The song usually known by its opening line “Starry, starry night” is titled “Vincent,” and it was written by Don McLean.

Quick Scoop: Who Wrote “Starry, Starry Night”?

  • The song’s official title is “Vincent.”
  • It was written and composed by American singer‑songwriter Don McLean in the early 1970s.
  • The phrase “Starry, starry night” is the famous opening line, inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night.”

A Bit of Backstory

McLean wrote “Vincent” after reading about Vincent van Gogh’s troubled life and becoming deeply moved by the painter’s struggle with mental illness and rejection. He has said he wanted to argue that Van Gogh was not simply “crazy” but was suffering from an illness and seeing the world in a unique way.

The song references Van Gogh’s artworks and emotions, turning his paintings and pain into a gentle folk ballad that many listeners now associate directly with the painter himself.

Why People Call It “Starry, Starry Night”

  • “Starry, starry night” is the opening lyric, so many listeners assume that’s the song’s name.
  • The line directly nods to Van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night,” which captures a swirling night sky over a quiet village.
  • Because of that, you’ll often see it labeled as “Starry, Starry Night (Vincent)” or “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” on recordings and lyric sites.

Mini Timeline

  1. Fall 1970: McLean, working in a school setting, reads a Van Gogh biography and is inspired while looking at a print of “The Starry Night.”
  1. 1971: He writes and records “Vincent” for his album “American Pie.”
  1. 1972: The song becomes a hit, reaching no. 1 in the UK and charting in the US as well.

TL;DR: The song people call “Starry, Starry Night” is really “Vincent,” and it was written by Don McLean as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh and his painting “The Starry Night.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.