I have always loved this song. A wonderful tribute to the artist Vincent Van Gogh. It has beautiful lyrics and singing. Is it sad or tragic? What feelings does it extract from you?

Enjoy the montage of Van Gogh paintings.

i will admit this song always pulled at my heartstrings......it always made him seem like such a sad freak....of course when i was a kid i thought vincent was some lonely sad guy...which made the song even more sad.

This world was never ment for one as beautiful as you.

Very beautiful and sad song.

Love the song and the lyrics are perfect!

Don McLean wrote of Vincent..but Vincent's bro Theo is equally deserving of recognition, without his support for Vincent, financially especially, Vincent would surely have left much sooner..

A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

Great song............

"weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
And now I understand what you tried to say to me"

__________________________

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

I think a lot of "Vincent" is cheap sentimentality. The same way I think there is a big difference between "Wild Horses" and "Memory Motel" (I find the former deeply moving, but the latter rather maudlin and sentimental). I think Mr. McLean was a reasonably skilled pop craftsman who got lucky with a couple of mega-hits. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn't make me bitter, just my opinion.

I never took any song seriously.............they are just youngsters who want to make a song................

__________________________

Quote
NICOS
I never took any song seriously.............they are just youngsters who want to make a song................

Good attitude, I guess. It's only rock & roll.

Your right 71Tele .....and I like it

__________________________

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

I think a lot of "Vincent" is cheap sentimentality. The same way I think there is a big difference between "Wild Horses" and "Memory Motel" (I find the former deeply moving, but the latter rather maudlin and sentimental). I think Mr. McLean was a reasonably skilled pop craftsman who got lucky with a couple of mega-hits. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn't make me bitter, just my opinion.

You've got issues.

"It's just some friends of mine and they're busting down the door"

Quote
sweetcharmedlife

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

I think a lot of "Vincent" is cheap sentimentality. The same way I think there is a big difference between "Wild Horses" and "Memory Motel" (I find the former deeply moving, but the latter rather maudlin and sentimental). I think Mr. McLean was a reasonably skilled pop craftsman who got lucky with a couple of mega-hits. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn't make me bitter, just my opinion.

You've got issues.

Why? Because I find fault with Don Mclean and you don't?

In the summer of 1980, I worked at Ontario Place, a local tourist attraction with a concert facility. I worked Don McLean's concert that summer. For his encore, he sang Vincent, and was facing right at me for the entire song. I nearly wet myself.

(For Ontarians who remember the revolving stage and want to nit pick, the stage would be stopped before the encores started - lucky me - and I was stationed at the stage exit ramp. And I got paid for that! But earned every cent at the Teenage Head riot later.)

Quote
71Tele

Quote
sweetcharmedlife

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

I think a lot of "Vincent" is cheap sentimentality. The same way I think there is a big difference between "Wild Horses" and "Memory Motel" (I find the former deeply moving, but the latter rather maudlin and sentimental). I think Mr. McLean was a reasonably skilled pop craftsman who got lucky with a couple of mega-hits. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn't make me bitter, just my opinion.

You've got issues.

Why? Because I find fault with Don Mclean and you don't?

Plus the fact that you describe Memory Motel as maudlin and sentimental. Hello,what's the name of the song?

Quote
sweetcharmedlife

Quote
71Tele

Quote
sweetcharmedlife

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

I think a lot of "Vincent" is cheap sentimentality. The same way I think there is a big difference between "Wild Horses" and "Memory Motel" (I find the former deeply moving, but the latter rather maudlin and sentimental). I think Mr. McLean was a reasonably skilled pop craftsman who got lucky with a couple of mega-hits. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn't make me bitter, just my opinion.

You've got issues.

Why? Because I find fault with Don Mclean and you don't?

Plus the fact that you describe Memory Motel as maudlin and sentimental. Hello,what's the name of the song?

The name of the song is irrelevant. Sentimental lyrics sometime pass for deeply-felt ones, though it certainly is in the eye of the beholder. It's like a lot of movies that tug on the heartsrings in a contrived way. It's cheap. I don't think "Memory Motel" is terrible, it's just not that strong, and I think it was a precursor to the type of ballads Mick has been delivering ever since then - a kind of paint-by-numbers craftsmanship at work rather than anything truly emotionally moving. Hey, that's my take. I know a lot of people think it's a great song. Fine.

I am REALLY tired of anything someone does not like being labeled "hate" quit!

Cool story STG

-------------------
Keep On Rolling

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

As for "Vincent" I will withdraw my criticism in the face of such unbending opposition.

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

i don't interpret it that way. i look at it as the loss of innocence of a musical era...and don't recognize any of the hatred for jagger that you do.

again, a wonderfully crafted song, lyrically and structurally....

I see it as a comment on certain immensely talented artists being unable to fit into the world as it is. In rock I see Hendrix in that vein. He was having trouble being accepted artistically by fans who wanted to hear 'Purple Haze' over and over. Brian Jones had that other worldly kind of talent. (Although his personal life sort of cancelled out any sympathy one would feel for him.)

The tradegy of Vincent was to not be recognized and accepted by a world that turned around after his death and sold his rejected paintings amongst themselves for obscene amounts, as investments. I for one am a sucker for McLean's song. And I don't hate anyone who doesn't agree with me.

this song is dogpiss, jesus - i dislike it so much ive taken the trouble to type my message!!

what next, American Pie? lordy

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

i don't interpret it that way. i look at it as the loss of innocence of a musical era...and don't recognize any of the hatred for jagger that you do.

again, a wonderfully crafted song, lyrically and structurally....

You're right about the loss of innocence. Certainly a theme of the song. But you don't recognize the hate? "As I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell". I didn't say it, he did.

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

i don't interpret it that way. i look at it as the loss of innocence of a musical era...and don't recognize any of the hatred for jagger that you do.

again, a wonderfully crafted song, lyrically and structurally....

You're right about the loss of innocence. Certainly a theme of the song. But you don't recognize the hate? "As I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell". I didn't say it, he did.

----


er - why bother - its shite!
taxi!!!

Quote
Captainchaos
this song is dogpiss, jesus - i dislike it so much ive taken the trouble to type my message!!

what next, American Pie? lordy

Don't get yourself all worked up captian. I know those 5 posts in 4 weeks are a lot of work.

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

i don't interpret it that way. i look at it as the loss of innocence of a musical era...and don't recognize any of the hatred for jagger that you do.

again, a wonderfully crafted song, lyrically and structurally....

You're right about the loss of innocence. Certainly a theme of the song. But you don't recognize the hate? "As I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell". I didn't say it, he did.

it's a LYRIC and it's in keeping with the whole theme and idea of the fact that musical times had changed and the innocence of pop/rock music had died. it's not meant to be taken as an indictment of mick or the stones. i suppose cos he couldn't get up and dance to sgt peppers that he dislikes that album?

haha
oof a mortal blow there

to be fair - im just wondering why this is on the stones site, the song is turd and has little to do with the stones unless looking at the weakest of supporting arguments.

thanks for looking at my vital stats - i feel the love and i give it right back

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
StonesTod

Quote
71Tele

Quote
The Sicilian

Quote
71Tele
A maudlin song of cheap sentimentality, just like his overrated "American Pie".

I think your quite alone in that opinion. Why all the bitterness?

I might be alone...As a Stones fan, his Jagger-demonizing in "American Pie" was quite offensive. It was a well-written poppy folk song, but at it's heart it's message was quite reactionary, a sort of blanket rejection of all the music that I loved, including the Beatles and the Stones (about Jagger: "as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage" - talk about "bitter"! Why the hate, Don?). Somehow the only "real" music to him "died" - and it was all from the Buddy Holly era. Nothing that came after was worthy, according to our Don.

interesting interpretation - but waaaaaay off the mark, tele.

love the whole album, but especially vincent. about as perfectly a crafted song as i've ever heard.

Not much to "interpret" regarding "American Pie". It was a screed against the 60s, as well as a love letter to the music of the 50s.

i don't interpret it that way. i look at it as the loss of innocence of a musical era...and don't recognize any of the hatred for jagger that you do.

again, a wonderfully crafted song, lyrically and structurally....

You're right about the loss of innocence. Certainly a theme of the song. But you don't recognize the hate? "As I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell". I didn't say it, he did.

it's a LYRIC and it's in keeping with the whole theme and idea of the fact that musical times had changed and the innocence of pop/rock music had died. it's not meant to be taken as an indictment of mick or the stones. i suppose cos he couldn't get up and dance to sgt peppers that he dislikes that album?

The words are the words. He compares Jagger to Satan, and says he is enraged watching him on the stage. This is not rocket science, or some obscure lyric where we have to dry to divulge the meaning. I am only reporting what the lyrics actually say. They are pretty direct. If you want to interpret it differently, fine with me.