Coney Island (Van Morrison song)

"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.

"Coney Island"
Single by Van Morrison
from the album Avalon Sunset
B-side"Have I Told You Lately"
Released1990 (1990)
GenreCeltic
Length2:00
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Van Morrison
Producer(s)Van Morrison
Van Morrison singles chronology
"Orangefield"
(1989)		 "Coney Island"
(1990)		 "Gloria"
(1990)
Avalon Sunset track listing
10 tracks
  1. "Whenever God Shines His Light"
  2. "Contacting My Angel"
  3. "I'd Love to Write Another Song"
  4. "Have I Told You Lately"
  5. "Coney Island"
  6. "I'm Tired Joey Boy"
  7. "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God"
  8. "Orangefield"
  9. "Daring Night"
  10. "These Are the Days"

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."[1]

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.[2] The song ends with the spoken words: "Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time?"

Cash Box called it "poetic" and an "instant classic."[3]

Appearance on other albums

Personnel

Renditions

Liam Neeson performed the song on the 1994 Van Morrison tribute album, No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van Morrison. A single was also released with Neeson's version.

Dustin the Turkey performed a parody of the song called "Bull Island", which told the story of a day out resulting in his arrest at the end. It was featured on his Not Just a Pretty Face album as well as Dustin's Greatest Hits.

References
  1. Rogan, p.386
  2. "Rebirth for village Van made famous". Sunday Life. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  3. Wednesday, Oscar (24 June 1989). "Pure Pop for Now People" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 14. Retrieved 21 December 2022.

Sources
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