Spinning Away Lyrics

Lyric discussion by ATTILA911 

Cover art for Spinning Away lyrics by Brian Eno

Vincent Van Gogh .. sitting 'up on a hill' .. as the day dissolves .. with my pencil turning moments into lines." ~ The song's meaning is clearly stated by Eno. As Van Gogh draws the pencil outline for his perhaps most celebrated panting 'Starry Night." .. he describes his feelings and observations as he creates his iconic masterpiece. The song .. is one of many great songs from the album 'Wrong Way Up' by Brian Eno & John Cale. A true 'masterpiece' in itself !!!

Song Meaning

@ATTILA911~ painting* ...

@ATTILA911 I don't think the song is literally from Van Gogh's point of view, but of another artist imagining what Van Gogh felt. The giveaway is the line "a silent silver plane, it draws a golden chain". Planes didn't exist in Van Gogh's time.

But, definitely referencing Van Gogh's works, Arles, and the hugeness of the night sky.

Wonderful song.

@ATTILA911 Just as a point of interest. Van Goth painted Starry Night from memory. It is the view from his room but he was not permitted to paint there, only in his studio, from where he could not see the hill.