Hey guys! We loved this song so much, great way to start off the week!! What’s next for us to hit?! 🙌🏻🔥
@peterquinones35223 жыл бұрын
If you wanna go 50/early you MUST do Remember/Walkin in the Sand by The Shangri La's, then listen to the Aerosmith version for a cruel joke.
@peck4043 жыл бұрын
He had one other hit called " Vincent." If you're going to do singer songwriter stuff..do some Carly Simon🎼🎼🎤 "Your So Vain"
@peck4043 жыл бұрын
This song takes you on a Journey we used to sing this at Midnight.... At a bar I went to in college 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
@seanwinstead8433 жыл бұрын
“Vincent”is wonderful and heartbreaking.
@susanklasinski18053 жыл бұрын
@@peterquinones3522 Great suggestion Peter!
@timothymccracken3 жыл бұрын
How many people watching know every word and were singing along the entire video?
@Eloso31353 жыл бұрын
Me!
@annieprince87303 жыл бұрын
Me
@kittycatrascal3 жыл бұрын
Even now I miss words, but this was my best sing-along yet!
@kayew54923 жыл бұрын
It came on the radio when I was getting a tattoo. Not only did I remember all the words, but I also never missed a beat! Got a round of applause from the receptionist at the end!
@bcaye3 жыл бұрын
Not singing, but this song plays in my head quite frequently, one of my favorites.
@GreggOliverBass3 жыл бұрын
The jester is Bob Dylan, The Sergeants are the Beatles, Jack Flash is Jagger, the girl that sang the blues was Janis ... etcetera... there's a ton of references to the history of rock. It's like a song you'd sing at a wake for rock and roll
@jayburdification3 жыл бұрын
I never really cared for the bit about Jagger at Altamont. “As I watched him on the stage, my hands clenched up in fists of rage.” As if Jagger wasn’t there trying to calm people the fuck down the whole time. OK yeah, using drunk ass Hells Angels as security was an extremely boneheaded idea, but it wasn’t done with any kind of malice or “Satanic” intent. It was just a dumb rock group making a bad decision. If he wanted to properly criticize his peers in the rock industry for their apathy, he could’ve taken a page out of Peter Paul and Mary‘s book and done it more like their song “I dig rock ‘n’ roll music.“ The bit about Janis Joplin just smiling and turning away is a much better line. But there’s too much creepy Jesus shit injected into this song overall. He’s also pining for a time of innocence that never was, suggesting that “the music died” along with the innocence of his generation when that plane crashed. It’s actually pretty fucking arrogant when you stop to think about it. Brilliantly crafted lyrics and all, I see very little self-reflection from Mr. McLean in them besides “things were better back then.” Okay, Boomer.
@88wildcat3 жыл бұрын
@@jayburdification The satanic stuff was a play on the Stones His Satanic Majesty's Request album and the song Sympathy for the Devil.
@salinagrrrl693 жыл бұрын
HEY HEY MY MY AUTOTUNED POP RAP SUX & w/ kids like A&A R&R MAY JUST NEVER DIE!
@RichardDicksondlyrch683 жыл бұрын
@@jayburdification But the Stones were always perceived as the "bad" boys to the Beatles' "good" boys, long before McClean came along.
@flubblert3 жыл бұрын
@@jayburdification that rage could have been aimed at the hell's angels who pretty much ruined the night for everybody.
@mikeymckinnon57783 жыл бұрын
When Don McLean is asked what American Pie really means he likes to reply, “It means I never need to work again.”
@Shadowrider18723 жыл бұрын
☮️♥️♾️
@olabergvall31543 жыл бұрын
No, that was his response to the same question about the Madonna cover of this in the mid/late 1990's
@mikeymckinnon57783 жыл бұрын
@@olabergvall3154 It was just a wee joke Ola 🤟🏼
@olabergvall31543 жыл бұрын
@@mikeymckinnon5778 fair enough buddy
@mikeymckinnon57783 жыл бұрын
@@olabergvall3154 🙌🏻
@cynthiaderousse11043 жыл бұрын
Everyone who lived through the 1970's can sing every word of this song.
@crocadillius64183 жыл бұрын
Hell, I’m 18 and I can sing every word.
@kaleeedith62843 жыл бұрын
I'm 29 and have been able to sing every word since I discovered this in my father's collection ❤ he grew up in the 70s ... I'm jealous lol
@bettyb13133 жыл бұрын
I was born in 1974 and know every word lol... My mom said when Lucy in the sky with diamonds came on radio i would bang on my highchair tray and kick my legs with pure joy...
@abbieshephard36483 жыл бұрын
I'm 14 and I know all the lyrics. At family events we would all practically yell it 😂 I grew up listen to this song on repeat 🤣
@poopy50013 жыл бұрын
I’m 12
@robertmills2375 Жыл бұрын
Friends, I was in Vietnam in 1971 with the Airborne Infantry. On the rare occasion we were given a few days-off they let us decompress and left us pretty much alone. This song was screamed from the throats of 120 19 year-olds “ this will be the day I die”. Not great times, too close to the truth. We were all resigned to our fates. Still makes me cry.
@christinamatzen42146 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service ❤️
@dammitmandy11665 ай бұрын
What company were you with??
@robertmills23754 ай бұрын
@@dammitmandy1166 / proud to say I was a member of Alpha Co. 2/502 101st Airborne Division, Camp Eagle South Vietnam Thanks for asking. Peace
@dammitmandy11664 ай бұрын
@@robertmills2375 thanks for your service. My dad was 1/502 Co D. I think he was there at the same time. Until they were blown up… if u ever get the chance, Mike Machine Gun Kelly (RIP) did some beautiful drawings of them. You can Google them.
@joshuagerthoffer23214 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service. May the lord bless you.
@koshersalaami3 жыл бұрын
“Let’s get into the lyrics really fast” may in this context be the funniest line you’ve ever said.
@PaintedCavern3 жыл бұрын
That was going to be my comment exactly. 🙂👍
@Partstim3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I chuckled at that, too. Like, you could have an hour spent to delve into the lyrics, and still miss things. It's a very meaning-dense song.
@HandleTakenlol3 жыл бұрын
All of the lyrics have multiple meanings it's the most amazing piece of songwriting in the history of songwriting literally every time you hear it you can hear something that you didn't hear before.
@jimwilson51483 жыл бұрын
We've all been trying to figure out these lyrics since it came out
@5d5123 жыл бұрын
Then zip through Hotel California ...
@radar04123 жыл бұрын
When Johnny Cash heard that "American Pie" didn't win Song of the Year, Cash said to Don McLean, "DON YOU GOT ROBBED!"
@jamesstrickland5172 жыл бұрын
This was posted on another channel but it is very appropriate for this song and tells all. The song is an absolute masterpiece, written as a tribute to Buddy Holly, but with many references to other artists and events. The jester is Bob Dylan, and the line "the jester on the sidelines in a cast" refers to the motorcycle accident that halted Dylan's career. The king is Elvis Presley. The quartet are the Beatles, and the Park is Candlestick Park, Where they played their final concert(another day the music died) Jack flash is Mick Jagger, as is Satan (references to the Rolling stones songs, jumping Jack flash, and sympathy for the devil. "No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell" refers to a rolling stones concert where some hell's angels bikers stabbed a young concert goer to death. The girl who sang the blues is Janis Joplin. The father, son and the holy ghost have 2 references. The first being Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the big bopper, who all died in the plane crash. The second reference being to Martin Luther King Jr, JFK, and Bobby Kennedy, who were all assassinated in the 60s. "Helter skelter in the summer swelter" refers to the Charles Manson killings that were inspired by the Beatles song, helter skelter. The sergeants and the marching band refer to the Vietnam war and protesters. "And there we were all in one place" refers to Woodstock. As I said before, the song is an absolute masterpiece
@reneerocha1796 Жыл бұрын
Great breakdown!
@donp1964 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic breakdown, but if I might add one more detail, "a generation lost in space" was about the US-Russian space race.
