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.
If You Only Knew
Van Morrison Lyrics
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That a man like me has to face.
If you only knew all the silly
Things that keep a man from his place.
I wouldn't want to sing your own song.
Your gonna have to lose a few.
If you only knew.
That goes on in back of the store.
If you only knew how that one that's
Got a lot can't wait to get more.
I wouldn't want to cramp your style
But if you want to make it all worthwhile.
You have to have your own breakthrough.
If you only knew.
If you only knew what could happen to
A man for telling the truth.
If you only knew all the scruples
That go down in gin and vermouth.
I wouldn't want to steer you wrong
But if you want to sing your own song.
Your gonna have to lose a few.
If you only knew.
In van Morrison's song If You Only Knew, the singer reflects on the difficulties he faces as a man, the deceit and shady deals happening behind closed doors, and the suppression of truth in certain environments. The singer speaks candidly about the problems that society is plagued by but chooses to keep hidden under layers of deception. The song is essentially a warning to anyone who desires to succeed in life that they must be aware of the harsh realities of life and how to navigate through them.
The lyrics of the song are a commentary on the nature of humanity and the corruptive nature of power. The singer exposes the vices that people engage in to gain material wealth and the consequences that follow. He urges the listener to be aware of the shady dealings and to have the courage to choose a different path. The lyrics of the song hold weight even today, where dishonesty and corruption continue to be among the most significant problems in society.
Overall, the message of the song is one of resilience and perseverance. Although the world may be corrupt, dishonest, and difficult to navigate, the singer advises the listener to push on and work hard. If one only knew the struggles and obstacles that lay ahead, they may falter, but by staying steadfast and true to oneself, success is inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
If you only knew all the problems
The difficulties a man like me has faced are many and complex.
That a man like me has to face.
As a man with specific experiences and challenges, it can be hard to navigate life.
If you only knew all the silly
Sometimes insignificant or trivial things can pose major obstacles.
Things that keep a man from his place.
These obstacles can prevent someone from reaching their full potential.
I wouldn't want to sing your own song.
I don't want to be the one to tell you what to do or how to live your life.
Your gonna have to lose a few.
But you will inevitably face some setbacks on your journey.
If you only knew all the dealing
There's a lot of shady business that goes on behind the scenes.
That goes on in back of the store.
Things aren't always what they seem on the surface.
If you only knew how that one that's
People who already have a lot are often insatiable and crave even more.
Got a lot can't wait to get more.
Money and power can be addictive.
I wouldn't want to cramp your style
I don't want to discourage you or hold you back.
But if you want to make it all worthwhile.
However, if you want to achieve something truly meaningful, it may require serious effort and sacrifice.
You have to have your own breakthrough.
You need to find your own path and breakthrough to success.
If you only knew what could happen to
The consequences of telling the truth can be severe and overwhelming.
A man for telling the truth.
It's not always easy to stand up for what you believe in.
If you only knew all the scruples
People will go to great lengths to achieve their goals, even if it means compromising their values.
That go down in gin and vermouth.
Drinking and socializing can play a role in these decisions.
I wouldn't want to steer you wrong
I don't want to give you bad advice.
But if you want to sing your own song.
Ultimately, you need to find and pursue your own passions and goals.
Your gonna have to lose a few.
But setbacks and failures are inevitable on this journey.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MOSE ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind