Song of the Day: And Its Name is G-L-O-R-I-A

Van's original plus Patti Smith, John Lee Hooker, David Bowie, Rickie Lee Jones and Springsteen.

Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books and now writer/director of award-winning films. He was also a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy.

It’s been called the best “garage band” single ever, or as this extensive article with its fun history has it, “The Greatest Rock Cover Song Ever.” Whatever you may think of Van Morrison after his Covid controversies—for me he is still one of the true greats from ‘60s through ‘80s—you have to admit it’s kind of amazing the same guy gave us “Gloria” as a kid (him and us). So here are a few versions, plus the daily political cartoon. Don’t forget to share, comment and subscribe, it’s still free.

Van with Them live, just after the song emerged on the charts (the Shadows of Knight broke it bigger in USA).

Became a signature song as freely adapted by Patti Smith.

One of best versions ever, don’t miss, when Van was joined by one of his heroes, John Lee Hooker.

Bowie could not resist either, 1990, pronouncing it as GLORE-REE-AH.

Yes, Rickie Lee Jones did it nicely at Red Rocks.

And The Boss, of course (he probably played it 100 times in Jersey bars growin’ up), here with Tom Morello.

Cartoon of the Day