A Haunting, Hypnotic Gateway to the Soul of Early Rock
“Mystic Eyes” by Them is a raw, electrifying piece of rock history, capturing the haunting energy and primal urgency of the mid-1960s music revolution. Written by the enigmatic Van Morrison, the track opens Them’s debut album, The Angry Young Them, released in June 1965. This was the song that introduced many to Morrison’s mystic lyricism and the band’s visceral sound—a heady mix of R&B, garage rock, and blues.
From its very first notes, “Mystic Eyes” casts a spell. Driven by a hypnotic, relentless beat, it feels less like a structured song and more like a spiritual invocation. The rhythm is raw and pulsating, carried by Alan Henderson’s propulsive bassline and Billy Harrison’s razor-sharp guitar. Morrison’s vocals, more a soulful wail than conventional singing, weave through the sonic chaos, creating an atmosphere that is both trance-like and explosive.
The song’s lyrics, though sparse and somewhat cryptic, suggest themes of longing and introspection. Morrison has famously described the track as being born out of an impromptu studio jam. Initially conceived as an instrumental, the spontaneous energy of the session carried the song to its ultimate form. Its almost stream-of-consciousness nature captures a fleeting moment of artistic expression, where every note and word feels like it’s driven by pure instinct.
Upon its release as a single in the U.S. in October 1965, “Mystic Eyes” climbed to number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it failed to chart in the UK. Despite its modest commercial performance, the song became a defining moment for Them, marking them as a band that could transcend conventional pop boundaries. Van Morrison’s commanding presence, even in his early years, hinted at the transcendent career he would later achieve.
“Mystic Eyes” also stands out as a bridge between rock and blues traditions and the burgeoning garage rock movement. The track’s raw intensity and unfiltered emotion laid the groundwork for countless bands that sought to channel the same rebellious spirit. It’s no surprise that Them has been cited as a major influence by legendary artists, from The Doors to The Rolling Stones.
The Angry Young Them, the album that housed this incendiary opener, remains a landmark of 1960s rock. Alongside tracks like “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night,” it solidified Them’s place in music history. But “Mystic Eyes” holds a unique position, not just for its musical brilliance but for the way it captures a moment of pure, unrestrained creativity.
Decades later, the song retains its mystic allure. It’s not just a piece of rock history; it’s a testament to the raw power of music as a medium for unfiltered expression. For fans of Van Morrison and the rebellious spirit of 1960s rock, “Mystic Eyes” remains an enduring classic—a haunting, hypnotic gateway to a time when music was at its most untamed.