Van Morrison: Got to Go back

Van Morrison’s 1986 release, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher, is an album deeply rooted in reflection, mysticism, and the passage of time. The opening track, “Got to Go Back,” serves as a quintessential entry into these themes, where Morrison poignantly reflects on his memories of childhood in Belfast, Ireland. His lyrics, delivered with a soulful yearning, are not just about the nostalgia of a boyhood past but a deeper longing to reconnect with a simpler, purer time in his life.

The phrase “Got to go back” repeats like a mantra throughout the song, underscoring Van Morrison’s search for spiritual healing through a return to his roots. In many ways, the song feels like a pilgrimage back to the innocence of youth, a stark contrast to the complications of adult life. Morrison’s Belfast is portrayed not just as a place of origin but as a wellspring of creative and emotional renewal.

The Power of Reflection and Nostalgia

Morrison begins by painting a vivid picture of himself as a young boy in school, gazing out the window and dreaming of a world beyond the classroom. His specific mention of listening to Ray Charles’s “I Believe to My Soul” captures a formative moment in his musical journey. It’s a clear indication of how early influences shaped him—both emotionally and artistically. Charles’s soulful voice would later inspire Morrison’s own career as a purveyor of heartfelt, spiritual music that crosses genres and defies boundaries.

“Ah, that love that was within me,

You know it carried me through,”

Morrison’s lyrics reveal a sense of self-awareness that the love and inspiration he received in his formative years has carried him throughout life. As the song progresses, the tone becomes more meditative, drawing connections between the past and the present, between the physical and the spiritual.

Ireland as a Symbol of Healing and Grounding

Morrison’s repeated reference to returning to Belfast is not just a yearning for a geographical location but also for an emotional sanctuary. Belfast represents not only the literal streets and seasons he once knew but also an idealized version of home—a place where one can breathe deeply, connect with nature, and find healing. The line “For the healing, go on with the dreaming” reveals how these memories serve as a means of personal restoration.

In the second half of the song, Morrison sings about “living in another country” with “entirely different lines.” This could be interpreted as both literal—his time spent abroad—and metaphorical, referring to living within the different rhythms and distractions of adult life. There’s an implicit contrast between the grounding of his childhood and the alienation he feels as an adult. Morrison, who has always been vocal about the pull of his Irish roots, uses the image of home to ground himself when life feels chaotic.

A Contrast to Temptation and Sentimentality

The song also plays with the idea of what one should avoid while seeking peace. He warns against the temptations of whiskey and sentimental music, suggesting that these would only exacerbate his feelings of homesickness. The plea “Don’t play anything sentimental, it’ll make me cry” expresses a vulnerability that Morrison rarely reveals so directly. It’s a striking moment that reminds the listener that while home can be a source of comfort, it’s also a reminder of what’s been left behind.

This tension—between the desire for home and the heartache it can cause—lies at the heart of “Got to Go Back.” Morrison doesn’t ask for nostalgia to be glorified but rather contemplates how memories can help navigate the complexities of modern life. There’s a certain catharsis in his willingness to confront these emotions, rather than run from them.

A Journey Through Time and Space

Musically, “Got to Go Back” exemplifies Van Morrison’s gift for blending the spiritual and the earthly. His voice is imbued with a quiet reverence, and the instrumentation, though sparse, supports the song’s introspective mood. The track unfolds like a reverie, drawing the listener into the same contemplative space that Morrison inhabits.

Ultimately, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher is often considered one of Van Morrison’s most introspective works, overshadowed by the legendary Astral Weeks but no less profound. It continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate the deeper layers of Morrison’s songwriting. “Got to Go Back” serves as a reminder that Morrison’s music is not just a product of the present but an ongoing conversation with his past.

In this way, the song becomes a universal anthem for anyone who has ever felt the pull of home—a yearning that is as spiritual as it is geographical. For Morrison, returning to Belfast represents a way to reconnect with the untainted beauty of his youth, a place and time when music, love, and dreaming were all that mattered.

This expanded version deepens the exploration of Morrison’s intent, his connection to Belfast, and the song’s broader emotional and spiritual resonance.