‘True Love Will Find You In The End’: Watch 5 Cover Performances Of Daniel Johnston’s Heartfelt Song

Daniel Johnston wrote several memorable songs that have been covered by countless admirers of the idiosyncratic singer-songwriter who was found dead at age 58 on this date in 2019. Many of those songs Johnston wrote were introduced through his lo-fi, homemade cassette tapes which he circulated around Austin, Texas in the mid-1990s.

Marked by stark arrangements and raw lyrics, Johnston’s songs have a signature tone and character that identify directly with his honest representation of the world around him. His well-documented mental health issues were at times debilitating and severely impacted his life and career. Despite those lifelong challenges, Johnston’s body of work continues to inspire new listeners willing to listen to his astute perspectives.

Johnston’s website states:

“Daniel was a singer, songwriter, an artist, and a friend to all. Although he struggled with mental health issues for much of his adult life, Daniel triumphed over his illness through his prolific output of art and songs. He inspired countless fans, artists, and songwriters with his message that no matter how dark the day that ‘true love will find you in the end.'”

Many other talented singer-songwriters and bands have covered Johnston’s songs, in concert and in the studio, with multiple all-star tribute albums having been released over the years. Johnston’s song “True Love Will Find You in the End,” from his album 1990, which was released in 1990, is one his most frequently covered songs.

Currently sitting at 26 million streams on Spotify alone, “True Love Will Find You In The End” is one of Johnston’s best-known songs. “True Love Will Find You in the End” was also the final song Daniel Johnston performed in public at a concert in Seattle on November 11, 2017.

The show was part of a tour that saw Johnston backed by a few different bands, including Built To Spill at the Seattle show. Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy’s solo project Tweedy also backed Johnston on select dates of that tour.

Wilco kicks off the series of live performance videos featuring covers of “True Love Will Find You In The End.” The footage Wilco, who have been covering the song since at least 1997, is followed by videos of Beck, Sharon Van Etten, The Flaming Lips, and Valerie June covering “True Love Will Find You In The End.” Watch the series of covers below:

The Austin, Texas-based non-profit Hi, How Are You? Project was established to provide awareness and support related to mental health issues. In 2018, the organization helped launch the Hi, How Are You? Day, which takes place annually on January 22, Johnston’s birthday. Taking its name from Johnston’s icon Austin mural, “people everywhere are encouraged to check in on a neighbor, friend, co-worker, family member, or loved one and ask, ‘Hi, How Are You?'”