Van Morrison, Into the Mystic | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 137th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 137^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Into the Mystic” performed by Van Morrison.

“Ere the bonnie boat was won / As we sailed into the mystic,” Grammy-winning, North Ireland musician Van Morrison sings in his masterpiece, “Into the Mystic”. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer adds in the second verse, “Let your soul and spirit fly / Into the mystic.” He penned and produced the fifth track from his beloved 1970, multiplatinum album, Moondance. Although not a single, the song is a pivotal part of the success of Moondance.  Notably, it’s been covered by the likes of Ben E. King, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Michael McDonald.  Take one listen, and it’s understandable why “Into The Mystic” is the sugar honey iced tea.

“Into the Mystic” features a sweet instrumental: acoustic rhythm guitar, active, robust bass line, light but potent drum groove, tasty piano, and strings.  One of many selling points is the fact there are plenty of moments for the instrumental to shine sans lyrics. “Into The Mystic” is a balanced, superbly penned, arranged, and produced record. Van Morrison delivers authentic, beautiful vocals.  He sounds great when he’s cooler and more poised as well as when he digs in.  Morrison marvelously brings the tuneful melodies to life.  The lyrics are thoughtful, referencing life, love, and spiritual matters.  “And when the foghorn blows / I want to hear it / I don’t have to fear it,” Morrison sings the pre-chorus, adding in the centerpiece, the chorus, “And I want to rock your gypsy soul / Just like way back in the days of old / And magnificently we will float / Into the mystic.”  “Into the Mystic” exemplifies the timeless classic – it never grows old.

Van Morrison // Moondance // Warner // 1970

Van Morrison, Into the Mystic: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 137 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]