Living Life

This song contains some of Daniel Johnston's best lines, combining the almost childish simplicity and deeper ability to word his feelings perfectly that made him such an amazing and emotive songwriter. The characteristic cry for love in the first lines is wonderfully balanced by the sudden throwing in of cynical pessimism: "though tomorrow don't look that good." And what a perfect summary in a few words of how fed up we all can feel about ordinariness: "the emotionless mediocrity of day-to-day living."

oh this is a brilliant song. it's hopeful and sad, and you gotta feel for this guy - but what a musical genius. its beauty is in it's simplicity. look for the cover by eels. it's beautiful.

I heard the Eels cover on an episode of Scrubs. Amazing song.

God this is such, such an amazing song. Go and listen to Eels' live version - Live in Town hall. I just listen in awe.

i too, heard eels' cover first and i always thought "Hold me like a mother would Like I always knew somebody should " is such an amazing line to start a song, a lot of people puts Daniel down because of that "tortured genius" thing he has. I think this song is a moment of true genius, nevermind the hype

Daniel's recording captures the Euphoria and Now Presence of the manic state. It is a glimpse of Nirvana, but so addictive because it ruins plain reality as it retreats.

I love how this song embodies living in the moment.

Also I think he's saying 'though people say we're odd like a couple', not 'an unlikely couple'.

This song, to me, is about how he has finally accepted who he is! He explains why he isnt happy, why everything is morose , but at the same time he has found something/someone beautiful in it finally. Daniel Johnston makes me cry.

Love this guy, makes me cry

This is Daniel. Unadulterated. Because like me, we will never grow up like we should. I’m barely more functional then him. It’s rhyme it’s reason it’s beautiful. Repeat. It’s rhyme it’s reason it’s beauty. Repeat it’s rhythm. Beauty. Mott the hopple. All the colors have seen to have faded away. He throws out so many things. Pure manic genius. I don’t know if other people realize that. Manic ideas are easy but to make sense first try is tough. This recording is basically an improv I think and better than 90 percent of songs I hear with weeks of thought.