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Van Morrison — These Are The Days
Album: Avalon Sunset
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 540









Released: 1989
Length: 4:53
Plays (last 30 days): 0
These are the days of the endless summer
These are the days, the time is now
There is no past, there's only future
There's only here, there's only now

Oh your smiling face, your gracious presence
Are the fires of spring are kindling bright
Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory
Crying freedom in the night

These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one magician
Turned the water into wine

These are days of the endless dancing and the
Long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing
When I'm holding you oh, so tight

These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician
Turned water into wine

These are the days now that we must savour
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart.
Comments (88)add comment
Lovely song. 
Skeptics oughta sip some wine and conjure more enjoyment. 
Van is not on his game here.
Sorry, but a stupid song of Van-the-Man
 juanos wrote:
can anyone rank this song anything but GODLIKE? {#Cheers}

 
A generous 2.

It gives me the fear that I am listening to this in the middle of a gig with 100s of middle aged, middle earth, middle class fuckwits swaying their arms above their heads and singing along at the tops of their voices. 

I am running for the exit. 
Sentimental wondrous. Who cares if it brings to mind other songs? It's magic in its own right rite write. 
 juanos wrote:
can anyone rank this song anything but GODLIKE? {#Cheers}

 
How about a 3; haven't liked his voice since 'Brown-Eyed Girl'
 LizK wrote:

"Don't cry for me Argentina" is in a lsong from "Evita" by Madona

 
Julie Covington did it first in 1976 for the original "Evita" and then Joan Baez did a cover that got radio play in 1980. Madonna didn't do it until '96...
 Stingray wrote:
LAUGHABLE!!!

 
{#Lol}
LAUGHABLE!!!
can anyone rank this song anything but GODLIKE? {#Cheers}
 DaveInVA wrote:
This sounds exactly like Joan Baez's "Don't cry for me Argentina" only with different words..That being said I still love it {#Music}
 
"Don't cry for me Argentina" is in a lsong from "Evita" by Madona
One of the few Van recordings I only have on LP.  Thanks you guys !
 TerryS wrote:
While I do love Van, I am becoming increasingly susceptible to the voices which say he was a one trick pony.
 

If Van was a one-trick pony, it was one damn fine pony.

Edit: I think most critics agree that Astral Weeks, Moondance, Tupelo Honey and Saint Dominic's Preview were brilliant. One-trick pony?

While I do love Van, I am becoming increasingly susceptible to the voices which say he was a one trick pony.
And let us never forget these voices either:

  • Katie Kissoon, Carol Kenyon


  •  macadavy wrote:

    HTH
    It would be nice to hear more songs from this album.
     

    I have the original Vinyl autographed by Van ... I'll gift it to you if you can Turn Water into Wine.


    Why-o-why can't he be like this in concert? All of you enjoying sunsets, brewskies and red wine and listening to Van on RP have the right idea! Still paying for tickets from show in October which was not nearly as memorable as these 3 minutes :/

    '89? Has it been that long...  This still stands well against time.
     marmelock wrote:
    ... outside on the balcony, smokin' a cigarette, zippin' a beer, watching the lightning in the distance and listening to Van the man on RP.
    These are the days

     
    I'm on my way over there - save me a cold one! {#Hug} {#Sunny}
     marmelock wrote:
    ... outside on the balcony, smokin' a cigarette, zippin' a beer, watching the lightning in the distance and listening to Van the man on RP.
    These are the days

      Sounds perfect!{#Clap}

    Van Thank you for taken me trough


    Is this perhaps where Eddie Vedder learned to mumble lyrics?
    Still a 10!
    Please Bill, follow this one with "One of these days" (PF Meddle)
    This is good stuff.... 
    8 to 10 {#Angel}
     aliweg wrote:
    Van Morrison. His music is like a life. Good, bad, touchnig, swaying and blah blah blah. Just real class. I have 28 years old and my friends joke: "oh, my God, you listen to the music by that old guy again?Ughhh." They just don't understand me. They just don't understand great music by Van..Best wishes from Poland.
     
    You need new friends. Friends who can appreciate your excellent taste in music . 

    This sounds exactly like Joan Baez's "Don't cry for me Argentina" only with different words..That being said I still love it {#Music}


    My employer would like to file a complaint with Bill, as I cannot focus on work when Bill keeps amazing sets of music going like this. 

