Wilco

The 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 away
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
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 will 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?
Don’t really like what you do
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

Like a Monkey in a Zoo

I'm chained to the wall
I have nothing at all
And my eyes look into the sunset thinking of better things to do
Like a monkey in a zoo
The days go so slow
I don't have no friends
Except for 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
Oh but I never saw it coming
I'm so alone
But this is my home
And the bars that surround me keep me from knowing 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 croak
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 it's my fault
But I want out
And when I cry out nobody seems to understand
Like a monkey in a zoo
You said 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 can’t remember those days
But I sold my freedom for free room and board
Like a monkey in a zoo

Casper the Friendly Ghost

He was smiling through his own personal hell
Dropped his last dime down the wishing well
But he was hoping to close
And then he fell
Now he’s Casper the Friendly Ghost
He was always polite to the people who’d tell him
That he was nothing but a lazy bum
But goodbye to them he had to go
Now he’s Casper the Friendly Ghost
And now they say we’ll never forget
What he learned us
We were mean to him
But he never burned us, and
Love lives forever
Thanks to you, the friendly ghost
And so the legend grew
And all the people that he knew
Go and spread the news
Of Casper the friendly ghost
The friendly ghost
Friendly ghost
Friendly ghost
The friendly ghost
The friendly ghost
The friendly ghost
The friendly ghost

Hey Joe

Hey Jude
Come on, Joe
Don’t make that sad song
Any sadder than it already is
Hey Jack
Get back
Get yourself together
Come on, come on
I know you’re thinking of your nervous love
I know exactly what you’re thinking of
Hey Cid
No matter what you did
It can work out
Work out
No matter how you feel right now
Hey George
Do your chores
Don’t feel sore
I know it’s a lot more than just being bored
There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you
There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you
There is a heaven and there’s a star for you

Worried Shoes

I took my lucky break and broke it in two
Put on my worried shoes
My ah ah worried shoes
And my shoes took me so many miles and they never wore out
My worried shoes
My worried shoes
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
My worried shoes
I made a mistake and I never forgot
I tied knots in the laces of
My worried shoes
And with every step that I'd take I'd remember my mistake
As I marched further and further away
In my worried shoes
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
My worried shoes
And my shoes took me down a crooked path
Away from all welcome mats
My worried shoes
Then one day I looked around and I felt the sun shining down
And I took off my worried shoes
And my feet were free to breathe the air
I didn't need to care
And worry
Cause I've got a lot of walking to do
And I don't want to wear
My worried shoes
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
My worried shoes

Cold Hard World

It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
Oh no
I heard Red Donley say
It was on the news today
It's a cold hard world
Oh no
It's hiking across the country
Looking for a bite to eat
You'd be surprised at the animals
And the people you'd meet
Rolling down that highway
With eyes fixed straight ahead
They have a caravan of cars
To bury the dead
And coke cans and pop bottles
Lined the streets like flowers instead
And this guy gave me a ride
I said this industrial waste sure stinks
He said he likes that smell
'cause that's the smell of money
I said "well, mister money stinks, too."
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
I met a fireman
He said you never forget burning flesh
And the librarian said
Do you have a card here?
I said I been coming here for weeks
Don't you recognize me by now
I checked out a million books
Just to get you to notice me
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
Somebody's house burned down
Somebody's hubcap fell off
Somebody's soul got lost
Somebody's heart got broke
I heard Red Donley say
It was on the news today
It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no

Crazy Love

I love that girl so much
I can't get enough of her love
I love that girl so much
I can’t get enough of her crazy love
She walks on down the street
Shufflin' with her feet
She walks in to the store
Boy I love that crazy girl
She brightens up my day
And everything about her is okay
I don't care what they say
I love that girl
I love her tender touch
And everything about her means so much
She's always on my mind
I love that girl
I love that girl so long
I feel just like King Kong
Someday I'll find that girl
I love that girl
I love that girl so much
I can't get enough of her love
I love that girl so much
I can’t get enough of her crazy love

Girl of my Dreams

Memories like leaves are fallin'
On the ground and soon to be forgotten
We had it all for about a long time
But the long time is far gone
And the yesterdays have all faded away
Yes, the yesterdays have all faded away
Seems like not so long ago
I kissed you on that Holy Night
You seemed to like it
You said there'd be trouble
I really did love you
Only because
You were the girl of my dreams
Girl of my dreams
I had you there in all eternity
Just you and me just like it was
I know for sure you really did love me
But then again, you acted bothered
She had a split personality
She loved me and she hated me
Must be some sort of mysterious love affair
The monster and the girl
Then one night when it was really over
I told her that I really loved her
She acted surprised and said
"That's all right"
She was the girl of my dreams
Girl of my dreams
And all along you knew my secret
I was after love and pretty much desperate
I kissed you once and I was changed for life
It was paradise, yes, and that's what I like
You were my love
Somewhat
If only I could touch
But once again, I remind you
My love was strong and only for you
My only wish is that you love me true
You really must get in touch with me soon
You were my virgin queen of rock 'n' roll
You were the girl of my dreams
Girl of my dreams
Girl of my dreams
Girl of my dreams
Ohhhh

