11 Songs That Prove Van Morrison REALLY Is The Man!
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Van Morrison is known for his blend of R&B, folk, blues, and rock, as well as his poetic and spiritual lyrics. Here's a rundown of his best tunes, and the stories behind them.
Listen to the full version of the songs in our accompanying article of the best Van Morrison songs:
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My favourite all time artist. Astral Weeks blew me away
Van Morrison is the only artist that makes me cry when I hear him. I don’t know if it’s happiness or he just touches my heart in some way I can’t understand. Astral Weeks will put me in a strange mood for the rest of the day every time I put that album on. There’s something about this album which cleans my mind and resets my ground level. I don’t think there is anyone who touches my soul quite like him
Ballerina is an utter classic .
Such a young guy coming out with a song like that is incredible. I can’t get over just how good that song is. Hope you keep on enjoying his music mate 👍👍🇬🇧.
You are a wonderful lady and what a wonderful comment. Thank you 👍
I’ve loved Van’s music for over 40 years, so many wonderful, classic songs. Top of the tree for me, In the Garden 💞💞
60 years up to 2024AD
The Moondance full album is what I tend to always play when I am doing projects in the garage. Caravan is still one of my all time favs
None of these would appear on my top 11. But that is the great thing about van! So many great songs to choose from
Yeah I was trying to be nice in my comment but truth is, this is a weak list when looking at his entire catalogue. It's a center list, not controversial and designed to appease the most people.
His whole body of work is off the charts good he is so underrated
Piffle!
I don't know anyone that truly cares about music who does not regard him highly. Morrison is a touchstone.
@@hugh-johnfleming289 And you too are a touchstone my son, astute comment
'Someone like you' is the song every lady wants her man to sing to her....but no one can sing it like Van.... Classic love song. My Fav ❤️
"Queen of the slipstream" if your sweetie comes from east north Europe!
Very fittingly
Every single day I have a different list of top Van songs depending on the mood I’m in but these 5 songs always find their way in - Foreign Window - Listen to the Lion - Ancient Highway - I Forgot that Love Existed - Someone Like You.
Great choices, and not a single one on our list! Goes to show how broad his discography is.
I cannot think of any songwriter (English lyrics anyway) who comes close to Van. And most people only know the small number of radio hits. They don’t know what they’re missing.
Agreed, so many. - Reminds Me of You - Sometimes We Cry - These Are The Days - Cleaning Windows - Philosophers Stone - Bulbs, live at Montreux 1974 - Wavelength, Montreux 1980 - Troubadours, 1979 Capitol Theatre NJ
I forgot that love existed-live version from a night in san francisco
wonderful remark
purple heather
green rocky road
foreign window
listen to the lion
and it stoned me
into the mystic
the beauty of the days gone by
in the garden
caravan live from the last waltz with the band
Try one of his recent masterpieces “my time after a while”
Not only has this man got soul (delta/Chicago) etc… he’s got the courage to speak the truth
Morrison, with a really tight band, was easily one of the most satisfying shows I have ever seen. The single caveat? Long ago when people used their seats and didn't have smart phones.
Every song a Masterpiece. Rave on Van. 💚🍀🎶
Too many great songs so I forgive him for the absence of Rave On John Donne.
Not only is he an amazing singer, songwriter, he is also an absolutely amazing human being. No pretending, no "PR stunts", just a brilliant and true human being.
Greatest singer-songwriter ever. No one else is even close.
Seriously right.
A f***ING genius
Absolutely. Van is da man. And that Van plays a number of instruments so well is also extraordinary. His sax is as soulful as it gets. We love Van here.
Van is my absolute fevered artist!!!! love him, and all his songs...
I think you have made a grave error here by only focusing on songs up to 1979. The fact is that he has written and recorded some outstandingly transcendent pieces since then: Haunts of Ancient Peace 1980, Sense of Wonder 1985,In the Garden 1986, Queen of the Slipstream 1987, etc.
Oh “Queen of the slipstream “is just class. Along with many others of course 👍👍.
