Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
The title track from Van Morrison's transcendent 1968 album blends jazz-infused folk with impressionistic lyrics exploring spirituality, love, and mysticism in a spontaneous, live-like recording.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: dreamy, introspective, transcendent
Traditions: folk jazz
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 4/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: dynamic vocals.
Where this sits in Van Morrison's catalog
We have 27 songs from Van Morrison in the library. Of those, 17 are rated Safe, 8 Moderate, and 2 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 5.5, making it the #18 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Astral Weeks
We have 7 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- Madame George — moderate DR 6
- Cyprus Avenue — safe DR 4
- Ballerina — safe DR 6
- Sweet Thing — safe DR 4
- The Way Young Lovers Do — safe DR 4
- Slim Slow Slider — safe DR 3
1968 context
Released in 1968. We have 182 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.1/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 1960s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Astral Weeks"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison?
"Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 4/10, no sudden changes, smooth texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "Astral Weeks" — what is its dynamic range?
"Astral Weeks" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Astral Weeks" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "Astral Weeks" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "Astral Weeks" best for?
In our library "Astral Weeks" is recommended for: deep listening, meditation, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Astral Weeks" released?
"Astral Weeks" is from 1968, on the album "Astral Weeks". It appears in our 1960s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Astral Weeks"?
We tag "Astral Weeks" as dreamy, introspective, transcendent. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Astral Weeks"?
The vocal style is dynamic vocals.
Should I listen to "Astral Weeks"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "Astral Weeks" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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