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.
Brand New Day
Van Morrison Lyrics
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And the sun begins to shine
I see my freedom from across the way
And it comes right in on time
Well it shines so bright and it gives so much light
And it comes from the sky above
Make me feel so free make me feel like me
And it lights my life with love
And it seems like (seems like) and it feels like (feels like)
And it seems like (seems like), yes it feels like (feels like)
A brand new day (a brand new day)
A brand new day, yeah, yeah (a brand new day)
I was lost, double crossed
With my hands behind my back
I was longtime hurt and thrown in the dirt
Shoved out on the railroad track
I've been used, abused and so confused
And I didn't have nowhere to run
But I stood and looked
And my eyes got hooked
On that beautiful morning sun
And it seems like (seems like) and it feels like (feels like)
And it seems like (seems like), yes it feels like (feels like)
A brand new day (a brand new day)
A brand new day, yeah, yeah (a brand new day)
And the sun shines down all on the ground
Yeah, and the grass is oh so green
And my heart is still and I've got the will
And I don't really feel so mean
Here it comes, here it comes
Here it comes right now
And it comes right in on time
Well it eases me and it pleases me
And it satisfies my mind
And it seems like (seems like) yes it feels like (feels like)
And it seems like (seems like), yes it feels like (feels like)
A brand new day (a brand new day)
A brand new day, yeah, yeah (a brand new day)
Brand new day (seems like a brand new day)
Whoa, whoa (feels like a brand new day)
(Seems like a brand new day)
Hey, hey
(Feels like a brand new day)
(Seems like a brand new day)
(Feels like a brand new day)
In Van Morrison's "Brand New Day," the singer paints an image of hope and renewal in the face of adversity. The opening lines talk about the end of dark clouds and the start of sunshine, which symbolizes the end of a difficult period and the beginning of a new chapter. The singer sees his newfound freedom across the way and it comes right on time. The light from the sky above makes him feel liberated, authentic, and alive. He is free of worry and everything is going his way. He has found love, and his life is aglow with it. The refrain emphasizes the feeling of rebirth and is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the repetitive nature of living in a healthy state of mind - each day can feel like a new beginning.
The second verse talks about how the singer had been through a tough time with no hope of an escape. He felt lost, double-crossed with his hands behind his back, and shoved onto the railroad track, without a way out. He had been used, abused, and was utterly confused with nowhere to run. But he then caught a glimpse of the morning sun and was captivated. The sight of it made him stand tall and feel empowered. It gave him a new direction and helped him find his way back from the brink. The symbolism of the sunrise indicates that life is a journey, and each day is a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
When all the dark clouds roll away
With the end of tough times, freedom becomes reachable.
And the sun begins to shine
The brightness of good things in life become more evident.
I see my freedom from across the way
Perspective and clarity help to identify newfound liberty.
And it comes right in on time
The arrival of this positive change feels needed and punctual.
Well it shines so bright and it gives so much light
This positive change is so brilliant and impactful.
And it comes from the sky above
This positive change is seemingly coming from the universe.
Make me feel so free make me feel like me
This positive change instills a strong sense of identity and freedom.
And it lights my life with love
This positive change brings newfound love and happiness.
And it seems like (seems like) and it feels like (feels like)
The feeling of this positive change is clear and unmistakable.
A brand new day (a brand new day)
This positive change almost feels like a new beginning.
A brand new day, yeah, yeah (a brand new day)
This positive change is a very exciting time for the singer.
I was lost, double crossed
The artist was betrayed and directionless.
With my hands behind my back
The singer was essentially helpless in their situation.
I was longtime hurt and thrown in the dirt
The singer endured long-term pain and feeling low in life.
Shoved out on the railroad track
The singer was wronged and compromised by someone/something else.
I've been used, abused and so confused
The artist had been emotionally and mentally hurt.
And I didn't have nowhere to run
The artist was stuck and felt trapped in their situation.
But I stood and looked
The singer makes the decision to face their struggles directly.
And my eyes got hooked
The singer becomes entranced with something positive in their environment.
On that beautiful morning sun
The artist becomes captivated by the sun and its beauty.
And the sun shines down all on the ground
The sun's warmth and radiance has permeated everything.
Yeah, and the grass is oh so green
The artist notices even more beauty and life in their environment.
And my heart is still and I've got the will
The singer's soul is calm and has newfound resolve to move on.
And I don't really feel so mean
The artist's negative feelings surrounding their struggles has lifted.
Here it comes, here it comes
This positive change is approaching rapidly.
Here it comes right now
This positive change is happening in the present.
And it eases me and it pleases me
This positive change brings a sense of relief and happiness.
And it satisfies my mind
This positive change brings a sense of contentment intellectually and mentally.
Brand new day (seems like a brand new day)
This positive change has a transformative effect on the artist.
Whoa, whoa (feels like a brand new day)
The singer repeats the sentiment, emphasizing how amazing this positive change is.
(Seems like a brand new day)
It feels like the start of something entirely new and positive.
Hey, hey
An expression of excitement and positivity.
(Feels like a brand new day)
The artist continues to describe the life-changing nature of this positive change.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind