Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison, OBE (generally known as Van Morrison or Van… Read Full Bio ↴Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison, OBE (generally known as Van Morrison or Van The Man) (born 31 August 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning artist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He's a singer, songwriter, author, poet, and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since 1958. He plays a variety of instruments, including the guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums, and saxophone. Featuring his characteristic growl - a unique mix of folk, blues, Irish, scat, and Celtic influences - Morrison is widely considered one of the most unusual and influential vocalists in the history of rock and roll. He has received numerous music awards during his career, including six Grammy Awards (1996–2007); inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (January 1993), the Songwriters Hall of Fame (June 2003), and the Irish Music Hall of Fame (September 1999); and a Brit Award (February 1994).

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.

City Home
Van Morrison Lyrics

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I'm thinkin' 'bout a place
I'm waitin' for the day
When I will make my get away
Because as any fool can see
There's nothin' here for me but
Hurry up boy bring that water
Don't do things you shouldn't oughta

But when I go away and find my easy street
I'll have a smile for all I meet
And they will welcome me I know
Everywhere I go
No more thinkin' that I've missed it How can anyone resist it
And there's a chance
That I will find my big romance
When I get to my city home

But when I go away
And find my easy street
I'll have a smile for all I meet
And they will welcome me I know
Everywhere I go
I'll see the town in all its glitter
How could anyone be bitter
And there's a chance

That I will find my big romance
When I get to my city home

Overall Meaning

Van Morrison's song City Home talks about a longing for a better life, a desire for escape, and a hope for new beginnings. The lyrics express dissatisfaction with the current circumstances, implying that the persona wants to leave behind the past and seek a more desirable future elsewhere. The persona is thinking constantly about a place where they belong and where they can be happy. The song has an upbeat and hopeful tone, conveyed by the catchy tune and the repetition of "When I go away and find my easy street, I'll have a smile for all I meet, and they will welcome me, I know, everywhere I go."

The lyrics suggest a sense of alienation from the current environment, and the persona is looking forward to a new start where they will be embraced by society. Furthermore, the lines "No more thinking that I've missed it how can anyone resist it, and there's a chance, that I will find my big romance when I get to my city home" depict a yearning for love and acceptance, as if the persona believes that relocating to a new city will provide them with opportunities to fulfill their desires.

Overall, Van Morrison's City Home is a song about hope and the quest for a better life. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, isolation and anticipation for a promising future where the persona will find love, happiness and a sense of belonging.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm thinkin' 'bout a place
I'm contemplating about a destination

I'm waitin' for the day
I'm eagerly anticipating for the day

When I will make my get away
When I will finally depart from where I currently am

Because as any fool can see
As it is apparent to everyone, especially the foolish

There's nothin' here for me but
There is nothing in this place for me except

Hurry up boy bring that water
Quickly retrieve that water, young man

Don't do things you shouldn't oughta
Do not engage in activities that are not appropriate

But when I go away and find my easy street
However, when I leave and discover a comfortable and happy lifestyle

I'll have a smile for all I meet
I will display a friendly expression towards everyone I encounter

And they will welcome me I know
I am certain that they will receive me warmly

Everywhere I go
No matter where I travel

No more thinkin' that I've missed it How can anyone resist it
I will no longer believe that I have lost the opportunity to enjoy life. Who could resist such an opportunity?

And there's a chance
There is a possibility

That I will find my big romance
That I will discover a meaningful and fulfilling relationship

When I get to my city home
When I arrive at my urban habitat

I'll see the town in all its glitter
I will observe the city in all its brilliance

How could anyone be bitter
How is it even possible for someone to be resentful?

And there's a chance
There is a possibility

That I will find my big romance
That I will discover a meaningful and fulfilling relationship

When I get to my city home
When I arrive at my urban habitat

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MOSE ALLISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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