Vincent By DON MCLEAN (Cover)
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.
McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of the artist.The following year, the song became the No. 1 hit in the U.K. and No. 12 in the U.S.For several years, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam played the song daily. A copy of the sheet music is in a safe beneath the museum, along with a set of van Gogh’s paint brushes, the hat he wore while painting Starry Night, and various other items. In 2000, PBS aired Don McLean: Starry, Starry Night, a concert special that was filmed in Austin, Texas.(Courtesy of wikipedia)
Lyrics:
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 nite
You took you life as lovers often do But I could of told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you
Starry, Starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless 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, a 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.
Tab/Chords: Available upon request.
Incomplete list of other artists who’ve covered this song.
Josh Groban on his debut album, Josh Groban.
The artist Chloë Agnew, a member of the Celtic Woman musical group, released a version of this song on her CD Walking In The Air.
Tori Amos covered this song live on various dates during her 2002-2003 and 2005 tours.
Julie Andrews sings the song in an episode of The Julie Andrews Hour.
Justin Hayward in his solo album Classic Blue with Mike Batt.
This song is covered by Declan Galbraith in his 2006 album Thank You.
Brian Kennedy sang the song at George Best’s funeral.
The punk band NOFX released a version of this song on a rarities and b-sides double album.
Jane Olivor covered the song on her 1977 album First Night.
This song was covered by Alan Smith, introduced as “Ya Greetin Faced Sh*te”, in 2002, in Glastonbury.[citation needed]
The band Spot 1019 released a version of this song on their 2002 CD In Her Satanic Majesty’s Secret Service Entrance.
Daniel Selby covered the song on his forth-coming 2009 album Another Town, Another Time, Another Face.
Chyi Yu covered the song on her 1988 album Whoever Finds This, I Love You.
Chet Atkins covered this song in a fingerstyle guitar arrangement.
Rick Astley covered this song on his 2005 album Portrait.
Julio Iglesias covered this song in his album My Life: The Greatest Hits (disc 1).
Vonda Shepard for the TV show Ally McBeal and its companion album, Heart and Soul.
Garth Brooks performed an acoustic version of this song during his November 12, 2007 concert in Kansas City, MO.
Roberto Vecchioni, an Italian singer-songwriter, released an Italian covered version of this song on his 2000 album Canzoni e cicogne.
Raymond Lam sang the opening in the show Heart of Greed and has also performed the same lines live.
David Roth covered this song on his album Pearl Diver.
Lauren Hoyle recently covered this song at a talent contest (which she went on to win).
Vienna Teng covered this song at a number of live performances
Chet Lam on his “Travelling Live” live album.
Joanna Wang on her “Joanna & 王若琳” album.
(Courtesy of wikipedia)
Duration : 0:4:20
[youtube 27FBvXxQ1NA]
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
could i also have …
could i also have the tabs for this please ? it´s wonderful !
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
hey, could i have …
hey, could i have the tabs for this please? Thanks in advance ^^
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I agree with the …
I agree with the previous posts. You did a really wonderful job with this song. Its as good or better than McLean’s version.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
great cover man
great cover man
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Young man, you are …
Young man, you are very, very talented. No b.s., I expect you will accomplish much musically in your life. Your voice is unique, and that’s a big plus.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I appreciate your …
I appreciate your advice lover.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
your voice is too …
your voice is too nasal. try sticking some pens up your nose and pushing hard when you feel resistance. that should make youtube a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
You really have a …
You really have a variety of song choices here, that’s great. I love your version of this song, well done!
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
such an awesomeness
such an awesomeness
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
One of my favorite …
One of my favorite songs- Don McLean is a sorely underrated songwriter-
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Really beautiful …
Really beautiful and heartfelt. I was moved. I can’t hear this song without tearing up, and your voice really compliments it. Don’t listen to the guy who tells you to “lose the vocal vibrato”.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
tabs pls?
tabs pls?
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
great cover… can …
great cover… can u give me the tabs … thanx
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
One of my most …
One of my most favorite songs. So beautiful
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
brings tears to my …
brings tears to my eyes
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Cost ya 50 bucks… …
Cost ya 50 bucks……but works best
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Yet another great …
Yet another great performance Craig. Many thanks
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Nice job!
Nice job!
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
AHHH i love don …
AHHH i love don mclean. I beg of you: sing Wonderful Baby by Don Mclean
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Try out the new G7 …
Try out the new G7 Capo……..as a switch. Nice technique……..loose the vocal vibrato……..smooth it out.
Good job overall.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
One of my …
One of my favourites… you did it great justice!
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
One of the best …
One of the best songs ever. I love it. Fabulous cover.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Beautiful Job on a …
Beautiful Job on a wonderful beautiful song…~~Newfies are so darn talented aint they?…cheers~~keep up the great work.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Great, you have an …
Great, you have an incredible performance, keep on rocking!!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Wow…You are so …
Wow…You are so very tallented. I really think is my favorite by you…BEAUTIFUL!!!
**********Many Stars to You************