Walking the Cow

Try to remember
But my feelings can't know for sure
Tried to reach out
But it's gone
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars in your eyes
I really don't know how I came here
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Tried to point my finger
But the world keeps turning me around
In circles
Circles
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars in your eyes
I really don't know what I have to fear
I really don't know what I have to care
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars
Lucky stars in your eyes

Funeral Home

Sarah drove around in her car
She’d repeat the same story
Repeat the same joke
And hold on her children in public
Like puppets
Johnny laid on the railroad track
Let the train run over his head
They said he was just curious
What it felt like
To be dead
Funeral home
Funeral home
Goin’ to the funeral home
Got me a coffin
Shiny and black
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never comin’ back
Funeral home
Funeral home
Goin’ to the funeral home
Got me a coffin
Shiny and black
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never comin’ back
Funeral home
Funeral home
(Billions and billions of people have
Already died, you too will die)
Funeral home
Funeral home
Goin to the funeral home
Got me a coffin
Shiny and black
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never comin’ back

I'm So Tired (Beatles cover)

Speeding Motorcycle

Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle, won't you change me?
Speeding motorcycle, won't you change me?
In a world of funny changes
Speeding motorcycle, won't you change me?
Speeding motorcycle of my heart
Speeding motorcycle; always changing me
Speeding motorcycle, don't you drive recklessly
Speeding motorcycle of my heart
Pretty girls have taken you for a ride
Hurt you deep inside but you never slowed down
No, no, no
Speeding motorcycle in my heart
Speeding motorcycle, let's speed smart
'Cause we don't want to wreck but
We can do a lot of tricks
We don't have to break our necks
Just to get our kicks
Speeding motorcycle, the road is ours
Speeding motorcycle, let's speed some more
'Cause we don't need reason and we don't need logic
We've got feeling and we're dang proud of it
Speeding motorcycle, there's nothing you can't do
Speeding motorcycle, I love you
Speeding motorcycle, let's just go
Speeding motorcycle
Let's go let's go let's go let’s go let’s go let’s go
Oo oo
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
Speeding motorcycle
yeah

True Love Will Find You in the End [Daniel Johnston cover]

True love will find you in the end
You'll find out just who was your friend
Don't be sad, I know you will
But don't give up until
True love will find you in the end
This is a promise with a catch
Only if you're looking can it find you
'Cause true love is searching too
But how can it recognize you
Unless you don’t step out into the light, the light
Don’t be sad I know you will
But don’t give up until
True love will find you in the end
 

written by Daniel Johnston

Spirit World Rising

I have been to Abilene
The spirit world rising
I have seen in Abilene
The Devil has Texas
Purple robes they shall wear
The spirit world rising
The number on their forehead and hands
The Devil has Texas
From the sky, the number seven
The Devil defeated
In the sky
The New Jerusalem
I have been to Abilene
The spirit world rising
I have seen in Abilene
The Devil has Texas
The spirit world rising
The Devil has Texas
The spirit world rising
The Devil has Texas

Funeral Home (Studio version/outro)

Funeral home
Funeral home
Goin’ to the funeral home
Got me a coffin
Shiny and black
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never comin’ back
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never comin’ back
I’m goin’ to the funeral
And I’m never

2020

Daniel Johnston Chicago 2017

Credits + Notes

Release Date: January 31, 2020
Daniel Johnston – Chicago 2017 is the final album from the renowned Austin, TX songwriting genius.
In what became his last extended US tour, Daniel performed in several cities with different backing bands. His Chicago performance was with Jeff Tweedy, Spencer Tweedy, James Elkington, Darin Gray and Liam Kazar. Chicago 2017 includes new arrangements of 14 Johnston standards (plus one Beatles cover), nine performed live at The Vic Theatre, and five pulled from the previous day’s session at Wilco’s Chicago studio, The Loft.
Daniel Johnston Chicago 2017 was recorded and mixed by Tom Schick at The Loft in Chicago, IL; Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering in Portland, ME; and released on dBpm Records in Chicago, IL.
Side A
1. The Story of an Artist
2. Like a Monkey in A Zoo
3. Casper the Friendly Ghost
4. Hey Joe
5. Worried Shoes
6. Cold Hard World
7. Crazy Love
Side B
8. Girl of my Dreams
9. Walking the Cow
10. Funeral Home
11. I’m So Tired
12. Speeding Motorcycle
13. True Love Will Find You In The End
14. Spirit World Rising
15. Funeral Home (studio version/outro)