--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've got something to live for, because I…" description: "\"I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to be an artist; I always wanted to be famous.\" — Daniel Johnston" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png" --- # I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to… ![“I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to be an artist; I always wanted to be famous.” quote by Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png) > “I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to be an artist; I always wanted to be famous.” [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He seeks purpose through artistic ambition and fame, using creation as a reason to live. **In simple terms:** Art gives him a reason to live. Key Takeaway Pursue creative passions. Themes purpose art ambition fame Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - career choice - personal goals - overcoming stagnation Key Concepts existentialism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What does creating mean to you? - How do you define success? A Different Perspective Fame may not guarantee fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ## Related quotes > [When I wanted to become an artist I wanted to be versatile but at the same time, fans never know what to expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-nasty/when-i-wanted-to-become-an-artist-i-wanted-to-be-versatile-but-at-the/) [Rico Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-nasty/) > [I wanted to have money; I wanted to be special; I wanted people to like me; I wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-wanted-to-have-money-i-wanted-to-be-special-i-wanted-people-to-like/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [When I started out, I didn't have any desire to be an actress or to learn how to act. I just wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/when-i-started-out-i-didn-t-have-any-desire-to-be-an-actress-or-to/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [I never wanted to be called an artist. I wanted to be called a photographer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-avedon/i-never-wanted-to-be-called-an-artist-i-wanted-to-be-called-a/) [Richard Avedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-avedon/) > [ Because Ivy \[Wilkes\] is just starting out as an artist, I wanted to focus on \[Georgia\] O'Keeffe's experiences when she was just starting out.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-campbell/because-ivy-wilkes-is-just-starting-out-as-an-artist-i-wanted-to/) [Liza Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-campbell/) > [Besides me wanting to be an artist, I wanted to be a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/besides-me-wanting-to-be-an-artist-i-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I suppose I could try to be some avant-garde artist if I wanted to, but that doesn't interest me as much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/i-suppose-i-could-try-to-be-some-avant-garde-artist-if-i-wanted-to/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [I've spent my life pursing excellence as an artist, which is what I always wanted to do anyhow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-bloom/i-ve-spent-my-life-pursing-excellence-as-an-artist-which-is-what-i/) [Claire Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-bloom/) > [I've spent my life pursuing excellence as an artist, which is what I always wanted to do anyhow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-bloom/i-ve-spent-my-life-pursuing-excellence-as-an-artist-which-is-what-i/) [Claire Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-bloom/) > [I definitely wanted to be famous as a kid, but as I've gotten older, I feel less comfortable with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lola-kirke/i-definitely-wanted-to-be-famous-as-a-kid-but-as-i-ve-gotten-older-i/) [Lola Kirke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lola-kirke/) > [I've only ever wanted to be a singer; I never wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-jenkins/i-ve-only-ever-wanted-to-be-a-singer-i-never-wanted-to-be-famous/) [Katherine Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-jenkins/) > [I never wanted to be famous and the only part I like is that it means people are reading my books and listening to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/i-never-wanted-to-be-famous-and-the-only-part-i-like-is-that-it-means/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [I never wanted to be famous. I wanted to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-kamara/i-never-wanted-to-be-famous-i-wanted-to-be-successful/) [Alvin Kamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-kamara/) > [I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-never-wanted-to-be-famous-i-only-wanted-to-be-great/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I never wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-attell/i-never-wanted-to-be-famous/) [Dave Attell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-attell/) ## More by Daniel Johnston > [The sun don't shine in your TV!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/the-sun-don-t-shine-in-your-tv/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [I believe in God, and I certainly believe in the devil. There's certainly a devil, and he knows my name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-believe-in-god-and-i-certainly-believe-in-the-devil-there-s/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [Love is the question; Love is the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/love-is-the-question-love-is-the-answer/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [I like to tour, but I prefer to tour in the United States. If I go overseas, I tend to get into trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-like-to-tour-but-i-prefer-to-tour-in-the-united-states-if-i-go/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [I wish I had never got manic depression. When I was in junior high, I didn't know what was the matter with me. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-wish-i-had-never-got-manic-depression-when-i-was-in-junior-high-i/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [Do yourself a favor, become your own savior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/do-yourself-a-favor-become-your-own-savior/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [To understand and be understood is to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/to-understand-and-be-understood-is-to-be-free/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [“I try to point my finger,/ but the wind keeps// spinning me around”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-try-to-point-my-finger-but-the-wind-keeps-spinning-me-around/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [When I'm doing a drawing, I get lots of ideas I use them in my songs, even. I do a lot of drawings because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/when-i-m-doing-a-drawing-i-get-lots-of-ideas-i-use-them-in-my-songs/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [“I never met a girl I didn't meet”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-never-met-a-girl-i-didn-t-meet/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/listen-up-and-i-ll-tell-a-story-about-an-artist-growing-old-some/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [There is a devil, and he knows my name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/there-is-a-devil-and-he-knows-my-name/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [When I was writing songs, I always thought I'd make more of a career out of the drawings, the comics even more than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/when-i-was-writing-songs-i-always-thought-i-d-make-more-of-a-career/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [When I was a kid, I always thought that I'd be a comic book artist. It took a long time to start thinking that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/when-i-was-a-kid-i-always-thought-that-i-d-be-a-comic-book-artist-it/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) > [I believe in spiritualism. It's like, when you listen to music or something and then you're sort of primed. If you're an artist, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-believe-in-spiritualism-it-s-like-when-you-listen-to-music-or/) [Daniel Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) [Explore all 19 Daniel Johnston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to be an artist; I always wanted to be famous.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel Johnston" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i-always-wanted-to-be-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i-always-wanted-to-be-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/daniel-johnston-28614_art_i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i_2741196.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've got something to live for, because I always wanted to be an artist; I always wanted to be famous.” — Daniel Johnston", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Daniel Johnston", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-johnston/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've got something to live for,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i-always-wanted-to-be-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-johnston/i-ve-got-something-to-live-for-because-i-always-wanted-to-be-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```