Rhiannon Hendricks
Have I Told You Lately is a romantic ballad written and recorded by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. The song, from his 1989 album Avalon Sunset, is often played at weddings and has become a popular cover song with many vocal and instrumental versions recorded by numerous artists. It was also voted the sixth most popular first dance wedding song in the UK. The song has received several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and a BMI Million-Air certificate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Songwriters | Van Morrison, Koen Wauters, Yurek Onzia |
| Singers | Van Morrison, Clouseau, Rod Stewart, Bing Crosby, Andrew Sisters, Elvis Presley, Gene Autry, Ray Price, Udo Mechels |
| Genre | Romantic ballad |
| Awards | Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, BMI Million-Air certificate |
| Album | Avalon Sunset |
| Year of Release | 1989 |
| Peak Position in US Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart | 12 |
| Position in "All Time 885 Greatest Songs" list | 261 |
| Position in "Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs" list | 6 |
| Position in New York Daily News' "The 100 Greatest Love Songs" list | 98 |
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What You'll Learn
'Have I Told You Lately' is a popular wedding song
"Have I Told You Lately" is a romantic ballad written and recorded by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was released as the lead single for his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset, in 1989. Although the song was originally written as a prayer, it has since become a popular wedding song, often played during the first dance.
In a 2009 Q&A in Time Magazine, Morrison was asked about the topic of the song, to which he replied:
> Religion is a kind of word game. It's whatever it means to those individuals who are following that belief system. If you say something has got spirit or 'I feel the spirit,' to me, that would be more appropriate—spirit in the Aristotelian sense, that the mind and body and spirit are one thing. Which is different from religion."
Despite this, the song has become a popular choice for weddings, with Van Morrison's original recording voted number six on a list of the "Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs" in the UK. The song has also received several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and a BMI Million-Air certificate.
"Have I Told You Lately" has been covered by various artists, including Rod Stewart, whose version of the song charted at number five on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in 1993. In addition, the song has been translated and recorded by other artists, such as Clouseau, whose Dutch version of the song, "Heb ik ooit gezegd," peaked at number seven on the Belgium (Flanders) Ultratop 50 chart in 1999.
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The song is a romantic ballad
"Have I Told You Lately" is a romantic ballad written and recorded by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset, in 1989. The song is a heartfelt expression of love, with lyrics such as "Have I told you lately that I love you?" and "Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness". It has become a popular wedding song and was ranked as the sixth most popular first dance song in the UK. The song has also received critical acclaim, winning a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and a BMI Million-Air certificate.
The song's romantic and emotional qualities make it a perfect choice for weddings and other romantic occasions. The lyrics speak of the singer's love for their partner, expressing a desire to fill their heart with gladness and ease their troubles. The sentimentality of the song has clearly resonated with many, as it has become a popular choice for couples looking to add a touch of romance to their wedding day.
While the song is often associated with weddings, it is important to note that it was originally written as a prayer. In a 2009 Q&A, Morrison himself commented on the spiritual nature of the song, stating that it was open to interpretation based on one's belief system. This adds a layer of depth and meaning to the ballad, highlighting the importance of love, gratitude, and connection.
The popularity of "Have I Told You Lately" has led to numerous covers and interpretations by various artists. One notable cover is by Rod Stewart, who performed an acoustic version on his MTV Unplugged special in 1993. Stewart's emotional performance, dedicated to his wife at the time, further solidified the song's place as a beloved romantic ballad.
In conclusion, "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison is a timeless romantic ballad that continues to capture the hearts of many. With its sincere expression of love and its ability to evoke emotion, it has become a staple at weddings and a favourite among couples looking to celebrate their love. The song's enduring appeal and its impact on popular culture showcase the power of music to convey deep sentiments and connect with audiences on a profound level.
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It was written and recorded by Van Morrison
"Have I Told You Lately" is a song written and recorded by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison for his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset, in 1989. It is a romantic ballad that is often played at weddings, although it was originally written as a prayer. The song was released as the album's lead single on June 5, 1989, by Mercury and reached number 12 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song has become a popular cover, with many vocal and instrumental versions recorded by numerous artists and bands.