@catserver8577 Жыл бұрын
The Father Son and the Holy Ghost are probably not those examples, it was probably regarding folk singers Woody and Arlo Guthrie as the father and son, or very possibly Crosby Stills and Nash. This verse is related to the Sacred Store where the music wouldn't play, which was during a time when the folk music genre was winding down and electrified music was becoming more popular. Many of the folk singers of the moment were leaving the California hangouts and changing things up to more rock and roll musically. The day the music died in general changes throughout the song, there is a day that it dies in every verse. Miss American Pie is Marilyn Monroe, the birds flying off for the fallout shelter and falling from eight miles high are The Byrds, who's members then scattered and began other careers in music (fallout shelter), which also pertains to the atomic era ending.
@VoodooChildSlight11 ай бұрын
The Sergeants refer to the Beatles. "A generation lost in space" refers to Woodstock, implied by the preceding line "And there we all were in one place".
@northsmoket11 ай бұрын
@@donp1964
@carol-mariefleming86893 жыл бұрын
The day the music died is about the 1959 airplane crash that killed Richie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. Masterpiece!!!
@joeteeter3 жыл бұрын
Hm 1953 look it up
@mitchellfreedman45463 жыл бұрын
@@joeteeter 1959. You look it up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Holly
@realPenrodPooch3 жыл бұрын
Yes. But it was the tragic death of Buddy Holly that was the focus of that singular verse. He began the lyrics with him in mind, but that's it. The song itself was about America. Don McLean would not explain much more than that. He even penned a letter to fans back in 1993 explaining that he wouldn't, and why.
@gregsager20623 жыл бұрын
@@realPenrodPooch Exactly. The line "I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride" was a reference to Buddy Holly's wife Maria Elena. They had been married for less than six months when his plane crashed. In those days the media did not wait until family had been notified before going public with news of someone's death; when Maria Elena, newly pregnant, heard that her husband had died in a plane crash, she miscarried. Incidentally, Don McLean dedicated the *American Pie* album to the memory of Buddy Holly. He was more than worthy of the honor, because Buddy Holly is one of the greatest and most important songwriters and recording artists in the entire history of rock'n'roll. John Lennon and Paul McCartney idolized him; Lennon named his band the Beatles because Holly's band had been called the Crickets. The Hollies named themselves after Buddy Holly. Mick Jagger saw Holly play in London when Jagger was still a kid; Keith Richards unabashedly says that he learned how to play guitar by playing along to Holly's and Chuck Berry's records, and the Rolling Stones recorded Holly's "Not Fade Away" as one of their earliest singles. Holly pioneered double-tracking, helped spearhead the movement of recording artists writing their own material, made the Fender Stratocaster the cool guitar that every aspiring guitarist wanted to play, and his and the Crickets' template of two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer became a standard rock'n'roll template. Like the music of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, the Everly Brothers, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Holly's music is a thread that runs through modern music right down to this day. And yet when he died in that plane crash in an Iowa cornfield on February 3, 1959 he was still only 22 years old.
@kmorri93 жыл бұрын
I was literally just telling my 6 year old about this plane crash yesterday. Crazy that Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper weren't even supposed be on the damn plane in the first place.
@dogstar73 жыл бұрын
"Let get into the lyrics real fast..." 40 years later "How'd that work out for you?"
@alexandercope3 жыл бұрын
More than forty 1972/74 ????
@ellenmarch30953 жыл бұрын
😂
@SgtSplatter7823 жыл бұрын
@@alexandercope more like 50. song was released in 1971
@miamidolphinsfan3 жыл бұрын
@@SgtSplatter782 yep Oct 24th, 1971 and the "Day the music died" was Feb 3rd, 1959
@mikepalmer76203 жыл бұрын
Us old folks are sitting here listening thinking - should we tell these kids dissertations have been written about these lyrics? Or let them blunder into the deep water just like we did?
@bodhisattva37743 жыл бұрын
A cryptic history of rock and roll embedded in the lyrics. This song was huge when it came out, you couldn't escape it. Lol. His song Starry Starry Night about Vincent Van Gogh is excellent and haunting.
@briangroboski47513 жыл бұрын
"You couldn't escape it" is absolutely true. Lol. After 6,000,000 listens, it's lost its appeal for me. But, it's a good song with lots of rock 'n' roll history.
@iancarr86823 жыл бұрын
Song is known as Vincent in the UK. From the same album as American Pie
@bodhisattva37743 жыл бұрын
@@iancarr8682 probably here in the US too. I think the full title is Vincent (Starry Starry Night).
@SabineThinkerbellum3 жыл бұрын
So is The Grave. A song about a young soldier dying in WWI
@JamesRea23 жыл бұрын
It is known as Vincent in the US as well.
@HealthAtAnyCost Жыл бұрын
My sister and I had a volatile relationship, but one time, when I was driving her somewhere, this came on the radio and she and I sang every word together... a few minutes of togetherness. She died before the year was out. Singing this song with her is the best memory of my sister ever.
@tiger2old7 ай бұрын
❤
@ambergerber51627 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry for your loss.
@theresamariegoesplaces96884 ай бұрын
I'm so glad that you have that - hugs
@mattshaw61803 жыл бұрын
One night in 1994, I was in a tiny, dingy bar in Scotland. A well-lubed singer with a guitar played this song and _everyone_ in sang along....every single word. I was blown away. Welcome to our mental world, young Jedis.
@itzel17353 жыл бұрын
It’s like “Bohemian Rhapsody” is now.
@gregsager20623 жыл бұрын
I was in a bar in Munich in the early '90s when "American Pie" started playing on the jukebox. Everybody in the bar stopped talking and sang along. It was magical, and, to an American like me, totally unexpected.
@tbjfsu3 жыл бұрын
I can totally relate to this. American Pie is one of the few songs out there where I always feel a strong, innate urge to sing along, from start to finish. A masterpiece.
@Entertainzor3 жыл бұрын
Since nobody in the first 100 or so comments said it, I will: "Helter Skelter in the summer swelter" is a reference to Charles Manson and the Manson Family murders (they wrote Helter Skelter on the wall in blood; their own reference to the Beatles song).
@ladyca83663 жыл бұрын
Also, Eight Miles High...
@sallybannister62243 жыл бұрын
Yes, that is correct. You heard right. Very dark, but not only is it a banging song all round, it is like a history lesson too.
@shandac10273 жыл бұрын
We used to drive by the driveway to The Tate house as teens and freak out
@BenjWarrant3 жыл бұрын
Manson believed the Beatles were sending him messages in the lyrics to their songs; _Helter skelter_ has lyrics that he misunderstood: 'Helter skelter coming down fast, coming down fast'. He wasn't smart enough to know that a Helter skelter is what Americans call a tornado ride. (Source: Vincent Bugliosi's book about the trial.)
@Barb50013 жыл бұрын
@@ladyca8366 That is a reference to a Byrds song.... it is actually about a plane trip to England
@patcoats3 жыл бұрын
he wrote this song about buddy holly, when he died in a plane crash, along with ritchie valens and the big bopper. buddy was so young and so talented, it was tragic. the song was about the aftermath of that day. if you listen, you can hear references to the beatles, rolling stones,woodstock and altamont.... don's high school years...it was an amazing song. he also wrote a very touching song about vincent van gogh, called 'vincent'.
@teesiemom3 жыл бұрын
Yes, and Ritchie Valens was only 17. The Big Bopper, who did Chantilly Lace, was the one with the plane, and he invited Ritchie and Buddy to fly with him. The music that Buddy and Ritchie could have created had they not died on that plane...really makes ya think.
@doloresbellini64523 жыл бұрын
Elvis and Bob Dylan, also. "And while the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown".
@deebell5103 жыл бұрын
Some references.... The girl who sang the blues-Janis Joplin. Lennon read a book of Marx, the marching band was the Beatles. And while I watched him on the stage is supposedly watching Mick Jagger (talks about Jack Flash sat on a candlestick). 8 miles high, song you recently listened to. For 10 years we've been on our own, that is referencing the time between the "day the music died" and the onset of the Beatles (music really sucked in the early 60's).
@deebell5103 жыл бұрын
@@teesiemom Richie Valens was 17, the Big Bopper was 27, and Buddy Holly was only 24.
@peggylavelle5813 жыл бұрын
Wrong its about his father.
@bobcarn3 жыл бұрын
The song is FILLED with references to all the various events. Every verse is a reference. It's an amazing reflection on a long period in our pop culture.
