Abbigale Grant Grant 1

Dr. Cassel

English Composition II

3 April 2019

Starry Starry Night

The song Vincent (Starry Starry Night) by Don McLean was released in 1971 following

Josh Groban's version in 2001. Both Josh Groban and Don McLean's versions of the song hint at

the tragedy of the late artist Vincent Van Gogh while both versions allude to the message of what

it feels like to be misunderstood by loved ones, Josh portrays the message more like a Romeo

and Juliet type tragedy than Don's version in which he aims to tell Van Gogh's story as its own

personal tragedy.

“Starry, starry night, Paint your palette blue and gray Look out on a summer's day With

eyes that know the darkness in my soul”. The very first verse of the song could be interpreted as

Don McLean describing Van Gogh’s life and his painting Starry Night in more somber tone as

he describes what could be interpreted as Van Gogh’s life. In Josh Groban’s version he sings the

opening lyrics in a more gentle/romantic way. it as if it is about a tragic tale of two lovers, much

like in Romeo and Juliet.

The instruments used in Don McLean’s version of Starry Starry Night is mainly just a

guitar. It sounds as if he’s singing this song in an empty room with the acoustics bouncing off the

walls and the acoustic guitar briefly stops as he ends the song on a softer tone of voice. In Josh

Groban’s cover from 2001, he starts off with an acoustic guitar much like McLean’s version but

later on you can hear a little bit of piano, but mainly just as a background track to the song. Josh

Groban’s choice of instruments reflect how he interprets the lyrics, he chooses instruments
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mainly considered “romantic”. The way Josh interprets the lyrics he sings it as if he’s telling the

tragic tale of Van Gogh as a Romeo and Juliet type of story.

“Now I understand what you tried to say to me And 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”. Don McLean once more sings the lyrics in a more somber tone, a lot like his song

American Pie. Don’s lyrics allude to how Van Gogh was often misunderstood by his loved ones

when he started out as a painter. But with the final lyric, “Perhaps they'll listen now”, there’s a

slight change in the mood with McLean’s voice. it’s more gentle but still tugs at your

heartstrings because it alludes to the unfortunate dark path Van Gogh took and couldn’t

overcome. When listening to it for the first time, one may miss the slight change of tone, but

when listening to it thoroughly you can detect Don’s slight change in mood, Josh Groban’s

version he keeps the same romantic tone despite the lyrics alluding to such a darker meaning.

“For they could not love you. But still your love was true. And 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”. Don Mclean’s voice

becomes more quiet and sad alluding to the dark turn Vincent took in life. He alludes to the

tragic tale of Vincent Van Gogh in as it’s own story. He sings the lyrics as if you’re Van Gogh

himself and you’re painting Starry Night. Josh Groban’s version, he tells the tale more like

Romeo and Juliet.

He paints the story as if he’s telling it from a lover’s perspective. He’s gentle but sad

when singing but still holds onto the romantic feel of the story but ends it in a way you can

understand that Vincent took his own life. McLean hints at the tragedy throughout the song. Josh

Groban hints at the traged, keeping the attention more on the romantic feel of the song.
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Both songs convey their message by appealing to the listener’s emotions. Whether or not

one sees Van Gogh’s fate as a romantic or personal tragedy, it is sad. Van Gogh suffered from

many, many years of mental illness and though he worried about his mental stability, he often

neglected his physical health, he did not eat properly and drank heavily. He spent time in

psychiatric hospitals and was later discharged, but, his depression continued and on July 27,

1890, Van Gogh shot himself in the chest with a revolver, taking his own life.

Van Gogh was considered a madman and a failure. He became famous after his death and

his troubled personality typified the romantic ideal of a tortured artist. His legacy is honored by a

museum in his name, The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Works Cited
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Groban, Josh. “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” Josh Groban (U.S edition)., 143 Records,

2001, track 9. Spotify, spotify:track:1w8krEiwe6FsADhCDzsazP

McLean, Don, “Vincent.” American Pie, Capitol Records, 1988, track 3. Spotify,

spotify:track:0VNzEY1G4GLqcNx5qaaTl6