He put Vincent's paintings into words, that alone is no small feat as Vincent was a master; but he also put Vincent's life, pain, mental illness, his treatment by others, and his tragic death into words. This song is a masterpiece that stands right alongside Vincent's own works and the two compliment each other.
This is one really hard listen. My son loved this song. I played it at his funeral. It described him so well. RIP Cole, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.
When you understand the subject and the lyrics, it's even deeper and emotional. Talking about all of the paintings hanging on 'nameless walls', that are traded for fortunes nowadays. Yet he died a pauper, without ever selling a painting, supported all of his life by his own brother. Like a lot of people have said, this gives me chills, a lump my throat, and brings tears to my eyes every time... We really had the best storytellers back in the 70's.
Oh yes. Tupac was vastly misunderstood and they did not understand. Like Don said perhaps they will listen now. But sadly especially today they will not understand and perhaps they never will.....
I don't understand. I don't understand how a young, young man had the insight, the depth, to write such a song. Then to perform it so beautifully and effortlessly. That was magic. Sheer, utter magic.
"Vincent" is a song for the poets who are not heard; for the artists tortured with gifts that no one sees; the lover's divided by injustice and the actions of the unfeeling; for peace makers in a world fully of war; for those who sit quietly aching in their loneliness; and for the dreamers who cling desperately to the vanishing dream of something better, something wonderful. Been waiting awhile my brother Jamel for you to get to this lovely heart wrenching song...a song that always brings a tear to my eye. Don McLean's Vincent is a love letter and a letter of apology to a man he never knew but felt: "Then when no hope 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." Van Gogh was tortured and just wanted to give something healing and beautiful to world, a vision, and to be seen and loved, flaws and all....but alas it was not meant to be. This is "great music", for it transcends the normal and touches the sky...the starry starry sky!🌉❤ Think you would also appreciate Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy".🙏✌
Well, Van Gogh DID give something healing and beautiful to the world, and he IS accepted and loved. It just didnt happen during his lifetime. Actually, he gave us more than he intended...........this song, and Roberta Flack's song about Don singing this song.
@@SC-gp7kt Well actually, Lori Lieberman co wrote 'Killing me softly' after seeing Don perform 'Empty Chairs' at a small venue. There's several videos here on YT on Lori talking about how the song came to be. Robert Flack recorded a more popular cover version after hearing the original while traveling. Very interesting story.
I’ve lost a few friends to suicide in my 66 years. They never knew what beautiful souls they were and how much people would miss their presence in this world. One in particular will haunt me forever. He was the last person I ever thought would take his own life. Thanks for playing this J.
My son died by suicide. We played this at his Celebration of Life. Now every time I hear it, I cry. I think of my son as well as Vincent, one of my favorite artists. RIP to your friends.
He didn't kill himself. He was presumably murdered, accidentally, by a boy whose father was a Doctor and they were vacationing for the summer where Vincent was staying and painting outside Paris, Auvers-sue-Oise. There is absolutely no proof that he committed suicide. In the past eighty days before his death, he had painted 75 paintings, one of which, Portrait of Doctor Gachet, sold for $82.5 million in 1990. My point here is that nobody suicidal works so prolifically while suicidal, or even remotely depressed. Yes, there is much speculation and many theories, but the fact remains that, he was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to his stomach in his room, and he claimed that no one was responsible. Many speculate that he was protecting the boy. The gun, as well as all his painting supplies were never recovered from the field that he had been known to have painted in, at the time of he was shot. He walked several kilometers back to town to die in his room, and if I'm not mistaken. His brother Theo took a train from Paris and was with him before he passed. It doesn't add up as a suicide and there are more than one speculation that suggest he was, as I said, protecting the boy who had a pistol, a cowboy souvenir that his father allowed him to purchase at a traveling, Wild West Cowboy show that had previously toured through Paris sometime during that year. Look it up, because the information is well documented. It's just not as common as one would think, sadly perhaps because it doesn't create more "hits" as suicide and all that goes with that scenario.
This song can still bring me to tears. This whole album is wonderful. He's a great storyteller. Of course American Pie is the song people most think of when they hear his name...but this song is my favorite.
This is one damned phenomenal song. Voice, instrument, music, damn hits you right in the heart. Van Gogh was a very troubled man, and he captured it perfectly in this song.
Ik wil niet bijdehand zijn, Vincent werkte in een kunsthandel en heeft honderden schilderijen verkocht op die manier. Hij heeft van zijn eigen werk slechts 1 exemplaar verkocht.
@@jeanettesmith765 It was the painting "The Red Vineyard at Arles! But his estate paid for one of his sisters stay in a mental institution after his death.
Dons "diction"..his pure syntax and his complete clarity with every word, no matter what he sings is really impressive... perfect note and perfect words
'Portraits hung in empty halls, frameless heads on nameless walls.' Is my favorite part of this masterpiece, hinting at the insignificance of people decorating their homes with Vincent's work without knowing him. Don's gift of word perfectly compliments Vincent's gift of painting. As a Dutch lover of art, this hits everytime.
