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.
It Fill You Up
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
There's something going on
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
But you don't know what it is
But you don't know what it is
But you don't have to know
You just take it for what it is (spoken)
Within this melody
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
There's more then you can see
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
There's another realm
There's another world
With kings and queens
Yeah yeah
That's why you got to face the facts
That's why you gotta testify (suggested)
You gotta do and die (suggested)
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
You got to do in that
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
You got to sing with the music and groove
You got to turn on the music and groove
Every every every day
You know what I'm talking about (spoken)
It fill you up, it fill you up (spoken)
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Yeah!
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Yeah!
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Get you rolling in the money
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Work out a few kinks
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
It fill you up to the brim Jim
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Lord have mercy
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Come here baby
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
Van Morrison's song "It Fills You Up" is a soulful and expressive meditation on the power of music to affect our moods and emotions. The repeated refrain "it fills you up" refers to the way that music can fill us up with a sense of energy and vitality, lifting our spirits and making us feel alive.
Throughout the song, Morrison underscores the idea that music is a universal language that transcends all boundaries. He sings about "another realm" and "another world with kings and queens," suggesting that the power of music can transport us to another place entirely, one where we can connect with something bigger than ourselves.
At the same time, Morrison recognizes that the power of music can be difficult to put into words. He sings "you don't know what it is / but you don't have to know / you just take it for what it is," suggesting that while music may not always make logical sense, it remains something that we can appreciate and enjoy simply for its own sake.
Ultimately, "It Fills You Up" is an ode to the transformative power of music, a song that celebrates the way that great music can fill us up and make us feel whole again.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something going on
There is a significant event or feeling present
It fill you up, it fill you up, it fill you up now
This event or feeling is emotionally fulfilling and satisfying
But you don't know what it is
The nature of this event or feeling is unknown or unclear
But you don't have to know
It is not necessary to understand or explain the event or feeling
You just take it for what it is (spoken)
Accept and appreciate the emotions that the event or feeling brings without question
Within this melody
The song itself holds the event or feeling
There's more than you can see
The event or feeling goes beyond what is apparent on the surface
There's another realm
The event or feeling exists in a spiritual realm, beyond the physical world
With kings and queens
This spiritual realm is the ultimate destination for royalty and power
That's why you got to face the facts
Confronting and accepting the reality of this event or feeling is necessary
That's why you gotta testify (suggested)
To share or bare one's own experiences brings understanding and truth to this event or feeling
You gotta do and die (suggested)
Pursuing this event or feeling is a fight, but it's worth the price of work or even one's life
You got to do in that
Taking action towards this event or feeling is vital
You got to sing with the music and groove
By immersing oneself in music and dance, the event or feeling is intensified
Every every every day
The event or feeling persists, continuously present each day
You know what I'm talking about (spoken)
The listener understands and relates to the emotion conveyed
Get you rolling in the money
This event or feeling can bring material wealth and success
Work out a few kinks
The event or feeling can also help resolve personal issues or challenges
It fill you up to the brim Jim
The event or feeling can fulfill one completely
Lord have mercy
An appreciation or acknowledgement of the divine power and grace that allows such a fulfilling experience
Come here baby
Invitation to another to experience this event or feeling together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind