Van Morrison - Why Must I Always Explain? Lyrics






Have to toe the line, I've got to make the most
Spent all the years going, from pillar to post
Now I'm standing on the outside and I'm waitin' in the rain
Tell me why must I always explain

Bared my soul to the crowd eh but oh what the cost
Most of them laughed out loud like nothing's been lost
There were hypocrites and parasites and people that drain
Tell me why must I always explain

Why, why must I always explain
Over and over, over again
It's just a job you know and it's no sweet lorraine
Tell me why must I always explain (alright)

Well I get up in the morning and I get my brief
I go out and stare at the world in complete disbelief
It's not righteous indignation that makes me complain
It's the fact that I always have to explain

I can't be everywhere at once, there's always somebody to see
And I never turned out to be the person that you wanted me to be
And I tell you who I am, time and time and time again
Tell me why must I always explain

Well it's out on the highway and it's on with the show
Always telling people things they're too lazy to know
It can make you crazy, yeah it can drive you insane
Tell me why must I always explain.





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Van Morrison Why Must I Always Explain? Comments
  1. M.... H....

    Thank You Sir!!

  2. P.... G....

    "Well I get up in the morning and I get my brief
    I go out and stare at the world in complete disbelief"

    I know this well...

  3. J.... J....

    I thout this was the best song when i bougt it 1991. What is it with us from Love of god? Joel

  4. T.... W....

    There have been hypocrites and parasites and dreamers ...

    It's not righteous indignation that makes me complain

  5. A.... E....

    Blessed me with rye when they cursed the soil

  6. R.... e....

    Your god dam ignorent ill be in confederacy for Christmas get ready for hell s.o.b

  7. H.... M....

    The song is reportedly Van's answer to critics who expected him to make albums that sound more like "Moondance" & "Astral Weeks".

  8. J.... F....

    I always sing this song to the cops when I walk around drunk and forget how I lost my pants.

  9. P.... L....

    This song reminds me of how President Trump must feel I bet he's never heard this song what a great song

  10. t.... l....

    Love to Van, always loved you baby and sadly I also have to explain. I wish people would fuck off and leave me ALONE. Anyway thanks for the great song, love you lots baby. Linden Arden is my fav. I am not a creep, its just beautiful. You rock mister Van. Thank u so much. You are the best.

  11. k.... ....

    Have to toe the line, I've got to make the most
    Spent all the years going, from pillar to post
    Now I'm standing on the outside and I'm waitin' in the rain
    Tell me why must I always explain
    Bared my soul to the crowd eh but oh what the cost
    Most of them laughed out loud like nothings been lost
    There were hypocrites and parasites and people that drain
    Tell me why must I always explain
    Why, why must I always explain
    Over and over, over again
    It's just a job you know and it's no sweet Lorraine
    Tell me why must I always explain
    Well I get up in the morning and I get my brief
    I go out and stare at the world in complete disbelief
    It's not righteous indignation that makes me complain
    It's the fact that I always have to explain
    I can't be everywhere at once, there's always somebody to see
    And I never turned out to be the person that you wanted me to be
    And I tell you who I am, time and time and time again
    Tell me why must I always explain
    Well it's out on the highway and it's on with the show
    Always telling people things they're too lazy to know
    It can make you crazy, yeah it can drive you insane
    Tell me why must I always explain.

    k.... ....

    karimam1275 CLASSIC VAN !!! THANKS !!!

  12. P.... G....

    One of my favorites. Love the lyrics. Proud to be an outsider. Wave on...

  13. W.... G....

    I get up in the morning and I get my brief, then I go out and stare at the world in complete disbelief.

    Great stuff.

  14. C.... D....

    Always loved Van but have missed many of his albums. Thanks YouTube. I've even got my guitar out. Love this album.

    C.... D....

    Me too!!!😉😊😊😊

    C.... D....

    Cathy Dowd...You are right...it's one of the best !!!

  15. T.... W....

    I really like this and all his music. There's a lot of Irish instrumental influence in the music to this song, isn't there?

  16. V.... S....

    I was introduced by Charlie Mdhluli to this great music even now I still follow this Great Giant's music

  17. P.... C....

    I love "When the Leaves Come Fallin' Down.", also "Days Like This." as well as "Why Must I Always Explain."

  18. B.... R....

    Why Must I Always Explain?

  19. s.... ....

    I like van Morrison since over 10 years. But he surprised me even today! Thanks!!!

  20. L.... D....

    I taught my kids from a young age to listen to all music and even listened to their music to get the point across of how not great todays artists are - they are not musicians and since when is talking singing - fortunately we are all musicians and my kids can appreciate good music

  21. S.... ....

    Does the new song Transformation sound very similar to this? I think so!