I have seen him a number of times since I was in high school and I am now 71 and the last two times I saw him I paid almost $3,000 a ticket to sit second row Center. I would not walk across the street to see any of the new bands for free if they gave me a Mercedes Benz for coming. I am praying to see him a few more times before I die because I love the Wee Man from Belfast whose music is the backstory of my life... To me the only three people worth seeing in concert at this point in my life are Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell..... At his last concert here in Florida at the Hard Rock Casino which was such a dump filled with lowlifes and trust me I've been to all the best casinos in the world playing Baccarat..... the auditorium where he played was great but the rest of the place was a honky-tonk junk store. Van was feeling sick as evidenced by the stage manager bringing him out cups and cups of steaming tea.30 minutes into the show the seated two drunks in flip-flops. They were talkin being generally obnoxious so I leaned forward and whispered down in front you jerks. The little girl beside me started to cry because she had saved up for a year for the ticket then the cretin pulled out a cell phone the size of a tablet and began watching a ball game with sound. I then stood up slapped him so hard in the back of the head he flew out of the seat and his phone bounced off the stage. I said don't let me see your head above that seat again. I don't know if he learned his lesson but nobody disrespects The Man....while I am watching❤❤❤❤
I don’t think that you’ve made any mistakes Damien. It’s still all available. My favorite Van Morrison stuff is the seventies and eighties.
I can’t get my head around how good he is. Just a suggestion. Try Enlightenment. It’s amazing if you’re chilling. Happy listening mate 👍👍🇬🇧.
We don't think you've made any mistakes Damien. You're amazing and you have picked some great songs. With the passage of time, by the time you're eighty, you'll be loving Van's work in the 2000s. I hope I'm not dead then and that we can speak. But if I am dead, please enjoy Van's stuff nevertheless 👍
"Himself to the Silence"
G.O.A.T. Rave on Van! 💚💚💚💚
Indeed!!!
Totally agree.....except for the top 11...I would have to say my top 50 or maybe even 60.....so much incredible, iconic, powerful, creative and beautiful pieces of delight!! I went to Las Vegas to see him..sat in the 8th row center...I was in HEAAAAVEN 🎵🎶🎵....
I am very new to Van Morrison and I really got into him when someone suggested Into the Mystic. I then went on to listen to a greatest hits list of his and many of these songs are on it. I really love and agree with your list for the most part as I have heard all these songs. But I have to include Alan Watts Blues (my favorite), the Philosopher Stone (sums up my entire life in one song), and the Mystery (otherworldly)
I just really discovered the greatest of Sir Van Morrison but he is my FAVORITE musician, artist ever now 🤗♥️🎶
Thrilled you enjoyed this video. It was hard limiting the list to just 11 as there are SO many amazing Van Morrison songs! I'll take a listen to those you mention, thanks for the comment :)
@@zinginstruments here is my top 11
1. Alan Watts Blues
2. The Philosopher Stone
3. The Mystery
4. Tupelo Honey
5. Into the Mystic
6. Brown Eyed Girl
7. And It Stoned Me
8. Ballerina
9. Little Village
10. Bright Side of the Road
11. Crazy Love but the Brian McKnight version
Subject to change as I discover more 🤗♥️🎶
I bought the best of Van Morrison too Jucain , back in 1989. I went on the biggest album buying binge I could imagine after listening to it. I can truly say that his music is the best I’ve ever heard. Favorite album Jucain ? Mine is Enlightenment. Keep enjoying him , I’m sure you will 🇬🇧👍👍👍.
@@neilhobson3624 hi Neil so far it is Poetic Champions Composed but I am discovering so many beautiful songs that just pop up as suggestions .... Avalon Sunset is another as is Saint Dominic's Preview
@@TecumsehButler All great albums there Jucain. Have you heard “No guru, no method, no teacher”?
That’s another beauty👍.
Van has been at the top of my favorite listenings (sic). He continues to be relevant.
Great video, thanks! - There is a fantastic forgotten song on the underrated Veedon Fleece: Bulbs. What a soulful and uplifting song it is, uptempo, and Van‘s vocals are transcendent. Give it a listen! Greetings from Berlin, Harry
Thanks Harry, I'll check it out
Totally agree!
Would also add Ancient Highway as a life soul saver.
Someone Like You is the ultimate love song and gives hope.
vocal tour de force
yeah , 2great choices .. Ballerina ?? too ...
I have always known that Van the Man was the man from the very first time I heard him singing his songs with Them on my grandmother wireless way back in time when I was just a little boy of 3 years olds. Yes Van is the Man
Van Morrison is defiantly the man. My mother loved van Morrison and I have come to love him too. I would buy my mom a different van Morrison CD every year for Christmas. She recently passed away and now I have her van Morrison collection of around 35 CDs and I love them all and it helps me keep her spirt alive.but he is most defiantly THE MAN...
@@donnavos4011 I am very sorry to hear that your dear Mom has passed away, many her soul rest in eternal peace, both you and your mother have the greatest taste in excellent music, Van music seeped down deep into your heart, in your solid, in your blood and imprinted into your mind and will never fade away
Very nice selection !
On the Mark. Into the Mystic got my attention the year I graduated from High School (1970.). He is a genius and a curmudgeon. ❤️❤️
I love the into the Mystic song ..deep and jazzy
My favourites:
Coney Island
Someone like you
Have I told you lately
Days like this
These are the days,
Great man and song writer !
Agree with Astral Weeks, all time classic album but would add Philosopher's Stone in my top list of songs.
Yes , that is a nice song 👍👍🇬🇧.
Van had some other very good songs too. Your choices are swell!
He can rarely do any wrong for me. The first album that transformed me was Astral Weeks. It sounds so corny but it's my soul set to music and it remains my favourite album of all time. The songs just resolve so beautifully and yet are all so different...x
You Are so right. The mystic of Vans music is, that it gets better the more you hear it unlike most of mediocre Stoff. It creeps in my soul and fills me up with - happiness ? love ? hope ?
I LOVE th8s because Van Morrison is a huge part if my life. H8s music is above anyone and I LOVE many artist but Van Morrison is THE GREATEST
Great choice for number one Into the Mystic, one of Van's greates songs. Should of added Astral weeks, on here.
This list as all lists are, is entirely subjective. Good list. Here's mine:
11. I'm Not Feeling It Anymore
10. And The Healing Has Begun
9. Hymns To The Silence
8. Caravan
7. St. Dominic's Preview
6. Madame George
5. TB Sheets
4. And It Stoned Me
3. Listen to the Lion
2. These Are The Days
1. Tupelo Honey
Sweet Thing and Into the Mystic are pure poetry. Two of the best written songs ever written
I heard a pretty good version of Sweet Thing by the Waterboys the other day. Also check out Hoziers stirring version of it here: zinginstruments.com/best-hozier-songs/
The very first album I ever bought was Van Morrison and Them. That was 1965, I was 10 or 11. I was fresh off seeing the Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan and I loved the song Here Comes the Night that was playing on Top 40 radio at the time. So many good songs by Van Morrison over many decades. 👍🏼
thanx for the time 2004 in Brighton ,buzzin
Wavelength is my all time favorite !! It sums up all of Van Morrison’s music for me. The wavelength of music that touches my soul…Tho he talks about music going from country to country, I deepen it to myself from soul to soul.
Although Sweet Thing is my favorite and Into the Mystic is "our song" for my wife and me, I think Wavelength is his best song. It is fun and serious at the same time. All the varied parts sound great on their own, and they fit together perfectly to give us another look at Van's exploring the relationship between earthly and divine love.
I agree. It's my favorite as well
.wavelength.
I've been a fan since THEM
1964-2024AD
Sir, you missed Caravan! All great songs you listed by the way, but Caravan is my #1. Awesome list!
Have you listened this instrumental version of it by Leon Russell? ua-cam.com/video/5tRZYCR2Iv0/v-deo.html
Great list. How could it be otherwise? Natalia is one of my favorites.
Not bad at all my friend, hard to get Van into 11 songs...My number one is crazy face but go figure with my name
Good list. Nice.
Summertime in England for example instead of Wild Night would be mine choice. otherwise, well done!
I think sometimes we cry also deserves a place on the list
Been a fan since them and yes, "Into the Mastic" should absolutely be #1
If VM would stop creating music and dedicated himself to play his previous albums, we would have more than plenty to enjoy!!
He continues creating
His art.
Thank you Van!
Scotty Weisman Wrote have I told you lately that I love you in the nineteen forties. Best song ever
This has nothing to do with Van Morrison
I've been putting together Top 10 playlists of my favourite artists for some time now, Van included, Only one of your choices is in my list, which is as follows (in no particular order)
1. Jackie Wilson Said
2.Wild Honey
3. Summertime In England
4. Autumn Song
5. Rave On, John Donne
6. Alan Watts Blues
7. Crazy Jane On God
8. Coney Island
9. In The Garden
10. Sense Of Wonder
Ha, 1 out of 10, not bad!
Totally agree with your number 1. Into the mystic is pure genius. What about 'Bulbs' though? Any thoughts?
I believe Moon Dance is the song that brought most people to Van and for that reason should be #1. That's the song when we realized how special he was.
Cant believe "Madame George" is not on the list. And "When the Healing Has Begun".
Gosto bastante da voz de Van Morrison.
Warm love ,Rave on John Donne, Tupelo Honey, so many and still going strong
Madame George is his masterpiece
Madame George es su mejor canción.
"Rave On, John Donne" ~ "Wavelength" ~ "Natalia" ~ "The Eternal Kansas City" ~ "Streets of Arklow" ~ "You Don't Pull No Punches..." ~ "Bulbs" ~ "Fair Play" ~ "Autumn Song" ~ "Wild Children" ~ "Celtic Ray" ~ "Aryan Mist" ~ "Across the Bridge where Angels Dwell" ~ "Queen of the Slipstream" ~ "Crazy Jane on God" ~ "I Don't Want to go on Without You" ~ "Caravan" ... to name a few.
