Ever heard of the song "Vincent" by Don McLean? It’s a classic piece that will always remain on my favorite song list. The reason I love this song so much is because of its wonderful lyrics. This is the only song that I could ever use the word “beautiful” to describe its lyrics.
Nonetheless, whenever I hear this song I could not help but ponder if there are underlying meaning to the poetic words used in this song. Especially at the verse where he mentioned Vincent, I kept wondering who’s Vincent? Lover? Pet? (I thought to myself, most probably it’s a pet since it’s a man singing unless he’s gay) So I decided to do some research tonight, and I found who’s Vincent…dang dang dang (suspense)
Apparently, "Vincent" is a song by Don McLean written as a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. It is also known by its opening line, "Starry Starry Night", a reference to Van Gogh's painting Starry Night. The song describes different paintings by Van Gogh. Wow, I’m even more in love with this song now….
Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
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,
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 field 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,
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 have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the 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,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will...
Bravo..bravo...sob..sob..
