Dissociated Thoughts

2/23/22 - Vincent

2/23/22

I have a love of many forms of art: written, musical, paintings, even food. It is a special treat to find an intertwining of more than one art form. Such is the case with the song "Vincent" by Don McLean. In my personal opinion, Don McLean created a musical masterpiece that pays homage to a creator of masterpieces, Vincent van Gogh.

Written exclusively by Don McLean, "Vincent" was released in 1971 on his "American Pie" album. In an interview with McLean, he says he was reading a biography of van Gogh when he was inspired with the idea of writing a song about him. After a lot of thought, the song he created was a homage to van Gogh and his paintings. The lyrics ring of empathy for Vincent van Gogh's struggle with mental illness. A great example of this are the lines, "Now I understand /What you tried to say to me /And how you suffered for your sanity /And how you tried to set them free." While "Starry Night" is mentioned directly in the song, there are many other paintings of van Gogh's that are alluded to in the song.

Some Fun Facts: ▼

“Vincent” is considered to be one of Don McLean’s signature songs.
It topped the UK Singles Chart and was the top of the chart in Ireland.
In the U.S., it made it to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
To learn more about Don McLean, check out his personal website: https://donmclean.com

Lyrics

"Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)"
Written by 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 the 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
And 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

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
And 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
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night

You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could've told you Vincent
This world was never meant for
One as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frame-less heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget

Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men 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
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will