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Karlin Merriman

Professor Reynolds

Comp II

February 10, 2022

Locating Rhetorical Appeals Throughout Visual Texts

         "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)" originally written by Don McLean and the second version

by Josh Groban explores different aspects of humanity and society’s ability to heal and inflict

wounds. The original “Vincent” by McLean focuses on humanity’s healing nature and the

possibilities society may reach with a unified nature. Groban’s version of the song studies the

negative tendencies of humanity. Both versions play an important role in engaging the listener in

learning about how society may unite or divide. Josh Groban’s cover of Don Mclean’s song

"Vincent (Starry Starry Night)" encourages individuals to reflect on their own definition of

sanity, while simultaneously reimagining some aspects to appeal to a larger audience;

meanwhile, Don Mclean’s original version challenges the listener to think about their ability to

empathize.

         At the beginning of McLean’s “Vincent,” the music transports the listener to a wondering

environment. The tone of the song aids the listener in understanding this is a positive experience

with wistful wondering about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh experienced mental health

issues. This song helps to describe the ups and downs he encountered throughout his life. The

main characters are Vincent and his artwork. The beginning lyrics state, “Starry starry night,

paint your palette blue and grey, look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the darkness

in my soul.” These lyrics evoke the listener’s emotions. The listener pictures a vivid summer’s

day. The day is peaceful, warm, and inviting. The artist may be a God throughout this song, as he
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controls the imagery and emotion. McLean may be inviting Van Gogh to judge his dark deeds,

without a negative tone. McLean then states: “shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the

daffodils, catch the breeze and the winter chill.” These words allow the listener to imagine the

artist in his natural environment, constructing artwork. The lyrics describe his actions and the

artwork becoming reality: painting objects to life.

         McLean’s lyrics create vivid imagery with the use of pathos, appealing to the listener’s

emotions. Pathos is repeated throughout the video. The lyrics and imagery appeal to the

audience’s emotions. Those who need uplifting and motivation may enjoy this music video. This

video, in part due to the tone, inspires those who feel uneasy in this society to honestly reflect

upon their circumstances and opinions or misconceptions. The audience is encouraged to

empathize with others, instead of deeming society as a whole as less than desirable. Forty-five

seconds in, McLean sings “now I understand, what you tried to say to me, and how you suffered

for your sanity, and how you tried to set them free.” These lyrics apply to American society and

the differing viewpoints and disputes.

The audience may be attracted to this music because they need an escape from reality.

Throughout the video, various paintings of Vincent’s are shown, during which the lyrics describe

the imagery and setting, and explain the painting’s view of their creator. McLean’s song attracts

an older audience: those who are familiar with the artist Vincent Van Gogh. The audience can be

found all over the world because the artist’s paintings are world famous. The audience may have

any level of education; those more knowledgeable about Van Gogh and the art world would find

the song more interesting. Those who value art may be intrigued by the lyrics. Contrarily,

Groban’s version of “Vincent” focuses more on the darker aspect of humanity.

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The beginning of Groban’s version of “Vincent” leads the audience to a darker path. This

version brings attention to the shadowy aspects of humanity. The lyrics are the same as the

original; however, there is a darker, more unsettling tone. The main characters are also the same:

the artist and his artwork. Throughout the song, Van Gogh’s art describes him. Pathos is used

frequently throughout the song. This appeal pulls at the audience’s emotions, with a somber tone.

The audience is taught to think about the world in a pessimistic way. The song’s new

tone invites the audience to reminisce on the violence society can create. Groban states, “starry

starry night, paint your pallet blue and grey, look out on a summer’s day, with eyes that know the

darkness in my soul.” These original lyrics combined with a darker tone allow the audience to

imagine a darker time. The new tone adds mystery and completely changes the meaning of the

song. These lyrics now paint with a blackened hue. Unlike the first version, with Van Gogh

painted as a forgiving God, he can now be identified as a wicked creature. This fresh perspective

allows for a new setting. The lyrics create a bleak environment, which contributes to the message

of the video. The lines “shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils, catch the breeze

and the winter chill” have a new, ominous meaning. Groban’s audience may be attracted to this

version because he incorporates a fresh perspective on the originally peaceful song. Groban

attracts a new and larger audience with his version of “Vincent.” Groban attracts a younger

audience with knowledge of Van Gogh. The audience may live anywhere in the world and be

from any social class. The audience’s general education is not relevant; however, the audience

may be knowledgeable about art. The audience may also value post-impressionist art. McLean

and Groban’s versions share an inverse relationship.

Throughout the song, both versions incorporate a strong use of pathos. The tone

throughout each of the versions contributes to the audience’s emotions and the imagery invoked.
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While Groban’s version is darker, the original song is uplifting and mysterious. The two versions

keep the same setting; however, the setting is occupied by polar opposite tones throughout the

song.

McLean’s original “Vincent” encourages the audience to care for one another. Groban’s

version allows the audience to reflect on their own actions. While Groban’s version encapsulates

the darker side of humanity, McLean’s original version allows the audience to picture a peaceful

society. An obvious and intended change occurs from the original to the second version. Many

individuals will find themselves adoring both versions.

Josh Groban’s cover of Don Mclean’s song "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)" encourages

individuals to reflect on their own definition of sanity, while also creating a new and more

sorrowful, or even, tragic tone for the viewer to absorb. Groban reimagines some aspects to

appeal to a larger audience; Don Mclean’s original version allows the listener to consider their

ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings. It is apparent in the study of both videos that

both of the artists were attempting to emit the essence of what their experience with the song

truly meant to each of them; both were successful in delivering their individual experience via

music and tone for the viewer’s/listener’s consideration.

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Works Cited

Groban, Josh. “Josh Groban - Studio Version - Starry Starry Night (Vincent).” YouTube, 15 June

2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5oNy4MP9E.

McLean, Don. “Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Don McLean.” YouTube, 23 Sept. 2006,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFMJckZOM.