Starry, Starry Night

Lately I have been obsessed with the song "Vincent - Starry, Starry Night" by Don McLean. I absolutely love Vincent van Gogh. His story is such a tragedy. I can't help but picture his life when I listen to this song and it makes me cry almost every time. What a lonely life he lived. I really adore his younger brother and best friend, Theo, as well because he took it upon himself to provide for Vincent since he never made much money and only sold one of his paintings while he was alive. I feel like I could have written this song. McLean has my thoughts exactly where, just like him, I wish I could go and tell Vincent that "this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you". It breaks my heart knowing he chose suicide because of his utter sadness (and because of his illnesses...I know). Even his dying words to Theo were "The sadness will last forever". Anyway, here's a video of Josh Groban singing the song, followed by the lyrics, followed by some of my favorite of his paintings (I'll really try and limit myself with the paintings...):

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 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 and 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 artists' 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 inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you

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...

Almond Blossoms

Bedroom in Arles - I love seeing how he lived

Country Road in Provence by Night

Irises

Old Vineyard with Peasant Woman

Olive Trees in a Mountainous Landscape

Self Portrait, 1887 - Look at the sadness in his eyes :(

Starry Night - His most famous of course

Starry Night Over the Rhone - MY absolute favorite!!

The Cafe Terrace at Night

The Red Vineyard - The only painting he is known to have sold in his lifetime

Wheat Field with Cypresses

Wheat Field with Crows