    Where is the "off" button on this thing?  Must be broken...
     marmelock wrote:
    ... outside on the balcony, smokin' a cigarette, zippin' a beer, watching the lightning in the distance and listening to Van the man on RP.
    These are the days

     
    Good comment. I see the same picture: cigarette, red wine, sunset and Van, Van, Van. Best wishes from Poland.
    Van Morrison. His music is like a life. Good, bad, touchnig, swaying and blah blah blah. Just real class. I have 28 years old and my friends joke: "oh, my God, you listen to the music by that old guy again?Ughhh." They just don't understand me. They just don't understand great music by Van..Best wishes from Poland.
     
    Hell of a shift from Miriam Makeba.

    Man!
    ... outside on the balcony, smokin' a cigarette, zippin' a beer, watching the lightning in the distance and listening to Van the man on RP.
    These are the days

    I hear consistent VM tracks and chorus on many of his tunes, kind of yawn and ponder music.  Annunciation is not tops with VM, and at least it is not as bad as the Be Good Tanya's.  His early stuff was quite diverse and had more soul in it . . .
    I want to hear Van the Man's soulful, heartwrenching song TB Sheets from his early days.
    meulie wrote:
    Does anyone know who the 2nd male voice in this song is...?
    " {Avalon Sunset} marked the first appearance of Georgie Fame, who played the Hammond organ and would also provide backup vocals and help direct the band." "The album also features the hit single "Whenever God Shines His Light" which was a duet with Cliff Richard." ~ Wikipedia
    HTH It would be nice to hear more songs from this album.
    Most Excellent. VM does it for me anytime. Saw him in 64 & never stopped buying his music & attending his concerts. Very versatile, eclectic artist.
    geee, that's BEAUTIFUL!!!
    ziggytrix wrote:
    i like it when a musician doesn't feel obligated to enunciate or refrain from making noises like a goat.
    Must've taken lessons from James Brown, well, except for the goat part. "Gonna get in a hot tub, AIEEE!"
    Chumbawamba-1984 wrote:
    Why ? Do you experience sleeping disorder ? Apparently, this guy Van Morrison has had a decent indigenous career in the US, but was mostly unknown abroad. RIP.
    I disagree. From wiki: Morrison performed before an estimated audience of 60-80,000 people when US President Bill Clinton visited Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 30, 1995. His song "Days Like This" had become the official anthem for the Northern Irish peace movement. <90> In June 1996, Morrison was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for his service to music. BRIT Award - Outstanding contribution to Music, 1994 Ronnie Scotts Club "Best International Male Singer of 2007" First Inaugural Awards
    i like it when a musician doesn't feel obligated to enunciate or refrain from making noises like a goat.
    Chumbawamba-1984 wrote:
    Why ? Do you experience sleeping disorder ? Apparently, this guy Van Morrison has had a decent indigenous career in the US, but was mostly unknown abroad. RIP.
    Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong. -Dandemis
    wintercove wrote:
    More from Van Morrison would be wonderful.
    Why ? Do you experience sleeping disorder ? Apparently, this guy Van Morrison has had a decent indigenous career in the US, but was mostly unknown abroad. RIP.
    Had to bump this up to a "9"
    ginniet wrote:
    I've never been a Van Morrison fan, but this one is good (and thought-provoking words)!
    I believe this was from his "religious" phase....heartfelt album.
    A practically unknown gem here. I just can't say it enough...RP RAWKS!!!!
    I've never been a Van Morrison fan, but this one is good (and thought-provoking words)!
    Another quintessential example of the vocal stylings of Van The Man.
    meulie wrote:
    Does anyone know who the 2nd male voice in this song is...?
    I know that Cliff Richard appears on this album. Didn't catch the song though.
    Does anyone know who the 2nd male voice in this song is...?
    Unquestionably a serious artist - but somehow he's just never done it for me. To me there a lack of "vunerability" in the sound of his voice.
    Shesdifferent wrote:
    Dig deep into those Van Morrison archives Bill, for there are many treasured songs that are not hits, like this one. Keep playing on...good to hear.
    Agreed!
    Dig deep into those Van Morrison archives Bill, for there are many treasured songs that are not hits, like this one. Keep playing on...good to hear.
    Thank you so much for playing this, Bill. It's just exactly what I was in the mood for.
    The unique voice, delivery, and his heartfelt soul transmitted by Van is unmatched.
    Touching song... I'm trying not to cry, "those" tears.
    I'm sensing a theme here.
    bairdc wrote:
    Van Morrison and his music always inspire hope in me - even when the world looks weary - how this irascible Irishman can continue to do that is, in itself, a miracle - golden days are now - not future
    Beautifully put. I think it is a perfect song to play on this, one of the first few days of autumn. Van really is able to not only inspire refelection, but a true sense of appreciation and hope.
    Van Morrison and his music always inspire hope in me - even when the world looks weary - how this irascible Irishman can continue to do that is, in itself, a miracle - golden days are now - not future
    Darrooon wrote:
    I enjoyed hearing this. So I thought I'd poke around and see if I can add it to my VM collection. This album is so far out of print you'll need a radio-telescope to find it. Not on iTunes, CDC, Wal-Mart (ech!), Amazon (well, people will sell you a "good shape" used copy for big bux). Not even a torrent!
    Try eBay
    I enjoyed hearing this. So I thought I'd poke around and see if I can add it to my VM collection. This album is so far out of print you'll need a radio-telescope to find it. Not on iTunes, CDC, Wal-Mart (ech!), Amazon (well, people will sell you a "good shape" used copy for big bux). Not even a torrent!
    Criminal wrote:
    This is the very reason I'm listening to radio paradise. The local broadcast stations will play Moondance, or Brown Eyed Girl. I've written email asking them to play anything from the other 30+ albums but they just keep playing those two. If RP is going to play such a wide variety from Van's prolific collection, I'm in.
    Nicely said, indeed. That Criminal seems like a good fellow.
    Criminal wrote:
    This is the very reason I'm listening to radio paradise. The local broadcast stations will play Moondance, or Brown Eyed Girl. I've written email asking them to play anything from the other 30+ albums but they just keep playing those two. If RP is going to play such a wide variety from Van's prolific collection, I'm in.
    Nicely said.
    a2 wrote:
    I love this album. Perhaps underrated because it is rather spiritual.
    Agreed. The album always moves me.
    Moak wrote:
    Could be his finest song. Beautiful, perfect. 11.
    I don't know...guess I'm just missing something....
    Always makes me smile.
    starfish wrote:
    Love this song... it was our first dance at our wedding.
    First dance with my wife as well!
    Love this song... it was our first dance at our wedding.
    I get pretty tired of hearing moondance and brown-eyed girl. The repetition is enough to make you start to despise Van Morrison. Then you hear a song like this. If you're in the right mood for it, it's really wonderful.
    Without question a supremely gifted artist. Unfortunately, for me, he just never manages to raise a single goose bump!
    This is nice except for the cheesy snare that sounds like it's off a 1980's drum machine.
    zazelle wrote:
    As far as I'm concerned Van can do no wrong.
    I was about to post this same sentiment. Thanks for doing it for me.
    As far as I'm concerned Van can do no wrong.
    pousso wrote:
    The circle of life (or a special act) represented by smileys!
    Could be his finest song. Beautiful, perfect. 11.
    jdpinball wrote:
    I too have often wondered why commercial stations ignore anything this artist has done in the last 20 years. Thanks for playing current Van Morrison
    So, 20 years is old but 15 is current?
    When I hear Van, for those 3 minutes it seems that all is right with the world. I used to love a station back in MA that always seemed to know when to play "Days Like This" during my evening commute.
    Criminal wrote:
    This is the very reason I'm listening to radio paradise. The local broadcast stations will play Moondance, or Brown Eyed Girl. I've written email asking them to play anything from the other 30+ albums but they just keep playing those two. If RP is going to play such a wide variety from Van's prolific collection, I'm in.
    I too have often wondered why commercial stations ignore anything this artist has done in the last 20 years. Thanks for playing current Van Morrison
    Ahhh, the song my wife and I danced to at our wedding.... sweet memories!
    Thanks for Van Morrison, on a rainy Monday here.
    This is the very reason I'm listening to radio paradise. The local broadcast stations will play Moondance, or Brown Eyed Girl. I've written email asking them to play anything from the other 30+ albums but they just keep playing those two. If RP is going to play such a wide variety from Van's prolific collection, I'm in.
    Over the years I've acquired most of VM's albums from 1980 on, and while some are better than others, they are all very solid and have each has some really outstanding songs. This is not my favorite from this album, but it's great to see some of Van's lesser known work added to the playlist.
    Fantastic. The lyrics, the music, simply fantastic. Van had some of the best backup singers I've ever heard.
    Pretty song, but why'd they make Van record it in the garage? Not the best production I've ever heard...
    I love this album. Perhaps underrated because it is rather spiritual.