What’s It Gonna Take? by Van Morrison
*** ½
This is Van Morrison’s 43rd studio album, following 2021’s Latest Record Project Vol. 1. See my review of that album here. With the fourteen new songs here, Morrison has now released an amazing forty-two songs over the past year.
The album cover features a couple running away from the city on puppet strings with “Wake Up” in the background. Many of the songs on the album are about Morrison’s reaction to the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. I write this review from the perspective of living in a state that had some of the strongest COVID restrictions in the U.S. I’m also writing from the perspective of someone who nearly lost his brother to the virus.
My wife and I saw Morrison in concert two weeks before this album’s release. His voice is still an incredible instrument at age 76, as he leads his incredible band, showcased on this album. Morrison did not perform any of the songs on this new album in the concert.
Although some may disagree with some of the lyrics on the album, few will disagree that Morrison and his band deliver excellent performances here. Themes on the album are the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions (depression, misery and strife), the need to fight back, freedom, government lies, the media/fake news, free speech and celebrity.
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- More of this review
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- Song of the Week Lyrics ~ The Goodness by TobyMac, featuring Blessing Offor
Dangerous – This upbeat song is about Morrison’s feud with Robin Swann, the Northern Ireland Minister of Health, who last fall filed a defamation lawsuit against Morrison. The song showcases the band, featuring Richard Dunn on Hammond organ and Seth Lakeman on fiddle.
Key lyric:
Somebody said I was dangerous
I said something bad, and it must’ve been good
Somebody said I was dangerous
I must be getting close to the truth
What’s It Gonna Take? – This upbeat song asks what’s it gonna take for people to wake up, or be broken. He addresses politicians, singing that the lockdown is making us crazy and freedom is a God given right. The song features hand claps, background vocals, trumpet by Crawford Bell, and Hammond organ by Richard Dunn.
Key lyrics:
What’s it gonna take for you to wake up?
What’s it gonna take for you to break?
Fighting Back Is the New Normal – This upbeat song is driven by the Hammond organ by Richard Dunn, piano by Stuart McElroy, drums by Collin Griffin and background vocals by Jolene O’Hara. He sings that fighting back is essential, we’ve gotta stop sitting on the fence.
Key lyrics:
Fighting back is the new normal
Gotta take a tip from the French
Fodder for the Masses – This song is about fake news that fills us with fear so that we will follow their rules. If you don’t accept it, you’re accused of being a conspiracy theorist. The song is driven by bass from Pete Hurley, piano from Stuart McElroy, backing vocals from Jolene O’Hara and Dana Masters and Hammond organ from Richard Dunn.
Key lyrics:
Fill you up with fake news for their masters
They know exactly just what they’re after
Get you to submit, get you to quit
If you don’t follow, follow all the rules like a fool
Can’t Go On This Way – This song, which has a slower pace, is about not being able to go on under the lockdowns (no holidays, travel abroad, etc.) and the lying by the government. The song features Richard Dunn on Hammond organ and Mike Barkley on trumpet.
Key lyrics:
Everyone is just sad
But not sad enough
To start getting mad
Sometimes It’s Just Blah Blah Blah – This mid-tempo song is about the lockdowns, restrictions and government lying. The song features Morrison on sax and Richard Dunn on Hammond organ, and ends with Beach Boys like vocals.
Key lyrics:
How do you like the new normal?
Tell me, how is that goin’ for you?
How did you overcome the restrictions?
How do you handle the news?
Money From America – On this blues song, he sings that there’s no such thing as free money. There’s no more Economic forum. He sings that Prince Charles, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are staring at the gates from Hell. The song features bass from Pete Hurley, guitar from Dave Keary, Hammond organ from Richard Dunn, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Don’t need no government telling me
Telling me my business
Got to tell them
Tell them to go away, go away
Not Seeking Approval – On this song, Morrison sings that his name is muck and he’s run out of luck. He sings that they want to enslave the population. You have to comply to even exist as experts run your life, causing misery and strife. But for them it’s just business as usual, they’re not seeking our approval. The song features bass by Pete Hurley, Hammond organ by Richard Dunn, drums from Colin Griffin and backing vocals by Dana Masters.
Key lyrics:
You think it’s about a virus, yes, it is
Well, it’s me and you against us
Damage and Recovery – This mid-tempo song with a memorable chorus, asks how long this can go this time. They tried it on for size and took our rights before our eyes. The lockdown brought this misery, now it’s damage and recovery. This song features piano by John McCullough, saxophone by Morrison, drums by Eamon Ferris, backing vocals by Kelly Smiley,
Key lyrics:
In our so-called free society
Is freedom just a memory?
Nervous Breakdown – This song has Morrison, as band leader, beginning the song by bringing the different aspects into the song (“First we start with the drums, then the bass….”). He asks “Is it any wonder at this time, not much is working for me?” The song features drums by Colin Griffin, bass by Pete Hurley, piano by Stuart McElroy, Hammond organ by Richard Dunn, Paul O’Reilly on saxophone, Mike Barkley on trumpet, and Jolene O’Hara and Kelly Smiley on backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
When you’re not allowed free expression
Or to follow your obsession
Showed you’re not essential, it’s a crime
Against humanity
Is it any wonder at this time?
Not much is working for me
Absolutely Positively the Most – On this song, which has a Ray Charles/gospel sound, Morrison sings that he is a preacher and teacher. He’s the master of his own soul. With his joy and freedom, where does he belong but God? When he sings “Pick your own salvation”, it reminds me of his song “Precious Time” from the Back on Top album, when he sings that it doesn’t matter to which God you pray. It’s unclear who the “He” is as he sings “He’s absolutely positively the most”. The song features an excellent Hammond organ solo by Richard Dunn, drums by Colin Griffin, bass by Pete Hurley, and backing vocals by Dana Masters and Kelly Smiley.
Key lyrics:
But restriction is a sin
It cannot win if we’re not free
Be ourselves, the wisest men say
Freedom is two-edged sword
I Ain’t No Celebrity – This song, which has a country feel, Morrison sings that he’s no celebrity, playing music is enough for him. The song features backing vocals by Dana Masters and Jolene O’Hara, Hammond organ by Richard Dunn, drums by Colin Griffin and piano by Stuart McElroy.
Key lyrics:
I ain’t no celebrity
Playing music is enough for me
Stage Name – This song is about stage names for celebrities. The song features Hammond organ by Richard Dunn, piano by Stuart McElroy, and backing vocals by Dana Masters.
Key lyric:
It’s a stage name
Not a real name
Could be a nicknam
Or a make-it-stick name
Fear and Self-Loathing in Las Vegas – This song has Morrison going through the day preparing for an evening show that night in Las Vegas. The song features an excellent saxophone solo by Morrison, bass by Pete Hurley, drums by Colin Griffin, and Hammond organ by Richard Dunn,
Key lyrics:
Step right up
Step right up now
Ain’t you glad you made it here tonight?
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Pretending – This song finds Morrison pretending his life is not in ruins and that he’s not depressed. The song features John McCullough on piano, Richard Dunn on Hammond organ, Mike Barkley on trumpet, and Jolene O’Hara on backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Pretending makes the world go round
People love it when you wear that mask
Favorite Songs
Dangerous
Damage and Recovery
Nervous Breakdown
Absolutely Positively the Most
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Pretending
- interrobang (b-side). Switchfoot recently released “interrobang (b-side), an outtake from their recent album interrobang.
- Live from Bridgestone Arena. Listen to NEEDTOBREATHE’s October 29, 2021 concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, featuring special guests Carrie Underwood and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot.
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Watch this performance of “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”, a classic hymn written by George Matheson, by Kristyn Getty and Dana Masters from the 2021 Sing! Getty Worship Conference at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
- See the Light. Enjoy this acoustic version of “See the Light” by Amos Lee.
- Still. Check out the video for “Still”, a new song from Steven Curtis Chapman.
- His Mercy is More. Enjoy “His Mercy is More” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa and featuring Shane and Shane, from the 2021 Sing! Getty Worship Conference at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
- Thy Mercy, My God. Watch this performance of “Thy Mercy, My God” by Sandra McCracken. The song has new music set to a poem by William Gadsby from the late 1700’s. The song will be included on an upcoming album.
The Goodness by TobyMac, featuring Blessing Offor
This week’s song of the week is “The Goodness” by TobyMac, featuring Blessing Offor, from TobyMac’s upcoming album Life After Death. The song is written by TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Gabriel Patillo and Kyle Williams. Listen to the song here.
[Verse 1: TobyMac]
You made the rain
So when it falls on me
Should I complain?
Or feel You callin’ me?
It’s all on me to stay
And really catch what You’re showin’
It’s my roots that You’re growin’
‘Cause life is more than this moment
[Verse 2: Blessing Offor]
You are the Light
So when the darkness falls
The greatest heights
They never seem so tall
No, not at all
You’re right
It’s my roots that You’re growin’
Don’t want to miss what You’re showin’
[Chorus: TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo, TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo]
Ain’t no doubt about You
Everywhere that I go
You keep showin’ up
Lord, You make me wanna shout it, oh
You’re the goodness in my life
And I’ma tell you my truth
They may come, they may go
You keep showin’ up, sure do
Ain’t no doubt about it
You are, You are the goodness in my life
[Verse 3: TobyMac, Blessing Offor & Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo]
You are the joy (Joy)
You’re the smile on the face of Your boy (Boy)
You’re the flowers at that park in Detroit
Still the words on the back of our coins
Let’s make some noise (Ayy)
[Verse 4: Blessing Offor]
You cover me
My Defender when You’re rollin’ up Your sleeves
You’re the truth that’s gonna set the captive free
The only King that’s ever chosen to bleed (Chose to bleed)
Is what I believe (What I believe)
[Pre-Chorus: TobyMac & Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo]
But they keep tryin’ to make Your glory fade (Fade)
But I ain’t really sweatin’ what they say (Say)
[Chorus: TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo, TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo]
Ain’t no doubt about You
Everywhere that I go
You keep showin’ up
Lord, You make me wanna shout it, oh
You’re the goodness in my life
And I’ma tell you my truth
They may come, they may go
You keep showin’ up, sure do
Ain’t no doubt about it
You are, You are the goodness in my life
[Bridge: TobyMac & Blessing Offor]
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
I can still see the sunshine above me
Lord, I love all the ways that You love me
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness
Through the good and the bad and the ugly (Woo)
I can feel see the sunshine above me (Tell ’em, Blessing)
Lord, I love all the ways that You love me (Yeah)
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness
[Breakdown: Blessing Offor, TobyMac & Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo]
You’re the good (You are)
You’re the good (You are)
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness (You’re the goodness)
You’re the good (You are)
You’re the good (You are)
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness
[Chorus: TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo, TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo, Blessing Offor]
Ain’t no doubt about You (Ain’t no doubt about You)
Everywhere that I go
You keep showin’ up (You keep showin’ up)
Lord, You make me wanna shout it, oh (Ah)
You’re the goodness in my life
And I’ma tell you my truth (Yeah)
They may come, they may go (They may come, they may go)
You keep showin’ up, sure do
Ain’t no doubt about it (Ain’t no doubt about it, woo)
You are, You are the goodness in my life (The goodness in my life)
[Breakdown: Bryan Fowler, Kyle Williams, Ryan Stevenson & Gabriel Patillo, TobyMac & Blessing Offor]
You’re the good (You are good)
You’re the good (You are good)
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness in my life (You’re the goodness in my life)
You’re the good (You are good)
You’re the good (You are good) (In my life)
You’re the good, You’re the good (Yes, You are)
You’re the goodness in my life (Yeah, ooh)
You’re the good (You are good) (Thank You)
You’re the good (You are good) (Yes, You are)
You’re the good, You’re the good
You’re the goodness in my life
[Outro: TobyMac]
You are, You are still the goodness in my life
