Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Angeliou
Van Morrison Lyrics
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Yeah
Oh, Angeliou, oh, Angeliou
Angeliou, oh, Angeliou
Oh, Angeliou, Angeliou
Oh, my Angeliou
I wanna tell you
Angeliou, oh, my Angeliou
Oh, Angeliou, Angeliou, oh, my Angeliou
In the month of May
In the city of Paris
In the month of May
In the city of Paris
And I heard the bells ringing
And I heard the bells ringing
In the month of May
And I called out your name
In the city of Paris
In the month of May
In the city of Paris
Oh, in the month of May
In the city of Paris
Angeliou, Angeliou
Angeliou, oh my Angeliou
Angeliou, oh my Angeliou, can you hear me?
Just walkin' on a city street
Who would think you could ever be touched
By a total stranger
Oh, not me
But when you came up to me that day and I listened to your story, ha
It reminded me so much of myself
And I listened to you
It wasn't what you said
It was just the way it felt to me
As I listened to your story
About a search and a journey
Somewhere inside, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Just like mine
What'd you say?
Will you be my baby?
Will you be my baby now?
Will you be my baby?
Will you be my baby now?
Will you be my baby?
Will you be my baby?
Angeliou oh Angeliou
Angeliou oh Angeliou
Yes, yes I will
Yes I will, yes I will
Angeliou
Will you be my baby?
Angeliou, be my baby
She said yeah, I got a story too
Oh, and my story, it got no words
It goes something like this
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Angeliou
Angeliou
Ooh-ooh
The lyrics of Van Morrison's "Angeliou" convey a deep connection between two strangers who unexpectedly cross paths and feel an immediate bond. The title "Angeliou" appears to be a personal name, perhaps of a woman who the singer meets in Paris. He recalls hearing the bells ringing in the month of May which evokes an ethereal atmosphere. He calls out her name while walking on a city street, and his words are met with a response from the stranger. They exchange stories, and the singer feels a sense of recognition in her journey, which resonates with his own. The song concludes with a plea for the woman to be his partner or baby, and the response appears to be positive.
The song's lyrics are simple yet incredibly emotive. The singer captures the feeling of meeting a kindred spirit in an unexpected place, and the emotions that follow such an encounter. The theme of a search or journey could relate to finding oneself, finding love, or finding purpose. The lyrics suggest that sometimes we find what we are looking for in the most unlikely places or people. The song also highlights the power of words and how sharing stories can connect people, providing comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or assent.
Oh, Angeliou, oh, Angeliou
Addressing a person named Angeliou and expressing excitement or affection towards them.
Angeliou, oh, Angeliou
Repeating the previous line.
Oh, Angeliou, Angeliou
Addressing Angeliou again and expressing fondness towards them.
Oh, my Angeliou
Expressing possessiveness towards Angeliou.
I wanna tell you
Introducing a desire to share something.
Angeliou, oh, Angeliou
Repeating the earlier lines to address Angeliou.
Angeliou, oh my Angeliou
Expressing fondness and possessiveness towards Angeliou.
Oh, Angeliou, Angeliou, oh, my Angeliou
Repeating the earlier lines to show affection towards Angeliou again.
In the month of May
Describing a timeframe.
In the city of Paris
Describing a location.
And I heard the bells ringing
Noticing a sound.
And I called out your name
Addressing Angeliou by name.
Oh, in the month of May
Repeating the earlier line to reinforce the timeframe.
Angeliou, Angeliou
Addressing Angeliou.
Angeliou, oh my Angeliou
Expressing fondness and admiration towards Angeliou.
Angeliou, oh my Angeliou, can you hear me?
Expressing a desire for communication with Angeliou.
Just walkin' on a city street
Describing an ordinary activity.
Who would think you could ever be touched
Expressing surprise or disbelief.
By a total stranger
Describing the person who touched the artist.
Oh, not me
Denying that the artist expected to be touched.
But when you came up to me that day and I listened to your story, ha
Describing an encounter between the artist and Angeliou and expressing curiosity towards Angeliou's story.
It reminded me so much of myself
Making a personal connection with Angeliou's story.
And I listened to you
Asserting that the artist paid attention to Angeliou.
It wasn't what you said
Denying that Angeliou's words were the most important aspect of their exchange.
It was just the way it felt to me
Expressing the idea that the feeling of the exchange mattered more than the words spoken.
As I listened to your story
Referring to the earlier mentioned exchange.
About a search and a journey
Summarizing Angeliou's story.
Somewhere inside, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Expressing an emotional response to Angeliou's story.
Just like mine
Drawing a parallel between Angeliou's story and the singer's own experiences.
What'd you say?
Asking Angeliou a question.
Will you be my baby?
Asking Angeliou for a romantic commitment.
Will you be my baby now?
Asking for immediate romantic commitment from Angeliou.
Yes, yes I will
Accepting the offer of romantic commitment.
Angeliou
Addressing Angeliou.
Will you be my baby?
Repeating the earlier question to reinforce the request for romantic commitment.
Angeliou, be my baby
Making a direct request to Angeliou for romantic commitment.
She said yeah, I got a story too
Introducing Angeliou's own story.
Oh, and my story, it got no words
Describing Angeliou's story as inexpressible through words.
It goes something like this
Introducing a different form of expression for Angeliou's story.
Ooh-ooh
A vocalization indicating a change in mood or tone.
Angeliou
Addressing Angeliou.
Ooh-ooh
Repeating the earlier vocalization.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind