This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Starry, starry night
Paint your pallet blue and gray
Look out on the summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and winter chill
In colors on the snowy linen land
Now I understand
What you tired to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
The 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 gray
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 your love was left inside
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
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
Paint your pallet blue and gray
Look out on the summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and winter chill
In colors on the snowy linen land
Now I understand
What you tired to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
The 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 gray
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 your love was left inside
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
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
Lyrics submitted by RiceEaterGirl
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) Lyrics as written by Don Mclean
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is beautiful, but the Don McLean version is also great. Josh Groban is a great singer, but I don't think he should get so much credit when all he had to do was cover the song.
Josh Groban did not co-write this song. He didn't write or co-write any songs until his 2nd album, "Closer"
This song was around before Groban starting singing. He did not co-write it
great song regardless who sings it. in the song he's basically describing vincent van gogh's painting starry night and his troubled life to go along with that.
Starry, starry night, Flaming flowers that brightly blaze Swirling clouds in violent haze, Reflecting Vincent’s eyes that shine of blue, Colors changing hue, Morning fields of amber grain, Weathered faces lined in pain Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand.
the painting
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.
he shot himself in the chest
dont feel like explaining the rest but thats what its about.
I think this song is about artists, but obviously, particularly about Vincent Van Gogh. He painted these beautiful paintings, with such vibrant colors and beautiful strokes, and everyone thought he was crazy. Vincent tried to speak through his art, but no one listened, he was told he was insane and this only made him more lonely. He tried to paint for others but they rejected him. He committed suicide, "taking his life as lovers often do." Vincent's pain is so apparent in his works, they are full of loneliness and tumbling thoughts. Overall I think this song says something very specific about Van Gogh's art, but about artists in general: Van Gogh had something to say. He was rejected in his lifetime and celebrated afterwards. No one listened to what he was saying. Perhaps even now we don't understand. This song is simply a tribute to this tormented artist whose brushstrokes are forever engraved on our memory, and yet, a tragic story for living artists- when they have something to say, they will suffer for it, but it will always be worth saying.
This song is so powerful, well all his songs are. I think he did a much better version of this song. Its so beautiful and Its one of those songs that you can play over and over and won't get sick of.
of course josh groban didn't co-write this song. depending on how old he is, he was probably only a small kid....
I absolutely LOVE Josh Groban's version of this song! I listen to it on my ipod in the bed at night when I'm stressed and I always go to sleep when I listen to it in bed and I also usually have a good night sleep.
What are you talking about? Josh Groban co-wrote this song. This isn't a cover.
josh groban's version is waaaaay better although the don mclean version is good too