Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “Close Enough for Jazz” by Van Morrison
The song “Close Enough for Jazz” by Van Morrison is an ode to love and the idea of accepting someone’s flaws as long as their love is genuine. Morrison tells the story of two lovers who are sometimes at odds with each other, but their love is strong enough to carry them through and in the end they can settle for “close enough” since they can’t guarantee perfection. He sings of how relationships can be complicated and messy, but if they are based on true love then it’s “close enough for jazz”, meaning that it’s a close enough approximation to perfection that it’s worth the effort to make it work.
In this song, Morrison’s use of jazz evokes a certain sense of freedom, improvisation, and push and pull between two musical notes—all themes that can be applied to relationships. He suggests that the jazz music in the song may not sound perfect, but it’s the best they can do and still have a meaningful song; similarly, he suggests that’s how relationships should be – imperfect but meaningful.
The song suggests that it’s okay to accept your flaws and the flaws of others, and to try your best even if it isn’t perfect.