A Lucky Star in Our Eyes: Daniel Johnston

By Lucas Holloway 

Local Music Journalist 

1990. West Virginia. A man and his father are flying home in their private two-seater Cessna on their way to a small music festival in Austin, when the man believes he is possessed by Casper the friendly ghost. He grabs the plane’s controls, puts it into a downward spiral and throws the keys to the ignition out the window; only spared by the father’s piloting skills, saving their lives mere seconds before impact. 

Frankly, this sounds like fiction, and for most people it’d be hard to believe. However, as this man’s story plays out, you will come to realize that this experience was just a drop in the bucket of local Folk legend, austinite, artist and musician, Daniel Johnston.  

When Johnston first graced the Austin music scene in the early 80s, locals were immediately taken aback by the “bizarre” qualities of his music, but this would end up being the spark that propelled Johnston to legendary status amongst musicians and fans alike. As a person who lives and attends school in the very areas where Daniel performed, it is nothing but a privilege to shine light on an influential local icon.  

Personally, I revere some of Johnston’s songs such as “True, Love Will Find You in the End,” and “Story of an Artist” as some of the most heart-wrenching songs ever written. Though they don’t contain “complex” harmony or lyrics, they perfectly represent the struggles and triumphs he faced throughout his life. He began to exhibit signs of mental illness at a young age, such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia. This led him to discover music and art and utilize them as a personal form of therapy.  

Given that Johnston was raised in a religious household, his passions were threatened by his parents’ belief that his love of music conflicted with his faith. Religious trauma between his passions and his faith became a common theme in his music. Often, he would write about his fear of the devil and his shame for is his “sins.” During a time when Mental illness was widely unrecognized, Johnston’s parents would finally come around to realize that he was dealing with something more than typical laziness in his late teens. 

Johnston was properly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition characterized by mood swings that range from manic highs to depressive lows. But this wasn’t before he suffered an immense deal at the hands of his diagnosis. On one occasion in the documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston,” heartbreakingly, Johnston’s father tearfully recounts a time when Johnston was essentially vegetative following a year of being on the wrong medication. This period Johnston regards as the year he lost. 

Though his struggles were lifelong, Johnston found effective treatment, that meant he could continue with his songwriting. Some of Johnston’s most popular songs, such as “True Love Will Find You in the End” and “Some Things Last a Long Time” off his album titled 1990, deal with themes of mental illness, hope, and resilience. These songs have resonated with many people who struggle with their own mental health challenges. Not only was his upbringing a defining characteristic of his music, but so was his sound.  

Johnston’s music was characterized by its lo-fi, DIY sound. He often recorded his music on cassette tapes in his living room, and his songs were raw and unpolished. Daniel gained fame by handing out these cassettes at seemingly random places around Austin and central Texas. Though Johnston’s music is incredibly unique, an eclectic range of influences can be heard in songs such as “Funeral Home”, which is a rock and roll song with a catchy melody, “Held the Hand” which is folk, and “Devil Town”, which is a country-inspired song with a dark atmospheric energy.  

Despite Johnston’s struggles with mental health, his unique sound graced over 20 albums throughout his prolific career. His music has had a profound impact on many other artists, including Kurt Cobain, David Bowie, and Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. These artists have cited Johnston as an influence on their own music. 

Popular songs including “Hi, How Are You?”, “Story of an Artist”, “True Love Will Find You in the End”, “Some Things Last a Long Time”, and “Walking the Cow,” have been covered by many other artists such as CRYBABY, and they have been featured in films and television shows such as Horns, Before Sunrise, and Kids. 

His popularity has increased in recent years, as his music has been discovered by a new generation of fans. His music has been praised by critics for its honesty, authenticity, and emotional resonance. Johnston toured until the final years of his life until he unfortunately died in 2019 following a heart attack in his sleep. 

Overall, Daniel Johnston was a unique and talented artist who overcame many challenges to create music that has touched the lives of millions of people. 

In Johnston’s words, “Even if you’re not sure what your purpose in life is, and you’re trying to find it, it is important to live your life to the fullest and to make a difference, and if you can’t make a difference at least make a mess.” And though this might not necessarily mean throwing the keys out of an airplane mid-flight, it is important to never turn your back on the things you love.