The song's opening line is from William Bell's song "I Forgot to Be Your Lover." Van Morrison's version of "Have I Told You Lately" has received critical acclaim, winning a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and a BMI Million-Air certificate. In 1993, Rod Stewart's version charted at number five on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. In 2021, the song peaked at number one in Ireland on the radio airplay chart.
In the Netherlands, "Heb ik ooit gezegd," the Dutch translation of Morrison's song, was recorded by Clouseau and entered the Belgium (Flanders) Ultratop 50 chart on February 6, 1999, at number 27. It eventually peaked at number seven and spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart, five of which were in the top ten. "Heb ik ooit gezegd" was also included on several of Clouseau's subsequent album releases.
"Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison has been recognised as one of the greatest love songs of all time. It was voted number six on a list of the "Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs" in the UK and was ranked number 98 on the New York Daily News list of the 100 Greatest Love Songs in 2007. In October of the same year, Morrison received a Million-Air certificate from the prestigious BMI awards ceremony in London, recognising over four million airplays of the song.
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The song has been covered by many artists
"Have I Told You Lately" is a romantic ballad by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, from his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. The song has been covered by many artists and bands, and its popularity has endured since its release, with it often being played at weddings.
In 1993, Rod Stewart released an acoustic version of the song on his album, Unplugged... And Seated. Stewart's version was a big hit, reaching number five in both the US and the UK. Stewart's performance of the song on MTV Unplugged in 1993 is particularly memorable, as he cried at the end, overcome with emotion for his wife at the time, Rachel Hunter. Belgian band Clouseau also recorded a cover of the song, with lead singer Koen Wauters writing a Dutch translation of the lyrics. Their version, "Heb ik ooit gezegd", entered the Belgium (Flanders) Ultratop 50 chart in 1999 and peaked at number seven. Belgian X-Factor winner Udo Mechels recorded a cover of Clouseau's version for the album Braveau Clouseau in 2007, which topped the Belgium (Flanders) Ultratop 200 Albums chart.
In 1995, Van Morrison recorded a version of "Have I Told You Lately" with The Chieftains, which appeared on their album The Long Black Veil. This version won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 1996. The song has also been covered by Elvis Presley, Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, and Ray Price.
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It has won several awards
"Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison has won several awards and achieved numerous milestones. The song was released in 1989 as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad that has become a popular choice for weddings, despite being originally written as a prayer.
The song has received widespread acclaim and has been recognised with multiple accolades. In 1996, Van Morrison's collaboration with The Chieftains on "Have I Told You Lately" won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The song has also been honoured with a BMI Million-Air certificate, recognising over four million airplays. This prestigious award was presented to Van Morrison at the BMI Awards ceremony held in London, England, in October 2007.
"Have I Told You Lately" has also been included in various lists and charts, showcasing its enduring popularity. It was ranked number 261 on the "All Time 885 Greatest Songs" list compiled by Philadelphia radio station WXPN in 2004 based on listeners' votes. Additionally, Van Morrison's original recording was voted number six on a list of the "Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs" in a poll of 1,300 DJs in the UK. It also appeared on the New York Daily News list of "The 100 Greatest Love Songs," published on February 12, 2007.
Beyond these specific awards and recognitions, Van Morrison himself has been inducted into several prestigious music halls of fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Irish Music Hall of Fame. He has also received a Brit Award and six Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Van Morrison's 'Have I Told You Lately' is a popular wedding song. It was voted number six on a list of the 'Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs' in the UK, based on a poll of 1,300 DJs.
The song's lyrics include: "Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one above you? Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles, that's what you do".
Yes, 'Have I Told You Lately' has been covered by many artists and bands, including Rod Stewart, Clouseau, Koen Wauters, and Belgian X-Factor winner Udo Mechels.
Yes, Van Morrison wrote and recorded 'Have I Told You Lately' for his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset, in 1989.
Yes, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 1996. It was also awarded a BMI Million-Air certificate in 2007 for over four million airplays.
