Coney Island

Van Morrison

About Coney Island

"Coney Island" is a spoken-word song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and included on his 1989 album, Avalon Sunset. The narrative is accompanied by lush instrumentation which contrasts with Morrison's thick Ulster brogue. The singer revisits his youthful trips with his mother to the seaside at Coney Island, in County Down, Northern Ireland. The trip from Belfast in the song names the localities of Downpatrick, St. John's Point, Strangford Lough, Shrigley, Killyleagh, Lecale District and Ardglass. The narrative vividly pictures a bright Autumn day of birdwatching, stopping for Sunday papers, and for "a couple of jars of mussels and some potted herrings in case we get famished before dinner." A reviewer noted: "You get a great rush of satisfaction here; in knowing that Van Morrison, despite his long, painful progress towards spiritual election, is still a ravenous foodie at heart."The village of Shrigley dating back to 1824 was replaced with modern homes and shops after 1968 but a restored village as seen by Morrison and his mother is being planned. The song ends with the spoken words: "Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time?" 


Year:
1989
2:00
719 
#2

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Coney Island
Coming down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St. John's Point
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good
Stopped off at Strangford Lough
Early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures
And on to Killyleagh
Stopped off for Sunday papers at the Lecale District, 
Just before Coney Island 

On and on, over the hill to Ardglass
In the jam jar, autumn sunshine, magnificent
And all shining through 

Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of
Mussels and some potted herrings in case
We get famished before dinner 

On and on, over the hill and the craic is good
Heading towards Coney Island 

I look at the side of your face as the sunlight comes
Streaming through the window in the autumn sunshine
And all the time going to Coney Island I'm thinking,
Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time.

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Van Morrison

Van Morrison, OBE (born George Ivan Morrison; 31 August 1945) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are described as transcendental, while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are critically acclaimed and appear at the top of many greatest album lists. more »

14 fans

Written by: VAN MORRISON

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song's Origin
"Coney Island" is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, renowned for his distinct amalgamation of various music genres including blues, R&B, jazz and folk music.
Album Recognition
This song is a part of the album "Avalon Sunset", which was released in the year 1989. The album is one of Van Morrison's most successful, loved by critics and fans alike.
Style & Genre
In line with Van Morrison's genre-blending style, "Coney Island" is a blend of folk, soft rock, and spoken word. Morrison's tender voice and depth of emotion make this a deeply emotive song.
Theme & Inspiration
The song is essentially a love letter to the place 'Coney Island' which is in County Down, Northern Ireland – not the more famous amusement park in New York, USA. It captures the tranquil essence of the peaceful Irish seaside and transports the listeners directly to that location.
Song Duration
“Coney Island” is a relatively short song, with a length of approximately two minutes.
Emotional Impact
The song’s focus on detailing a perfect peaceful day in Coney Island has made it a fan favorite, known for evoking feelings of nostalgia and tranquility among listeners.
Collaborations
A notable musical collaboration on this song is Neil Drinkwater’s contribution on the piano.
Notable Recognition
"Coney Island" is reported to have been played by BBC Radio Ulster as the final song before the switch-over to BBC Radio Five on the night of 27 August 1990.
Lyrics & Narrative
The lyrics take listeners on a journey through Morrison's memories. The narrative bounces from enjoying a cup of tea to spotting birds and concluding with a beautiful sunset.
Music Video
The music video for this song is fascinating as it is compiled from clips of Van Morrison's trip to Coney Island, which closely aligns with the lyrical narrative.

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