Daniel Johnston
Lyric guide

Joy Without Pleasure

Read Joy Without Pleasure lyrics by Daniel Johnston on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Daniel Johnston visibility13 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Daniel Johnston Canonical path: /daniel-johnston/joy-without-pleasure Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Joy Without Pleasure

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

When I was a little kid

And all the people they looked big

I never exactly understood

How to tell the trees from the wood

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun at all

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun at all

My Mama she took me aside one day

She said you better have fun while you play

'Cause someday you'll wake up and you'll be old

And all of your youth will be gone away

And you work in a factory and you earn your pay

And your fingers will rot and your mind will decay

You'll be happy, so happy with your family and house

But you'll never, you'll never enjoy yourself

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun at all

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun at all

The Son of Charles Dickens had a little red hen

Danced the watusi like it was a sin

They tried to enjoy it but they feel so guilty

Guilt won't allow you to enjoy a stolen apple

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun

Joy without Pleasure

Ain't no fun, ain't no fun

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Joy Without Pleasure"?

Daniel Johnston performs "Joy Without Pleasure", and this lyric page sits inside the Daniel Johnston catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Joy Without Pleasure"?

Yes. The related section below points to Circus Man and Heart Mind and Soul with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Daniel Johnston?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Daniel Johnston's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Joy Without Pleasure yet.