ANOTHER MASTERPIECE!..| FIRST TIME HEARING Don McLean - American Pie REACTION

ANOTHER MASTERPIECE!..| FIRST TIME HEARING Don McLean - American Pie REACTION
Original Video:
Welcome to Rob Squad Reactions This is a music reaction channel. My passion is being a content creator, and providing my audience with unique, funny, and never before seen reaction videos. I have come to grow a love for all types of music from my beloved rap to heavy metal and I want to share that love with all of you. Being a content creator is my passion and it brings me so much joy and being able to share my passion and joy with all of you and grow as a community is an amazing feeling. In addition to reacting to all different types of music, I am also a a husband to my amazing wife Amber and a dad to 3 amazing kids Bria, Kiya and Luca. I am here to try and make a change in this world starting with something that brings us all together MUSIC!!
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[@stevenmckee6134]

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

[@mwatson5702]

Did Don Maclean say this was the meaning? Seems like you are sure in your mind, but is it verified?

[@stevenmckee6134]

@@mwatson5702 yeah he's spoken about the references

[@lesliekeating4845]

@@mwatson5702 ..yes, this song is a classic and very strong meaning for the time. Please search American Pie...it is fascinating, and has been a discussion for years. Bye Bye Miss American Pie refers to post war America, apple pie and family, and what transpired in the following years, well, that time in history was gone.

[@mcphi4007]

thanks for the lighting, i see the light.

[@ronaldgines171]

I only knew just a bit of that, thank you for filling in the rest. You made the song better for me than it already was.

[@jvondd]

You guys: "I hope it's not sad." Everyone who knows the song: "Oh dear!"

[@belkyhernandez8281]

Totally.

[@jimrupe9991]

Lol....sorry to disappoint.

[@SteveInTheOC]

That’s what i thought 🤣 i cry every time i hear this.

[@ronbopostal]

That whole album was sad, except for one song that sounded like a story of Hitler trying to get laid.

[@keithmays8076]

@@ronbopostal The Cumming of the Third Reich? 🤣

[@preparingforretirement]

An entire generation can sing this word for word in our sleep. This defined a generation and we sang it with respect evey single time.

[@angiemccray4498]

I'm part of that generation and yes, I can sing it verbatim too!

[@mardyroux8136]

We sure can. Every single word. With love, and care, and respect.

[@IdkIdk-hm9hm]

as a gen z i personally love this song so much thata after the first time hearing it i started digging deeper and now understand the meaning behind the song

[@craigjohnson5570]

Why do you have bob dylans picture?

[@Martyisruling]

A couple generations

[@1621billw]

With this song you get almost the entire history of rock n roll music from February 3,1959 (the day the music died) until 1972 or '73 when this song was released. So much symbolism in the lyrics. This is a masterpiece painted by Don McLean

[@douglasstrayer-ng5ql]

The day the music died was when the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Richie Vallens crashed !

[@sharongaskell]

I was 14..constantly playing Buddy Holly, Richie Valens on my little 45. Cried for months when we heard about the crash.

[@charlesskinner1812]

it was released in 1972, I was a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill

[@markkraft6719]

This song came out when I was a teenybopper and I really liked it. I was 13 yo. I did not care about the meaning of the song at that time. I listen now and see the genius of the song, and the masterful songwriting by Don Mclean. It is a wonderful, meaningful and beautiful song. I feel emotional listening to it! Fantastic!

[@user-tx6hl9fx4x]

​@@sharongaskellI was born😀22 Days after the Music DIED😥.

[@dustinsdesertheirloomgarde5999]

Also, this song is about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in 1959 (the day music died). You haven't done any Buddy Holly yet. You could do songs like That'll be the day, Maybe Baby, Peggy Sue or Everyday. I believe it also has some meaning and lyrics relating to the Vietnam War going on at the time too.

[@chuckaustin3832]

Good choices, and I would definitely suggest "LaBomba" by Ritchie Valens

[@KittykatOz]

3rd February 1959 the day the music died

[@crusadeelectronics2444]

Thank God it didn't take Waylon Jennings too.

[@HeavyTopspin]

@@chuckaustin3832 And "Chantilly Lace" by the Big Bopper!

[@littleaeros4063]

@@chuckaustin3832 And the Big Bopper, Chantilly Lace

[@ameyer1970]

Younger people wouldn’t understand this song without a lot of research. Those of us who grew up with this song really feel it.

[@mspfinney]

Absolutely and I feel somewhat upset by that fact even though it’s not their fault.

[@dmwalker24]

I grew up in the 80's, but was lucky enough to have history teachers and music fans for parents.

[@TheCrazynemo]

Agreed my friend

[@elgmalone]

@@dmwalker24 I also grew up in the 80s, born in 1979. It was the same for me, I was taught by my parents and teachers.

[@leninsanchez7167]

If you know your classics, this song becomes an anthem. No research needed.

[@therustycook]

As a boomer it is fascinating listening to them try to decipher this song. There is so much the obviously don't know about. But they get close just from the feeling and words of the song.

[@timbong1871]

There is a version where all the lyrics are deciphered and explained as the song is sung.

[@bridgetmcdowell1583]

I'm a Gen X that loves my Daddy's music and my Gen Z kids know every word to this song as well as the meaning behind lyrics. Gotta raise 'em right!

[@Ronda991]

@@bridgetmcdowell1583 Yes! I got a t-shirt for my musician son, "Some of us grew up listening to Bob Seger, the cool ones still do." People make comments that my kids' range of music knowledge is amazing...I always reply with a smile, for a reason.

[@wildbill7081]

very nice of you to do those things with your family@@bridgetmcdowell1583

[@theeasybeats5913]

Trivial Pursuit Music version explains the whole song

[@originaldcjensen]

When John Lennon was murdered, I was in college. I called up the big area radio station and asked them to play this song in dedication to John Lennon. They cleared the records lined up and did the dedication immediately following the current song. That was very cool of the DJ.

[@jameswoodend6029]

Don McClean was a devote calvanist and always wanted to listen rock hillbilly hated the stones especially

[@jameswoodend6029]

That I'll b the day that I die "Buddy Holly"

[@muttwalks]

Just hearing this story about this dedication makes me tear up. I loved John Lennon, and this song --about the chaos and losses of the 60s after losing Buddy Holly, only makes more sense as a tribute to Lennon looking back on the decades after his death.

[@segan63]

AT the end, the line "I met a girl who sang the blues and asked her for some happy news. She just smiled and turned away" was about the late great Janis Joplin

[@wilsonharp3340]

Joan Baez

[@segan63]

@@wilsonharp3340 Joan Baez was a great folk singer, but was not a blues singer

[@John_Chu]

Yeah it’s Janis. The sacred store of course was the legendary Fillmore East.

[@paulpeterson4216]

If I am correct, the Quartet practicing in the park was the Beatles

[@johnjames6980]

@@paulpeterson4216 I agree - The Sergeants mentioned in the song refers to "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" an album by the Beatles that got HUGE airplay all over America - the "British invasion". It completely changed Rock-n-Roll forever, taking it a different way. Also, I believe "Jumping Jack Flash" refers to the Rolling Stones (one of their hit songs) - more of the "British invasion". The Rolling Stones hired "Hell's Angels as security for their concert at Altamont and they killed a black man. And "Helter-Skelter" was a song by the Beatles and Charles Manson became obsessed with it and after his "family" slaughtered the Folger heiress or Sharon Tate, he had them write that in blood on a wall in one of the homes. The 60s were QUITE tumultuous. Finally, there was a TV show in the 60s called "Lost in Space" and it was a big hit for the first couple of seasons. Thank you

[@davebowman2131]

First: I love you guys. your ears and hearts are so big. your curiosity and eagerness to explore and learn is to be admired. Now, this is the most cryptic and significant song you may ever hear, it is packed with cultural significance and meaning. "The Day the music died" was Feb 3, 1959 when a tiny plane went down in a storm and killed Buddy Holly (who was only 21 years old when he died, and had 30 hit records on the charts) as well as the Big Bopper and Richie Valens (La Bamba). The newspaper headlines read "THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED". "The Book of Love" was a Doo-Wop song from the 1950s, you see, what this song does is chronicle the evolution of music and rock and roll from the 50's to the 70's, from simple love songs right through to the death of Janis Joplin. "When the Jester sang for the King and Queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean" was when vagabond protest singer and poet and genius Bob Dylan hit the big time and was flown to London to perform for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Royal Albert Hall in 1965. And he was wearing James Dean's leather jacket (a young actor who died in a car crash after only 3 movies but he remains the epitome of cool because he was troubled and complex rather than an arrogant asshole like most movie stars.) "While the King was looking down the jester stole his thorny crown" refers to Elvis who was called the King, he ruled the 1950's music scene, but Bob Dylan took music in an altogether more meaningful place, and he led the way in the 1960s. "While Lenin/Lennon read a book on Marx" refers to John Lennon of the Beatles, who used his growing fame to tackle social issues of equality and took a very anti-government and especially an anti-war stance, which pissed the other Beatles off immensely, they wanted him to shut up and play music and make money. He used fame to help people, and they fucking assassinated him for it in 1980. "The quartet (Beatles) practiced in the park (Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966 was the last time the Beatles would ever play together in concert. And when THAT music died "we sang dirges in the dark". "Helter Skelter in a summer swelter" is when Charles Manson murdered pregnant actress and wife of director Roman Polanski Sharon Tate in Hollywood, they cut her baby out of her stomach and wrote on the wall, in her dead baby's blood, Helter Skelter, which was a Beatles song. This murder started the entire crazy serial killer trend in the country. And by dragging the beauty of the Beatles message into a muder scene, in a small way it was a day the music died. ( interesting facts: Roman Polanski had just made the movie Rosemary's Baby, about a woman who gives birth to Satan's baby, and then his wife and baby were slaughtered in real life by a force of evil. Rosemary's Baby was filmed in the Dakota building in NYC, the same building where John Lennon was murdered in 1980. Freakish, and beyond coincidence.) It referenced "The Byrds, 8 miles high and falling fast" The Byrds were a music group and 8 miles High was a big hit song, and "Landed fallen on the grass" was about marijuana which was suddenly everywhere and changing the culture at that time in a big, big way. "The jester on the sidelines in a cast" was another change in popular music as Bob Dylan disappeared from the scene, he claimed to have broken his neck in a motorcycle accident, but others say he was trying to kick heroin and other drugs. Either way, his influence was never the same, although to this day he is the most important musician alive. He moved to Woodstock and lived in a pink house with The Band (who had enormous critical and commercial success on their own after being Dylan's back-up band.) "The halftime air was sweet perfume (POT!) while the Sargeants played a marching tune" This refers to the Army and the Vietnam war, but young people were smoking pot and waking up to war, and didn't want to go fight in Asia for a war that didn't involve them, so they said "Fuck You!" to the drill sargeants and the war. "As the players tried to take the field (of battle) the marching band (of hippies, holding protest marches) refused to yield" Do you recall what was revealed? A whole lot. People rejecting war, colonialism and oppression. "There we were all in one place, a generation lost in space" was July 22, 1969 when ever single human being on the planet was in the same place, in front of their television sets, watching the Apollo astronauts land on the Moon. A turning point for the human race that everyone who was alive then remembers clear as day, myself included. "Jack Flash" was Mick Jagger, after his song Jumping Jack Flash. After Woodstock, people felt peace and love could actually work. But then at the Altamont music festival with the Rolling Stones, the mob turned to horror and while Mick Jagger sang a man was murdered right in front of the stage, "to light the sacrificial rite, I saw Satan laughing with delight, the day the music died" And the peace and love hippy generation of music ended right there, ANOTHER day the music died. 'I met a girl who sang the blues, I asked for some happy news, but she just smiled and turned away" is Janis Joplin, and we loved her and she made us happy, but she died on us, at the young age of 27. ANOTHER day the music died. "The three men I admire most, the father, son and the holy ghost" is most likely John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., who were assassinated in 1963, 1968 and 1968. "They caught the last train for the coast" refers to the train that carried Bobby Kennedy's body back from California where he was killed, to his resting place on the East Coast. The train was named Silver Girl, and Simon and Garfunkel's song Bridge Over Troubled Water (Sail on Silver Girl, sail on by..) is about that train, and the pain the country was in after seeing another good man slaughtered. I hope somebody actually read this...lol