I am so happy that you did this song. It’s so underrated. It’s easily one of the most beautiful songs that is a tribute to someone. I’ve read van Gogh’s biography, and this song does him justice. If anyone wants to read it, the title is LUST FOR LIFE. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the author’s name
“Close friends are truly life's treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.” ― Vincent van Gogh
@@mcjs8640 Friends come in many forms, they dont have to always be other people. Thoughts can be friends, as can times and experiences. Animals, weather, places - the list is as long as you let it be. To be your own best friend is a type of nirvana rarely achieved but well worth striving for. Everything and everyone is beautiful if you allow your eyes to see beauty and your heart to feel love and compassion. Believe me, ive bounced between lows and highs in my life so far and by trusting myself in times of need, I am starting to be my own friend. Hope these words help :-)
@@danacasey8543 I wouldn't necessarily call myself a dog person, (would that be a werewolf?! Hehe :-) ), but I understand what you mean. I think its more a case of, as the wisdom on the teeshirts say, just being a good human. Once you allow yourself to love and be loved, and try to love yourself, everything becomes much easier to handle and moves from endurance to enjoyment. Spread the smiles, the help and the understanding - you never know but by doing so you could completely change someones life for the better. Ultimately hate hurts yourself more than it does the people you direct your hate towards. Have a great day everyone, breathe deeply and focus on everything you have, not the things you want or have lost.
"This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you" - must be one of the most haunting lines in pop lyrics. I can see that Jamel is really impressed by this supreme performance by Don, just him and his guitar silencing everyone. Great artist, he was still touring in 2019.
I love growing up in the 70s with a lot of great singer/story tellers. Don McLean, James Taylor, Carol King... Yes we had a lot of heavy metal but great solo artist too.
I've loved this song since it came out, it always make me a little teary-eyed. Made me cry tonight. Our dog is named Vincent van Growl and he was just diagnosed with cancer a few days ago. So now this song is even more special to me. Thanks for doing this reaction video.
the scene in which the doctor takes him to the museum, and bill nighy plays that wonderful curator that praises his work -- it almost felt like, 'finally -- he knows how valued he has been and will always be, as long as there are people to see and be amazed at his work.' :`)
was gonna comment about this, that is such a powerful episode. Such a genius but that poor man couldn't deal with the darkness of his own life. While seeing such incredible beauty he put on canvas for us all forever.
“What am I in the eyes of most people - a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person - somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then - even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart." - Vincent Van Gogh
You should listen to Roberta Flack singing "Killing Me Softly". It's written about attending a Don Mclean concert and how profoundly his voice affected the listener. It's very moving.
Don read the life story of Vincent and was moved to write this song! If you think you were moved by this piece take the time to read about Vincent Van Gogh it will ring you to tears!
You also need to see van Gogh's art. You live in a cosmopolitan city. There ought to be a museum with at least a few of them. You can visit when its safe to go to museums again. In the meantime, there's always the internet.
Yeah, this version was not as good as the studio version, IMHO. But Jamel takes a shot in the dark when he chooses a recording to react to. You're a Good Human, Jamel. ❤🤗
Pure poetry from a master wordsmith with a beautiful voice. His story telling always brings tears to my eyes. Starry Starry Night is also my favourite painting by Vincent Van Gogh. .
So beautiful...love this song. The lyrics are so deep... Edit - You made a good point about closing your eyes, Jamel. This is one of those songs I close my eyes for to take in the lyrics. You can miss little things in the lyrics by actually watching the video.
This song is full of vivid colours. One of the best songwriters. Van Gogh, one of my favourite painters. A tortured soul whom didn't become famous for his works until after his death
Girl from my high school who was some what over weight and plain looking was bullied. She performed this song at a talent show. Her voice was flawless She poured all that emotion into that performance. It was something to hear and watch. I think of her when l hear this song
Brings me to tears every time I hear this song. Viewing Van Gogh's art brings me to tears. Check out the movies of his life.....extraordinary human being!!! Thank you Jamel and thank you so much Don McLean for such a beautiful song!!!
This song is pure brilliance. Poetry, imagery, lyrical, beautiful. I'm old enough to recall when this was released. As a musician myself I was humbled by the genius of Don's songwriting. If you know the true history of Van Gogh this is heart wrenching and honest and loving. Thank you, Jamel. Peace and love to you and all.
I can see everyone of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings in these words. It’s always been one of my favorites. I’ve studied Van Gogh throughout my studies. I think he would appreciate this song. ✨🪐🌕💕
Still get chills every time I listen. Don really captured the gift of VanGogh, in spite of the artist's troubles and pain. There have been so many great movies and interpretations of Vincent's life since this song was written and performed. Amazing how much McLean taught us early on. Just beautiful.
"The Starry, Starry Night" is one of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings; check out his work. It's beautiful and his story is so sad. He saw things of another dimension. We could only be so lucky.
