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.

Look Here
Van Morrison Lyrics

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Look here, what you think you gon' be doin' next year
No lie, how you know you no gon' up and die
No doubt, soon enough your friends will find you out
Take care you know you might not have much time to spare

I say, how long have you acted up this way
What know, when you gonna get your own floor show
I'm hip, you could use a button on your lip

Look here, what you think you gon' be doin' next year

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Look Here" by Van Morrison seem to be a warning of sorts, urging the listener to consider their future and the choices they are making in the present. The opening line starts with a blunt question, asking the listener what they think they will be doing next year. The tone is somewhat confrontational, suggesting that the person being addressed may not have a clear idea or plan for their future. This is then followed by the line "No lie, how you know you no gon' up and die," which could be interpreted as a reminder of mortality and the need to live life with intention.

The next two lines - "No doubt, soon enough your friends will find you out / Take care you know you might not have much time to spare" - further emphasize the idea of accountability and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. The singer seems to be cautioning against living a life characterized by deception or selfishness, warning that eventually one's true nature will be revealed.

The repeated refrain "Look here, what you think you gon' be doin' next year" serves as a reminder to stay focused on the future and consider the consequences of one's choices. The additional lines "How long have you acted up this way / What know, when you gonna get your own floor show / I'm hip, you could use a button on your lip" could be interpreted as criticism of someone who is acting out or seeking attention in inappropriate ways. Overall, the lyrics to "Look Here" convey a sense of urgency and the need for self-reflection and self-improvement.

Line by Line Meaning

Look here, what you think you gon' be doin' next year
Questioning the listener's plans for the following year, suggesting uncertainty about the future.

No lie, how you know you no gon' up and die
Asserting that the possibility of death is real, challenging the listener's assumption of guaranteed longevity.

No doubt, soon enough your friends will find you out
Implying that the listener's true nature will be revealed eventually, insinuating a lack of authenticity or sincerity.

Take care you know you might not have much time to spare
Advising the listener to be cautious, emphasizing the importance of making the most of the time they have.

I say, how long have you acted up this way
Asking how long the listener has been behaving in a particular manner, indicating disapproval or frustration.

What know, when you gonna get your own floor show
Suggesting that the listener should focus on their own talents or abilities, encouraging personal growth and development.

I'm hip, you could use a button on your lip
Claiming to be aware or knowledgeable, suggesting that the listener should keep quiet or stop talking.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MOSE ALLISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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