[@mentholpedro]

Manson wasn’t at the murder of Sharon Tate , his followers did it

[@buckyccovington3048]

Hey. I actually read this. I think u nailed it, but before, I always thought the players vs marching band was the chaos that the '68 DNC in Chicago devolved into. But your'e probably right.

[@seannovack3834]

Are you asking us to believe that the other three members of the Beatles had something to do with Lennon's shooting? I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that. Unrelated: The Baby Boomer Hippies from the 60's are STILL the ones in the halls of power in Congress right now after being there for 40 or even 50 years, and they haven't even bothered to address the issues that they said they were going to address back after Vietnam when they started getting elected! Time to pass the reins so the damage created by "Peace, Love, Dope" can start to get fixed.

[@JohnSmith-ft2tw]

You are spot on, and yes, I read, not skimmed, it. A fine job of explaining this to the younger audience. Symbolism is mostly dead in today's musical scene. Hell, lyrics and messages are scarce these days. It's been decades, and I still feel the music, so I know I'm not dead yet.

[@JohnSmith-ft2tw]

@@seannovack3834 there are dreamers and takers in every generation. The ones you replace the current bunch with, will be the same as the last ones. People, of any age, who desire the power are always the ones to hang on to that power. We stormed the beaches, and paid the price at places like Kent State and the Chicago Convention. Instead of berating us, would it not be better to take up the standard and march forward in search of equality and love. Soon enough, there will be no one left with personal memories of those times, and only the music will remain.

[@jimeager2339]

Love how Amber always feels the lyrics.

[@rockshot100]

They BOTH feel the songs.

[@lgk55]

It starts with Buddy Holly’s death which happens in 1959 the song continues to describe what follows for 10 years with history and musicians, the King is Elvis, the Jester is Bob Dylan, the Marching Band is The Beatles, Jack jumped over a candlestick is The Rolling Stones along with sympathy for the devil, possibly Jimmy Hendrix reference, girl who sang the blues Janis Joplin. Don’t forget the Viet Nam War this will be the day.

[@gailbishop8078]

Great explanation! It’s a deep song they wouldn’t have known unless they grew up in my day.

[@WalkingTaako]

The reference to the Stones is about Altamont.

[@velvetbees]

The war in Vietnam can't be underestimated in how it made us all feel so incredibly sad.

[@Hellbane224]

It's not just Buddy Holly. Though he was the most well known, but more than just Buddy Holly died in that plane crash. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (aka J.P. Richardson) and pilot Roger Peterson. This is one of the reasons the "music died." Because Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper all died in one plane crash. Waylon Jennings blamed himself for the death of J.P. Richardson because he gave his seat up to Richardson because he had the flu, and he had complained about how cold the bus was. It was a heartbreaking loss for the world of music. Thus, "the day the music died."

