starry starry night

Vincent van Gogh – Bio

Vincent van Gogh
Born March 30, 1853 – Died July 29, 1890
Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter

Vincent van Gogh – Note

Don McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of the Vincent van Gogh.

“Vincent” describes different paintings done by the artist, and clearly demonstrates a deep-seated admiration for not only the work of van Gogh, but also for the man himself.

It is also known by its opening line, “Starry Starry Night”, a reference to van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night.”

There are also references to van Gogh’s sanity and his suicide.

Vincent van Gogh – “Vincent”

Throughout his life, van Gogh was plagued with mental disorders, particularly depression. He “suffered for [his] sanity” and eventually “took [his] life as lovers often do.”

The following year, the song became the number one hit in the U.K. and No. 12 in the U.S.