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.
Hey Mr DJ
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you play me something slow
Play me the songs
For the lonely ones
Play me something
That I know
Hey Mr. DJ
Play me something just for me and my baby
Won't you make everything alright
I'm gonna turn it way down low
Leave it on all night long
Till the morning comes
Like my lover my friend until the end
And that special someone
Hey Mr. DJ
Play me Rainbow 66
Cause I'm drifting like a ship out on the fog
And I just don't know what's coming next
Gonna turn it way down low
Leave it on all night long
Until the morning comes
For my lover my friend until the end
And that special someone
Hey Mr. DJ
Play me Rainbow 66
Cause I'm drifting like a ship out on the sea
And I just don't know what's coming next
Well, Mr. DJ
I'm in a sad mood tonight
Play me something for me and my darling
Want you to make everything
Alright
La, ta. ta, ta, tata
The lyrics of Van Morrison's song "Hey Mr. DJ" express a sense of longing and sadness that the singer is experiencing. He requests the DJ to play him "something slow" and "the songs for the lonely ones," something that he can relate to and which might soothe his mood. He asks the DJ to make everything "alright" by playing something that is dedicated to him and his lover, who is evidently upset or distant. He talks about turning the music down low and leaving it on all night long, as a symbol of his love for his friend and lover "until the morning comes." The reference to "Rainbow 66" is unclear; it could be a metaphorical representation of hope and assurance or have a more literal meaning that is specific to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen Mr. DJ
I need your attention and assistance, kindly listen to me Mr. DJ.
Won't you play me something slow
I request that you play music with a slow tempo.
Play me the songs
Kindly select and play songs on the music system.
For the lonely ones
Select music that would be appropriate and comforting for individuals who feel lonely.
Play me something
Kindly play songs which meet my criteria.
That I know
Requesting you to play popular songs that I'm familiar with.
Hey Mr. DJ
Attention-grabbing phrase to get the DJ's attention.
I'm in a sad mood tonight
Expressing that I'm feeling sad this evening.
Play me something just for me and my baby
Please play music for my partner and me, exclusively.
Won't you make everything alright
Requesting that you play music to uplift my mood and make me feel good again.
I'm gonna turn it way down low
I request that you lower the volume of the music.
Leave it on all night long
Requesting you to keep the music playing all through the night.
Till the morning comes
Asking you to keep playing the music until the early hours of the morning.
Like my lover my friend until the end
This music should make me feel like my partner is with me until the end.
And that special someone
Referring to my significant other as that special someone.
Play me Rainbow 66
Requesting you to play the song Rainbow 66.
Cause I'm drifting like a ship out on the fog
Imagery depicting how lost and confused I feel right now
And I just don't know what's coming next
Uncertainty about the next event or even what to expect from the present event.
For my lover my friend until the end
Asking the DJ to play music that would make me feel closer to my partner.
Well, Mr. DJ
Introductory remark with emphasis on the DJ's name.
Play me something for me and my darling
Requesting for music that will be suitable and pleasing to both me and my lover.
Want you to make everything
Requesting that the DJ makes the environment comfortable through the selection of suitable music.
Alright
Expressing satisfaction or a sense of gratitude.
La, ta. ta, ta, tata
A possibly improvised musical riff after expressing satisfaction with the DJ's song choice.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind