Oh, you're hitting two of the most beautiful songs ever written today. I envy you, hearing them for the first time. Half a century later, "Vincent" still makes me cry.
Congratulations Slugger. You've hit a Grand Slam. This is as good as a singer/songwriter song gets. Brilliant and heartbreaking. If you don't know the Van Gogh story, look it up. Didn't think American Pie could be topped.
The bit where it goes from major to minor is just so beautiful, with that gorgeous lyric afterwards ' I could have told you Vincent this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you'. Such a timeless song, that just gets better as the years go by. I remember hearing this so much when I was a child, and it really stuck with me.
There is a UA-cam video, McLean's recording, his lyrics across the screen, and a succession of Van Gogh paintings moving behind them. Most beautiful thing on the internet
There's something that's just *right* about a musical artist in one era paying tribute to a visual artist of a bygone era. Vincent probably couldn't sing or play an instrument very well and Don McLean probably isn't much of a painter, but artists of different media and different eras can appreciate and be inspired by other art forms, and express that appreciation artistically FOR the rest of us who can just marvel at both the musical and visual geniuses of these people.
A really cool follow up to this would be to watch the Dr. Who clip where they bring Vincent back to a present day museum and an exhibition of his work; you can easily find it on UA-cam. WARNING: YOU MIGHT CRY YOUR EYES OUT! You don’t have to do a reaction to it but watch it on your own, it will be worth it.
Don McLean's "American Pie" was just an absolutely brilliant album. Most people call "Vincent" by it's opening lyrics opening lyrics opening lyrics ... "Starry, Starry Night." A song he did a couple of years later, "Crying," is worth a listen. It is a cover of an old Roy Orbison song. Don McLean's catalog is well worth checking out as well.
The care with which Don crafted the lyrics to Vincent, and the whole American Pie album is a masterclass in what great songwriting should be. Gosh, we had so much talent to sift through during the golden age of rock. Thanks Jellybean and Lee.
A masterpiece in my opinion💯. Always moving no matter how many times I've heard it. There is a video showing the particular art piece as the description unfolds. It makes it even more powerful to see the art at the same time. Great reaction Lee💯‼️
Love this song! Gets me everytime I hear it. Thanks Jellybean for the request. The whole American Pie album is great. Another of my favs from the album is "Winterwood" which I highly recommend.
All the tunes on the “American Pie” album are nothing like the title track, except maybe “Everybody Loves Me, Baby”, a rocker. This is my #1 favorite album, my desert island pick.
Everybody loves me baby: what's the matter with you? Won't you tell me what did I do to offend you. Sounds like a mob boss singing to his girlfriend gir
This is one of the great songs ever. The poem is fantastic carried with soft music. It brings tears to me and I've heard it hundreds of times. This is Don's greatest song, IMO.
The poetry of Don McLean is wonderful, then add in his plaintive melody adds up to magic. Such a beautiful hard hitting song, that can be applied to many underappreciated geniuses. Lovely pick, Jellybean. Blessings Lee and all.
I just realized as it happened, I know every word to this song. And they make me cry. And it’s beautiful. I really appreciate your thoughtful reaction Lee. To do the song justice you really must discuss the subject, at least in this case. Thank you Lee and Jellybean, it was wonderful.
True poetry from the Don. Great reaction Lee- your respect for the lyrics, given what happened to this artist is to your credit. As with many artisits, they would turn in their grave at the obscene valuations in today's crazy art market. Btw your my fave reactor due to the breadth of coverage and knowledgeable, sensitive comments. Keep it up bro.
When this song was new, I wrote out the words for my Grandad to read. He asked me if I wrote it myself, and my instant reply was "No, I wish I had, the singer wrote it." He said "You could have written it, it sounds like one of your poems..." 😊 Such praise, I obviously didn't deserve that accolade of course, but it made me feel proud, for a while, at least! The thing is, through my late Grandad's bloodline, I'm distantly related to the French writer, author Victor Hugo, so I feel any art I may have regarding poetry, I inherited from him... (I hope so, anyway!) In the meantime, being compared to Don Mcclean is an amazing and wonderful piece of praise, imo (...though I don't know what Don would think!!😮)😊❤
The lyrics "weathered faces lined in pain are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand" hits so hard for me. Vincent had such empathy and compassion for the people around him, but was afforded so little of the same from others who could have helped him. So brilliantly expressed in this masterpiece.
Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime. His sister-in-law promoted it while he was in an asylum. Van Gogh really had a very tragic life with a poor hold on reality much of the time. I love this song so much.
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever (right up there with Whiter Shade Of Pale). Musically it is simple and lyrically it is brilliant. Thank you for your reaction. VanGogh only sold one painting in his lifetime, so sad.
At 16 I learned this on guitar and sang it at school, suddenly the girls started paying attention to me. the power of music. ki;m still singing today. Just sang at our 50th High School graduation. Our class hippy / artist had died of a stroke four years ago. We loved her. So I sang this in her honor.
Went to van gogh museum in amsterdam to see the actual paintings for real was mind blowing, thesong hits me every time. A female friend of 35yrs kiled herself in 2016 after years of struggle, this song reminds me of her. Suppose in memory of all tragic suicides.
50+ years on and I can't hear this without getting emotional, even though I haven't struggled with this. It's just incredibly beautiful, mesmerizing and sad, and yet somehow inspiring.
This song is so emotional and affects most people in a very deep way. The lyrics are penetrating and heart felt. It is one where you often find yourself crying.
I absolutely love your inspirational thoughts & opinions. This world needs more people like you. So glad you share all these amazing music selections….keeping the music alive. God bless. 🙏
You are wise beyond your years. Keep doing what you are doing. I enjoy your videos very much. You should watch the video of this song where they used his artwork to match the lyrics. It is magic.
Van Gogh! I love this song! I am a painter and the reverence I have for Van Gogh goes deep into my marrow. This song makes me cry every time I hear it.
"That marimba's awesome" Glad you noticed that Lee. This is a beautiful song with great production actually. I love the marimba, and the strings. What a poet Don McLean is- a very cool singer-songwriter. This whole album is good. The song Babylon is short and amazing.
Oh wow, one of my all-time favourite songs for sure, and definitely one of the most beautiful written. Interesting fact time - this was Tupac's favourite song, and it was playing in his hospital room when he passed. This is one of those songs that transcends, no matter what genre of music you like, you can't help but be moved by this one. Great choice, and great reactions as always, Lee - cheer from Canada!
There is a fine line between genius and madness. Thoughts upon thoughts. Sights upon sights. Questions upon questions. Understandings upon understandings. All at once never ending.
I used to play this song for my high school students. We would do a unit on the impressionists and after we studied Van Gogh they seemed to understand this song.
It's amazing how a song like Vincent can be enjoyed and appreciated as much as a song like Close To The Edge. I love them both, but in different ways. 🙂
Van Gogh could be the patron saint of people with mental issues. McLean's line, "I could have told you, Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you" speaks to all those tortured souls whose gifts become misinterpreted or ignored by the world at large.
Seeing "The Starry Night" in person has been on my list of things to do for a while. Ticked that one off a few days ago. Also got to see "Portrait of Joseph Roulin", the Postman, they're both at MoMa in New York.
Our generation had the best poets and story tellers. Don was one of them.
You bet. James Taylor, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Bob Seger, Janice Ian, Paul Simon, ...
@@robertfindley921
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison... I don't know that Ringo ever wrote a real heart-jerking lyric.
“Castles in the Air” was another banger. A master songwriter 🎶
It must have been the drugs :)
The Beatles allowed the world to be free to be creative and themselves - their influence is still felt today.
Clearly, one of the most beautiful songs -- music and lyrics -- EVER written.
Oh, you're hitting two of the most beautiful songs ever written today. I envy you, hearing them for the first time. Half a century later, "Vincent" still makes me cry.
