About the song
Don McLean’s iconic song, “American Pie,” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a cultural touchstone that has captivated audiences for generations. Released in 1971, this nearly nine-minute ballad weaves a complex tapestry of American history, music, and nostalgia, inviting listeners to embark on a poignant journey through the tumultuous 1950s and 1960s.
Often referred to as the “Day the Music Died,” the song’s title alludes to the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper in 1959. This event marked a turning point in the history of rock and roll, and McLean masterfully uses it as a catalyst to explore broader themes of generational change, societal upheaval, and the loss of innocence.
McLean’s lyrics are rich with symbolism and literary allusions, making “American Pie” a song that rewards repeated listening. The “pie” itself can be interpreted as a metaphor for the American Dream, something that was once whole but has become fragmented over time. The song’s narrator, a fictional character known as “the jester,” serves as a keen observer of the cultural landscape, offering commentary on everything from the Vietnam War to the rise of counterculture.
While the song’s lyrics may seem enigmatic at first glance, McLean has offered some insights into their meaning over the years. In interviews, he has explained that the song is a personal reflection on his own coming of age and the changes he witnessed in American society. However, he has also emphasized that the song is open to interpretation, allowing each listener to find their own meaning in the lyrics.
Musically, “American Pie” is a folk-rock ballad that blends elements of country, blues, and rock and roll. McLean’s distinctive vocals, combined with the song’s simple yet evocative melody, create a timeless sound that has resonated with audiences of all ages. The song’s structure is complex, featuring multiple verses, choruses, and instrumental breaks, and its overall length allows McLean to explore a wide range of musical ideas.
The enduring popularity of “American Pie” can be attributed to several factors. First, the song’s universal themes of loss, longing, and nostalgia resonate with people from all walks of life. Second, McLean’s masterful storytelling and poetic lyrics have elevated the song to the status of a literary work. And third, the song’s association with a pivotal moment in American history has ensured its place in the cultural canon.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Don McLean or simply a curious listener, “American Pie” is a song that deserves to be heard. It’s a testament to the power of music to capture the spirit of an era and to connect people across generations.
Some key themes and elements explored in the song include:
- Nostalgia: The song evokes a sense of longing for the past and a simpler time.
- Generational change: McLean explores the differences between the generations that came before and after the 1950s.
- The American Dream: The “pie” is often interpreted as a metaphor for the American Dream, which has become increasingly elusive.
- Cultural upheaval: The song reflects the social and political turmoil of the 1960s.
- The power of music: Music is portrayed as a unifying force and a way to make sense of the world.
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Lyrics
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
So bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
Now for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone
But that’s not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now the halftime air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
‘Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
We started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the devil’s only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan’s spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die
They were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die