@glenmcdonald3753 жыл бұрын
Not to mention every person talked about is a reference to a real person... Usually or maybe all a music artist... Im going by memory so help me out if im wrong... But the jester was... Bob Dylan I think... I never looked it up but someone correct me if im wrong...
@glenmcdonald3753 жыл бұрын
Ya... I just had to scroll thru the comments a little further... A few people a month ago made the same comments and went further... At least I got it right... Lol
@dustinsutton61663 жыл бұрын
The girl who sang the blues was Janis Joplin.
@dustinsutton61663 жыл бұрын
All in one place, a generation lost in space was Woodstock As I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage was Altamont.
@maritamcnichol88493 жыл бұрын
@@owenkeenan442 Jack flash was jagger.... the devil was the Hell's Angel's.
@albertguibert62763 жыл бұрын
Some feel A. Pie was his best song, and most agree. For me, “Vincent” (van Gogh) is his best work and deserves a listen, if not a reaction.
@jamesdignanmusic27653 жыл бұрын
"Castles in the Air" is another good one.
@charlestwisted98903 жыл бұрын
Completely agree. And have something handy to wipe your eyes with, it gets dusty when you are listening to Vincent.
@steveandme633 жыл бұрын
Vincent is by far my fav
@GaryColemanNC3 жыл бұрын
TRUTH!!!
@theantilifeequation81503 жыл бұрын
Vincent is brilliant, but this song is sheer genius. I understand personal choice but there are levels to this song that when you read about it and really deep dive into the lyrics and it's meaning it's just pure genius.
@itubeutubewealltube13 жыл бұрын
"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" A catholic reference. The father was the Big Bopper (he was married and had kids) The son would be Richie Valens, he was the youngest at 17 years old (they sent his body to California -the coast- on a train, the other two were sent to texas via train)... and the Holy Ghost would be Buddy Holly, he was an amazing (almost Holy.. or Holly) song writer, he had also been married for over a year but had no children, his wife was pregnant but had a miscarriage after seeing on the news he had died. A law was passed preventing the media to release names of people who have died unless the family was first notified because of the miscarriage. The Big Bopper is credited for making the first music video and coming up with the idea btw. Richie Valens was the first Mexican American Rock Super Star at a time when the US and Mexican Government had all these tensions surrounding amongst other things, food grower strikes and mexican racism on the rise in Hollywood movies. One of the reasons why Hollywood made the Magnificent Seven in Mexico the same year in order to ease tensions and possible riots in Texas/Cali.
@Skeezer663 жыл бұрын
I've heard that the three men - - - Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are JFK, RFK, and MLK, respectively. Just like the song is about more than "that plane crash", it's also reflecting on the 3 tragic assassinations that devastated the US. It's all open to interpretation though.
@itubeutubewealltube13 жыл бұрын
@@Skeezer66 that never made any sense.
@TheSkydogsguitar3 жыл бұрын
Another theory I've read is that the 3 are the Crickets, Buddy Holly's band. Lots of cool interpretations for sure.
@pedrolopez80573 жыл бұрын
The Father Neal Cassidy, the Son Kerouac (Kerouac wrote in "Visions of Cody" he thought of Cassidy as a father figure), and the Holy Ghost is Ginsberg.
@heathermackinnon95273 жыл бұрын
@@Skeezer66 I remember reading that as well.
@jamespaivapaiva44603 жыл бұрын
I'll skip the history lesson, and say that his song about artist Vincent Van Gogh - 'Vincent', is equally brilliant and beautiful! ☮️
@dadmateryn80923 жыл бұрын
wrong song you are thinking of starry starry night
@williamcriss7513 жыл бұрын
@@dadmateryn8092 Yes sir, the song Starry Starry night is about Vincent Van Gogh
@edditor3 жыл бұрын
@@dadmateryn8092 Starry starry night is a lyric. Vincent is the title
@pamelahofman17853 жыл бұрын
@@dadmateryn8092 No. Many people refer to it as 'Starry Starry Night' since that's the first and most catchy lyric but it really is titled "Vincent."
@vegasplayer73873 жыл бұрын
It absolutely is. The entire album, in its entirety, is incredible. I also think “Crossroads” was brilliant.
@LadyIarConnacht3 жыл бұрын
This song is a musical history lesson, really.
@BoomerMcBoom3 жыл бұрын
I kind of feel like I just witnessed a baptism. Congratulations, Gentlemen.
@diceportz71073 жыл бұрын
"I met a girl that sang the Blues..." He's talking about Janis. The Joker is Bob Dylan, the King is Elvis. You can go through this song for years and hear something new.
@loosilu3 жыл бұрын
The Quartet practicing in the park is the Beatles. Jack Flash is the Rolling Stones.
@LeChaunce3 жыл бұрын
Don McLean being a folkie, the king and Queen were more likely Pete Seeger and Joni Mitchell, who were the headliners at the ‘65 Woodstock Folk Festival where Dylan showed up with an electric guitar and got booed off the stage.
@diceportz71073 жыл бұрын
@@LeChaunce Your right, I had forgotten that.
@robertsaul2343 жыл бұрын
LENNON read a book on Marx The Sgt's played a marching tune. - Beatles references Jack Flash, Angel born in hell - Stones
@PK1971PK3 жыл бұрын
@@LeChaunce Newport Folk Fest, not Woodstock. Yeah, Don was a folkie, but this song is about rock and roll, so I would think the King and Queen would be someone else--like Elvis or Little Richard, who both claimed that title (not to mention Jerry Lee). But an interesting idea, will have to give it more thought.
@jiml74013 жыл бұрын
My English teacher in 6th grade in 1972 or 73 had the whole class for weeks, talk about every verse and what the lyrics meant...Man I was lucky to have those days.
@paintinganimalsonrocks76333 жыл бұрын
My English teachers were like that in the 60's and 1970. I loved it ❤️!
@bethkahn82783 жыл бұрын
Good teacher.
@vinnygi3 жыл бұрын
Mine too.
@carljansen68962 жыл бұрын
Were we in the same school? My teacher did too.
@baileyride2 жыл бұрын
We did the same thing, only a great teacher would have the insight to teach this. We were very lucky!
@khristianacampbell33562 жыл бұрын
This is a song that ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes. My sister was killed in a car accident. She was 17, I was 16. She is my "bye, bye Miss American Pie". I can listen to this song now. It's her song.
@rebellibrarian Жыл бұрын
I'm sorry for your loss and glad the song can give you comfort.
@maryjobohrman2132 Жыл бұрын
So sorry for your loss
@michaelligue38423 жыл бұрын
1972 , seventh grade we had a substitute teacher Sam Sambetaro , he left teaching to join the Peace Corps . He played this song every day for a week in class , we studied the lyrics and their meaning . Thirty years later at a class reunion , the entire class sang this song without lyric sheets and no background music . We didn't miss a word or a beat .
@w.geoffreyspaulding65883 жыл бұрын
What a great story! I would bet that teacher wept. And many of the students as well.
@ninamravlja36323 жыл бұрын
Hell, it’s making me tear up just reading it!
@tangoindiamike91893 жыл бұрын
Wow! That's some serious power of indoctrination.
@BoondockRoberts3 жыл бұрын
Also "can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride" was a reference to Buddy Holly's wife finding out about the plane crash on the news and how it traumatized her. Because of that ever since next of kin must be informed before the news can broadcast a tragedy if possible. Also if you enjoy a story telling song you should give the "wreck of the Edmund Fitzgereld" By Gordon Lightfoot a run. It's haunting.
@MyNameIsBucket3 жыл бұрын
For storytelling songs, I recommend Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning".
@mollyesther13 жыл бұрын
Yeah I cry every time at the Wreck. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is another great song, among many in Richard Thompson’s long career
@sallyphillips91753 жыл бұрын
Kobe's family found out on the news.
@tonybennett41593 жыл бұрын
@@MyNameIsBucket Storytelling songs were the strong point of the singer/songwriter group. Anything from Dylan's North Country Blues to Bob Seger's Turn the Page, it's a mighty collection of riches.
@BoondockRoberts3 жыл бұрын
@@sallyphillips9175 Today media moves so fast it's nearly impossible but technically any media not waiting for next of kin being informed is breaking American law but I doubt they care over ratings
@fredc.meekinsjr.55533 жыл бұрын
Analysis of these lyrics is the definition of. “rabbit hole”. There are websites dedicated to deconstructing the lyrics and their meanings.