@@mourlyvold7655 Thank you for that reminder. I have a video saved to a playlist of Lori Lieberman singing that song. It's been some time since I've listened, heck might not even be there anymore. Have to go check.
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971.
I've always loved this song...helped by the fact that it came out when I was studying at Art College myself. If you don't know much about the life of Van Gogh, then Kirk Douglas gave one of his best performances as the tortured soul in the 1956 movie Lust For Life.
The lines and music to 'and when no hope was left in sight on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do, but I could've told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you,' is one of the most heart-rending things I've ever heard.
I was nammed after Vincent Van Gogh. And my parents owned that record. But when I was a kid, I didn't know the tragic story of the life of Van Gogh, and I wasn't speaking english and didn't understand the words of this song. So, for years, I tought this song was written for me :)
I always liked this song. It is making a comeback. People are singing this for talent contests, figure staking competitions, etc. The lyrics are just beautiful.
Seriously?? Wow. Something I never ever would have imagined of Tupac. I love his music as well. They are just so far apart in their styles. Beautiful music is just that. Beautiful.
I always choke up when listening to this song.. it's so gorgeous, and so on point describing Vincent. The songs perfectly captured the respect and sadness of Vincent's life, he was tormented, yet such a gifted artist, and he never sold 1 painting while alive. Happy that you got to hear it!! Greetings from Amsterdam, Netherlands.
You can't grasp the beauty of this song until you understand the beautiful and sad life of VvG. But once I did, wow--still brings tears. SO hard to sing this kind of reality without sounding trite.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. I heard somewhere that the song "killing me softly" was specifically about this song. Not sure if true or not.
as a 61 year old who grew up, literally, listening to so much of the music that you have chosen to react to, i now can live vicariously through you...i will never have the opportunity to hear again for the first time any of these epic songs but you bring me close...thank you...you rock, my brother... keep on keeping on!!!!!!
Poetry in his lyrics, his musicianship, and singing ability. I can't listen to this without the tears coming through. Probably from the time in my life that Don released it too. This is a truly epic song!!
This song always makes me cry. Doesn't stop me from listening to it... but gotta have the Kleenex handy! There's another video for this floating around somewhere that shows Vincent's paintings that are referenced in the song... and it's even more powerful than this... and this is powerful enough as it is. Saddest thing is... mental illness is still a "curse" to those who suffer from it, because no one wants to listen or try to understand.... until it's too late.
I have seen Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" at MOMA in Manhatten several times and it was breathtaking every time. Photos and prints really can't do justice to the layered texture of it. If you ever get a chance to see it, don't hesitate!
@@l-bird it's actually a great story. She was at a don mclean concert, and he played, Empty Chairs. She got a napkin and jotted down a poem. That turned into Killing Me Softly. Then Roberta Flack did her thing, and Lori said it was Roberta. None of us would know the song without Roberta Flacks version... But like 40 years later, Lori Lieberman went to see Don Mclean, and before he played Empty Chairs, he, unknowingly to her, stopped everything and pointed out Lori, and told about killing me softly. He just recognized her, out of the crowd. She didn't know he even knew who she was. Amazing.
@@_Slicedbread The story just keeps getting better on so many levels. Now, Killing me Softly will have a new profound meaning to me whenever I hear the song. Of course, nobody could do the song justice like Roberta Flack. I hope Jamel reacts to it. And, how impressive for for Don Mclean to give a shout-out to Lori. That makes me feel good that he recognized her that way, so I can only imagine how honored she must have felt. I guess the song came full circle. Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated.
It's taken me this long to comment because I honestly didn't know if I could watch this video. As someone who lives with mental illness and has family who also does this song hits me really hard. Just the thought of the song makes me cry at the truth in the lyrics. Starry Night is my favorite painting because of its symbolism.
Vincent gave so much and had such a wretched life. What a beautiful, beautiful tribute. There's a Dr Who episode where he takes Vincent to a modern gallery of his work to see the respect and appreciation that finally came to his paintings. Don't know the actor, but he was worthy of the pathos.
@@jackie_jrml Despite his psuedo "gangsta" persona Tupac did attend a Arts School with Jada Pinkett Smith. This part of his life wasn't promoted because it would have interfered with his "Rap" image.
Music isn't the same 😒 nothing will ever hit as hard as "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you", my opinion strictly but I'm not seeing anything like this being produced now?
I've always loved this song. This song was about Vincent Van Gough and the chorus is actually the title or name of one of his famous paintings starry night.
Watch the movie "Lust For Life" with Kirk Douglas as Vincent Van Gogh. Look at his paintings and then listen to the song again. You can then really appreciate the mastery of the song. Van Gogh was a tortured soul with an unmatched talent.
Envious that you got to hear that for the first time with open ears. It never gets less beautiful, only more. Lyrically, so rich and remarkable and the words just sound so full and vivid, but he makes it seem so simple when he sings. Truly one of the best songs of all time. There are some great clips of youtube of this song and many Van Gogh's paintings that match the lyrics and then you see the depth of one artist comprehending another.