You're not alone. 👍
This song never fails to hit hard. So sad.
There is a video that shows a lot of Vincent's paintings along with the song. It is incredible.
His best song. A lyrical masterpiece.
Such a sad, heartfelt song ... so beautiful
Congratulations Slugger. You've hit a Grand Slam. This is as good as a singer/songwriter song gets. Brilliant and heartbreaking. If you don't know the Van Gogh story, look it up. Didn't think American Pie could be topped.
Agreed. The perfect song on so many levels.
American Pie is an album I still listen to weekly, even after 53 years. Every song on this album is unbelievable.
The bit where it goes from major to minor is just so beautiful, with that gorgeous lyric afterwards ' I could have told you Vincent this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you'. Such a timeless song, that just gets better as the years go by. I remember hearing this so much when I was a child, and it really stuck with me.
A clearer voice you'll never hear. Beautifully written and played.
Makes me cry every time.
An iconic song for an iconic artist. Absolutely perfect.
And you are so right, all you need is a singer and a guitar.
There is a UA-cam video, McLean's recording, his lyrics across the screen, and a succession of Van Gogh paintings moving behind them. Most beautiful thing on the internet
I agree! Beautiful video that perfectly captures the song. ❤
Yes, you should find it. The art pieces relate to the lyrics as he sings.
❤it is what came to mind immediately and I hoped Lee would use it.
Such a tragic story, but a beautiful song! All of Don's songs are wonderful. Thanks for all reactions, much appreciated!
There's something that's just *right* about a musical artist in one era paying tribute to a visual artist of a bygone era. Vincent probably couldn't sing or play an instrument very well and Don McLean probably isn't much of a painter, but artists of different media and different eras can appreciate and be inspired by other art forms, and express that appreciation artistically FOR the rest of us who can just marvel at both the musical and visual geniuses of these people.
💯
💖💜💙
Right? Impossible to listen to without crying. Thanks for covering this brilliant musician and lyricist. Listen to more of his music please!
A really cool follow up to this would be to watch the Dr. Who clip where they bring Vincent back to a present day museum and an exhibition of his work; you can easily find it on UA-cam. WARNING: YOU MIGHT CRY YOUR EYES OUT! You don’t have to do a reaction to it but watch it on your own, it will be worth it.
Watched it yesterday and yes, the tears flowed.❤
That was utter genius. One of the greatest songs ever, no exaggeration.
Don McLean's "American Pie" was just an absolutely brilliant album.
Most people call "Vincent" by it's opening lyrics opening lyrics opening lyrics ... "Starry, Starry Night."
A song he did a couple of years later, "Crying," is worth a listen. It is a cover of an old Roy Orbison song. Don McLean's catalog is well worth checking out as well.
"Vincent and the Doctor"...the episodic partner to this song. You will not regret it.
...and you will probably cry...but it will be a GOOD cry.
Yup. Quite the tear jerker…for me anyway.
The absolute best episode of Dr. Who ever.
The church of Auvers scene that lind of recreats one of his paintings
That right there is a master class in songwriting. Still moved to tears every time i hear it…
The care with which Don crafted the lyrics to Vincent, and the whole American Pie album is a masterclass in what great songwriting should be. Gosh, we had so much talent to sift through during the golden age of rock. Thanks Jellybean and Lee.
Beautiful song from a brilliant songwriter ❤
This is a true Classic.....it'll be revered as such in a hundred years from now.
Yup...still makes me cry.😢
Me too!
This song has always made me tear up!! So beautiful!
Don’s lyrics really painted a picture as well. The line with alliteration is simply brilliant.
Beautiful...... emotional.... powerful....
Don McLean.... you touched our souls with this one.
A masterpiece in my opinion💯. Always moving no matter how many times I've heard it. There is a video showing the particular art piece as the description unfolds. It makes it even more powerful to see the art at the same time. Great reaction Lee💯‼️
What a remarkable memorial! Obviously, Vincent meant so much to him! Lyrics are perfect on top of a beautiful melody!
Beautiful song.