That bit about Jocky Wilson is priceless. Or is it Jockey? So many songs. I could have added a few like Caravan. But there are so many. Astral Weeks is such a unique album. How did that happen. And now today his voice is still unbelievable. I’ve listened to him since the 60s. Incredible even when he seems pissed off at everything 😀😀
Yeah, agree, Caravan is class too. And yep, Astral Weeks is his "Ulysses"
For me, it is Daring night!
My two favorite VM albums are Too Long in Exile and Hymns to the Silence. Especially the latter, Candy Dulfer's sax and Georgie Fame's organ really made that album, and I think it's not just VM's best work but one of the best albums in the rock/pop pantheon.
Yep, two fine albums there. I may have to do a part two :)
If I had to choose the works of just one artist for that desert island, Van is definitely the man. Like a therapist on vinyl. "It take more than a lifetime just to get to know yourself"
I agree that Morrison is a great songwriter and vocalist. I'm surprised Have I Told You Lately didn't make your list. Its in my top 5. Van Morrison hits album Still On Top has all the songs in the top 11 except for Sweet Thing.
Glad Tidings is one of my favorites as well. It was also played on The Soprano's.
His best songs never made it on the radio. Stranded, Celtic new year, Take it where you find it. Etc
Agreed. He is The Greatest. I have been an absolute fanatic of several artists/bands over the years. Recently, however, I realised that Van really is my favourite of all time. He takes that position over The Beatles, over The Stones (even in their 68-72 era!), over my beloved Velvet Underground, over The Band, over Nick Cave, over The Fall and over The Beach Boys (and that is saying something).
As someone else said, Van's mysic makes me bloody cry. That bit confuses me somewhat as I do love other artists' deeply, but nobody moves me like Van does. Nobody.
Edit: Relatively recently I have started getting into Van's 80s period, and to a lesser extent, his 90s material. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher and Beautiful Vision etc.
There's a fine group of musicians you mention that you put Van the Man above! Yes, much of his later stuff is awesome too.
Thank ya ya did i Awesome job of Van the Man
thanks for the support
One of the my often heared songs is 'Madame George' from Astral Weeks, because the cicumstands never chance but Van gives us hope i think
I agree with you with Nr 1. My list would have also included Call Me Up Your Dreamland, Street Choir, Troubadeurs, Northern Muse, Aryan Mist, Foreign Window, Tir Na Nog and One Irish Rover. Maybe even Redwood Tree and Glad Tidings.
Great list. I would have to include Everything I Do Reminds Me of You and When the Leaves Come Falling Down, as well as several others - but they're all great. I would put And It Stoned Me higher on the list. There are so many other great songs, too. I love Girl From the County Down, Mr. DJ, and on and on.
Any Van song list has to include And the healing has begun
I agree. Among all the great songs he's written and performed, this is the one that always hits me with the greatest emotion. Most studio versions of songs pale to a well-done live version. But this version is stunning. His amazing vocals, the violin, the simple piano, the bass. It's all perfect.
I also love other artists doin VM songs. Into the mystic by Joe Cocker, the reggae version
Hey great list.
Side note: "Into the Mystic" refers to the Mystic River in Boston Massachusetts. Which is why the song has allusions and terms related to sailing. The name of the river comes from the local American Indian tribes phrase Missi-Tuk or 'great tidal river' and the phrase actually has no relation to the English word "mystic" other than sounding similar.
P.S. my favorite Van song not on this list is Tupelo Honey because I am from a state named after another 'great river' - Mississippi... where Elvis's hometown of Tupelo is, and the same state where Muddy Waters (who you mentioned in the video) is from.
Bullshit about the river in Boston. Van himself admitted he first wrote it as "Into the Misty", then changed the title to "Into the Mystic".
@@davidwilliamson5660 lmao it's not BS
Tupelo Honey surely should be included among his best.
Reminds Me Of You, breaks my heart every time! He's One of the few left from the 60's still doing it and churning out Top Tunes! The Stones, maybe couple good albums in last 20 yrs, Dylan, is Dylan! Neil Young, still Rocking & Moving, Clapton, again, nothing of note in last 20 yrs, The Who, not The Who! Who else is left from then, doing it at to the same high standards? As The Man sings 'It's Too Late To Stop Now!' Van Is The F king Man!
Yep, not many left. We lost David Crosby recently too, he had a great run of albums late in his career, check them out.
