Starry starry Night
I was inspired by BB to write this post. Through him, I found out that there is such a profound meaning behind the song 'Vincent' by Don McLean. I actually knew the song through 溏心风暴.
The above pic was a famous painting by Vincent van Gogh, the Starry Night. Van Gogh was a post-impressionist Dutch artist who led his led insanely during his last few years. And the most insane action he did was probably to cut his left ear off. And he eventually commited suicide.
Vincent' in turn was written by Don McLean to commerate this famous artist. There are very meaningful lyrics penned in the song,"sketch the trees and the daffodils" and "morning fields of amber grain" - which describe the amber wheat that features in several paintings.
As far as the song goes as a tribute to van Gogh as the man himself, the song reflects on the lack of recognition that van Gogh received.
In each chorus, McLean says "They would not listen / they did not know how / perhaps they'll listen now," except in the final verse, McLean says "They would not listen / They're not listening still / Perhaps they never will".
This is the story of van Gogh: unrecognised as an artist until after his death. The lyrics suggest that van Gogh was trying to "set [people] free" with the message in his work. McLean feels that this message was made clear to him: "And now I understand what you tried to say to me", he sings. Perhaps it is this eventual understanding that inspired McLean to write the song.
Throughout his life, van Gogh was plagued with mental disorders, particularly depression. He "suffered for his sanity" and eventually "took his life, as lovers often do". The word "lover" puts into context how McLean saw the relationship of van Gogh with his art - a relationship of love. This love was strong enough for van Gogh to persevere with his art even without acceptance from his contemporaries: "For they could not love you, but still your love was true".
Touched~
