This has to be one of my all time favorite songs ever written. Before moving from Boston to Austin, in 2007; one of my neighbors hooked me up with a ton of great music from various Austin musicians to listen to. He was originally from Texas and had worked as DJ in Austin. Among the treasures were classics by Willie Nelson, lesser known bands like The Orange Mothers, and Pong, alternative heroes - The Butthole Surfers, songwriter's songwriters like Butch Hancock, and The Flatlanders and an awesome compilation of Daniel Johnston covers called Discovered Uncovered. Half of the album features lo-fi originals by Johnston, mostly recorded simply with voice and guitar/piano. While the second half features the same songs re-recorded by big names like Beck, Bright Eyes, and TV on the Radio. One of the re-recordings was done by Vic Chesnutt.
The original version of the song was written and recorded by Daniel Johnston in the early 80's on his album - Songs of Pain. Johnston wrote it as an upbeat, bouncy, happy hand clapping piano ditty. The original is also really good but Vic Chesnutt brings it closer to home. Slower, sadder, and with some intricate guitar work between a nylon stringed guitar and an electric guitar; this is the definitive version in my opinion. A paraplegic for most of his life, Vic Chesnutt sings with a tear in his voice, heartbreaking, beautiful, and sometimes bawl-worthy. Sadly the world lost Vic in 2009.
Im chained to the wall/I'm nothing at all/And Im staring at the sunset/Thinking of better things to do/like a monkey in a zoo..........
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