Yessss. I’ll miss the premier but I’m so happy this got requested. Can’t wait to see your reaction.
Perfect song......also listen to "And I love You So"!
Oh yeah he does such an exquisite job on that.
Without a doubt one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Thanks L33……
Love this song! Gets me everytime I hear it. Thanks Jellybean for the request. The whole American Pie album is great. Another of my favs from the album is "Winterwood" which I highly recommend.
a timeless song! so moving!!!!!!!!!!!
All the tunes on the “American Pie” album are nothing like the title track, except maybe “Everybody Loves Me, Baby”, a rocker. This is my #1 favorite album, my desert island pick.
Everybody loves me baby: what's the matter with you? Won't you tell me what did I do to offend you. Sounds like a mob boss singing to his girlfriend gir
His art is beautiful. He's a grand master.
Love the Zeppelin shirt! Greatest band of all time!
One of my favourite songs, so beautifully performed
So glad you enjoyed it. There are videos with slideshows of Van Gogh's work. Very worth watching.
This is one of the great songs ever. The poem is fantastic carried with soft music. It brings tears to me and I've heard it hundreds of times. This is Don's greatest song, IMO.
Such a wonderful tribute to a great, if troubled, artist. Love this song. Great lyrics. A home run for Don McLean and humanity.
L33Reacts, Subscribed because your videos always make me smile!
The poetry of Don McLean is wonderful, then add in his plaintive melody adds up to magic. Such a beautiful hard hitting song, that can be applied to many underappreciated geniuses. Lovely pick, Jellybean. Blessings Lee and all.
I just realized as it happened, I know every word to this song. And they make me cry. And it’s beautiful. I really appreciate your thoughtful reaction Lee. To do the song justice you really must discuss the subject, at least in this case. Thank you Lee and Jellybean, it was wonderful.
A wonderful piece of songwriting that never ages. Empty Chairs from the same albium is another personal favourite in a similar discriptive vein.
Great reaction. The flip side of this single "Castles In The Air" is another master class in writing with a great melody and vocals.
True poetry from the Don. Great reaction Lee- your respect for the lyrics, given what happened to this artist is to your credit. As with many artisits, they would turn in their grave at the obscene valuations in today's crazy art market.
Btw your my fave reactor due to the breadth of coverage and knowledgeable, sensitive comments. Keep it up bro.
Great song, and as always, amazing, heartfelt, touching commentary. Thank you for all your hard work bringing a diverse catalog of
Genres of music.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written ❤❤❤❤
Stunningly heart-wrenching song. 💔🥺
There is is a gorgeous lyric video with a lot of his most famous paintings matched to the lyrics
It's definitely worth a look.
When this song was new, I wrote out the words for my Grandad to read.
He asked me if I wrote it myself, and my instant reply was "No, I wish I had, the singer wrote it."
He said "You could have written it, it sounds like one of your poems..." 😊
Such praise, I obviously didn't deserve that accolade of course, but it made me feel proud, for a while, at least!
The thing is, through my late Grandad's bloodline, I'm distantly related to the French writer, author Victor Hugo,
so I feel any art I may have regarding poetry, I inherited from him...
(I hope so, anyway!)
In the meantime, being compared to
Don Mcclean is an amazing and wonderful piece of praise, imo (...though I don't know what Don would think!!😮)😊❤
Don did this so very well. Thanks.🌻
I don’t think I heard this on the radio until the early 80s and just assumed it had just been released. It really is timeless!
The lyrics "weathered faces lined in pain are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand" hits so hard for me. Vincent had such empathy and compassion for the people around him, but was afforded so little of the same from others who could have helped him. So brilliantly expressed in this masterpiece.
So nice ... beautiful acoustic guitar work.
Some great choices today! Looking forward to watching later x
My favorite song of all time...
Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime. His sister-in-law promoted it while he was in an asylum. Van Gogh really had a very tragic life with a poor hold on reality much of the time. I love this song so much.
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever (right up there with Whiter Shade Of Pale). Musically it is simple and lyrically it is brilliant. Thank you for your reaction. VanGogh only sold one painting in his lifetime, so sad.
One of my favourite artists. An Don did him justice with this song.
At 16 I learned this on guitar and sang it at school, suddenly the girls started paying attention to me. the power of music. ki;m still singing today. Just sang at our 50th High School graduation. Our class hippy / artist had died of a stroke four years ago. We loved her. So I sang this in her honor.
Went to van gogh museum in amsterdam to see the actual paintings for real was mind blowing, thesong hits me every time. A female friend of 35yrs kiled herself in 2016 after years of struggle, this song reminds me of her. Suppose in memory of all tragic suicides.
I agree that our goal in life should be to just be the best person we can be. To be real, authentic, and just really care about people.
50+ years on and I can't hear this without getting emotional, even though I haven't struggled with this. It's just incredibly beautiful, mesmerizing and sad, and yet somehow inspiring.
This song is so emotional and affects most people in a very deep way. The lyrics are penetrating and heart felt. It is one where you often find yourself crying.
“…morning fields of amber grain; weathered faces lined in pain, are soothed beneath the artist loving hand.” -poetic brilliance!
I love this song. It's so emotional.
What a beautiful tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. I feel sad for him. 😌
His writings crops are spectacular.
The whole American Pie album is awesome. This became my favorite song. ❤️
The Grave from the same album is haunting me for almost 40 years
I absolutely love your inspirational thoughts & opinions. This world needs more people like you. So glad you share all these amazing music selections….keeping the music alive. God bless. 🙏
You are wise beyond your years. Keep doing what you are doing. I enjoy your videos very much. You should watch the video of this song where they used his artwork to match the lyrics. It is magic.
Don McLean has re-released this and American Pie recently, both done with Home Free. They are both wonderful!
Van Gogh! I love this song! I am a painter and the reverence I have for Van Gogh goes deep into my marrow. This song makes me cry every time I hear it.
"That marimba's awesome" Glad you noticed that Lee. This is a beautiful song with great production actually. I love the marimba, and the strings. What a poet Don McLean is- a very cool singer-songwriter. This whole album is good. The song Babylon is short and amazing.
Oh wow, one of my all-time favourite songs for sure, and definitely one of the most beautiful written. Interesting fact time - this was Tupac's favourite song, and it was playing in his hospital room when he passed. This is one of those songs that transcends, no matter what genre of music you like, you can't help but be moved by this one. Great choice, and great reactions as always, Lee - cheer from Canada!
There is a fine line between genius and madness. Thoughts upon thoughts. Sights upon sights. Questions upon questions. Understandings upon understandings. All at once never ending.
L33 , we had it but you have it now , beautiful!!!
They make these bright light panels for seasonal depression
What a classic!
Heartfelt analysis.
I enjoy your commentary L33...........
Stanley Jordon playing Stairway to Heaven on two guitars at the same time. Very cool.
I used to play this song for my high school students. We would do a unit on the impressionists and after we studied Van Gogh they seemed to understand this song.
❤
🌸 this is beautiful but very haunting
It's amazing how a song like Vincent can be enjoyed and appreciated as much as a song like Close To The Edge. I love them both, but in different ways. 🙂
“Vincent” used to play continuously at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. I was there in 1983. Not sure if that’s still the case.
Don McLean played this song live at the Van Gogh Museum in 2019 (ua-cam.com/video/rfTBSHXV0eM/v-deo.html).
Beautiful song…
Van Gogh could be the patron saint of people with mental issues. McLean's line, "I could have told you, Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you" speaks to all those tortured souls whose gifts become misinterpreted or ignored by the world at large.
Seeing "The Starry Night" in person has been on my list of things to do for a while. Ticked that one off a few days ago. Also got to see "Portrait of Joseph Roulin", the Postman, they're both at MoMa in New York.
Wow. It's been to long time. I've missed this.
great reaction
One of Tupac's favorite songs.
I saw Starry Night. Wow!