Carrying a Torch

"Carrying a Torch" is a popular song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and released on his 1991 double album, Hymns to the Silence. It was also included on his 2015 album "Duets: Re-working the Catalogue" with Clare Teal.

"Carrying a Torch"
Song by Van Morrison
from the album Hymns to the Silence
Released	1991
Recorded	1991
Genre	Folk-rock
Length	4:26
Label	Polydor Records
Songwriter(s)	Van Morrison
Producer(s)	Van Morrison

"Carrying a Torch"
Single by Tom Jones and Van Morrison
from the album Carrying A Torch
A-side	"Carrying a Torch"
B-side	"Walk Tall (Valley of the Shadows)"
Released	March 1991[1]
Genre	Celtic, Folk-rock
Length	3:50
Label	Dover
Songwriter(s)	Van Morrison
Producer(s)	Van Morrison
Tom Jones singles chronology
"Couldn't Say Goodbye" (1991) "Carrying a Torch" (1991) "I'm Not Feeling It Anymore" (1991)

Rolling Stone magazine reviewer Elysa Gardner praised the song, saying that it "has the makings of a classic, with a stately chorus and shining verses that tie the flesh to the spirit: 'You're the keeper of the flame/And you burn so bright/Baby why don't we re-connect/Move into the light'."^[2]

Cover versions

Tom Jones also recorded the song, together with Van Morrison, on his album Carrying a Torch (released the same year, in March). Their version of the song was released as a single and charted at No. 57 in 1991 in the UK. This collaboration came about when Morrison showed his newly written song "Carrying a Torch" to Jones, who was "so impressed that he invited Morrison to play on his new record" (Johnny Rogan). Morrison wrote, played on and produced four tracks that appeared on Jones' album.^[3]

Bob Dylan has also performed the song occasionally at his concerts.^[4]

Personnel on original release

• Van Morrison – vocals
• Paul Robinson – drums
• Nicky Scott – bass
• Neil Drinkwater – piano, synthesizer
• Carol Kenyon and Katie Kissoon – backing vocals
• Fiachra Trench – string arrangements
• Gavyn Wright – string section leader