@michaelkeefe84943 жыл бұрын
My 7th grade English teacher let us spend a semester on it.
@donjenkins38613 жыл бұрын
Your absolutely right Bro. 😎
@melodygrim4713 жыл бұрын
@@designstudio8013 I'm sorry, but you obviously don't have a CLUE about the History of music and entertainment that is spoken of in this song - IF you truly believe that! It's a shame that you aren't able to fathom anything deeper than face value, as SO MUCH of music is much deeper than face value! There is a richness and a social commentary that you'll never be able to understand. But you actually have to be able to take the time to consider what/who is mentioned in the song. (Or take the time to look up things that have been written about it.) James Dean, Helter Skelter, Sargeant Pepper (the Marching Band), Lost in Space. And SO MUCH MORE! But...your loss!
@Historian2123 жыл бұрын
@Fred C. Meekins Jr. You're so right. Hours and hours in high school spent on decoding this song.
@johnmavroudis20543 жыл бұрын
@@designstudio8013 Don't know who pissed in your corn flakes this morning, but perhaps a switch to decaf might help.
@westcoastgirl56393 жыл бұрын
We had the greatest music ever as teens in the ‘70’s!
@kajpagan3 жыл бұрын
We did. And it was/still is wonderful and amazing and profound and inspiring and brilliant.
@johnperrigo64743 жыл бұрын
Much of it stands the test of time.
@jimsmith84353 жыл бұрын
YES!!!!!!!!
@bravo2_03 жыл бұрын
We really did! 💝
@startfalling20353 жыл бұрын
Absolutely!
@alanhynd78863 жыл бұрын
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
@susanklasinski18053 жыл бұрын
Yep, asked for it myself. Such a beautiful song they may cry.
@McBeth.3 жыл бұрын
Yes, it's called "Vincent" and I asked for it, too. Gorgeous song.
@2869may3 жыл бұрын
Fun Fact: That was Tupac's favorite song....
@ChrisHyde5373 жыл бұрын
Vincent, brothers A&A
@susanklasinski18053 жыл бұрын
@@2869may I was going to mention that, but I'm not sure if they know who Tupac is! Sigh, getting old stinks.
@MrDeadstu3 жыл бұрын
"Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot is another iconic story-telling song that will give you goosebumps, literally. Happy Holidays Gentleman.
@Ldastro3 жыл бұрын
or bring a tear to the eye
@MarkMcLT3 жыл бұрын
Yup.
@patrickvandemotter66103 жыл бұрын
I lived on Lake Erie (Cleveland) and it always brings a tear to my eye. I understand the which of November and the gales the are the harbingers of winter.
@denisemeredith24363 жыл бұрын
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a beatiful but haunting memorial to the men that died. Another memorial song which is good is Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young remembering the young people gunned down at Kent State University.
@StudeSteve623 жыл бұрын
Oh yes.
@roevega99023 жыл бұрын
When this song came out, it was played at least 2xs an hour on the radio. Everybody analyzed the lyrics and memorized the words. To this day, as you played this, I sang along word for word. It’s imbedded in my brain
@fewwiggle3 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, despite it being a fantastic song, it was so overplayed that I will never get over an instinctive aversion to it. This might be the first time in decades that I've heard the song and almost enjoyed it :-)
@Wordsmyth83 жыл бұрын
Roe Vega, ditto.
@joeuser23603 жыл бұрын
This was the Bohemian Rhapsody of from the 70's into the 90's. Like they said, it sounds like a bar song. Whenever it came on the radio, people stopped what they were doing and sang along. Even though Bohemian Rhapsody came out only four years later and was a big hit when it came out, it didn't supplant American Pie as the sing-along song until the '90's (Thanks, Wayne). Because of that, you really don't hear American Pie much anymore. A truly forgotten classic.
@corawheeler93553 жыл бұрын
My (then) 4 yr old joined in the chorus from the backseat of my 67 Chevy.
@swimrski3 жыл бұрын
I was surprised as I sang along at how well I remembered the lyrics. Not completely, but better than I would expect.
@poppad3313 жыл бұрын
"let's check out the lyrics quickly" lol they have been analysed for years and are very subjective. This is not songwriting, this is pure poetry sang to beautiful melodies. Please check out "Vincent (starry, starry night) " his tribute to the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Also a great song is "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens, who died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly. Ritchie was only 17 and tragically had a promising career taken away
@davidmonypeny57343 жыл бұрын
DM does a great version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" too. Orbison's another one they ought to check out, he was phenominal and that voice was something else.
@TehFrenchy293 жыл бұрын
@@davidmonypeny5734 And between Orbison new (and long overdue), Petty, Jeff Lynne (E.L.O.), and I have to assume some familiarity with the Beatles they only have to hit up some Bob Dylan before they've touched on every member of The Traveling Wilbury's. Who as a group are also absolutely high on the list of must-listens. "Heading for the Light", "End of the Line", "Last Night", "Rattled" ...
@miamidolphinsfan3 жыл бұрын
@@davidmonypeny5734 also McLean's version of Castles in the Air
@billphister3 жыл бұрын
Yep, lots of fun to argue about over a few beers.
@sabin973 жыл бұрын
"This is not songwriting, this is pure poetry sang to beautiful melodies." not to be the pedantic douche that i am.....but pure poetry sang to beautiful melodies is literally the definition of songwriting.....
@Rob-eo5ql3 жыл бұрын
“The 3 men I admired most, the father, son, and Holy Ghost...” Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Big Bopper Also: JFK, RFK, and MLK
@starleemartin19613 жыл бұрын
The Tragic Trinity.
@dustinsutton61663 жыл бұрын
And the subtly of the religious figures taking the last train for the coast was a reference to a loss of innocence.
@brendan41843 жыл бұрын
@@dustinsutton6166 I always thought it was how he thought the three wouldn't let something like this happen, so he figured they must have left
@ARetardedAsshole2 жыл бұрын
Not mlk
@susanlynn7702 жыл бұрын
That’s right.
@gullrockgeorge90573 жыл бұрын
The song is "flashes" of the 60's, starting with the death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash - the day the music died. After that you get references to Elvis (The King), Dylan (The Jester), JFK & Jackie (The King and Queen)?, The Beatles, The Stones, The Byrds ("Eight Miles High"), Janis Joplin ("A Girl Who Sang the Blues"), others?. Lots of theories about the meanings of the verses. Master song writing in that it has kept people thinking for the better part of 5 decades with its creative, cryptic lyricism.
@matthintz94683 жыл бұрын
I also believe that Lenin is actually Lennon and Marx is Groucho, not Karl, as his first autobiography was realeased around that time. I love how purely allegorical the song is.
@stinkbug43213 жыл бұрын
@@matthintz9468 Over the years there have been countless diagnostics of the lyrics of the song. Some I guess probably very true and others are just guesses or meanings that the person who diagnosed them would like them to be. Why can't the song just "be", it is a great song.
@richardryan58263 жыл бұрын
It is my understanding that this song expresses Don's motivations for stepping away from rock 'n roll and returning to the folk end of the music spectrum.
@kjmorley3 жыл бұрын
And “Helter skelter in a summer swelter,” a reference to the Manson murders.
@jeanharris24083 жыл бұрын
Thanks for picking this apart for us. Wonderful!
@richstabenow89583 жыл бұрын
Do his song "VINCENT". Super powerful.
@kmorri93 жыл бұрын
Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
@isaac65603 жыл бұрын
One of the most beautiful songs in the English language.
@sandrab51663 жыл бұрын
YES! Such a beautiful, sad song.
@jameswhitesell98503 жыл бұрын
Vincent is another great song
@markhardwicke53453 жыл бұрын
If you don't cry when you hear Vincent the first time, your soul needs a tune up
@gomezaddams43473 жыл бұрын
Guys, there’s an entire cultural history textbook embedded in this song’s lyrics. Everything from Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan to Vietnam and the deflation of the myth of American righteousness from the 1950’s. One of the best songs ever written.
@StudeSteve623 жыл бұрын
That line "this'll be the day that I die" on the end of each chorus is basically a quote from a Buddy Holly song, "That'll Be The Day"...
@gregsager20623 жыл бұрын
... which, in turn, is a line that Buddy Holly took from John Wayne -- it was spoken several times by Wayne's character Ethan Edwards in the film *The Searchers*. "That'll Be the Day" is one of those songs in which the songwriters (Holly and Crickets' drummer Jerry Allison) started with the title, and went from there.
@loosilu3 жыл бұрын
I would LOVE to see A&A do Buddy Holly. He was an astonishing songwriter. Paul McCartney is so in love with Buddy Holly, he bought his song catalog. On the only Blind Faith album, they did a cover of Well All Right, which is my favorite Buddy Holly song.
@darrens25583 жыл бұрын
@@loosilu I believe the Beatles name was a take on Buddy Holley's band the Crickets.
@zoniekat3 жыл бұрын
I can't believe I didnt know that one! Wow. I missed a major reference, and so obvious! Thanks for that.
@innercirclemusic13 жыл бұрын
Santana's great Latin rock cover in `78 (a big hit for him) had a little more fire than Blind Faith's treatment of this great song. But I'd have Stevie Winwood's voice any day.
@patrickmcbride35963 жыл бұрын
This song is criminally underrated in my opinion...it still gets a lot of respect but not as much as it deserves, it truly is a songwriting masterpiece. Just how he includes the history of the music back then as well as the pop culture references it includes, all while being somber but yet upbeat and catchy. Don McLean is no joke. He didn't have too many big songs but the dude is an incredible songwriter
@Skeezer663 жыл бұрын
One of the best rock songs EVER, no question! The problem is this modern world, it's 'too long' and you have to listen the same way you read a novel, and know history - - - sad.
@cspringer3333 жыл бұрын
This song was named one of the 5 top songs of the century. You can't get much better than that.
@patrickmcbride35963 жыл бұрын
@@cspringer333 Rolling Stone doesn’t have it in in their top 500 if I remember correctly
@j.w.matney83903 жыл бұрын
I wouldn't say that. When it came out, it was constantly on the radio. After a few months, I hated it. Then after a hiatus of10 years or so, I listened to it again and appreciated it. Vincent is still my favourite song of his.
@harrydoupe93153 жыл бұрын
Begins with the plane crash, covers 50's rock, Dylan, The Beatles, the Byrds, Woodstock, Kent State, Man landing on the moon, Stones at Altamont, Janis Joplin, so much, so great.
@hockemeyer12 жыл бұрын
Feb 3, 1959, the day the music died, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (the big bopper) died in a plane crash. Waylon Jennings who at that time played guitar for Buddy Holly was supposed to be on the plane but gave up his seat to the Big Bopper because the Bopper was fighting the flu. The widowed bride was Buddy Holly's wife. They had only been married 6 months. She was pregnant but lost the baby after hearing about his death. The girl who played the blues was Janis Joplin. This song covered events of the 60s. Another good Don McClean song is Vincent.
@jeffreynolin93393 жыл бұрын
This opens up the idea of playing Cat Stevens.
@dandundon95033 жыл бұрын
I would vote for Foreigner Suite.
@markhardwicke53453 жыл бұрын
Father and Son. Can't wait to see the look on Andy's face when he hears that one
@thomasstambaugh51813 жыл бұрын
Oh please, let's not. He was a mediocre and sappy singer who wrote mediocre and sappy songs. "Peace Train"? Right. "Father and Son" is, for me, the epitome of a not-very-gifted songwriter trying to be profound. In my opinion, the material of Cat Stevens deserves a special place in history directly adjacent to the work of Kahlil Gibran.
@loosilu3 жыл бұрын
yikes, I have issues with him for multiple reasons. He publicly supported the assassination of writer Salman Rushdie.
@MrUnderdog-vn3zf3 жыл бұрын
Or Jim Croce or Harry Chapin. 👍🏻
@susanklasinski18053 жыл бұрын
I can't believe you never heard this! Vincent is really great off of this album too, although kind of depressing. Still worth a listen.
@lawrencesilver46613 жыл бұрын
Another masterpiece.
@twelveytwelve3 жыл бұрын
They're kids. It's an old song. Most of us subscribed to this channel are oldies.
@susanklasinski18053 жыл бұрын
@@twelveytwelve I know. I think I'm mostly amazed how caught off guard I’m getting. Ten years ago, all my millennial nieces and nephews knew American Pie, in fact a few knew all the words. I guess with each passing decade more and more things are slipping into obscurity.
@markhardwicke53453 жыл бұрын
Vincent is one of the most beautiful and saddest songs ever written. Purest poetry, and gorgeous music
@vickirecord55343 жыл бұрын
No angel born in Hell could break that Satan's spell. Reference to the Stones' song Sympathy for the Devil and their use of Hell's Angels as security at a large outdoor concert in Altamont, California where four concertgoers were killed. One was stqbbed to death near the stage by a Hells Angel..
@dixiechatty9583 жыл бұрын
And the man who was killed had a loaded gun. He was waving it in the air about 50 feet in front of where the Rolling Stones were playing. Could have been even weirder.
@VinE836563 жыл бұрын
I think Mary Balin of the Jefferson Airplane was injured as well.
@pedrolopez80573 жыл бұрын
@@VinE83656 Yep. They Grateful Dead pulled out b/c they saw shit going bad. They knew the Angels and how to work with them. Jagger didn't. The Angels were not professional security. Professional security knows how to watch people and possibly confiscate weapons. They know how to defuse a situation. The Angels were also drinking which didn't help. Professional security doesn't drink on the job. I blame Jagger.
@gregusmc28683 жыл бұрын
I agree with all of the above. This is a song about the death of the 1960s Hippie Optimism. Welcome to the 1970s (the decade I grew-up in) Disco, polyester, but still some kick-ass Rock and Roll
@dixiechatty9583 жыл бұрын
@@VinE83656 He was. He saw a fight in the crowd and jumped down to help and was knocked out by a cue-stick wielding hell's angel.
@Eloso31353 жыл бұрын
A true anthem for those of us who grew up in the 70’s. A tribute to the nostalgia, joys, and angst of the 60’s giving way to the 70’s
@loosilu3 жыл бұрын
RIP your comments section, gents. You're about to get a history lesson.
@daveking93933 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the chuckle.
@MarkLindsayCNC3 жыл бұрын
Word.
@TheMissBeki3 жыл бұрын
hahah I was just thinking this .. everyone draggin out their soap box .. Just enjoy the fact they are enjoying it ..
@kevincosta92283 жыл бұрын
I don't know, it seems to me A&A have always appreciated learning the history.
@loosilu3 жыл бұрын
@@kevincosta9228 I agree! I just meant they're about to read a lot of it.
@dalesands18573 жыл бұрын
Reference: "This'll be the day that I die." Buddy Holly's song That'll be the Day.
@christyreaves2093 жыл бұрын
Roberta Flack sang about Don McLean in her song "Killing Me Softly." He is one of my all time favorites!
@jonmohney69753 жыл бұрын
Interesting. I never heard that. A great song.
@Ellenred52573 жыл бұрын
Never knew thats what Roberta Flacks song was about. Absolutely love Killing me Softly
@rhwinner3 жыл бұрын
It's a cover of another singr's song who had a crush on McClean, not Flack.
@scottgelb26503 жыл бұрын
@@rhwinner Her name is Lori Lieberman.
@tombrearton34353 жыл бұрын
"Inspired" by his performance of the song "Empty Chairs" at the Troubadour Club in West Hollywood. IMHO, the original is much better.
@paganberzerker642 жыл бұрын
Born in 64. My parents explained the song. One of the most powerful songs ever written. References to the Beatles and stones and jagger. Simply impeccable song
@martha1spur Жыл бұрын
Buddy Holly--the real king
@deennaemilio3 жыл бұрын
The whole song was historical. There are so many references to real people.
@straycatttt3 жыл бұрын
Good point. For example, the lyrics “Eight miles high” is a reference to the Byrds song of that name.
@deennaemilio3 жыл бұрын
@@straycatttt And how about "the jester on the sidelines in a cast". Remember Evel Knieval's failure of one of his stunts?
@RicoBurghFan3 жыл бұрын
The day music died references, as you said, the death of Buddy Holly, as well as Richie Valens and the Big Bopper (JP Richardson) in a plane crash in 1959 when McLean was a kid. There are also references to Dylan (the Jester) stealing the crown from the king, Elvis, the Byrds eight miles high and falling fast), the Beatles ( Lennon read a book on Marx, Helter Skelter in the summer swelter, the Sergeants) the Stones (who McLean really despised--no angel born in hell could break that Satan spell, etc) and Janis Joplin (I met a girl who sang the blues). You really need to look up the many allusions in song as there are several excellent analyses of what is one of the greatest compositions ever.
@joannwoodworth89203 жыл бұрын
CORRECT! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@daveking93933 жыл бұрын
Nice quick summary of some phrases
@joeteeter3 жыл бұрын
Look it up 1953
@brucebain91943 жыл бұрын
If I'm not mistaken, the 'no angel born in hell...' line refers to the 'Stones Altamont concert where the Hell's Angels, who were providing security, killed a fan during the song 'Sympathy For The Devil.'
@joannwoodworth89203 жыл бұрын
@@brucebain9194 Yes, regarding the concert and Hell’s Angels. But the stabbing took place while the Stones performed Under My Thumb.
@ADVTelluride3 жыл бұрын
I managed a bar in college and this was our “last call” song at 2am. Everyone sang along. Good insight on your part.
@robinweiss85903 жыл бұрын
I bars everywhere!
@karenmiller32763 жыл бұрын
Agreed...go in any bar...put this on...watch what happens
@freethrice3 жыл бұрын
Great call! And incentive that there is time left to start again, everyday of our lives!
@debbiegoolsbyjackson952 жыл бұрын
If you were out cruising, but pulled up to your house...you never got out..you sat and sang the whole thing first!! I was at Fremont Street one time, they played this and ran psychedelic lights on the canopy. Almost every single person, me included, stopped and sang the whole thing. It was awesome!!
@jamespearson76553 жыл бұрын
Guys. Now. You must dig into Buddy Holly. There is NO Beatles and Rolling Stones without Buddy.
@kympridham82673 жыл бұрын
Or don and all those that followed including Elvis Costello
@auckalukaum3 жыл бұрын
There's no nobody without Buddy Holly. If he hadn't died, he'd be the King of Rock n' Roll today. He wrote and recorded so much music he put out new albums every year for a decade after his death.
@bz4kh3 жыл бұрын
@@auckalukaum There’d also be no Buddy without Elvis 😁... and I guess we could go down the line...No Elvis without Chuck Berry, etc....
@miamidolphinsfan3 жыл бұрын
agree, and Ritchie Valens
@mrnobody31613 жыл бұрын
Can't forget Chuck Berry, even though he was a bit of a Maniac. His last album just before he died is really good too.
@landshark77303 жыл бұрын
McLean’s other masterpiece is “Vincent” about Vincent Van Gogh. Check out his painting “Starry Night” before you listen.
@kindune21123 жыл бұрын
"Them good old boys drinking whiskey and rye" I think he was talking about you guys. 😁
@michelleb26692 жыл бұрын
My father was a Vietnam vet. This song ment so much to him. RiP: SPC D. Olson
@70schild153 жыл бұрын
An interesting fact about Don McLean: the song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" was written about Don McLean after Lori Lieberman saw Don McLean in concert in 1971.
@bartrindlisbacher77263 жыл бұрын
I love the song and didn't know about that fact. Thanks for sharing!
@777edmatt3 жыл бұрын
Wow, I love that song by Roberta Flack, never knew it was about Don McLean!
@imlafonz80473 жыл бұрын
@@777edmatt It was specifically written about the song “empty chairs” kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKXVepZuq9Zqrbc
@lesliekeating48453 жыл бұрын
just read this, don't want to confuse about the author, Gimbel and Fox wrote the song after speaking with Lori Lieberman and her experience seeing Don McLean for the first time. Her words describing him gave them the idea....
@bennemer4893 жыл бұрын
I was in junior high when this song came out, and everyone knew the song by heart. My history teacher at the time loved this song and assigned a class project to go line-by-line thru the song and explain what each line meant. So yeah, this song means a lot to me. Also, Andy and Alex, great reaction and commentary.
@stinkbug43213 жыл бұрын
You were a junior in high school, well I was only nine going on 10, you old man, ha ha.
@denisecross70683 жыл бұрын
My lit teacher did the same thing.
@Historian2123 жыл бұрын
@@stinkbug4321 He said he was in junior high, not a junior in high school. Older than you, but not by much.
@oldeskoolnana75433 жыл бұрын
I think all history & English teachers made this song an assignment. LOL
@DrNothing233 жыл бұрын
"Buddy Holly and ''''a couple other people''''...... Who else's sphincter puckered upon hearing that? ;)
@lesliespears89183 жыл бұрын
Yes but they are still young and learning😸
@vegasplayer73873 жыл бұрын
I hear you. But they’re young, so I have to cut them some slack. These guys could have spent the better part of a full hour analyzing this.
@richardpowell12203 жыл бұрын
Honestly, for me, it's Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and one other guy. Not to diminish the tragedy of losing the Big Bopper - he's a real person worthy of being mourned - but he's not in the same musical universe as the other two.
@edchaput35773 жыл бұрын
Widely regarded as one of the best rock songs of all time.
@razor36833 жыл бұрын
How powerful is this song? When I saw that you had chosen it, a huge smile crossed my face and yet, before the song was even finished, I was in tears. Now THAT, gents, is magical. When this came out in 72, I was too young to know about what he was singing about but I remember singing along to it as a very small boy. This is a true classic and forever timeless. You may want to check out “Vincent”, or what a lot of people call Starry, Starry Night”, a song he wrote about Vincent Van Gogh. Again, incredibly powerful. So powerful, in fact, that I named my child after it, and like magic, my child grew up with very similar emotional challenges as Van Gogh. Another song that makes me crumble. American Pie just might be your VERY best reaction. Thank you!
@i.marchand46553 жыл бұрын
Released in 1971, hit #1 in 1972. I had to look it up, since I saw him live in '71, and heard that song. Otherwise, I wouldn't have questioned it.
@wicky44733 жыл бұрын
Excellent choice, I said the same thing.
@rickboardman63 жыл бұрын
Vincent. His second best song for sure.
@pinewaves3 жыл бұрын
“...the lovers cried and the poets dreamed ...” refers to Jim Morrison.
@JimGeigerMusic3 жыл бұрын
Explain why
@LlamaDungeon3 жыл бұрын
Sees title: "American Pie" -- sees length: "Only 16 minutes? They're barely going to be able to skim the surface on this one."
@robinmills86753 жыл бұрын
Best "last call" song ever.
@trusso117833 жыл бұрын
Yeah, the song is a bit over 8 minutes long. I had the 45 record and it was split in half on side A and B
@rigelmoon9030 Жыл бұрын
Perhaps, the greatest poem in American history set to the music of rock and roll
@jeffdetmer46813 жыл бұрын
Hey guys. This song is a history of America in a certain era and also of music specifically. Dive into what some of the meanings are. The Jester refers to Bob Dylan, who was supposed to appear in a big outdoor music festival/concert I think in Central Park???? He had a motorcycle accident and couldn't perform. Thus the part "the jester on the sidelines in a cast. Most of the references to satan and the devil were about Jagger and the Stones. Where he sang I met a girl who sang the blues he is talking about Janis Joplin. The 3 stars who died in that crash were Buddy Holly (who was an innovator in Rock n roll, Richie Valens, and a Big Time DJ named the Big Bopper. I think it was Richie Valens who wasn't originally going to be on that plane, but he was sick and didn't want to ride the bus so he paid another guy a few bucks for his seat. That guy was Country Music Hall of Famer Waylon Jennings. The history and story of the song deserve a deep dive. There are vids explaining some of it, though Don McLean is always very cryptic about things. Check out his songs Vincent and And I love you so. Enjoy.
@chiconeededthemoney3 жыл бұрын
I always heard that the girl who sang the blues was Joan Baez but it's all up to interpretation.
@osimnod3 жыл бұрын
That plane crashed while traveling to my home town - Moorhead, MN - to play at the Armory. I was too young to know about it until recently. A tragic end to talented musicians in the prime of their lives.
@travisdial17303 жыл бұрын
The angels born in hell were the hells angels who worked security for the concert in altemont (probably wrong spelling) The Rolling Stones were on stage and “the flames climbed high into the night” is in reference to the man the hells angels killed who had a gun who was trying to kill Mick Jagger. So many references in this song it’s hard to pick them all out.
@BaldJean3 жыл бұрын
The reference to the devil refers to the incidence when the 18-years old black Meredith Hunter was killed by members of the Hells Angels, who were responsible for security at the concert, at the Altamont Free concert on Dec 6th 1969.
@johnthompson18173 жыл бұрын
Valens didn't pay for the seat. Holly flipped a coin to decide who got the seat Waylon or Valens. Valens won ... or maybe it can be said ... lost. I do know that Waylon said in an interview that coin toss haunted him for years.
@Wesker19843 жыл бұрын
The Day The Music Died refers to the plane crash that killed three amazing musicians. Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens, Valens was a relatively new talent too. Oh and now you should do the Weird Al Yankovic parody of this called The Saga Begins.
@MichaelB7693 жыл бұрын
I had the same thought, but I was just going to suggest they listen to it because it’s not what they would typically review, though that would be awesome as well :). Al’s lyrics were also epic lol
@ninamravlja36323 жыл бұрын
Lol, that was THE best thing about The Phantom Menace! I think I read he wrote it before the movie was released, just based on the trailers 🤷♀️ Another musical genius who doesn’t get the respect he deserves. 👍😎
@lisamorrison21493 жыл бұрын
A tragic ending for 3 of Rock and Rolls biggest stars. Don McLean wrote this song to pay homage to Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, whom along with the pilot of the small aircraft all perished in Iowa on February 3rd, 1959. A very sad day for Rock and Roll. Don had been a teenager at the time. Years later he wrote this song to explain the heartache and shock that he and his peers had felt. Good job Andy and Alex. You are right, McLean was quite the storyteller...phenomenal. cheers!🥃🥃❤
@michaeldavidfigures98422 жыл бұрын
Don McLean was interviewed numerous times about the meaning of the song; identities of the jester, the king, the girl who sang the blues, etc... After answering such questions numerous times over the years one later interviewer asked what the song meant to him. His reply; "It means I don't have to work anymore." Also at a time when 3 and a 1/2 minutes was the nominal song length for radio airtime at 8 and 1/2 minutes this song played two to three times a day over numerous stations nationwide for over a year, and was so revered, I don't think it was ever edited or cut short. It's kind of a call to worship for rock and rollers.
@Kevin_OKeefe3 жыл бұрын
American Pie is one of the songs that when it’s on you get quiet and listen, or sing along, or maybe shed a tear because of wonderful memories it may invoke. Maybe all the above but you never never skip it. Excellent choice boys.
@christorrance28763 жыл бұрын
Amazing music and writing. Just to begin with.
@laredolassoo3 жыл бұрын
Perfect. Lots of moments in the car over the years, for me, an usually all 3 responses in one sitting.
@MichaelGreenhaus94043 жыл бұрын
Check out his song "Vincent", about the life of Vincent Van Gogh. One of the most sadly beautiful songs ever written.
@ccubook3 жыл бұрын
Mikey G, I used to play "Vincent" for my English class...Brilliant song...
@knarf_on_a_bike3 жыл бұрын
THIS was the song of a generation! At first we just liked the catchy music, but then we delved into the lyrics and discovered what he was singing about. Wow, just wow! Huge memories of my high school sweetheart Susie (wonder how she is now?) and me driving down back country dirt roads in my parents' 73 Dodge Dart with this blasting on the AM radio. Loved your reaction.
@jazzyboy77843 жыл бұрын
Ah yes...had a 75 Duster...
@dwinkleman3 жыл бұрын
Right on point. Those of us old enough to remember it coming out remember what an impact it had. It wasn't a song that came and went. It's a song that came and stayed.
@knarf_on_a_bike3 жыл бұрын
@@jazzyboy7784 ours was a Dodge Dart Swinger. Imagine, we considered them "compacts" back then. LOL!
@jotoole1293 жыл бұрын
OMG, my first car was a Dodge Dart that my parents gave me in ‘75. Interesting that you are missing “Susie “ while one of Buddy Holly’s most famous songs was “Susie-Q”!
@mikell50873 жыл бұрын
What we are saying is that this song is a phenomenon that cannot be experienced by just listening to the song, because the experience is also composed of the endless speculation about the lyrics and the meaning of the song. And also because the experience was about a time and place in the 70's that cannot be replicated today, but rewards all who dig deep and enjoy the phenomenon to this day.
@thetorresons2973 жыл бұрын
If you take a deep dive into this song, you will learn SO much about both American and music history it will blow your minds.
@flubblert3 жыл бұрын
This song is what you might call now a days an Easter egg hunt chronicling key moments in rock & roll and America from Buddy Holly through the early 70's. Omg the serious discussions that took place breaking down the lyrics of this song. There were radio documentaries devoted to it. Bod Dylan, John Lennon, Rolling Stones tragedy at Altamont, Beatles, Sgt. Peppers, Janis Joplin ("I meant a girl who sang the blues and asked her for some happy news"), political assassination's of the 60's, it's all there. It was/is a brilliant song. A masterpiece. Was not expecting this. Glad you guys got to experience it.
@flubblert3 жыл бұрын
When you breakdown its lyrics, this song very much captures the zeitgeist of the Baby Boom generation like no other.
@Sotto_3 жыл бұрын
@@flubblert on the flip side, We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel chronicles the current events of the cold war beautifully.
@flubblert3 жыл бұрын
@@Sotto_ it does and beyond, but it's pretty in your face, lacking the beautiful enigmatic prose of Don Mclean. Btw, big fan of Billy Joel here. Might be time for the boys to discover his treasure trove of brilliant classic American rock storytelling.
@Sotto_3 жыл бұрын
@@flubblert 100%. Joel does not compare to MacLean's lyric writing style. Don purposefully wrote American Pie as cryptic allusions to events that shaped rock'n'roll history, and that is a lot of the appeal of the song. Billy wrote his song as a drect chronology of the cold war years. Still interesting from a historic perspective, but not as challenging to decipher. Personally I prefer Maclean's style, but Joel's is valid in it's own right. You wonder if Joel got some inspiration from Maclean for his song.
@waynecanning41223 жыл бұрын
Every word of this is the history of Rock n’ Roll. A masterpiece
@vincechampion30313 жыл бұрын
“Auld Land Syne” by Dan Fogelberg is a beautiful story and beautifully performed
@pokeysd38863 жыл бұрын
"Same Old Lang Syne". Dan Fogelberg is another master wordsmith.
@andynator5013 жыл бұрын
Go-to song when you just need a good cry...and Simon & Garfunkel "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
@froggy59353 жыл бұрын
"Leader of the Band" was also a lyrically brilliant and poignant song by Dan Fogelberg.
@robertmurphy93643 жыл бұрын
Auld Lang Syne is pretty much biographical.
@mikevalenza3 жыл бұрын
"Part of the Plan' was my favorite Fogelberg song.
@fifiladu26592 жыл бұрын
This song was a musical treatise about American music, politics, society, and religion back our the day, wrapped up inside of a beautiful ballad. It always makes me feel nostalgic with a bit of melancholy.
@gerathb49613 жыл бұрын
this is like the Forrest Gump of songs, it covers so much of an era in America, all the veiled references to rock artists etc.
@tbjfsu3 жыл бұрын
Well put.
@classicrocklady62883 жыл бұрын
Yes, well said!!!!!!
@GratefulZen3 жыл бұрын
“The Jester on the sidelines in a cast” is a reference to Dylan’s reported motorcycle wreck that sidelined him from performing for awhile.
@JimGeigerMusic3 жыл бұрын
...and explaining why he wasnt at Woodstock
@jokermtb3 жыл бұрын
Was brian Jones who broke his hand in Morocco and ultimately became Jumping Jack flash who sat on a candlestick
@sallybannister62243 жыл бұрын
So many 8conic musicians have passed at a young age, Hendrix, Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, not sure about Buddy's age, but all were age 27, so called now... the 27 club.
@mrgmusicclass3 жыл бұрын
Brian Jones was 27 too
@sallybannister62243 жыл бұрын
@@mrgmusicclass Yes, well done I'd totally forgotten Brian Jones., well only in the sense of his age, drown in his swimming pool I think, 🤔?
@Mr05Chuck3 жыл бұрын
I was in bed listening to my AM transistor radio one night. The disc jockey said I’m going to take a chance and play a new song for you. He put this song on and when he came back on the jockey gave a stem winder sermon on how great a song it was. Explained about Buddy Holly and such. Race riots, war riots and draft lotteries. ( I miss superstar disc jockeys)Weird time to be a teenager. Came out my Senior year of High School and my draft lotto number was high so I didn’t go to Nam. This song was an anthem of the time. Pray for all those who serve and served.
@sarahzentexas3 жыл бұрын
I’m very glad you weren’t drafted. #WarSucks
@Mr05Chuck3 жыл бұрын
@@sarahzentexas yes if we go to war then we need to fight to win. Political hacks just want to line their pockets. Can’t have a President that wants to get us out of wars we don’t belong in. Bad for business. Eisenhower warned us about the Military Industrial Complex and was ignored.
@classicrocklady62883 жыл бұрын
Just lost my brother in law. Green Beret, then Army Ranger...two tours in Nam. Thank you for thanking those who did go.
@Mr05Chuck3 жыл бұрын
@@classicrocklady6288 by 1972 it was obvious it was a political BS war that chewed up and spit out the best of my generation. Many are still dealing with the aftermath. That’s why I support getting out of all extended foreign wars. We can help at times but should not be 70 year commitments of our blood and treasure. I always thank those who serve. Especially the Vietnam vets. They were treated shamefully on their return.
@lpscutietv6299 Жыл бұрын
HUGE sing along song .................. everyone who heard this in 1972 knows the words
@markadolph87153 жыл бұрын
"Let's get into the lyrics real fast." lol
@judysebern20053 жыл бұрын
I still get goosebumps at the end, almost 50 years later.
@SpaceCattttt3 жыл бұрын
For my money, this is easily one of the top 5 American songs ever written. Words can't describe just how fucking impressive and emotionally hard-hitting this song is on every level. A masterpiece. Both melodically and lyrically.
@piddylolo11 ай бұрын
"He's providing comfort for everyone who is sharing the same pain" - this about sums it up
@irishgrl3 жыл бұрын
When this came out everyone made it a point to memorize all the verses. It was iconic. I can still sing 9/10ths of the song over 40yrs later...
@michaelradzicki20043 жыл бұрын
There is a small part of my 56 year old brain that is useless for anything else but remembering these lyrics.
@mikeelton36862 жыл бұрын
The exact same for me lol
@stuarthazard31622 жыл бұрын
You didn't need to make a "point" of memorizing the verses . . . You just DID!!
@Martin.Wilson3 жыл бұрын
"Eight miles high and fallin' fast"....a reference to The Byrds song "Eight Miles High" about the band's return flight to England.
@emilyflotilla9313 жыл бұрын
And the fallout shelter is slang for treatment center..
@lucie41853 жыл бұрын
Is it? I didn't know that, I figured it was talking about cold War bunkers but I can see the connection.
@uwotm83 жыл бұрын
I thought it was about the Japanese Air Force attacking Pearl Harbour 🤔
@Martin.Wilson3 жыл бұрын
@@uwotm8 More like 10,000 ft than 8 miles.
@rhiahlMT3 жыл бұрын
Welcome to the history of the beginning of rock and roll and history of the 1960s. Next song should be Starry, Starry Night AKA Vincent by him. Robert Flak wrote the song "Killing Me Softly" about Don McLean.
@mikeharris37333 жыл бұрын
Half- right. Killing Me Softly was written about Don McLean by Norman Gimbel and Lori Lieberman after Lieberman saw McLean sing Empty Chair. Lieberman released it first. Flack covered her. Then Al B. Sure. Then Fugees.
@rhiahlMT3 жыл бұрын
@@mikeharris3733 I'll take that. I knew the song was about him. Good song too!
@dunhill13 жыл бұрын
I'm sorry, but Killing Me Softly was written by Lori Lieberman and Norman Gimbel. Roberta Flack was the first to record it make it a big hit. This info is out there if you Google, articles will come up.
@rhiahlMT3 жыл бұрын
@@dunhill1 Yeah, I said that in the other comment when someone replied and corrected it.
@Hefher3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info. Did not know killing me softly was about Don Mclean. Awesome !
@DawnSuttonfabfour3 жыл бұрын
The day it died for me was 8th December 1980. I have never got over it and at my advanced age I now know that never will. 4 days after my 19th birthday. I cried for a year. I still do.
@KB3M3 жыл бұрын
The next Don Mclean song should be "Starry Starry Night" bring tissues.
@gregsager20623 жыл бұрын
It's actually called "Vincent".
@md27873 жыл бұрын
Yes! Vincent is my favorite!!!!!
@catbutte47703 жыл бұрын
Got teary when I saw that you two gents were going to react to this song. This song has so many references (such as the girl who sang the blues was Janis Joplin) and so well written that it should be studied in a classroom. I remember this song being sung when John Lennon was killed. 💔 Singing it brought us all together.
@pinkfreud622 жыл бұрын
Fun Fact: McLean's home was New Rochelle, which did indeed feature a bar called "The Levee." Allegedly, this bar shut down or "went dry," causing patrons to drive across the river to Rye, New York.
@Meandmymirror2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for clarifying that! I never understood what he was referring to. We have a bar in Kansas City called the levee
@JHNoble3 ай бұрын
Rye, NY is a few towns away from New Rochelle, NY but there's no real river between them. they're both in Westchester County. I have heard that New Rochelle did have a music store that (like many back then) used to let patrons listen to music in listening booths before selecting something to purchase, but that practice ended, for some reason. lack or staffing? loss prevention? disgust with hippies? shrink-wrap? I dunno.
@cathyk93023 жыл бұрын
This song has always been perfection, it paints going from a simpler time to then the crash, transitioning to a more complex world; the loss of innocence.
@gerib42343 жыл бұрын
"Dude this is frickin amazing!" You ain't just a whistling Dixie! Love your reaction. Love your channel. Love your song choices.
@cazgerald94713 жыл бұрын
This song was so iconic - it touched the whole nation back in the early 70s - in 2015 Don McLean auctioned his original 16 page manuscript he created to develop this song for $1.2 million.
@brianorzel18733 жыл бұрын
Buddy Holly was one of the early pioneers of rock 'n roll. The songs are relatively simple, but still really good. You should do "That'll Be the Day".
@lancelittrell3693 жыл бұрын
It is a Texas flag. Buddy Holly was from Lubbock, Texas
@lancelittrell3693 жыл бұрын
Amend this post. The star represents Texas...the multitude of stripes represents The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens
@burmajones8033 жыл бұрын
Big Bopper from Texas too. Sabine Pass.
@cazgerald94713 жыл бұрын
Right, that's why McClean named the song and album "Texan Pie"
@lancelittrell3693 жыл бұрын
@@burmajones803 thankyou for that information. I did not know that.
@johnbutler88153 жыл бұрын
Janis Joplin also form TX
@ravenwind10623 жыл бұрын
Strangely, this song is a "must play" at all my favorite Irish Pubs. As a crowd we actually stand and have a whole series of hand gestures and shout outs for the song. Makes for a great night. Good to see you guys drinking Irish Whiskey. Try Red Breast if you can find it. Slainte! (That's Gaelic for Cheers! its pronounced Slan Cha!) Alternate Verse: "The 3 men I admire the most...Larry, Moe, and Curly Joe." shouted loudly by the crowd.
@izzonj3 жыл бұрын
Kind of makes sense for an Irish pub, since it's a story- telling song about tragedy and loss. Fits in with a tradition that is popular in Irish ballads.
@generoberts91513 жыл бұрын
Gets better when you drink
@pedrolopez80573 жыл бұрын
Do you sing the chorus?
@ravenwind10623 жыл бұрын
@@pedrolopez8057 Oh yeah...and we have a series of hand gestures to compliment it.
@flubblert3 жыл бұрын
"Vincent" is the other must hear song by Mr. McClean.
@cdfdesantis699 Жыл бұрын
One of the most iconic songs ever written. Thanks for your reaction.