Sheets, which compiled unreleased recordings Morrison had made for Bang Records in 1967. This version surfaced on the 1973 release T.B. Īn earlier recording with slightly altered lyrics and a much swifter tempo changes the tone considerably from the Astral Weeks recording, which is downbeat and nostalgic the earlier recording is joyous, and seems to be from the point of view of a partygoer who sees the titular character. The song is basically about a spiritual feeling. The song is just a stream of consciousness thing, as is ' Cyprus Avenue'.'Madame George' just came right out. Don't ask me why I do this because I just don't know. The original title was 'Madame Joy' but the way I wrote it down was 'Madame George'. The title of the song confuses one, I must say that. The vocal was live and the rhythm section and the flute too and the strings were the only overdub. Van Morrison, speaking to biographer Ritchie Yorke about the writing and meaning of the song, said in part: I haven't got a clue what that song is about or who Madame George might have been.' In terms of what they mean, they're as baffling to me as to anyone else. In fact, most of the songs on Astral Weeks are like short stories. He later claimed that the character was based on six or seven different people: 'It's like a movie, a sketch, or a short story. The character of Madame George is considered by many to be a drag queen, although Morrison himself denied this in a Rolling Stone interview. Some believe it is about leaving the past behind. The main theme of the song is contentious. 'Madame George' was recorded during the first Astral Weeks session that took place on 25 September 1968, at Century Sound Studios in New York City with Lewis Merenstein as producer.

It also features a double bass, flute, drums, vibraphone, and a string quartet. The song features Morrison performing the vocals and acoustic guitar. It appears on the album Astral Weeks, released in 1968. ' Madame George' is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison.

Van morrison astral weeks