I was asked to listen to Don McLean - Vincent | Reaction 

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I had the great privilege of seeing 70 (seventy) original Van Goghs in Las Angeles years ago. Up close. Real paint and canvas. You have no idea. No idea. As the former Curator of the New York Museum of Art once said, "For 50 thousand years painters tried to recreate the real world. That all shifted with Vincent Van Gogh." He shifted painting from a recreation of the real world to the spiritual and mental world. The greatest painter who ever lived.

In my 4th grade art class, we studied Vincent. His life, his art and his issues. All these things left me wanting to know more, see more of his classic creations. When most young people AND adults were hanging posters of their favorite rock bands, I was covering my bedroom walls with reproductions of my favorite Vincent creations. This song is otherworldly. Thank you Don for this amazing tribute. And I want to thank my amazing 4th grade teacher, Miss Murphy. You changed my life forever. 💜

I had a 3 month old son that was very very sick ... he passed away in 1991 his name was Vincent ... I chose this song to play at his funeral... " But I could have told you Vincent. The world was not meant for one as beautiful as you.." and yes he honestly had red hair and eyes that absolutely were the color of China blue" he had a chromosome disorder that was not found yet ... ugh so I could only listen to half of this ... a beautiful song

It's one of the best songs ever. What a tragic life he had. Died penniless, and now his paintings are worth millions.

At one of Don McLean's live performances, this song deeply affected a young concert goer named Lori Leiberman. She jotted some notes down. Later, she discussed her feelings with the men who helped her write songs. The result was "KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG", recorded by Lori in 1971, and released in 1972.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Vincents paintings in words and sound. If you ever get the chance to view Vincents paintings it will change your life.

As rowdy as we were in the 70s, we had some major poets & troubadors that we loved! Don McLean, John Denver, Jim Croce, Mac Davis, Bob Dylan and many, many others. And their music goes on from generation to generation. Just Beautiful. 💖

This song always makes me cry. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I took art history for a year while I was in college (years ago) because I love art and I was very familiar with Van Gogh and his works. This song captures to perfection Don McLean’s feelings about Van Gogh and his paintings - and his description of the paintings is so vivid and on point. His. phrasing is exquisite. He is a true poet. The phrase “…but I could have told you, Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you” absolutely breaks my heart. This song is a musical masterpiece.

It's funny that people are now discovering Vincent. It was the song immediately following American Pie, on the album, which was my very first rock LP. I had asked my father to buy it for me because I loved American Pie so much. I would sit and play the album over and over on my little portable record player. I still have that album over 50 years later.

This song could not be more beautiful. Don MacLean is such an amazing poet. Van Gogh only sold one painting while he was alive. Now his paintings sell for millions, so sad that he never got to see that there are those who understood him through his paintings. Thank you.

Vincent’s art career started about ten years before he died, long before he entered the asylum. He taught himself drawing and color theory and only when he thought he drew well enough did he start to paint. He was prolific, though, and painted about 2100 works in a 2 or three year period. His brother Theo, an art dealer, supported him financially during this time and tragically died about 6 months after Vincent, leaving a wife and child behind. His widow only had Vincent’s paintings left to try to make a living as Vincent sent them all to Theo as payment. It was largely through Johanna’s efforts that the world gradually grew aware of Van Gogh and his unique genius. During his life Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting. I have a book of the hundreds of letters the brothers wrote to each other, edited by Theo’s wife, which is illuminating and moving. Eventually the brothers were buried next to one another in Auvers-sur-Oise. Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest colorists and certainly the most emotional artists of all time.

At the funeral of a young man who struggled with mental illness and ended his life, his father played this song. When the line "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." was played, his father sobbed, as did we all. Such beauty and pain in this song.

I have stood in front of many paintings in galleries. There is only one artist whose works when I stood before them brought tears to my eyes. Photographs don't do it justicr. Standing in front of the actual paintings, seeing the incredible sweep of the brush strokes made a visceral response in me that I have never had before... not that other artists aren't amazing, but I spent two hours lost in the Van Gogh exhibition that came to the gallery in my city, and it changed me as a songwriter and a writer.

No words, except his, to explain the beauty and the pain. It takes your breath and makes you weep.

I have a degree in Art History and one in painting and I am also a painter. Vincent painted way before he was in the hospital for the first time. Before becoming a painter he was a librarian and even a Preacher but he was so loud and excited that he'd scare his congregations away. He felt like a HUGE failure in life but his brother Theo was absolutely always there for him and because of his love and compassion Van Gogh became the artist the world (later) fell in love with. When Theo owned a gallery and showed Vincents work but his was mocked and laughed at and being that Vincent was so ahead of his time, none of his work sold. Vincent was in the mental "health" hospital a number times. Some were terrifying, horrid places but yes, the one in the country was alright and Vincent continued painting while there. This is where a great deal of his floral pieces were completed. I'm an artist with mental health challenges so i can relate to beautiful Vincent Van Gogh- ; "how he suffered for his sanity" . The courage it took to paint the way he painted in the restrictive times he lived in, "They would not listen, they did not know how". People were actually frightened by his work, it was so different and raw. Of course he was SOOO far ahead of his time. And now he is the most famous artist ever- just ironic the way this world is. Vincent did NOT cut off his ear, he cut off a small part of it and it bled horribly. He was in love with a prostitute who did not return his affections- this is why he tried later to kill himself. Truth is he tried to kill himself by shooting himself in the gut, out in a field. The shot did NOT kill him. He was found laying in the field and was dragged back to his hovel where he suffered for a number of days before succumbing to infection, which is what actually killed him. I love Vincent dearly and his work speaks to me like no other. The pure honestly in it, the lack of ego, the LIVE in the colors and brush strokes can't be compared to any other Painter. When I teach Vincent to my students it truly brings out their own individuality and core artistic voice. Vincent teaches us every day.....if we pay attention to his works.

I have always believed that our baby boomers had the best music. So many songs that resonates life.

I cry every time, for the last 30 years

The line that always gets me is, "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." It's not just for people who get into such deep despair that they consider taking their own lives but for anyone whose childlike wonder and innocence is dashed by having to contend with those in the world who are bent on destruction. And who might not die physically but spiritually by giving in to the world view that destroys their innocence ("The silver thorn of bloody rose lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow").

‘…in colours of the snowy linen lands’ I love that line.

Don McLean was my first concert back in the early 70s, after this song and American Pie come out. I'm 67, and this song STILL brings tears to my eyes ❤

This song is a masterpiece. The vivid picture he paints (no pun intended!) is just incredible. Using alliterations and song craft equal to what Van Gogh does with canvas. I never get tired listening to this song. Absolutely beautiful and sad at the same time.

This beautiful song make me emotional every time I hear it . The beautiful melody ,the sadness of the lyrics ,the mental illness ,the whole picture wrapped up with the exceptional voice of Don McLean is a masterpiece . Thank you

This was my daughter's first CD. She was 4 years old and his CD was all she wanted in the world.

An artist giving homage to an artist.

Revisiting the song in recent years prompted me to a deeper dive into Vincent's history. What's often lost behind his mental illness and dispair was his humanity. Also worth noting is the understanding and support from his brother. Also, that his works were curated by his sister-in-law so that they are known today.

Thanks so, so much for your sensitive, in-depth reactions! This time. I'm blown away that you absorbed what Don felt felt inspired to point out and share with all of us. I am holding an old cassette tape which was gifted to me by an oldies morning show DJ. I called in often to request "Vincent" and got to know Mark West ..RIP ..who said. "Lin, I know you will appreciate and take care of it. Mark passed away last month.. I will always treasure having known him. . God bless. ❤❤

Ramble on, Man Polo!!! Don't feel bad for «rambling», your sincerity and humility and generosity are felt in your words and face. To me, you feel like a friend sharing his impressions. Of all the «reactors» on RU-vid that I've watched and listenend to, you're the one I always come back to. May Life be good to you and your loved ones!!!

Don McLean is an amazing storyteller. My brother overdosed about 10 years ago and the day after he died, I heard Don’s song Crossroads. It was the first time I had ever heard it and it’s like my brother was telling me his story through this song. That song still makes me cry to this day. It is worth a listen.

The first painting in the video is actually *not* "Starry Night" -- that shows up for the line about catching the winter breeze. It's my favorite painting and I've seen it a couple of times at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. He never sold a picture in his lifetime, so he was not famous while he was alive. His style of painting was so unusual to the people of his time that they could not see what he was doing -- "They did not listen, they did not know how." McClean's song beautifully captures both the expressive love in Vincent's vision and the piercing sorrow of Vincent's dispair at not being understood as an artist. The song does indeed stay eith one.

Vincent lived with another famous artist named Gauguin who was a well know very skilled swards-man. They had an intense friendship bonding over their art skills that often caused them to have extreme arguments In more recent years it's been theorized that Van Gogh didn't cut off his own but Gauguin did and Vincent didn't want him to get in trouble so he claimed to have done it himself. I'd like to think that's the case because it sounds accurate to the kind heartedness of Vincent and how protective and loyal to those he loved dearly. I love everything Don McLean creates but this is absolutely my favorite. Thanks for giving it. ❤

What’s also cool is that Don is describing all of Van Gogh’s paintings. Joni Mitchell wrote an incredible song about him too called “Turbulent Indigo” . She even painted a self portrait for the cover in which she’s dressed and bandaged like Vincent in his self portrait. ❤ Btw: Turbulent Indigo would be a great stage name for you as you love blue. ❤

Oh GOOD you picked the video with the artwork! It truly conveys the depth of the lyrics. Haunting isn't it.

Gosh!t This makes my well-up with tears, this world is on the brink of a catastrophe, and then this reminds you that there is a tiny silver lining of hope.

Thank you for sharing your love for this song, it is a masterpiece, and so beautifully sung, with Van Gogh's paintings seen with the lyrics

I cry... every SINGLE time, no matter how many years, how many times listened. lol

Beautiful song, Polo! I appreciate all your comments. Vincent's brother was a blessing to him. Exceptional artwork and such a sad story. Sensitive people have a tough time in this life. Makes me so sad. ♥

I have heard this song before but had no idea it was connected to Vincent Van Gogh. I know the name of that painting but still wasn't really listening well. Now I know because of you Polo. Thanks to the patreon member and Polo Mars.

Never fails to bring me to tears. 😭

I've listened to this song a thousand times and it still makes me cry.

So glad you watched the clip that has the art.. The art is so important to understanding.

In the Doctor Who episode "Vincent and the Doctor" (2010) the Scot, Tony Curran is a wonderful embodiment of the artist.

This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you 😢 masterpiece ❤️ thankyou

Beautiful and yet so sad.. 😪❤ RIP Vincent🙏

William Shakespeare "In sweet music is such art: killing care and grief of heart fall asleep, or hearing, die".

This song brings tears every time I listen to it.

This was meant to be! Tonight I stopped by the bar I work at to pick up my pay check and ended up talking with a regular about Don McLean and "American Pie" which she had just played on our jukebox. She is in her mid 20s, and obviously appreciates good music. I brought up this song, a song about my favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh, which focuses on my favorite work by Van Gogh, "The Starry Night". She had not heard it, but hopefully will listen to it soon.

I love Vincent van Gogh’s art and I appreciated your personal reaction to this beautiful song ✌️

You should watch "Vincent", the episode title of a Doctor Who show from a few years back.

What a beautiful thing to say. "He paints with words." I won't forget that. 🌌

I'm 68 and I've always loved this song and last year I was able to visit Arles where Vincent lived. People always talk about the 'light' in Arles..... and it's so true. Now I understand what Vincent saw in everyday scenes. But only he captured it so beautifully in his works. Don also captured, in this song, the beauty of his art that touches your soul

I don't know which is more beautiful, the song or your reaction to it. Kudos, my man!

Beautiful song about a facinating artist!

Beautiful. Rip Vincent Van Gogh. I enjoy your works so much. I appreciate you. Someone in 2024. 💖

Such a great song by Don McLean! It is his tribute to the sad life of the painter Vincent Van Gogh. He suffered from depression & committed suicide. He never saw any success during his life. But now his paintings are worth millions of dollars.

I want this played at my funeral

He also wrote "American Pie" which was about the plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy. Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, hence the line "The day the music died". Another great song!

It is such a beautiful and sad song. Don McLean is another great writer. For someone that suffers from depression, it gets me every time. We're fortunate to have medication now, Vincent painted his depression's moods on a canvas and got his therapy. Thank you for explaining Vincent Van Gogh's background.

This might be my favorite reaction of yours - thank you for sharing how this song touched/touches you. I'm 70 and took out my Don McLean "American Pie" Album prior to commenting - the thrid song on Side 1 is Vincent. And also, I'm looking at Vincent's self-portrait which I have in a frame [unfortunately not an original!] But I love Vincent van Gogh -born 100 years before me; you may have seen documentaries (or a movie with Kirk Douglas) about Vincent - his brother Theo's love for Vincent. Don McLean's song is so beautiful - I listen to many artists - but I can't think of one particular song that is as poetic and lyrically beautiful as this. On April 14, 1974, my close friend Dave took his life on EASTER SUNDAY at 20 years - a bright, fun young man loved by his classmates and friends and parents [an only adopted child] from my small town's class of '72 [he was born April 11, 1954] - I've thought of him all day [his B.D.] and will think of him Sunday {April 14] - then I turned to You Tube Premium and you had just shared this. - a perfect song for my mood; I have Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, presently I love Billie Eilish - but I also have Mozart's Requiem, and so much other music - I should familiarize myself with Tupac, but I do know he was singularly gifted ... and loved.

Vincent is my favorite artist. The painting is my favorite, also. It is so cosmic! ❤

Had to buy this when I grew up in Scotland. When I married my American husband, he took me to see Don in Chicago. ❤

If you have not seen the Dr Who video on RU-vid, domit. Vincent Van Gogh at the gallery. Made me cry😢

A beautiful song that has always brought tears... Awesome reaction!

It sounds just as LOVELY when Don McClean performed it live.

The magic of music and art is the connections that are formed between the artist and the audience.

This song is a work of Art, it just about starts to approach Vincent's own Art.

I’ve always loved this song, then one night after finally traveling to the South of France (the snowy linen land) while driving at night in the countryside I looked up at the beautiful sky and said “Starry Starry Night”…at that moment I put it all together!

EVERYTHING he did was beautiful

2pac’s family said this song was one of his favourites and was played for him whilst he was in a coma before he died.💔

Thank you for not just playing this song and speaking to how if affects you but also for talking about Vincent Van Gogh. His story is tragic and yet his artwork is now so well known and is sitting in art museums around the world. I cannot listen to this song without crying.

The Grave by Don McLean makes me cry every single time I listen to it. The lyrics are so vivid. The grave that they dug him had flowers Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colors (…) And deep in the trench He waited for hours As he held to his rifle And prayed not to die Please listen to this masterpiece. It’s a about a young man who was killed in a war

In college I used this song in an art history presentation with Vincent’s paintings that matched. It was profound. He was my art hero in high school. ❤

Incredible video tonight. The song Vincent always touched my soul.

I love that he paces the words as they would be spoken instead of with a set rythm.

I have heard this song many times, but seeing the lyrics and listening to your reaction has made me appreciate it more than ever. Thank You.

When my son was about 4 years old I took him to the Apple Festival at the Apple Farm Don McLean was performing as well as Livingston Taylor. I actually had to interview Livingston Taylor for a college project while I was in the little convenient Hut they had for the performers with you know the coffee and the snacks and all that interviewing Livingston Taylor Don McLean walked in I happened to glance down at his red cowboy boots and I had to give him the thumbs up on those boots and a big smile. Cut to the performance. Don McLean went up on stage and of course he did his famous American Pie and then he did Vincent. My son and I were sitting on a blanket right in front of the stage and Don McLean adjusted his seat so he would be facing my son and he sang Vincent to my son. My son says he actually has memories of it especially when he hears the song being played and my son has an huge wall size piece of art which is Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Love this song! The lead in the paint also helped harm his health.

I just found your podcast about two hrs ago & it makes me so happy to listen to all this good music & that you are hearing it now too. Thanks for enjoying all the music that kept me afloat throughout my life so far. 74 years old the other day. Don McLean passed away too soon.

There is a very fine line between genius and insanity. All we can do is enjoy forever the beauty he left behind. Thank you Vincent!

TOTAL TALENT, THE VOICE AND MUSIC. The music just flows from his mouth and his finger tips.. I haven't heard this for years and I Thank you

Everyone should read ‘ Dear Theo’. Vincent’s letters to his brother throughout his life. Awesome and very interesting ❤🎨

The Vincent Van Gogh immersive experience was awesome and informative. Really cool 😎

Each verse describes the features of Vincent's many paintings. Some are depicted altogether in the same verse .

Painting with lyrics is almost exclusively the genre of folk, which is practically lost today, as it requires a level of education and an understanding of language. This may be the best example, but certainly Bob Dylan rules that genre. I am also very happy you used this video. Many music reaction videos are so called, blind reactions where the reactor has never heard the song before, but in cases like this song its literally a tragedy; imagine listening to this song and not knowing about Vincent Van Gogh or his works. The fact is in the 1960s-1980s, many listeners were obsessed with the back stories of songs (true of all genres of the time) and performers knew this and often wrote and performed songs for that audience. Of course educated lyrics are not confined to folk, an excellent example is Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones.

I am an artist, a painter, a draftsman, a musician, and a woodworker. Back in the 60s I was in art school and already knew the tragic story of Vincent van Gogh. I know of all his supposed failures as a minister, an art salesman in London, his attempts of relationships, and his short history as an artist from 1880 to 1890. After seeing the movie Lust For Life as a very early teen I knew I had to know more about Vincent. Much research later I feel he was a brother. I still often wonder about what we have missed because of his early death.

Whenever we visit London, which is probably a couple of times year, we visit the National Gallery. Admission is free. In the Impressionist rooms are paintings by Monet, Cezzane, Degas etc. But the one that always has the biggest crowd around it is one of Vincent's Sunflower paintings. It's a spiritual thing to stand in front of it and feel exactly what Van Gogh must have felt all those years ago when he painted a series of them to decorate the walls of a room he had prepared when his friend Gaugin was coming to stay. The visit didn't end well, but we have those paintings still, scattered around the world. Each one a reminder of the beauty in everything, especially Vincent himself.

A magnificent tribute to Vincent Van Gogh !!! 🌌 ❤️❤️

For myself, as a 67 year old music lover, The music is great and it takes talent to write it and play it. However, when you find a song that is unimaginably beautiful in terms of lyrics and meaning, that will be a song you cherish forever...this song has been in my life for a very long time. It is one of those songs I cherish.

Thank you for sharing your "private" appreciation of this masterpiece of music at the end. It's obvious this song touches you deeply. That tells me a lot about you Polo 💜

Since I was a kid this song always choked me up. He is my favorite painter. I read his letters to his brother Theo. He was as amazing as a writer as he was a painter. His tragic life made my heart hurt. He never sold a painting during his life. He was shot. For a long time people thought he killed hymself. I’m happy you have enjoyed this song. It’s masterful.

Polo, You, Mclean and van Gogh are now inextricably linked. 100 years from now people will still admire your honesty, sincerity and brilliant synopsis of the poetry, the music and the artistry. Well done Sir.

Love your reactions. No one does it better

Wow, I have listened to this song a number of times, but never heard. Hearing the words now. Thank you for sharing and bringing out a bit of art history too. Art is my passion. Art and music does do amazing healing for the mind and soul. Hugs

Dear Polo, I’ve watched many reactions by rappers, hip hop(ers), r&b(ers) etc. You are BY FAR the most amazing of them all. I love how softly and calmly you speak, no drama, no swearing, and you pay real attention to the lyrics, the music, the vocals, and even whatever is behind the songs. I love it ❤. Thank you; I’m definitely a fan 😊

There are 3 songs that always evoke a strong emotional response for me- Vincent is one of them- the other 2 are Ring them Bells by Dylan and Beeswing by Richard Thompson

Can you imagine how much Vincent van Gogh would have loved this song, it's depth, beauty and he would have felt this in his soul. ❤

Great insight you felt the message of the song. Heartfelt.

Hey Polo ~ This song has been one of my very favorites since it first came out. Don's voice is both beautifully haunting and tender at the same time. The music is sublime in the truest sense of the word, and Don's lyrics are some of the best ever written. I am not surprised that you are just as moved by this incredibly beautiful and yet poignant song as so many people are. I agree with you completely that this song is Don's 'Starry Starry Night'. ❤

I love "Vincent." One of my favorite songs ever. I used to rent copies of van Gogh paintings from the library, and "Starry Night" was my favorite. I read everything I could find on him. When I was stationed in Germany, I tried to find time to travel to the Netherlands to see some of his artwork at the museum there, but I could never arrange it.

Every time I really listen to this song it brings tears to my eyes.