[@ARDRI2009]

Nice job. The one missing point is that the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens dies in the same plane with Buddy Holly. the three lost in one crash forever made American Rock poorer off.

[@pattisnyder2360]

She understands that there's meanings they didn't know. I applaud her for that. ❤️

[@marilynk30]

Amber is way ahead of her time or should I say she's an old soul! ♥️

[@heatherbegs]

@@marilynk30 I appreciate how Amber really listens to (and feels) the lyrics. I agree she is an old soul 💕

[@dontherealartist]

Amber is WAY ''ahead'' of her , well, husband. Maybe she'll be able to find SOMEONE to talk to. Good luck girl with that.

[@dontherealartist]

@@marilynk30 Well she is certainly ''ahead''of her HUSBAND. She is too smart for this guy. Hope she can work it out. :/

[@bertcritchfield5546]

The song is about the day Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash.

[@kevincosta9228]

This song is LOADED with symbolism about Rock 'n' Roll. The day the music died refers to the plane crash in 1959 when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" all died. These guys were all big stars who sang the feel-good '50s music, and this was a big turning point in Rock 'n 'Roll. After they died, a few years later came the British invasion, the drug culture and an era of bitter, cynical music, accompanied by civil unrest in America. To me this song is drawing a parallel between the death of good time rock and the death of innocence in America. My opinion, anyway. BTW the lyric "This will be the day that I die" refers to the Buddy Holly song "That'll be the Day that I Die".

[@patricialiedel5659]

Best description! Such a poetic way to describe a period of great turmoil and change.

[@ericholdsworth6611]

Good call on that, I have had similar feeling with this beautiful songs. 🙏

[@paulopinheirosc]

I would add that the music died in all these events for the author. He ended every verse by stating that. He fell in love with music at several moments in his life and music let him down. The only thing I don't get in the song is the title. I'm not American. Does "American Pie" has any special meaning for the American people? Is it a special kind of pie? Or was it something he used as a metaphor?

[@galerios1]

@@paulopinheirosc American Pie refers to the American dream. Nice house, family, white picket fences in a nice neighborhood, and good ol' apple pie.

[@paulopinheirosc]

​@@galerios1 Thank you. That was the missing piece of the puzzle for me.

[@markgreene6349]

Everyone I grew up with knows this song and can sing every word... A masterpiece.. for the ages

[@barbaracollins385]

It's a total history of Rock N Roll. Masterpiece!

[@Epulor1]

This song is a cultural history of rock and roll music. Every line references a historical event. He even mentions Janis Joplin. The girl who sang the blues.

[@danhalstead705]

Not just that though. It's also about religion, and American culture, and all of it taking a turn and going through upheaval together.

[@johnd1449]

First off the pic featured in the video is Bob Dylan and the song meaning The repeatedly mentioned phrase "the day the music died" refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, and ended the era of early rock and roll; this became the popular nickname for that crash. However the overall theme of the song goes beyond its superficial semblance of mourning McLean's childhood music heroes, and reflects the deep cultural changes and profound disillusionment and loss of innocence of his entire generation[6] - the early rock and roll generation -

[@neillenet291]

Thank you. I thought I was the only one that noticed that.

[@bkm2797]

Ha Ha, I was thinking the same thing, thinking that's a pic of Dylan.

[@fixerdj1]

Me too

[@garyhiggins5823]

I caught it, and came down to read comments before I jumped on it.

[@sweattfq7136]

I think when you think of the song in it's entirety, he thought the music was wounded by the plane crash , but after 10 years the music had lost its innocence and the peace and love music of the 60s died at Altamont.

[@larryczarnionka9595]

This is definitely one of the greatest songs of all time!!! I was born in 64 so everyone my age is well aware of the significance of this classic

[@brendabarker524]

Just a master piece. Our generation all love it and will never forget the impact it had on us all❤❤❤❤❤

[@MichaelJones-sh7nu]

Almost every phrase of this song refers to something important in the history of rock and roll or recalls a classic rock lyric. It's RICH with metaphor and cultural references!

[@John_Chu]

He uses the death of Buddy Holly as a metaphor for the loss of innocence, especially considering the whole decade of the sixties. Very poetic look at contemporary at the time (1972) American history.

[@BlackJar72]

I wish I knew what more of the references were -- I picked up on The Byrds and the Lennon/Lenin pun, but I can tell there's so much more I can't connect, it all being well before my time.

[@deankirkpatrick7658]

@@BlackJar72 yep, Helter Skelter, Sgts Marching Band, Byrds, 8 miles high....et al

[@jeremy8807]

@@BlackJar72 Go to the polyphonic KZbin channel. He's got a video explaining the lines and their importance. I'd post a link if I could.

[@SueProst]

@@deankirkpatrick7658 helter skeler in a summer swelter were the Manson muders they wrote that on the wall . August 1969.

[@chriso6719]

The day the music died refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens , and the Big Bopper

[@theodoreritola9758]

JAY and Amber Please please react to SAMMY JOHNS song CHEVY VAN from 1973 ,, Its one of my all time feel good songs ever ,,, You will thank me for this 70s Gold ..... Take Care you two ,, Love your reactions Big time

[@djd2819]

This is one of those songs that was a giant reach and McLean pulled it off. It truly was a masterpiece. It's great that even people who don't fully understand the symbols that are riddled throughout the song still appreciate it. Great reaction vid Jay and Amber.

