The TRAGIC Story Behind Don McLean's 'Vincent'

In this video we break down and analyze the story behind the song “Vincent” by Don McLean. Discussing McLean’s views on Van Goghs life by interpreting the lyrics of the song and the story behind it.

0:00 Intro
0:17 Don McLean
0:58 Vincent Van Gogh
1:32 The story behind the song
2:15 Understanding the lyrics
5:01 The impact of the song

#VincentVanGogh #DonMcLean #Music

[sayaka]

The Potato eaters is my favourite Van Gogh painting.
This song has emotion, so beautiful.
Love Don McLean
Empty chairs is another great song of his.
😊😇🥰

[ianmcdonald]

Brilliantly explained such a beautiful song

[guitarfreak]

Thank you, I'm a teacher and I'm going to be teaching kids about this song.

[marlins]

One of the saddest lines I ever heard was the last words of Russian engineer Rostislav Evgenevich
" I want to say I have not been understood, I didn't achieve what I wanted."

[bijjames]

One of my personal favorite songs as well. I’m a visual artist and musician; also a Van Gogh fan. Pac was a genius to except this song! It makes sense.

[seekertruth]

talented singer and painter = master piece

[benlloyd]

Wow I'm a Dylan/stones/Clapton fan most of all I'm a Tupac fan !! Wow this has just made so much sense ! My mind is blown
The hate you gave !

[gilbertomesquita]

Good analysis, however, my biggest curiosity is what the author refers to in the following excerpt: "The silver thorn of bloody rose /
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow".

[stanborg]

Van Gogh had the same problem as Robin Williams. Depression. I always wondered why Williams couldn't play it straight on the talk shows. Now I know why. If he did, he would spiral into a depressed state.

[SP-nyfk]

Why do you feel the need to analyse it?

[Seawing-vd]

You can tell this is written by AI in the first sentence, yuck. makes me wonder if it's instant generated complete with reviews?

[d.]

I firmly disagree with this "analysis." I don't think Don meant that Vincent was sick... I think he meant he was SICKENED... by the ugliness and selfishness of the world. I believe he meant that with no matter how Vincent attempted to display the deep issues of greed, lack of empathy towards life and the suffering that society enacts and ignores, Van Gogh became heartbroken. It killed him that people would rather pretend terrible things aren't happening or that beings aren't suffering in order to justify their un-changing and self-centered ways. It's not hard to understand, if you just listen humbly and honestly. Whoever made this "assessment" is enacting an agenda, in my opinion. The point of this incredibly beautiful song was lost when the man said that Don was saying Vincent was "sick and not crazy." That's not it at all. This person missed the point by miles.