In a recent interview, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger offered rare and heartfelt praise for fellow musical legend Van Morrison — and his words were nothing short of striking. Known for his sharp wit and legendary confidence, Jagger doesn’t often speak of being overshadowed. But when asked about artists he holds in the highest regard, he didn’t hesitate.
“Van Morrison is one of the few artists I truly respected — and feared, in a way,” Jagger said. “His pen game was out of this world. Sometimes it felt like he made the rest of us feel jobless.”
Coming from one of the most iconic figures in rock history, that’s high praise. Jagger, the lyricist behind countless Rolling Stones classics, has shaped rock ’n’ roll for over half a century. Yet even he admits that Morrison’s lyrical depth and emotional range struck a chord — one that resonated deeply, and occasionally uncomfortably, with his peers.
“He wasn’t writing songs just to land a hit,” Jagger continued. “He was writing from somewhere else entirely — something raw, spiritual, and deeply personal.”
Jagger singled out Morrison’s unmatched ability to blend poetic introspection with soulful melodies, calling tracks like Madame George, Sweet Thing, and And the Healing Has Begun “masterclasses in vulnerability and atmosphere.” He also acknowledged Morrison’s refusal to conform to commercial expectations. While many artists, including the Stones, often walked the line between art and mass appeal, Morrison stayed uncompromising — a decision that, according to Jagger, made his work even more powerful.
“There was a mystique to what he did,” Jagger said. “You couldn’t predict where he’d go next — musically or lyrically. He was tapped into something the rest of us were only trying to understand.”
What makes Jagger’s comments particularly striking is the humility behind them. In an industry built on ego and competition, acknowledging another artist as not just an equal but a force of intimidation is rare. But in Morrison’s case, it seems entirely warranted.
“He made you want to write better. Or quit. Or both,” Jagger joked. “There was just no one like him.”
Mick Jagger’s admiration highlights what fans have long known: Van Morrison isn’t just a great singer or performer — he’s one of the most gifted songwriters of his time. In a world of rock gods, Morrison carved out his own path — quieter, deeper, and, in many ways, more profound. And even the loudest voice in rock had to stop and listen.
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