[@dperreno]

This is not only one of my favorite songs (I was born in 1960), but also my dad's (1933) and my son's (1990). Such a powerful and moving song.

[@auapplemac2441]

You have to know your history otherwise it's just interesting, puzzling words and phrases.

[@msdarby515]

It's a song for all generations! 😊

[@Kim-hc5si]

That is Bob Dylan in the photo. I’m guessing it’s there because of the reference to the ‘Jester’. Dylan was the Jester in the song. The King and Queen was Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. There a MANY references to other musicians in this song. This is a great example of lyrics that can be dissected in detail. It’s too much to post here but it’s worth looking up. It’s incredible.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

wonder if the king could be elvis since, for lotsa peeps, he became more influential to rock than Elvis? Plus the obvi 'King of rock' reference?

[@greatunz67]

No, it was just some idiot who posted a version with Bob in the picture because it was probably some kid who got it off of Napster back in the day and didn't know the difference.

[@futurereflections4097]

Also Bob Dylan should be in some reactions. He’s a legend. Regarded as the best lyricist who has ever lived.

[@johnathandavis3693]

RIP Pete Seeger. He died in 2014 - almost unnoticed....

[@Kim-hc5si]

Lots about on wiki, too: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pie_(song)

[@talkingdonkey1817]

Yes, “the day the music died” refers to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper on a cold February day in the late 50s, but also, Don wrote this in the late 60s, so there are many references to the Vietnam War, the draft, the ColdWar, the space race, the assassination of JFK, Bob Dylan touring in England and many other things happening at that time. He’s singing about how crazy the world had become since the more simple and innocent time of his youth and before the death of his music heroes. Cheers!

[@CheleBoxy]

"The Jester sang for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean in a voice that came from you and me..." He's referencing folk music. There is SO MUCH symbolism in this song!!

[@yvonnesugrue167]

And Heltor Skeltor in reference to the Manson murders.

[@girl_overthinx]

Also, a whole verse about what happened when the Stones played Altamont. He really hated Mick Jagger for that.

[@kevinjenkins3564]

@@CheleBoxy Reference is to Bob Dylan. He was wearing a coat like James Dean;s from Rebel without a Cause on the cover of Free - Wheelin'. The king and queen are seen by many as Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, the leaders of the folk music movement. And , folk music is seen as the people speaking.

[@TwoRiversFarm707]

“While the King was looking down” was when Elvis got drafted.

[@deadeyetopher8621]

There was a time when entire pubs would just break out is singing this chorus around the world. The night buddy Holly died in a plain crash was the night the music died❤

[@kathieovercash8414]

Vincent is a beautiful song. American Pie is sad too. Richie was sick so Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane so Richie didn't have to endure the long bus ride. After the plane crash Waylon struggled with survivors remorse the rest of his life. Lost three amazing musicians that day. Richie's family found out about it on the radio.

[@MarshaDawn20]

I never knew that, 50 yrs later--I was in the 5th grade when this song was released...

[@toddyoshimura2043]

Howzit I'm Todd from Honolulu. In 1976 I was in the tenth grade and we had to do book reports on two songs. America's "Horse with no name" and Don McClean's "American Pie". To learn the history that this song represents was an incredible experience. Not only because I am a musician but as someone who is very passionate about all types of music. Thank you for sharing this with everyone else who didn't have any idea that this spoke of not just the 3 singers who died in the bus accident, but also Evis and John Lennon to name a few. Again Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much) in Hawaiian.

[@JamesLachowsky]

McLean threw in some lines just for you: "I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news but she just smiled and turned away." It's widely accepted that he is referring to Janis Joplin.

[@theinkspot67]

There were so many great lines in this song. If you listened to this when it first came out, I'll bet you knew exactly what he was singing about at that time.

[@wittml]

I always think "a generation lost in space" refers to the TV show. Not sure though.

[@laliz7025]

Never heard that. Interesting

[@alfredristan3445]

That is the general consensus . All the other comments cover most of the meanings.. Buddy Holly has song called " That will be the Day " Lyrics include the line That 'll be the day that I die. . The rock group the Hollies is named after Buddy Holly and the Beatles after Buddy Holly's band The Crickets. Great movie about him starring Gary Busey.

[@lynnwagner1615]

The other theory is that he was talking about Joan Baez.

[@jftowry]

When he says "the day the music died", he's referring to the tragic plane crash in 1959 killing Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. These three were very early rock and roll stars. You should check out all of them.

[@terryhogan327]

I was in jr,. High, and we heard it and we did cry!

[@barbaracline9064]

Truth!

[@Ploutmos]

I totally agree.

[@jerrychouinard9005]

I knew I wouldn't be the first to inform Rob Squad reactions what the song meant. ... Now it would be great if you would follow this up with reactions of one song by each artist. Might I suggest Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly, La Bamba by Ritchie Valens and Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper

[@robertstreight2750]

100% agree! All three songs!

[@alexnikolich2303]

My 8th grade graduation song in 1988... The school admins pushed us to sing something more politically bland, but we (the students) wanted this song and pushed back. We won. :)

[@thomasrae9730]

Even as a child when this I first heard this without any idea what it was about the music was great I was under 10 at the time. Later in life the lyrics were amazing. Even later in life I was at Disney world Florida waiting in line to go on the Rock n Roller coaster and the played this and it appeared that every adult was singing this and it was a long queue and all the kids just looked shocked at all the mom's and dad's singing. I'm not an American but what an experience an amazing moment in my life. Totally magic. I was 37 at the time. 😊

[@kristypickett4227]

I bet that was an oddly powerful moment you won’t forget.

[@thomasrae9730]

@@kristypickett4227 Yes totally. Sometimes brings a tear or to even after all this time.

[@citizenghosttown]

Everyone asks: "What is this song about?" Don McLean had the perfect answer: "It means I never have to work again." What is it really about? A lot. But at its core, it's about the 1960s and America's loss of innocence.

[@yorkiegeoff1825]

It would be impossible to decipher the lyrics first time , there’s actually videos on here from people trying to explain them 👍

[@andrewsteinberg7728]

america lost innocence when JFK was assinated

[@belkyhernandez8281]

Great answer

[@paulrifner7825]

No, it was about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson ( a.k.a The Big Bopper) which happen Feb. 3, 1959. The world of rock music stopped in pure shock to lose three stars in one day.

[@citizenghosttown]

​@@paulrifner7825 Sure, that's the event that kicks off the 1960s. That's the "Day the Music Died." But what about the rest of the song?

[@bluelily67]

This song is basically a genius musical history lesson

[@sweattfq7136]

The song is about what happened to music and the world after the plane crash. The King, is Elvis, The Jester is Bob Dylan, the coat he borrowed from James Dean , is refering to his picture on the cover of Freewheelin'. The Beatles are the sergeants playing a marching tune. The girl that sings the blues was Janis Joplin. Helter Skelter in a summer swelter is a reference to the Manson murders in 1969, Jack Flash and his candlestick, the angels born in Hell are references to the Concert at Altamont Raceway where a man was killed by Hell Angels after he brandished a gun in the middle of tbe crowd and pointed it at the stage.. Look up the meaning of all of the lyrics.

[@ew1usnr]

The three men I admired most, the father, son, and holy ghost (Big Bopper, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly), they all to the last train to the coast (plane crash 1959). The widowed bride was Buddy Holly's wife. It was the day the music died. I enjoy your series. I grew up with these songs, and it is nice seeing the re-interpreted by younger people.

[@ptothet934]

The day the music died was when Buddy Holly died in a plane crash in 1959. "Singing this this will be the day that I die" is a play off one Buddy Holly's songs entitled "That'll be the day that I die". Its a song of how music changed from the innocent happy songs of the 50's to the more protest songs on the 1960's.

[@bardaghohio]

I'll add a personal anecdote about this song...my ship had just crossed the Equator a few days earlier, heading down to Perth, Australia...it was a Sunday afternoon, the sea was glassy smooth and the tropical heat and humidity were oppressive. Armed Forces Radio was blaring from the ship's speakers, and a few friends and I were standing overlooking our main weather deck. This song came on and by about the third chorus, a group of my ship-mates down on deck had begun to sing along...then, a few others...more...within a few seconds, it sounded like the entire crew was belting out the song...could even hear, from behind us, that at least some of the ship's bridge-crew was singing, as well...I've always hoped that a Soviet spy-ship was nearby, heard us, and reported that the American Navy was crewed by crazy people...

[@CheleBoxy]

LOVE THIS STORY!!

[@scotttedford7748]

Thanks for sharing your memory!

[@zanethind]

What a story thanks for sharing

[@marshag9360]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@dianefurlong2911]

Such a Special Memory! Thank You for your Service too!

[@jolene0602]

This song was put in the library of congress for its historical relevance in 2017. It came out when I had just become old enough to go to bars, my friends and I always went to the same few but at one place we always played this song on the jukebox as the last song of the night. The entire bar knew every single lyric and we didn't leave until the song was over. Pleasant memories you just made come to life in my mind, thank you 😊

[@lorilxn1597]

Same thing at the bar I worked at

[@timbillings6884]

🎯👍👍

[@ChicagoDB]

Same…for us in Chicago…it was and still is a tradition in many places at midnight. It was already our tradition in the 1980s…and still is. I even know several DJs who were sacked in popular places over the years for refusing to play it…they were tired of it but the customers never were.

[@stevenanderson3205]

Thank you for sharing that wonderful memory.

[@lmjohnson49]

The line " Drove my Chevy to the Levy" refers to a bar. The Levy was closed while the proprietor and friends mourned the death of their idols, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Richie Valens so it was dry that day. "Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing this will be the day that I die ." is another way of saying " crying in their beers" or mourning the days events.

[@timothywright778]

Thank you. I worked out a lot of the things in the song, and got the over-all idea, but I couldn't see how this part fit in.

[@leec5170]

Whiskey and rye is actually, "whiskey in Rye". Rye, NY is where they hung out.

[@streetjunkie2086]

Few people are aware of that little bit of trivia 🤙

[@jaysonb.6669]

this will be the day that I die (That i'll be the day)- Buddy Holly song

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

Nonsense. One, it says Levee, not Levy. “Drive my Chevy to the Levee” is a reference to a very popular tv commercial that was on tv at the time. In it Dinah Shore sang about driving your Chevy down to the levee. Google it.

[@LeeFred78]

My daughter and I saw Don McLean performing at the Fox Theater in Tucson. This was his closing song, and when he got to the part where the tempo picked up, Ani and I jumped up and starting dancing in the aisle. People were watching and recording us, and at one point, my daughter whispered in my ear, "I want to dance with you to this song at my wedding". She brought me to tears with that.

[@Dane33602]

“I met a girl who sang the blues and i asked her for some happy news, she just smiled and turned away” is allegedly a nod to your girl Janis.

[@Renkk17]

The song was inspired, first and foremost, - the “day the music died,” according to the song. (McLean was a 13-year-old paperboy at the time and mourned their deaths greatly.) plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in 1959 Enter Bob Dylan , the court jester who becomes the revolutionary leader of the 60s generation, knocking Elvis, the king of the 50s, off his pedestal: "While the King was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown."

[@savgepnthr]

People think that the jester was Bob Dylan then don’t quote me on that but they did an interview on him and Bob Dylan came up when a Don McLean was talking to the person interviewing

[@theinkspot67]

Great, Great Lyrics.....All of these interpretations through all these years and that is what makes a perfect song.

[@jamessinacore6991]

Lennon (John) read a book of Marx (Karl) and the quartet (the Beatles) practiced in the park….Jack Flash sat on a candlestick….no Angel born in hell could break that satin’s spell (refers to the Hells Angels providing security at Altemont while The Rolling Stones sang Sympathy for the Devil). The song has many deep meanings. Don McClean has never, to my knowledge, explained all of the. Incredible song.

[@theinkspot67]

@@jamessinacore6991 I knew someone would know way more about this incredible song than I do. Thank you for the knowledge.

[@TwoRiversFarm707]

The king was looking down as Elvis had been drafted and sent to Germany (wheee he met Lisa Marie).

[@LonelyFarmerScythe]

So, very, many movies made about this day in rock music history. When he talks about reading “about his widowed bride” was about Buddy Holly’s wife. Google “the day the music died” or Wikipedia it. The song is literally the day rock almost died. This song is credited, often, with the rescue of the American Rock movement. If you can find one of these, La Bamba (about Richie Valens), or the Buddy Holly story. There might be a biopic movie about the Big Bopper. My mom went to school with the Peggy Sue of the Buddy Holly song, Peggy Sue. Just a bit of my family trivia.

[@rhondashinn4952]

I am a baby boomer, my Mom was 3 months pregnant with me when this tragedy happened. Makes me cry everytime I hear this song. On my bucket list, going to Lubbock Texas to Buddy Holly Museum, Damn he was so influenctial.

[@PrimaryVector]

Been listening to this song for 55 years and it still gets me in the feels every time

[@calhensley820]

It was released in 72, 49 years ago.

[@PrimaryVector]

@@calhensley820 lol yea I'm 55

[@calhensley820]

@@PrimaryVector So you are older than the song. 😏😃

[@TheToledoTrumpton]

50 years almost to the day now. It was on the Album in 71 before it was a single.

[@marycarricaburu3683]

I am 87 and saw it all. It gets me every time too.

[@DavidMiller-dt8mx]

If you guys wanted to avoid a sad song, this was a giant misstep - it truly is a masterpiece, but it's also one of the saddest songs ever written.

[@evangelinebelami8716]

EXACTLY!! But being such youngsters at least they won't realize the sadness until well after the fact!

[@WJHaddix]

Legit was about to say this. "i really want an upbeat song..." This is not the song for you my man. XD

[@simonmultiverse6349]

...and if they wanted a great CLASSIC song, they chose well.

[@melissahillyer1119]

Don McLean did a video (now available on Paramount +) called “the Day the Music Died” where he discusses the inspiration of the stories behind the song. You’ll find many of these theories about who is represented by what in the song are wrong. He even laughs about Elvis and Bob Dylan not being characters in the song. I trust the person who write the song to tell me what it means. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂❤️

[@deborahglave6808]

Our grandson the oldest Zachary, sat in his car seat and sang this with his papa on our way to Snelling Ca to go fishing. He is now on 27 married and has twin boys. Loving memories

[@meganroberts551]

The repeatedly mentioned phrase "the day the music died" refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, and ended the era of early rock and roll. It highlights the disillusionment and loss of innocence for an entire generation as they were led into the conflict of the Vietnam War and the raising of shot of whiskey when the young men got their draft orders to go to war. Hence, "them good old boys were drinking whisky and rhy singing, "this will be the day that I die, this will be the day that I die." Rhy referring to the bread used to make moonshine. Now the lyric, "Helter-Skelter in the summer swelter." Refers to the Charles Manson cult killing of an 8 month pregnant Sharon Tate that took place during that time. "A generation lost in Space" is a two fold reference the first refers to the Space Race that took place between America and the U.S.S. R. and the second was the drug use that was ever present during the hippy era and being "Spaced Out". American Pie really is an iconic song that outlines the events good and bad that took place with the American youth, both American Social and Culture, directly after the loss of those early rock and roll stars. It is how the events that happened directly after affected a generation, how it changed them in how they would forever view America as well as how they would view America's place on the wold stage. Such a good song. As always, listen, appreciate, and enjoy!! God Bless!!!

