Another year rolls by, and as the calendar flips to August 31st, we at Grateful Web pause to celebrate a man whose music has traversed the decades with the grace of a river winding its way through a lush, timeless landscape. Van Morrison, the Belfast Cowboy, has been at the forefront of the musical journey, from his early days with Them to his expansive solo career, which has made its mark on generations of listeners. Today, we toast to the man whose voice is as much a force of nature as the wind and whose songs feel like old friends you've known all your life.
The Journey from Belfast to the World
Van Morrison’s story begins in the working-class neighborhoods of Belfast, where music was more than a pastime—it was a way of life. Born George Ivan Morrison in 1945, he was steeped in the sounds of jazz, blues, and folk from an early age. The notes from his father’s record collection—Ray Charles, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters—filtered into his young soul, setting the stage for a career that would defy categorization.
Morrison first caught the public’s ear with Them, the garage band that gave us "Gloria," a song that’s become a rite of passage for any band worth its salt. But it was when Van struck out on his own that the magic truly began. His voice, a blend of grit and honey, carried with it the stories of the streets, the hopes of the dreamers, and the melancholy of the loners.
The Top 15: Songs That Define a Legend
"Brown Eyed Girl" (1967)
The song that made Van Morrison a household name, "Brown Eyed Girl" is pure, unadulterated joy. Its lilting melody and catchy chorus invite you to dance, to reminisce, and to celebrate the simple pleasures of life. A pop masterpiece that refuses to age, it’s the song everyone knows, even if they don’t know who Van Morrison is.
"Moondance" (1970)
With "Moondance," Morrison tapped into the celestial groove, crafting a jazzy ode to the night. The syncopated piano riff and smooth saxophone make it a timeless tune for lovers and dreamers alike. It’s a song that swings with the elegance of a moonlit waltz, effortlessly cool and endlessly captivating.
"Into the Mystic" (1970)
A spiritual journey wrapped in a soulful melody, "Into the Mystic" speaks to the heart and the spirit. It’s a song about finding peace within oneself, about the journey we all take towards something greater. Morrison’s voice, raw and tender, carries the weight of the ages, making this a song that resonates on a deeply personal level.
"Tupelo Honey" (1971)
"Tupelo Honey" is a love song, plain and simple. But it’s also more than that—it’s a hymn to the sweetness of life, to the beauty found in the everyday. Morrison’s voice soars over the gentle, country-tinged arrangement, making you believe that life, like honey, is golden and pure.
"Wild Night" (1971)
A rollicking celebration of life’s more carefree moments, "Wild Night" is Morrison at his most exuberant. The song’s infectious energy and driving rhythm make it a staple of any feel-good playlist. It’s the soundtrack to those nights when the world is yours, and anything is possible.
"Crazy Love" (1970)
"Crazy Love" is Morrison’s ode to the kind of love that drives you to the brink and back. It’s tender, soulful, and utterly sincere. The simplicity of the arrangement allows Morrison’s voice to shine, making it one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
"Caravan" (1970)
With its rhythmic pulse and vibrant horn section, "Caravan" is a call to celebration. It’s about the power of music, the way it brings people together and lifts them up. Morrison’s vocal delivery is both powerful and playful, making this a song that captures the joy of life.
"Domino" (1970)
A tribute to one of his heroes, Fats Domino, this song is a jubilant, horn-driven romp. "Domino" showcases Morrison’s ability to blend rock, jazz, and soul into a sound that’s uniquely his own. It’s a song that’s as fun to listen to as it must have been to record.
"Gloria" (1965, with Them)
No list of Van Morrison’s best would be complete without "Gloria." A three-chord wonder that has been covered countless times, "Gloria" is raw, raucous, and rebellious. It’s the sound of youth, of freedom, of rock and roll at its most primal.
"And It Stoned Me" (1970)
A nostalgic reflection on the simple joys of childhood, "And It Stoned Me" is a song that transports you back to a time when life was about fishing trips and summer rain. Morrison’s vivid storytelling and heartfelt delivery make it one of his most evocative songs.
"Bright Side of the Road" (1979)
This song is pure sunshine. "Bright Side of the Road" is all about finding positivity and joy in the everyday. Its upbeat tempo and cheerful melody make it a feel-good anthem that never fails to lift the spirits.
"Sweet Thing" (1968)
"Sweet Thing" is a song of hope and renewal, a poetic ode to love and nature. The intricate arrangement and Morrison’s passionate vocal performance create a sense of transcendence, making it one of the standout tracks on the classic album Astral Weeks.
"Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)" (1972)
A tribute to one of the great soul singers, this song is as joyous as its subject. The infectious rhythm, the horns, and Morrison’s exuberant vocals combine to create a song that’s pure happiness.
"Astral Weeks" (1968)
The title track from Morrison’s magnum opus, "Astral Weeks" is a dreamlike exploration of love, loss, and redemption. It’s a song that defies conventional structure, weaving in and out of different moods and themes. Listening to it is like stepping into another world.
"Have I Told You Lately" (1989)
A late-career hit that has become a standard, "Have I Told You Lately" is a song of gratitude and love. It’s simple, sincere, and beautifully crafted—a testament to Morrison’s enduring ability to connect with listeners on a deeply emotional level.
The Grateful Dead and "Gloria": A Rock ‘n’ Roll Refrain
While Van Morrison’s "Gloria" may have started as a raw, rebellious anthem with Them in the mid-60s, it found a new life on stage with the Grateful Dead. From 1981 to 1995, the Dead covered "Gloria" 14 times, turning it into a raucous, celebratory closer that often left audiences in a state of euphoric frenzy. The Dead’s version retained the primal energy of Morrison’s original but added their own improvisational flair, making each performance a unique experience. Whether it was Jerry Garcia’s fiery guitar riffs, Bob Weir’s impassioned vocals, or the collective, freewheeling spirit of the band, "Gloria" became a highlight in the Dead’s setlist, a nod to the enduring power of rock ‘n’ roll and the song’s place in the pantheon of timeless classics.
Jerry Garcia’s Tribute to Van Morrison
"And It Stoned Me" was a staple, performed 96 times from 1986 until just before Garcia’s final days in 1995. There’s something magical in how Garcia brought out the inherent nostalgia of the song, adding his own touch of bittersweet longing.
"He Ain’t Give You None" was another favorite, played 51 times across different eras of Garcia’s career. Whether with Legion of Mary or later with the Jerry Garcia Band, this song’s laid-back groove and reflective lyrics made it a natural fit for Garcia’s style.
"Tupelo Honey," though only performed twice in 1972, remains a cherished memory for those lucky enough to witness it. Garcia’s gentle interpretation of this love song captured the essence of Morrison’s original while infusing it with his own unique warmth.
"Crazy Love" made its way into the Jerry Garcia Band’s setlist 15 times between 1986 and 1987. The song’s tender, heartfelt lyrics resonated deeply with Garcia, whose soulful renditions brought a new dimension to Morrison’s classic.
And then there’s "Bright Side of the Road," a song of optimism and hope, which Garcia performed five times in November 1991. It’s a song that, in Garcia’s hands, became a celebration of life’s simple pleasures—a fitting tribute from one musical giant to another. We were lucky enough to catch the version in Milwaukee that November.
Van the Man: A Legacy that Continues
As Van Morrison celebrates another birthday, his music remains as vital as ever. From the streets of Belfast to the farthest corners of the globe, his songs continue to inspire, uplift, and resonate with people of all walks of life. Whether you’re dancing to "Brown Eyed Girl," reflecting with "Into the Mystic," or finding solace in "Have I Told You Lately," there’s a Van Morrison song for every moment, every emotion, every soul.
Here’s to Van the Man—a poet, a troubadour, a legend. May the road continue to rise to meet him, and may his music carry on for generations to come.