  22. E.... G....

    van the man probably the best performance at the last waltz but Neil Young is a very close 2nd

  23. P.... A....

    Canciones que oyes y no te cansas de volver a oír fantástica voz y sonido una preciosa canción

  24. A.... V....

    its not righteous indignation that makes me complain its the fact that i always have to explain.

  25. T.... B....

    Good to hear brown it's always good keep the faith without it you will give no hope

  26. A.... H....

    Milli vanilli

  27. W.... G....

    masterpiece

  28. J.... M....

    yeah this is like ...everybody can relate to this

  29. S.... H....

    Have to toe the line, I've got to make the most
    Spent all the years going, from pillar to post
    Now I'm standing on the outside and I'm waitin' in the rain
    Tell me why must I always explain

    Bared my soul to the crowd eh but oh what the cost
    Most of them laughed out loud like nothings been lost
    There were hypocrites and parasites and people that drain
    Tell me why must I always explain

    Why, why must I always explain
    Over and over, over again
    It's just a job you know and it's no sweet Lorraine
    Tell me why must I always explain

    Well I get up in the morning and I get my brief
    I go out and stare at the world in complete disbelief
    It's not righteous indignation that makes me complain
    It's the fact that I always have to explain

    I can't be everywhere at once, there's always somebody to see
    And I never turned out to be the person that you wanted me to be
    And I tell you who I am, time and time and time again
    Tell me why must I always explain

    Well it's out on the highway and it's on with the show
    Always telling people things they're too lazy to know
    It can make you crazy, yeah it can drive you insane
    Tell me why must I always explain

    S.... H....

    Shang Hui Khoo Greatness

  30. V.... F....

    Very good son g

  31. j.... �....

    känner till det där:)

  32. K.... ....

    Live version is much better.

  33. L.... D....

    Lost my good friend tonight. He loved this song and van Morrison.

  34. m.... ....

    Always telling people what they 're too lazy to know..... That is the best line in this Irishman's little song with big meaning.

  35. J.... G....

    Right, Van is a classic.

  36. k.... t....

    GREAT, MY FAVORITE, LOVE THE MAN

  37. T.... S....

    not explainin shit ...lettin van do it.

  38. S.... C....

    I have been staring at the world with the same disbelief Sir Van.....and I am sick of explaining why

    S.... C....

    Perfectly stated!

  39. S.... S....

    Yesssssss!! Love his soul.!!

  40. R.... G....

    Bucking Frilliant!Happy Birthday on August 31 in the year of our Lord 2oi6,Mr.George Ivan Morrison,God Bless You&Always Be Well!!p.s.Happy Landings:)

  41. H.... R....

    This whole album was outstanding - thanks for upload

  42. r.... ....

    I once asked my wife , "Why do I always gotta' explain stuff!?" She said, ""Cause you always messin' up!" I've never asked her a question that sounds remotely like that since.

  43. P.... ....

    Does anyone know if this "album" was ever produced on vinyl?
    I'd love to find a copy if so.

    P.... ....

    I don't believe so. It was out on cassette, as that is how I originally owned it.

    P.... ....

    +gasaholic47 ok, thank you!

    P.... ....

    there is one in my home ....
    the picture showes the cover

    P.... ....

    a very great and beautiful vinyl to have. and still possible to find!

  44. M.... V....

    You have to laugh that this masterpiece has only 366,000 views and Kanye West gets 51 million. I guess as Sly sang..."Different Strokes for different folks"....

    M.... V....

    Mike Volpe never heard a song by K.West that’s not my musical taste,nothing personal towards Kanye you see but I can Guarantee you van Morrison’s music will be around for a very long time. ✌️❤️😎

    M.... V....

    "Masterpiece" is precisely, well, uh ... right fuckin' on! Thx

    M.... V....

    As Bach once said, "You can find out all you need to know about a peoples by the music they listen to". Unfortuanetly our society sucks right now. But Van's Music is a comfort to listen to. No doubt

    M.... V....

    Must I explain why?! 51 million dumb-asses

    M.... V....

    Mike Volpe...In Italy we say..."pochi ma buoni", which,m maybe, should be "few but good" !

  45. S.... C....

    to be grateful....humble....and forgiving

    S.... C....

    the key to life

  46. A.... Y....

    Alan Murr. I hear you. duly noted. No need to explain.

  47. A.... Y....

    i hear his frustration in this wonderful song. having to explain can make one weary

    A.... Y....

    +Ami Young , Hi Amy, it's alanmurr not alanmuir, WHY MUST I ALWAYS HAVE TO EXPLAIN?  Glad to see your name pop up recently at another VAN song. If you don't spell my name right I won't get your comment in my Gmail, WHY WHY WHY MUST I always have to explain! LOL

    A.... Y....

    +Ami Young , IT CAN MAKE YOU CRAZY IT CAN DRIVE YOU INSANE!

    A.... Y....

    +Ami Young , To the right is another great VAN song "Not supposed to Break Down" A kind of appropriate song to follow this song. "Just swallow the hurt, keep listening to the dirt, and I bet that you will be safe and sound"

    A.... Y....

    ami young ...
    you name it 'frustration'
    I name it: the irish blues ....
    (luckily Sir Van did not stop explaining - so we can listen to his wonderful music ...)

  48. C.... V....

    Awesome music can listen for many ours.

  49. D.... ....

    How much better can a song get..?

    D.... ....

    Dear Van - we couldn't understand you the first twenty times you tried to explain why you must always explain.

  50. J.... G....

    moja kochana mantra ...:)

  51. l.... ....

    I'm 17 years old and listen to this man - He's simply the best musician and this is simply his best song

    l.... ....

    I agree with you. Good song but I guess each to their own. My favourite on this album is Hymns to the Silence. Too tough for me to choose his best song. Could be astral weeks, madam george, sweet thing, Fair Play, Tupelo, Summer Time in England list goes on. Wonder if hes listened to astral weeks, veedon fleece, st dominic ect. I'm currently going through the albums and I'm on Wavelength. Natalia is another great song.

    l.... ....

    Thanks Ger. I love "It Stoned Me"; in celebration of that oh so important element, water. And yeah, there are so many it's hard to choose. One Irish Rover tho' is also another of my favorite songs, for it's mysterious quality. We could go on forever with Van, tho. Slan

    l.... ....

    I’m 20 myself to happy to hear the young still have passion for this sort of music, cheers friends

    l.... ....

    @Tom Kelly This is pretty much the sentiment of the song. He's not the performer you want him to be. He's known for not engaging the audience with patter. Really listen to Van Morrison and you will understand who he is and why he is how he is as much as anyone can.

    l.... ....

    What is going on with you ....I went to a Van concert recently....Was high on it for a week..... like I went to some kinda revival! Woke up the next morning pumping my fists in the air to G L O R I A...... Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High

  52. h.... g....

    je kifffeeee van morrison

  53. W.... C....

    Wish I could get this song to play whenever I'm asked a question! From one of the greatest singer/songwriters, IMHO. Enjoy. Very Irish...

    W.... C....

    +John, GREATTOMEETU brilliant song

    W.... C....

    If there is a God, he really made the Irish #1 in reasoning with & raging at reality. Yeah, I am way too Irish to not be crying while I write this ... Peace to us

  54. J.... ....

    Wow, I know how he feels in this song for sure... His the best, thanks for sharing!

  55. B.... M....

    The melody for this song is also the melody for the song 'Crazy Love' and 'Tupelo Honey'. It's just sped up a little. Very cool song. Another Van Morrison classic.

    B.... M....

    @Bradley McMillan In a live concert (that I listened to on Youtube - I think it was one from a jazz club in London), someone requests this song, and he says "this is the re-write of Tupelo Honey." Glad to know someone else noticed that.

    B.... M....

    +Bradley McMillan Can't believe I didn't realise this before! Can't un-hear it now!

    B.... M....

    His new one sounds similar too. Transformation.
    Still great though!

  56. n.... ....

    Alan, from pillar to post means from one place to another

  57. D.... ....

    He has been a beacon of insight and inspiration in my life.

    D.... ....

    You must be a wise man....

    D.... ....

    DSTILLARY1 FANTASTIC !!!

    D.... ....

    Ditto...

    D.... ....

    DSTILLARY1 STILL HERE IN 2019 & DIGGIN IT !!!

  58. P.... M....

    Wonderful song and album shame it's no longer available the Irish feel to it is amazing Van manages to take me to places I'm unlikely ever to visit .A true talent indeed.Keep going Van the world needs you.

  59. J.... W....

    End of the week album, chill out with your favourite tipple and enjoy. Gets you back up for the next week to come. Its a tough call but i'd put this as the man's finest hour.

  60. H.... A....

    Van tells it like it is.  yea.

  61. C.... P....

    As said before.. why should we explain. Is it wrong to be ONE with your heart and to love deeply?? Not it is not... JUST love


    WHY MUST I ALWAYS EXPLAIN" GOD FEELS THIS WAY SOMETIMES" HE HAS SHOWN US THE WAY" WE REFUSE TO LISTEN AND HEAR" MAYBE I HAVE BEEN JUST TO LAZY TO KNOW:

    C.... P....

    @Jenny777 Indeed.

  62. M.... B....

    This was my anthem some 20 years ago when I was in a most unhappy circumstance.  Mr. Morrison nails it every time & I probably owe him for any sanity & humanity I managed to save from that period.

    M.... B....

    How awesome is it that music and lyrics that touches our souls and speaks our hearts.. has such a 'rejuvenating' aspect to it as well!

    M.... B....

    John Sweeney Van's just carrying his burden to the palace of the Lord.

    M.... B....

    Me, too ... yeah. Ty Van, my brother Irishman

    M.... B....

    @John Sweeney , Van reportedly struggles with stage fright to this day.

    M.... B....

    @Heather MacKinnon ...I deeply understand him, being me myself ever oppressed with life fright...to this day !...good luck everybody !

  63. J.... P....

    LOL, true . . . love it . . .

  64. t.... R....

    Very good song.

  65. v.... ....

    Just Brilliant

  66. B.... ....

    I love it because he never explains

  67. P.... D....

    Van Tastic!!!!!!

  68. B.... M....

    Saw him last night in perth keep discovering new favourites even after 40 years of listening - this is one of them

  69. A.... H....

    Amazing song!!!

  70. J.... G....

    Sounds like my theme song of my childhood!

  71. J.... P....

    LOVE THIS SONG TOO, THIS ONE IS FOR THE GIRL I NEVER MARRIED....

  72. d.... ....

    Very well said.......it is a heavy burden to have a cause....especially when your gift is for explaining things to lazy bastards!!!

  73. m.... e....

    when you fight for a cause, you always always are explaining, and sometimes it does feel like you are going insane, in our attempts to educate and save the cause. We go where we need... Good brand piece.

  74. c.... ....

    I had no idea I would love another song he did.. great beat and orchestration.. keeping this old lady alive.. better than Christmas this is.

  75. D.... F....

    Why doesn't ITunes have this album available

  76. d.... ....

    what the fuck is wrong with van morrison?he seems to be unable to write something mediocre.

    d.... ....

    He's been fighting every day to keep mediocrity at bay...

  77. B.... K....

    AHHHHH...why must I explain indeed...makes ones soul feel GOOD!

  78. m.... ....

    @animaluvrguy is she your 3rd xwife yet lol

    m.... ....

    misred1 hu

  79. B.... D....

    Van did this at Belfast Odyssey just a fabulous show he lets his music do his talking. Could not live without his music keep on trucking baby your fans adore you

  80. r.... l....

    why must I always explain ... because they don't believe or understand me, i still can't reach you again, the one who knows me, understand me, and accepts me, as i am!

  81. D.... M....

    The best song EVER !!! I bn searchin' 4 it 4 ever N' now I finally found it !! I'm theilled !! Its' goin into my repitrou now !!!

  82. O.... ....

    It sound so irish :)

  83. M.... ....

    Come on Van. Tell it brother.

  84. X.... Y....

    There are no words to describe the art of Van Morrison. Unique and not to imitate.

  85. M.... P....

    Van made me fall in love with a women, enhanced my feelings, now i listen to the songs after the heartbreak and they are just as powerfull

  86. l.... ....

    "just a singer in a rock and roll band."

  87. s.... s....

    it's van's positively 4th.street...just enjoy the music,stop asking so many pointless questions,,love the guy,pure genius

  88. E.... S....

    Van Morrison has produced so many fabulous songs over so many decades...I know of no other artist who has produced such meaningful & melodic music.
    .......and for sure....Why?,,,,Why?....must we always explain!!

  89. L.... ....

    Thank You!!!!! Brings back so many memories

  90. r.... ....

    @k3304
    Curiously i am from Perù :)

  91. k.... ....

    @uverapp67 , my girlfriend is from Peru and i feel Spanish alot ! i love the Spanish people from her !

  92. k.... ....

    @Noragirlie63 , three of the Liverpool Beatles have Irish heritage. i know that from USA. Liverpool is the most Irish city in england. I was there !

  93. m.... ....

    @sweetlowrayne I agree! <3 Yes. He does the best version of Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. also

  94. e.... ....

    van is the man!!!!!!!!!!!

  95. C.... B....

    Unreal album, unreal song, unreal man, UNREAL VAN!!!!

  96. u.... ....

    I'm Spanish, comrades! But when I hear this guy singing, I also feel like being Irish!!! I just luv him!!!

  97. s.... ....

    Tell me why must I always explain? One of my favorite Van Morrison songs. <3