These Dreams of You

"These Dreams of You" is a song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and featured on his 1970 album Moondance. This song was also included on Morrison's 1974 live album, It's Too Late to Stop Now.

"These Dreams of You"
Song by Van Morrison
from the album Moondance
ReleasedFebruary 1970
GenreRhythm and blues, country rock
Length3:50
LabelWarner Bros. Records
Songwriter(s)Van Morrison
Producer(s)Van Morrison and Lewis Merenstein
Moondance track listing
10 tracks
Side one
  1. "And It Stoned Me"
  2. "Moondance"
  3. "Crazy Love"
  4. "Caravan"
  5. "Into the Mystic"
Side two
  1. "Come Running"
  2. "These Dreams of You"
  3. "Brand New Day"
  4. "Everyone"
  5. "Glad Tidings"

"The inspiration of "These Dreams of You", it seems, was a dream about an assassination attempt on Ray Charles, who then 'got up to do his best'. The words are introspective and obscure, but the musical structure and assured playing give the piece its necessary coherence."[1]

Van Morrison describes it as:[2]

The result of a dream I had about Ray Charles being shot down. That started off the whole song. The line 'you paid your dues in Canada', I don't really know where that comes from, I just have a romantic image of going to Canada and that's about it. The song is basically about dreams.

Brian Hinton goes on to say: "Nightmares more like, with Van's lover telling lies, walking out, ignoring his cries, throwing him out, and slapping him on the face; odd behavior for an angel. Van's voice sounds almost strangled on the final chorus."[3]

Appearance on other albums

Filmed performances
  • There is footage of the song being performed at the Fillmore East on 23 September 1970.[4]
  • A performance of the song, featuring special guest Fred Wesley, was shown on the 1998 Rockpalast Christmas special on German television.[5]

Personnel on original release

Notes
  1. Collis, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart. p120
  2. Hinton. Celtic Crossroads. p.109
  3. Hinton, Celtic Crossroads. p.110
  4. Becker, Gunter. "Van Morrison song database". ivan.vanomatic.de. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  5. "Rockpalast Christmas special '98". rockpalast.de. Retrieved 12 January 2009.

References
  • Collis, John (1996). Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, Little Brown and Company, ISBN 0-306-80811-0
  • Hinton, Brian (1997). Celtic Crossroads: The Art of Van Morrison, Sanctuary, ISBN 1-86074-169-X
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