Don McLean's classic "American Pie" was released in November of 1971. By mid-January of '72, it had reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
"American Pie" may be the most analyzed pop song in history. (One of the most parodied as well.)
Like Dylan, McLean throughout his career has remained reticent to talk about what his songs "really mean."
"'American Pie'" was issued as a double A-side single in November 1971 and charted within a month. Very quickly, the attention from media and public alike catapulted the single to #1 in the USA and Don to instant international superstardom. Every line of the song was analysed time and time again to find the real meaning. Don has always refused to sanction any of the many interpretations, so adding to its mystery. The great 'American Pie debate' continues today on the Internet. Don once suggested that when he is old and poor he would open a pay-to-listen phone line on which he would tell all! Somehow, that is unlikely because Don has maintained the publishing rights to his songs. 'So when people ask me what "American Pie" means, I tell them it means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to...'" —Don-McLean.com
Much about the song is agreed upon by fans and students. Clearly there are references to the death of Buddy Holly (along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson) in a plane crash in 1959.
The "jester" most likely is a reference to Bob Dylan. The Byrds are referenced by name albeit spelled "the birds." John Lennon's egalitarian politics are mentioned. The Rolling Stones and "Jumping Jack Flash" are in the mix.
The song is LONG (almost 8 and 1/2 minutes) and filled with enough cryptic language and imagery to have warranted a Joseph Campbell weigh-in.
The ONE message that does sound loud and clear, however, is that the song, and the times during which it was written, reflects the loss of innocence in American music.
Charles Manson and accomplices had been inspired by the Beatles "Helter Skelter" in the summer of 1969 to butcher innocents in Hollywood. Five people had died in the Rolling Stones San Francisco Bay area tragic "Altamont Speedway" concert in 1970.
Drugs, drug abuse and death by overdose were rampant in the late 60s and early 70s. America was at war with itself over the fighting in Vietnam. Popular music had become a vehicle for dialogue, if not for change. Its meaning, message and purpose, to a large degree, had become deeper, darker and in many ways, sadder.
"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."
Bye-bye Miss American Pie.
SIDEBAR: "In 2000, Madonna recorded a cover version of 'American Pie' that upon release in the UK entered the official singles chart at number 1 and made the US top-30 on air play points alone..." [Said McLean of the re-make], 'Madonna is a colossus in the music industry and she is going to be considered an important historical figure as well. She is a fine singer, a fine songwriter and record producer, and she has the power to guarantee success with any song she chooses to record. It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie.' I have heard her version and I think it is sensual and mystical. I also feel that she's chosen autobiographical verses that reflect her career and personal history. I hope it will cause people to ask what's happening to music in America. I have received many gifts from God but this is the first time I have ever received a gift from a goddess." —Don-McLean.com
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 old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and 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 old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die."
SIDEBAR: The second single [from American Pie], "Vincent," also charted in 1972, reaching #12 in the U.S. and #1 in the U.K. The American Pie album remained at #1 in the U.K. for 7 weeks in 1972, and on the U.K. charts for 53 consecutive weeks.
Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Lyrics (Words and Music by Don McLean)
Starry starry night,
paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills,
sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
in colors on the snowy linen land
Now I understand
what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for you sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how,
perhaps they'll listen now
Starry starry night,
flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue,
morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand
For they could not love you,
but still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight,
on that starry starry night
You took your life as lovers often do,
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant
for one as beautiful as you
Starry, starry night,
portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the stranger that you've met,
the ragged man in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
Now I think I know
what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for you sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will.
SIDEBAR: "American Pie is [also] a 1999 teen comedy film directed by Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz and written by Adam Herz. This was the first film directed by the Weitz brothers. The movie is centered on four boys who make a pact to lose their virginity by their high school graduation, and their subsequent adventures. The title refers to a scene in the film in which the lead character is caught having sex with a pie--earlier he was told that 'third base' feels 'like warm apple pie.' (McLean, however, was credited for allowing the name of his song to be used as the title). It was a box-office hit and spawned two direct sequels: American Pie 2 in 2001, American Wedding in 2003." —Wikipedia
Don McLean's classic "American Pie" was released in November of 1971. By mid-January of '72, it had reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
(along with 
and J.P. "
" Richardson) in a plane crash in 1959.
that upon release in the UK entered the official singles chart at number 1 and made the US top-30 on air play points alone..." [Said McLean of the re-make], 'Madonna is a colossus in the music industry and she is going to be considered an important historical figure as well. She is a fine singer, a fine songwriter and record producer, and she has the power to guarantee success with any song she chooses to record. It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie.' I have heard her version and I think it is sensual and mystical. I also feel that she's chosen autobiographical verses that reflect her career and personal history. I hope it will cause people to ask what's happening to music in America. I have received many gifts from God but this is the first time I have ever received a gift from a goddess." —
