it was Jerry Lewis!
Reminds me of people’s reaction to cilantro you either love it or hate it.
I love it. Cilantro and this song.
I think it was genius of Apple to use this song!!!
I think to appreciate this song, you must first get to know the artist! My son introduced me to Daniel Johnston, with his biography, and I appreciated him more as I watched.
This song sucks so much that there is no depth sounded. It’s out of key. The piano is out of key. It’s a masquerade of ‘home made’ but it just sucks.
Worst song ever, makes me want to rip my ears off and shove quick drying concrete into the holes that are left. These comments are the best, “but who’s singing….”. I can say pretty comfortably that if you like this song or think it’s good music on any level you know nothing about music and should die a horrible death. Well not the last part but definitely the first part.
Every time I hear it…I think it is Jerry Lewis-
Daniels unmistakable low fidelity tone draws you in and not unlike true love, will find you in the end..
Hello, Might Peanut. What is true love, anyway?
From one GenXer named Jennifer to another (and there is A LOT of us lol!) thanks for posting this info. The song intrigued me so I appreciate you posting it ?
There are so many Jennifers. I’m always glad to meet another!
I stop and listen to it EVERY time! I love her!!!!!!! Is there a way to share good things and thoughts of people with her?
Thanks
I mute the TV every time this horrible song comes on
The words are great the singing is so bad it’s so hard to listen to I have to mute when it comes on!
Exactly. The singing is unbelievably bad. The deliberately mistuned piano is hackneyed too. Ironic cringefest of a commercial. “Make something wonderful?” You mean steal something and ruin it.
How can I get a copy or cassette of this song. I think it is beautiful. I feel I have heard it before. I thought maybe a movie? Can you help with this?
Sounds like Roseanne Barr
Is it her?
Worst commercial ever. Thank you Apple for introducing us all to dongle hell and technology that is falling behind.
Thank You. Just Thank You so much. I will share this with my Abbot
You are so welcome! It’s such a great song!
I love this song and commercial. It grabbed me and I listened and watched to the end. Hey, isn’t that what a commercial is supposed to do? Grab your attention and get you to watch and listen?. I can even remember the product being advertised. Well done!!!
I agree. I just love it so much!!
Worst commercial ever. The actors look like pedohiles. Unlike Apple commercials in the past, there is no inspiration. “Listen up and I will tell a story…of a tech company that is stale and old.”
Don’t you just love Apple haters. I f you must be negative at least learn to spell first
I really love this song, is unique, only you can sing this way, with piano one way and you the other way, I am an old lady that really love your taste.
I agree. It just goes to show you that art must not be perfect to resonate with an audience. It’s the imperfection that makes it unique and beautiful.
I love it too.Its wistful and charming.
Hey Jen
I love this song as well and was happy to be able to obtain info on the history and artist !
Thank you
Vic
You’re welcome. I love it just sit and listen to it. So simple. So true.
Thanks for the words to the new Apple Mac commercial. You failed to mention who is singing the melody. If either was still alive I would’ve guessed Sophie Tucker or Blossom Dearie. Who is singing the song?
I am pretty sure it is Daniel Johnston himself.
Guess I’m not the only one that thought it was an old woman singing it ?
Sophie Tucker’s voice was gravelly, though, wasn’t it??
The song is pleasant and harmless The people who get angry at it should have some milk and cookies and put their heads down on their desks.
I thought it was a woman, too.
But who is it in the recording?
It is him – Daniel Johnston.
Yes, so simple & beautiful. Haven’t thought of Daniel Johnston in a long time. Thank you