James Blake - Vincent (Official Video)

James Blake - Vincent (Official Video)
Cover of Don McLean's 'Vincent'.

Filmed and recorded live at Conway Studios, Los Angeles, December 2017.

Director Andrew Douglas
Producer Kathleen Heffernan
Director of photography Flor Collins
Editor Biff Butler
Color Brandon Chavez

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Lyrics

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
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colours on the snowy linen land

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
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in a violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colours changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

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
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night
You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could've told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn on the bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

#JamesBlake

[attentionlabel]

Sometimes, you come across something perfect. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you're completely sure of it. This is perfect.

[Frederikamusic]

Some people come back here at night when they feel lonely & misunderstood. I am one of them. Peace to all.

[gregorycurtis]

A year and a couple of months ago I was working in London (originally from California) for about two months. My girlfriend came out for a week and we were walking through covent garden, about 10 pm on a Tuesday I believe it was. (I should preface this by saying that My best friend who I hadn’t seen in years had just shown me this cover/song about a week or two before I got on the plane). We were both pretty drunk and these two street performers were just wrapping up this song as we were walking by and I recognized it immediately. I was going to ask them to play it over, but I didn’t have ANY cash/coin whatsoever to donate to respectfully ask them to do so. To this very day, my greatest regret is that I didn’t just go up to them and beg them to play their rendition one more time so I could hear it from beginning to end. This is a beautiful song and cover, but I can only imagine how lovely it would have been to hear it live by two wonderfully random performers on a brisk ass autumn night. FUCK

[Mr_Abara]

This just made me cry. And I know it's weird to say, but I loved the feeling. Sometimes we need to feel the melancholy; it's part of our humanity.

[juicydru]

Listened to this last night, and found out my brother passed this morning.. Thank you for this Christmas gift, james... And please remember folks, mental illness is a real thing.. Please don't wait for your loved ones to ask for help, be the one to reach out and keep touch. <3 love to all this new years

[rumielbovary]

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

Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

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

They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue

Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

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

They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night

You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could've told you Vincent
This world was never meant for
One as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frame-less heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget

Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

[sanguine]

His voice is a wonderful combination of control and delicacy.

[real_bakerman]

We are so lucky to have witnessed James Blake in our lifetime. Thank you!

[beckytaylor]

I have never, in my entire life heard a more beautiful version of a song. Your voice painted a picture in my minds eye that broke my heart. I cried for Vincent and I cried for you knowing that you felt this song to the depths of your soul. Thank you for the most beautiful musical gift I have ever witnessed.

[LMCSM]

That line "This world was never made for one as beautiful as you" always gives me chills. Its so poignant when you think about loved ones that have passed.

It takes a lot to cover a song like this, but you nailed it, James! Love the emotion in your voice that brings each word to life 💜

[GarrettWatts]

To anyone reading this who doesn’t know; he’s got an upcoming residency on the BBC Radio 1 with his collective 1-800-Dinosaur; highly suspect he’ll be dropping wonderful Blake/Harmonomix gold there. First one starts on Jan 25th.

lol, who lives in LA and wants to have a listening party? 🕺🏼

[violent.sunset]

still not over the fact that james is singing a song about van gogh tho, they're both my fave artists in their respective fields i'm crying in the club

[Blakemusicnz]

the texture in his voice when he say's 'paint your palette' is so beautiful

[drkkr]

This, my friend, is why covers should never cease to exist. This version gives me goosebumps, that voice and emotions conveyed, and all the subtle changes and variations are so good!!!

[MClark-egkp]

His music has gotten me through this entire year. It's been an extremely difficult one. Simply, beautiful and emotional music.

[IrritanteTom]

I literally cannot listen to this without getting teary eyes.

[ta.chanmyaenandar]

The right feeling for Vincent. Except the original one, most of others are singing with sweet or different voice but not included the sad feeling for Vincent. The whole songs can feel sad and sorry for him. Love this one for giving the right feeling.

[sydtscott]

Sitting in a public space whilst listening to this and my eyes are already welling up. Again. I’m such a sucker for this dude’s voice.

[chargiechar]

“And when no hope was left inside, on that starry starry night, you took your life as lovers often do; but I could’ve told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.” 🥺

[garywashburn]

2days ago our Loving Friend /Brother
VINCENT
Is no longer here with us .
Skitzophrinia tricked him into such a state and taking his own life.
He was is such a beautiful person. Had not 1 evil bone in his body . Vincent he was tormented so bad to have to feel like taking his own life.
But I won't claim he took his own life
it was a battlefield in his mind . Insanity
My heart goes out to any one who gets so low to feel that despair.
God please look over all our children . And Family s . Protect us Lord . For these are paralysis times .
I've prayed. For God our Father and Jesus King of Kings to go find him please and he will cyou and realize you are real and without a doubt love you like all of us ! Do !
R I P
Vincent
Texas