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.
News Nightclub
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been workin' in nightclubs so long, can hardly stand the break of day
Run down rooms and bad places
But it's still the only way
Gonna be here through Sunday evening, be someplace else on Tuesday night
Gonna be here through Sunday evening, be someplace else on Tuesday night
If I get home with all my money
If I had a million dollars, I'd sit right down and relax
If I had a million dollars, I'd sit right down and relax
I'd go off and buy myself a nightclub
And write it off my income tax
In Van Morrison's News Nightclub, the singer talks about his experience working in nightclubs for a long time. He mentions how the job has taken a toll on him and he can hardly stand the break of day, indicating exhaustion and a feeling of being trapped in this lifestyle. The nightclubs he has worked in are run-down and bad places, but he still sees them as the only way to make a living.
Despite the difficulties of the job, the singer is committed to it and plans to be in the current club until Sunday evening, then move on to another club by Tuesday night. He has one simple hope - to make it home with all his money. For him, this means everything will be alright. This sense of desperation and longing for financial stability is a theme that is often explored in Morrison's work.
Towards the end of the song, Morrison hints at his longing for a better life by saying that if he had a million dollars, he would buy himself a nightclub and write it off his income tax. This could be interpreted as a sign of his yearning for control over his life and wanting to break free from the cycle of working in nightclubs.
Overall, News Nightclub is a poignant and honest exploration of the grueling nature of working in nightclubs and the yearning for financial and personal freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Been workin' in nightclubs so long, can hardly stand the break of day
I've spent so much time working in these seedy nightclubs that I can barely handle waking up in the morning anymore. The venues I work at are run down and unsavory, but it's the only way I know how to make a living.
Run down rooms and bad places
The nightclubs where I work are in poor condition and not exactly the kind of places you'd take your family for a night out.
But it's still the only way
Despite the undesirable conditions of the nightclubs I work at, it's the only job I know how to do and the only way I can make a living.
Gonna be here through Sunday evening, be someplace else on Tuesday night
I'll be working at this nightclub all the way through Sunday night, but come Tuesday, I'll be working at another venue.
If I get home with all my money
If I manage to make it home with all the money I earn from this gig, I'll consider it a successful night.
Everything will be alright
As long as I'm able to bring home my earnings, things in my life will be going okay.
If I had a million dollars, I'd sit right down and relax
If I suddenly came into a great deal of money, I would take some time off to relax and enjoy it.
I'd go off and buy myself a nightclub
If I were to come into a major windfall, one of the first things I'd do is purchase my own nightclub.
And write it off my income tax
Not only would owning a nightclub be a fun endeavor, it would also be something I could write off on my taxes.
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