Vincent

This is one of my favorite old songs and I attempt (emphasis on attempt) to sing it everytime my cousins and I go to a videoke place.

It is by Don McLean who also sang American Pie (revived by Madonna). Most people think the title of this song is Starry, Starry Night simply because it's the song's first line. It is entitled Vincent as a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.

VINCENT

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.

And 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 flo'rs that brightly blaze
swirling clouds in violet haze reflect in
Vincent's eyes of China blue.

Colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's
loving hand.

And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
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 heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.

Like the stranger that you've met
the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorn of bloddy rose
lie crushed and broken
on the virgin snow.

And 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 list'ning still
perhaps they never will.

I think that this song is a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh's genius which was not appreciated during his lifetime. During his career, he sold only one painting. He ended his life by shooting himself.

The first line of the song, pertains to one of Van Gogh's most famous paintings, The Starry Night.