I’ve Got The Hippy Shakes

Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” is as sweet today as it was fifty years ago

She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

Van Morrison is a dick. He’s had that reputation for decades. He continues to live up to that reputation today. But that doesn’t mean he can’t write sweet, beautiful songs.

The year is 1971. Van Morrison is twenty-six years old. He’s already a big name in the popular music world. You know him from his songs “Gloria”, “Moondance” and “Brown Eyed Girl.” His albums have sold well, certifying as gold and platinum.

But now Van is in love. He’s met the girl he calls Janet Planet. They get married and start their life together. Van wants the world to know what he thinks of her. The album “Tupelo Honey” is his platform. Janet is as sweet as tupelo honey. She’s an angel of the first degree.

It’s not only that one song. The entire album has tunes dedicated to Janet and their love. “Starting a New Life”, “I Want to Roo You” and “You’re My Woman” tell the story of a man who is desperately in love.

Sadly, the relationship didn’t last. Two years later they divorced. But, while the love died, the songs lived on.

Fifty years later, the music is as beautiful as it was in 1971. If you’ve been in a loving, caring relationship, it’s easy to relate to these songs. They may have been written by Van Morrison, but they become your own.

“Tupelo Honey” is a sweet, lovely album. It sounds like it comes from a man whose bitterness and anger at whatever hadn’t yet been developed. I miss that Van. I hope it’s still in there somewhere. Maybe we’ll see it again.

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Entertainment:: Music, Music, Pop Music, Uncategorized

Tags:
Janet Planet, Van Morrison