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.
Back Street Affair
Van Morrison Lyrics
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When you fell in love with me
And with all your young heart
You learned to care
It brought you shame and disgrace
The world has tumbled in your face
Because they call our love
They say you wrecked my home
I'm a husband that's gone wrong
They don't know the sorrow
That we had to bear
While the one I was tied to
Was the first to be untrue
How can they call our love
A back street affair
Well, we have each other now
That's all that matters anyhow
While the judgment
Of gossips never fair
We'll just be brave and strong
Then someday they'll see they're wrong
So, let them call our love
A back street affair
We'll be free to love someday
When all the talk has died away
And the happiness we hoped for
Then we'll share
And I'll climb a mountain high
And the world will hear me cry
That our love is not
A backstreet affair
The lyrics of Van Morrison's song Back Street Affair discuss a forbidden love in which an unnamed woman fell in love with a man she didn't know was already married. However, regardless of that knowledge, she still loved him with every piece of her heart. Despite the happiness they shared, they were faced with shame and disgrace as a consequence of their love being labeled as a "back street affair" by the world. Furthermore, they were accused of wrecking his home and considered a husband that's gone wrong. The woman and the man suffered because of the judgment of gossips who did not know the entire story. Yet, they endured that sorrow together and considered each other as all that mattered anyhow. They hoped to be brave and strong to prove those gossips wrong one day. The lyrics conclude with the declaration of their love not being a backstreet affair, and eventually, they would have the freedom to love each other without the criticism of society.
The song depicts the struggle of a love considered taboo by society, the shame, and disgrace felt by those involved in it, and how they attempt to endure that judgment to stay together. The feelings of the unnamed woman to the man are genuine, and regardless of it being a forbidden love, she remains steadfast in her love for the man. The song may be considered a message of hope for people who are going through similar situations where their love is not considered true because it does not align with the norm.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't know I wasn't free
You were not aware that I was already in a committed relationship
When you fell in love with me
You developed feelings for me despite my unavailability
And with all your young heart
You loved me completely and passionately
You learned to care
You grew to genuinely care for me
It brought you shame and disgrace
Our relationship caused you societal disapproval and humiliation
The world has tumbled in your face
The disapproval and scrutiny of society has affected you greatly
Because they call our love
Our relationship is condemned and criticized
A back street affair
Because it is seen as a clandestine, immoral, and secretive relationship
They say you wrecked my home
They accuse you of being a homewrecker
I'm a husband that's gone wrong
They perceive me as a weak and unfaithful husband
They don't know the sorrow
They are ignorant of the pain and heartbreak we feel
That we had to bear
We carry the burden of our forbidden love
While the one I was tied to
The person I was committed to
Was the first to be untrue
Was the one who first broke the trust and cheated
How can they call our love
They have no right to judge our love
A back street affair
Labeling our love as cheap and sordid is unjust and inaccurate
Well, we have each other now
We have found solace and happiness in each other
That's all that matters anyhow
Our love is what truly matters to us
While the judgment
Despite the criticism
Of gossips never fair
The rumors and opinions of others are biased and unfair
We'll just be brave and strong
We will face the world with courage and resilience
Then someday they'll see they're wrong
Someday, they will realize their mistakes and prejudices
So, let them call our love
We will not be moved by their negative labels
A back street affair
Our love is true and transcends societal norms and standards
We'll be free to love someday
We will not be bound by societal norms forever
When all the talk has died away
When the rumors and criticisms have subsided
And the happiness we hoped for
We will finally attain the joy and happiness we longed for
Then we'll share
We will finally be able to express our love to the world
And I'll climb a mountain high
I will shout from the rooftops
And the world will hear me cry
The whole world will hear my declaration
That our love is not
That our love is not illicit or immoral
A backstreet affair
And that it deserves respect and recognition
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Rule, Billy Wallace
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind