Tag Archives: Daniel Johnston

The iPad and Daniel Johnston

I’m chained to the wall.
I have nothin’ at all.
And my eyes look into the sunset
Thinkin’ of better things to do,
Like a monkey in a zoo.

The days go so slow.
I don’t have no friends.
Except all these people
Who want me to do tricks for them,
Like a monkey in a zoo.

And it could happen to you.
You could be in my place.
No it wasn’t always like this,
But I never saw it comin’.

I’m so alone,
But this is my home.
And the bars that surround me
Keep me from knowin’ any better,
Like a monkey in a zoo.

Throw me a peanut.
Laugh and make jokes.
But I’ve had enough peanuts
And I’m ready to choke,
Like a monkey in a zoo

You come to look at me.
You seem so amused.
But things would look different
If you were in my shoes.

I know its my fault,
But I want out.
And when I cry out
Nobody seems to understand,
Like a monkey in a zoo

You say I’m cute.
You don’t know how much that hurts.
You don’t know how it feels
To live in your own dirt,
Like a monkey in a zoo

And it could happen to you.
You could be in my place.
Don’t let yourself slip.
Don’t keep egg on your face.

I used to be happy.
I cant remember those days.
But I sold my freedom
For free room and board,
Like a monkey in a zoo.

Story of an artist, lyrics by Daniel Johnston

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.