This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
I don't know
It's like when you go to read your own poetry
You get all choked up
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 TVs
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 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 growin' old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others just like to watch the world
It's like when you go to read your own poetry
You get all choked up
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 TVs
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 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 growin' old
Some would try for fame and glory
Others just like to watch the world
Lyrics submitted by calvins_hobbies
Story of an Artist Lyrics as written by Daniel Johnston
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i tried to find out what the two people were saying in the intro. if anyone has any idea i'd really like to know what they're saying or what they were talking about. "it's like" "what? what?" "i-i i don't know" "what's in this room?" or "was it this room?" it's probably neither and i can't really hear it clearly. "it's like when you go to read your own poetry you get all choked up."