Vincent by Don McLean was a UK number 1 hit on Saturday, June 17, 1972 spending 2 week(s) at the top of the UK charts. The words and imagery of this song represent the life, work, and death of Vincent Van Gogh. The opening line, "Starry, starry night," refers to A Starry Night, one of the Dutch impressionist's most famous paintings. The lyrics, "Paint your palette blue and gray" reflect the prominent colors of the painting, and are probably a reference to Vincent's habit of sucking on or biting his paintbrushes while he worked. The "ragged men in ragged clothes" and "how you tried to set them free" refer to Van Gogh's humanitarian activities and love of the socially outcast as also reflected in his paintings and drawings. "They would not listen, they did not know how" refers to Van Gogh's family and some associates who were critical of his kindness to "the wretched." "How you suffered for your sanity" refers to the schizophrenic disorder from which Van Gogh suffered.
Who sang Vincent?
Vincent was performed by Don McLean
What year did Vincent get to the UK number 1 spot?
Vincent first became a UK number 1 on Saturday, June 17, 1972
How long was Vincent at number 1 in the UK?
Vincent spent 2 week(s) at number 1 in the UK.