30 years ago today: Van Morrison released Days Like This

'Days Like This':

In 1995, Britpop was in full flow thanks to the Blur-Oasis feud, as well as Supergrass’s memorable hit ‘Alright’ and Pulp’s classic album Different Class. Meanwhile, following on from Massive Attack’s international success, the Bristol trip-hop scene threw up another genius in the shape of Tricky, whose debut Maxinquaye was an innovative and daring masterwork.

In Ireland, one of our greatest ever artists offered a stunning reminder of his enduring brilliance. Van Morrison’s place in the rock pantheon had long been assured thanks to the Them classic ‘Gloria’ and his ’60s opus Astral Weeks, the lyrical depth of which drew comparisons to Bob Dylan. With the title-track of his 1995 LP Days Like This, Van hit another creative high point: a sublime soul effort underpinned by a moving sense of hard-earned celebration.

Adopted as an anthem of the peace movement in Northern Ireland, in a symbolic moment Van would perform the track before a massive Belfast audience during Bill Clinton’s Presidential visit in November ’95.

– Paul Nolan

'Ancient Highway':

Praying to his higher self, mentioning Belfast and the town called Paradise. Another meditation in the line that stretches from as far back as ‘T.B. Sheets’ up through Astral Weeks, ‘Listen To The Lion’, side one of Veedon Fleece, ‘In The Garden’, and all his other hymns to enlightenment.

Morrison Moment: When Van goes beyond language for the last minute; growling, then singing at the top of his range, then blowing into the harmonica, then stabbing at the Hammond organ, all at the same time. Probably.

– Pat Carty

Back in 2020, Hot Press celebrated Van Morrison's 75th birthday with a special YouTube series 'Rave On, Van Morrison' – featuring some of Ireland's most acclaimed artists performing songs from across Van's career.

Watch Eleanor McEvoy perform 'Songwriter' from Days Like This:

And watch Brian Kennedy – who contributed backing vocals to the original recording – performing 'Days Like This':