Don McLean – American Pie (1971)

About the song

## American Pie: A Timeless Ballad of Loss and Nostalgia

Don McLean’s “American Pie” is a timeless ballad that has captured the hearts of listeners for decades. Released in 1971, the song is a poignant reflection on the cultural and social changes that swept the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

McLean weaves a narrative that is both personal and universal, exploring themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The song’s iconic opening line, “The day the music died,” sets the stage for a mournful elegy for a bygone era. This era, as McLean suggests, came to a tragic end with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson in a plane crash in 1959.

However, “American Pie” is more than just a tribute to these fallen musicians. It is a meditation on the broader cultural landscape of the time, a time marked by innocence, optimism, and a sense of limitless possibilities. The song references iconic figures like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon, capturing the spirit of a generation that was coming of age and shaping the future.

McLean’s lyrics are both evocative and enigmatic, inviting listeners to interpret the song’s meaning in their own way. The references to “the cherry pie,” “the king of rock and roll,” and “the man in black” are laden with symbolism and allusion. Some have interpreted these references as metaphors for the American Dream, while others see them as personal reflections on McLean’s own experiences.

The song’s musical arrangement is equally memorable, with a haunting melody and a driving rhythm that perfectly complements the lyrical themes. McLean’s voice is both soulful and expressive, conveying a sense of longing and melancholy. The song’s iconic guitar solo, played by Lance Diamond, is a tour de force that adds a touch of virtuosity to the composition.

“American Pie” has been the subject of much speculation and debate over the years, with many listeners attempting to decipher its hidden meanings. While the song’s exact interpretation may remain elusive, its impact on popular culture is undeniable. It has been covered by countless artists, sampled in numerous hip-hop tracks, and referenced in countless movies and television shows.

In conclusion, “American Pie” is a masterpiece of songwriting that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. It is a song about loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time, but it is also a celebration of the human spirit and the power of music to transcend generations. It is a testament to Don McLean’s talent as a songwriter and a reminder of the enduring legacy of the music that inspired him.

Video

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