Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) - Don Mclean (cover)

I love, love, love, love this song!! I can't say how truly brilliant it is and I can't seem to look up on a clear night at the moment without humming 'starry starry night'.

Don Mclean wrote the song about Vincent van Gogh after reading a book about him. Van Gogh's painting 'Starry Night' is the one at the beginning of this video and the song I feel is equally a masterpiece.

Check out this for some interesting background and analysis of the lyrics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_(song)

Check out the master himself - a sublime performance:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9ARdPHSBg

I just love the line

"I could have told you, Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you"

To who else could this be applied? Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley and many more!

I could have practiced this more and it is not as polished as I would have liked but, as usual, too impatient to upload!

Thanks to everyone for your comments and support of late - I have been pretty busy so if I haven't replied to your comments know that I read them all and am always very grateful!

joe

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...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• vincent
• starry
• night
• van
• gogh
• don
• mclean
• joe
• burton
• cover
• Alternative
• Folk
• Country

[TheRealMissyFoxx]

Brilliant cover hun...I really enjoyed it!

[joeburton77]

thanks, and for the sub :)

[mscgood]

I love it ! I have that same feeling on a star filled night. In fact tonight, walking my dogs, I was singing it to myself too. Thanks for posting

Marty

[joeburton77]

thanks, and for the sub!

all the best

joe

[TheBrooklynRadio]

I really dig all the stuff you produce, -your originals as well as your covers. You have a way of capturing ones attention/mind and gently guiding it through a world of imagery and emotion. Be well.

Peace

[joeburton77]

thanks very much, I like the way you put that! best wishes

joe

[licandres01]

you should do this song again with the audio quality of your new videos

[bosszeroboss]

This is a good cover, but you can't approach McClean's voice.

You are forced to approach it from an "everyman" perspective, which is still good.

[LurchDarkness]

Fantastic dude.. just magical! I did a cover of this myself, but it seems simplified compared to yours. In a word.. beautiful.. just the way it should be.

[zeitvoll]

you remind me of a friend living in france, yeah la vie! you sing like him great job!

[Canstey84]

Fantastic job.. Check out my version if ya got the time :)

[artenis90]

Oh it's one of my favourite songs! And your version sounds wonderful! Full of emotion :)