4 Outsider Musicians Who Helped Make Music Weird

For the unfamiliar, “outsider” music refers to music that was made by an individual or band with little to no traditional musical training. Some of the notable elements of outsider music are a childlike energy to their songs and a recognizable deviation from traditional or mainstream sounds and aesthetics. The genre is often associated with lo-fi music, as many musicians who have been labeled as “outsider artists” rarely record their music in formal studio settings.

The genre is a fascinating one. And these five artists and bands are considered legends in the world of outsider music. Let’s take a look!

1. The Shaggs

They’ve been called everything from geniuses to the worst band on the planet. When it comes to outsider musicians, nobody was quite like The Shaggs. This all-sister outfit was launched in 1965 at the insistence of their father, who prophesied that they would be the next big thing. They weren’t.

Still, their only studio album (Philosophy Of The World) has gained quite the cult following in the last couple of decades. Many fans of the now-defunct band see them as an unintentional stroke of brilliance. 

“If we can judge music on the basis of its honesty, originality and impact, then the Shaggs’ Philosophy Of The World is the greatest record ever recorded in the history of the universe,” said famed music critic Bruce D. Rhosewalt.

2. Daniel Johnston

This would not be a list of the greatest outsider musicians of all time without mentioning Daniel Johnston. The late great singer/songwriter behind the 1983 cassette album Hi, How Are You has been loved for years for his avant-pop and lo-fi stylings, armed with only his voice, acoustic guitar, and chord organ. Kurt Cobain was one famous fan.

Johnston struggled with mental illness for most of his life, and that struggle significantly influenced his music and visual art. He released nearly two dozen albums since he began his career in 1981, all of which have been immortalized by his fan base and the artists he inspired. Johnston passed away in 2019.

3. Tiny Tim

This strange and talented figure in Americana and outsider music is most commonly known for the 1968 song “Tiptoe Through The Tulips”. His voice was what likely landed him in outsider musician status; Tiny Tim had a notable falsetto singing range. He released quite a few studio albums before his death in 1996. God Bless Tiny Tim is essential listening.

4. Wesley Willis

Wesley Willis was one of many outsider musicians who struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed with schizophrenia and known for his love of head-butting his fans, Willis became a well-known figure in the underground Chicago music scene. He is also associated with punk rock music.

Willis’ songs explored a number of themes, including mental illness, consumerism, and often, just obscenity. His MC vocal style set him apart from similar outsider artists in the punk scene at the time. Willie passed in 2003, and a number of his songs continue to go viral today, including the iconic track “Rock N Roll McDonald’s”.

Photo by Chris Uncle/Shutterstock

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