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.
Fame
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh fame they say
You never could have resisted it
What's in a name?
And everybody's jaded by fame
Oh fame again
The press has gone and made another mess of it
So much invested in it
But they say you're to blame it's your own fault
'Cause you got mixed up in fame
Oh no don't believe none of that old Andy Warhol guff
It takes a lot more than 10 or 15 minutes
That's just not enough
To qualify you for
Fame, you went beyond the boundries of your sanity
And every day you defy
All the laws of gravity
You ain't got no shame
'Cause you're just addicted to fame
Well no don't you buy none of that old Andy Warhol stuff (rough)
It takes a lot more than 10 or 15 minutes
Man, (yeah) it's just not enough
To qualify you for
Fame, they're already settin' up, settin' up your own Watergate, Watergate
Oh fame, that stalker out there is just filled with hate
You'll never be the same
'Cause everyone's corrupted by fame
Oh fame, that took away, too away all my humanity
Oh fame got to fight
Every second of the day for my dignity
It's a spectator's game
And there ain't nothing fair about fame
Oh no, oh fame, say it again, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh fame say it again
Fame, say it again, fame, fame, fame
They say you're to blame 'cause you got mixed up in fame, fame, say it again, fame
In Van Morrison's song "Fame," he laments about the pitfalls of fame and how it can take everything a person has and twist it. He notes that society is jaded by fame and that the press is quick to make a mess of anyone who gets too famous too quickly. He criticizes the idea that fame is something that can be achieved in just a few minutes and says that going beyond the boundaries of sanity is what really qualifies a person for it. The lyrics point out that fame can take away one's humanity and dignity, turning life into a spectator's game where nothing is fair.
The song is a warning about the dangers of fame and the temptation that it can bring. It highlights the fact that once someone achieves fame, they become a target for those who are filled with hate and jealousy. The lyrics suggest that fame can corrupt anyone and that it's not worth sacrificing one's true self for the fleeting attention that it brings. Ultimately, the message is that fame is not what it's cracked up to be, and those who pursue it are likely to pay a steep price.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh fame, babe, they've taken everything and just twisted it
The fame industry has distorted everything it touches, taking and manipulating everything in its grasp, and leaving it unrecognizable.
Oh fame they say, You never could have resisted it
People say that fame is irresistible, and that no one could resist its allure.
What's in a name?
The worth of a person or thing comes from beyond just a name; it's what lies within that is truly valuable.
And everybody's jaded by fame
Everyone is disillusioned, and their view of the world is tainted by their preoccupation with fame.
Oh fame again, The press has gone and made another mess of it
The press has once again created chaos and disorder in the fame industry.
Oh just because they got, So much invested in it
The press has a lot riding on the fame industry, and therefore they will do whatever it takes to maintain their investment.
But they say you're to blame it's your own fault, 'Cause you got mixed up in fame
The industry blames the individuals who pursue fame for their own downfall, rather than taking responsibility for their part in creating a toxic industry.
Oh no don't believe none of that old Andy Warhol guff
Do not trust any superficial beliefs or ideals about fame, such as those perpetuated by Andy Warhol.
It takes a lot more than 10 or 15 minutes, That's just not enough, To qualify you for
Becoming famous takes much more than merely fifteen minutes; it takes much more skill, determination, and effort to achieve lasting success.
Fame, you went beyond the boundries of your sanity
Fame pushed the limits of your ability to stay sane, and you lost your ability to think or feel rationally.
And every day you defy, All the laws of gravity
Fame has completely upended your world, making you feel as though you are floating in a weightless void with no firm ground beneath your feet.
You ain't got no shame, 'Cause you're just addicted to fame
You have no longer any sense of shame or dignity because you are consumed by a desperate need to stay famous.
Well no don't you buy none of that old Andy Warhol stuff (rough)
Ignore any shallow or superficial advice that might come from Andy Warhol on the subject of fame.
Man, (yeah) it's just not enough, To qualify you for
Becoming famous takes much more than merely fifteen minutes; it takes much more skill, determination, and effort to achieve lasting success, and even this is not a guarantee of success.
Fame, they're already settin' up, settin' up your own Watergate, Watergate
Fame is a dirty game, and there are already people plotting against you, trying to bring you down.
Oh fame, that stalker out there is just filled with hate
The people who are obsessed with you because you are famous are not motivated by love or admiration, but rather by a toxic mix of envy and hate.
You'll never be the same, 'Cause everyone's corrupted by fame
Once you become famous, you are no longer the same person, because everyone around you is consumed by the same corrupting desire for fame that is rapidly eating at their soul.
Oh fame, that took away, too away all my humanity
Fame robbed you of your humanity by turning you into a commodity, thereby stripping you of your dignity and individuality.
Oh fame got to fight, Every second of the day for my dignity
Fame is a constant battle to maintain your dignity and sense of self-worth, which is constantly under attack.
It's a spectator's game, And there ain't nothing fair about fame
Fame is a game that is designed to be watched, and not played; there is nothing fair or just about it, and it can be a cruel mistress to those who pursue it.
Oh no, oh fame, say it again, yeah, yeah, yeah
The song is trying to emphasize the negative aspects of fame by urging the listener to think critically about the subject.
They say you're to blame 'cause you got mixed up in fame, fame, say it again, fame
The industry blames those who pursue fame for their own downfall, rather than taking responsibility for their part in creating an environment that values fame over everything else.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind