Don McLean - Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)

[irock]

Of all the songs by all the artists who are NOT favorites of mine, I can't think of anything more beautiful than this. One of the most affecting songs of the 1970s, this is by far McLean's finest performance. American Pie might almost be its equal on lyrics alone, but in terms of McLean performances there's nothing that comes anywhere close to this masterpiece.

I was reminded of this moving tribute to Vincent Van Gogh (named for his most famous work) just now when McLean appeared on Imus In The Morning.

This is one I don't think I'll ever get tired of. Don't listen to the words too closely if anyone is around, you might embarrass yourself.

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Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) - Don McLean

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps, they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps, they'll listen now
For they could not love you
And still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
on that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant
for one as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty hall
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged man in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
Then how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps, they never will...

[Hervard]

Yes! I love this song!

I remember back in July, 2002, I was driving around listening to the July 11, 1981 edition of American Top 40 and, near the end of Hour 3, Charlie Van Dyke, sitting in for Casey that week, was telling the story about Vincent Van Gogh. Since I'd never taken any sort of Fine Arts classes in school, I had never heard the story about Van Gogh cutting his ear off to impress a girl (or something like that; I'd have to listen to the story again, as there are many interpretations of the ear amputation).

Anyway, I agree with irock, this song is very beautiful.

[stevie nice]

Oh yeah, I prefer this so much more than American Pie, great song!

[reception]

I like it.

[cartman2002]

Vincent got to #12 on the Hot 100 but got to #1 in the UK in 1972 something American Pie didn't do when it was released in the UK

[billcs]

It's a lovely song all on its own.

[johnnywest]

The only time I've ever heard this is on the reruns of AT40. Decent but not terrific.