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Song In The New Apple Commercial: Story of An Artist

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.

Story of An Artist

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

Gen X Blog Jennifer Chronicles

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56 Comments

  1. Warren

    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!

    Reply
  2. Krys

    Made me fall asleep and forget what movie I was watching

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      Hazard of the song, I guess. It’s like a lullaby. LOL.

      Reply
  3. Bill Y

    I feel like suing Apple. I think this song has scared me, mentally and emotionally.

    Reply
  4. TG Anderson

    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?

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      I think they have. I lvoed it so much!

      Reply
  5. Bill

    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.

    Reply
    • VSK

      I love it. It resonates.

      Reply
  6. Kone18

    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-

    Reply
  7. Pito

    This song sucks

    Reply
  8. guy who isn't deaf

    Good Lord what a horrible song!

    Reply
  9. JEFFREY GOLDSTEIN

    I thought it was an old lady singing

    Reply
  10. Chris Bodor

    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.

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      I ran to my computer to blog about it the first time I saw the commercial. The song makes me happy.

      Reply
  11. Di Allen

    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….

    Reply
  12. JJ

    I swore it was Jerry Lewis!

    Reply
  13. Mickey

    Reminds me of people’s reaction to cilantro you either love it or hate it.

    I love it. Cilantro and this song.

    Reply
  14. Don

    I think it was genius of Apple to use this song!!!

    Reply
  15. deb

    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.

    Reply
  16. James Wilson

    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.

    Reply
  17. John Smallberries

    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.

    Reply
  18. Roxann Meguiar

    Every time I hear it…I think it is Jerry Lewis-

    Reply
  19. Mighty Peanut

    Daniels unmistakable low fidelity tone draws you in and not unlike true love, will find you in the end..

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      Hello, Might Peanut. What is true love, anyway?

      Reply
  20. Jennifer

    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 😁

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      There are so many Jennifers. I’m always glad to meet another!

      Reply
  21. DougLaine

    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

    Reply
  22. john

    I mute the TV every time this horrible song comes on

    Reply
  23. Anonymous

    The words are great the singing is so bad it’s so hard to listen to I have to mute when it comes on!

    Reply
    • Rick

      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.

      Reply
  24. Pat James

    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?

    Reply
  25. MJ Sund

    Sounds like Roseanne Barr

    Reply
    • Barb Popplestone

      Is it her?

      Reply
  26. Siemore Johnson

    Worst commercial ever. Thank you Apple for introducing us all to dongle hell and technology that is falling behind.

    Reply
  27. P M Burnes

    Thank You. Just Thank You so much. I will share this with my Abbot

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      You are so welcome! It’s such a great song!

      Reply
  28. Justine Bunnell

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      I agree. I just love it so much!!

      Reply
    • Johnny Sargen

      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.”

      Reply
      • Steven Burton

        Don’t you just love Apple haters. I f you must be negative at least learn to spell first

        Reply
  29. Celia Paradiso

    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.

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      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.

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      I love it too.Its wistful and charming.

      Reply
  30. Victrinia

    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

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      You’re welcome. I love it just sit and listen to it. So simple. So true.

      Reply
  31. Bill Giery

    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?

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      I am pretty sure it is Daniel Johnston himself.

      Reply
      • JD

        Guess I’m not the only one that thought it was an old woman singing it 😜

        Reply
    • Janis Edwards

      Sophie Tucker’s voice was gravelly, though, wasn’t it??

      Reply
    • Bill

      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.

      Reply
    • Bill

      I thought it was a woman, too.

      Reply
  32. Tanya

    But who is it in the recording?

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      It is him – Daniel Johnston.

      Reply
      • Valerie Chapman

        Yes, so simple & beautiful. Haven’t thought of Daniel Johnston in a long time. Thank you

        Reply

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