My very first 8-track ( yup I’m that old) Tupelo Honey.
Cool! Bet it sounded great
Astral Weeks stoned me with Into the Mystic!
Never in doubt. Only challenger is James Taylor.
He really does have the music thing figured out.
Sure does!
Into the mystic is specifically about going to heaven. Not an unknown. He refers to hearing the Foghorn whistle blow and not having to fear it. That is a reference to the trumpet that will sound when Jesus Christ makes his return and calls His people home. Thats the “Home” he is mentioning. Rocking a jypsy soul is also a metaphor to saving the lost souls who have not yet came to accept Christ as lord and recieve salvation and a room in heaven… that is a “jypsy soul” a wondering lost or searching soul who has not found its anchor yet. “We were born before the wind, also younger than the sun” that is in allignment with the scripture in the Bible that says God had known us before the beginning of time and had predestined us for plans He ordained as the Spirit of God hovered over the void before He said “let there be light” IE- also younger than the sun. Peace and Love and may you all ask Jesus Christ to reveal himself to you, and join me in heaven for eternity 🙏 much love
Amen 🙏
The Mystic is the name of a river in Boston Massachusetts. The sailing terms are because that is the location of the song.
astral weeks is the greatest. they struck some magic groove on that
I like wavelength.
Nice video thanks-though you set yourself a very difficult task-to try to pick 11 out of so many great songs. Wouldn't argue with your choices though I personally would have probably picked one or two from the 80s, and maybe the 2000s. I have a channel where I'm currently having a go at picking my top 10 VM songs from each decade
Probably a wise idea (songs from each decade), so many to choose from. Yes definitely more of his later ones. I may have to extend it to 20!
5) You don’t pull no punches but you don’t push the river.
4)Dweller on the Threshold
3) Saint Dominic’s Preview
2) Caravsn
1) Astral Weeks
Can you prove matters of taste? Very clever indeed.
Also Veedon Fleece. Amazing album.
Good choices but I would include "The Healig has Begun" from Into the Music
Good shout, thanks
A musical genius for six decades.......
Very difficult job that funny you made it 11 not 10 why not 12 or even 15? Easy to put more in. I would have thought the most difficult part is what to leave out I reckon most of us couldd easily argue 10 more of his songs could have in as well. Good job bro I don't completely agree but then who would 🤔🤗
I suspect the bbc knew - it was their little joke - Van’s never been in the bosom of the uk’s media - he’s always been regarded as a loose wire - hard to control due to Van’s single-mindedness -
This is why his real music has never been promoted, also his music speaks the truth
So not a mistake?! That's an amusing theory.
Van morrison, leonard cohen, bob dylan, gordon lightfoot, tom waits...any questions?
but first and foremost, joni mitchell. Them's some songwriters;)
Jim Morrison discovered his own style based on Van Morrison!!! Their last name is mere coincidence!!
God does exist!
Van Morrison is proof of it! MMXXIV AD!
I would like to point out that Janet Rigsbee was the actual name of his first wife. He called her Janet Planet because it rhymed.
thanks for clarifying
Astral weeks
Caravan
Listen to the Lion
Cyprus avenue
In the Garden
Foreign Window
Purple Heather
St dominic’s preview
Domino
See me through
Vanlose stairway
my top 11
My top 11VM songs in no particular order:
Foreign window
Beside You
Fair play
Ancient Highway
When will i ever learn to live in god
Celtic New Year
Just like Greta
Piper at the gates of Dawn
Enlightenment
Hymns to the silence
In the Garden
I would never have included Brown Eyed Girl.
Overplayed, but for a good reason. I wish there was a more eclectic choice in his list though -- The most obscure one was "Days like This." - I'd have gone with ua-cam.com/video/0XSImibKLHs/v-deo.html
What ? No Madam George or TB Sheets, or Caravan ? Just kidding, there are so many wonderful songs to choose from. It's impossible.
Whoever attempts to classify Van Morrison's musical production is deluded and embarks himself in an impossible task!!
How can anyone establish the order between excellent, superb, magnificent, fantabulous songs, based upon existing album, while the best is still coming???
i don't agree with your choice, cause many great Van Songs are missing ... such as 'Listen to the Lion' or 'Celtic Ray' ... but it's almost impossible to name oniy 10 "best" Van Morrison Songs .... 😀 ... maybe 30 or 40 best Van Songs could be a possible list 😎
Which musician or band should I do a video about next? Any suggestions?
dude, in the late 80s i bought van morrison and the chieftons. irish heartbeat..... you need to listen to it front to back and redo your list...... i dare you
I'll check it out, thanks for the heads up
Spanish Rose, Fast Train...