Portrait of Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston

Outsider artist and musician

Contemporary weird famous 97 sayings

Sayings by Daniel Johnston

When the aliens come, they're going to judge us by our art.

2000s — On his artistic philosophy
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I'm not really a musician. I'm more like a caveman pounding on rocks.

1990s — On his musical ability
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

The Beatles are angels sent from heaven to make the world happy.

1980s — On his musical influences
Biblical Unverifiable

I wrote 50 songs in one week when I was manic. Some of them were 20 minutes long.

1980s — On his creative output
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

Caspar the Friendly Ghost told me to keep making art no matter what.

1990s — On his hallucinations
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I ate nothing but McDonald's for a year because I thought they were putting messages in the food.

1990s — On his dietary habits during mental illness
Wisdom Unverifiable

I was abducted by aliens. They put a plug in my nose and they were trying to steal my songs.

2005 — Interview about his life and mental health struggles
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

The devil is real. I've seen him. He's a businessman.

2006 — Interview about his spiritual beliefs
Money & Business Unverifiable

I'm just a person who writes songs about Casper the Friendly Ghost and Captain America.

2005 — Documentary interview
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I saw a monster in my bedroom. It was the devil. He told me I was going to hell.

1999 — Describing a hallucination
Life & Death Unverifiable

My songs are like little movies. They're all true stories.

2000 — Interview about his songwriting process
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I'm afraid of everything. Especially frogs.

1995 — Casual conversation with a fan
Wisdom Unverifiable

The Beatles saved my life. But they also ruined it.

2004 — Discussing musical influences
Wisdom Unverifiable

I drew a picture of a frog with a machine gun. That's how I feel sometimes.

2006 — Talking about his art
Wisdom Unverifiable

My brain is like a radio that picks up too many stations at once.

1999 — Describing his mental state
Nature & World Unverifiable

I talk to my tape recorder more than I talk to people.

1985 — Interview about his recording habits
Wisdom Unverifiable

Satan is in my TV. He talks to me through the commercials.

1992 — Describing delusions
Wisdom Unverifiable

I want to be a cartoon when I grow up.

1983 — Early interview
Wisdom Unverifiable

My songs are like ghosts. They haunt me until I record them.

2001 — Songwriting discussion
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I saw a UFO over McDonald's. It was shaped like a hamburger.

1998 — Sharing a strange experience
Wisdom Unverifiable
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