[@meganroberts551]

@@AmyThomas217 Oh wow, gosh your right..*palm smacks forehead* duah, see this is what happens when I study things too dang much, the topics too closely together. I got them mixed up! Thanks so much for pointing it out to me. I'll change it immediately. As always, listen, appreciate, and enjoy!! God Bless!!!

[@wirebrushproductions1001]

"Rhy" is "Rye". Moonshiners did not make moonshine from bread, rye bread or otherwise (which would have been quite expensive). Moonshine is made from corn.

[@C2Cigars]

@@wirebrushproductions1001 4000 years ago alcohol was made from barley bread. 500 years ago, the first Russian vodka was made from bread. Making alcohol from bread hasn't stopped since.

[@cripplious]

Waylon Jennings lost his seat on that plane through a coin flip.

[@ryanhill8886]

Good job. You accurately pointed to key aspects of this iconic song....

[@jimmyaye4204]

This is a whole course in American popular culture condensed into an eight and a half minute song. The lyrics are not random or abstract, each line is a reference to a specific person or event. A total genius song.

[@michaelfinlay6341]

And perfectly constructed. This song was about my late mother's generation. She always said that what she did in the 60's was none of my damned business.

[@penderyn8794]

Well except the 15,000 years of actual American culture 😛

[@AriMalatesta]

@@penderyn8794Ok, really? You look prettier when silent.

[@sondrawhite3853]

@@michaelfinlay6341 yeah and she was damn right

[@julien.4617]

@@penderyn8794 POPULAR culture.

[@benetta8275]

There is so many well written explanations to the meaning of Bye Bye Miss American Pie on this chatboard that I dont need to add to it, Im simply putting into one phrase: This song is about the loss of Americas innocence.

[@Canucklehead557]

February 3rd, 1959 was my father's 30th birthday. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died that morning. No coincidence intended. I still miss my father.

[@roncoderre]

Much like Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire", there's a whole history lesson lurking in every verse of this song.

[@bobriemersma]

Exactly. Helter-Skelter being just one minor reference.

[@dalriadajohannsen]

YES!!

[@jonsher7682]

Except that "We Didn't Start the Fire" is a horrible composition musically, and I say that as a huge fan of Billy Joel since the mid-1970s -- Joel himself has made fun of how bad it is. "American Pie" matches its history with great, compelling, beautiful music.

[@wynstonsmith7194]

REM's-The End of the World as We Know It. Another history lesson song much better than Billy Joel's

[@brewswillis9783]

Hey guys, Don McClean recently dropped an a Capella version of this song with Home Free that is awesome as well!

[@steves3627]

It was mean to celebrate 50 years since the song came out.

[@l-bird]

I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

[@l-bird]

Btw: I did just check that video out. Wow! That blew me away!!

[@brewswillis9783]

@@l-bird Well, yeah...I wouldn't steer ya wrong. 😉

[@l-bird]

@@brewswillis9783 Hehe, I didn't doubt you for a minute 😏

[@Katiekin2333]

This is about buddy holly, the big bopper and Richie valens who were all killed in the same plane crash and who were popular singers back in the day. That is what he is referring to as the day the music died. Buddy Holly’s wife was pregnant when he died which is what the start of the song refers to

[@user-rh6xo2ry9q]

I love how intuitive Amber is

[@RicoBurghFan]

The song to me is about loss of innocence and trying to get it back. Many illusions to 50s and 60s songs and artists, including Dylan ( The Jester), the Beatles (Helter Skelter, the Sergeants), the Byrds, the Stones (the Satanic ones who he really, really hated) and oh Amber, Janis Joplin ( I met a girl who sang the blues). One of the great masterpieces in rock history, so glad you young'uns can appreciate it!

[@u2bpot807]

I always thought Helter Skelter referred to the horror of Charles Manson.

[@Amelas_One_1953]

The Byrds Eight Miles High!

[@Rob-eo5ql]

@@u2bpot807 ‘Helter Skelter in a summer swelter’ Helter Skelter was the Beatles song that ‘inspired’ Manson. The Manson murders were perpetrated during the summer of 1969.

[@Mark-vm7sc]

The plane they were on was called American Pie. This will be the day that I die references Buddy Holly’s song That’ll Be The Day.

[@G-grandma_Army]

Never knew that about the Byrds.

[@silentcalling]

The whole song is a lyrical retelling of about a decade of history through McLean's perspective. "The Day the Music Died", as several have referenced, was the day Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash, in 1959. The next verse is about his high school years, when sock hops were still a popular social event for schools to host. Next, "Lennon read a book of Marx while the quartet practiced in the park" is a reference to the Beatles, whom John Lennon (who became a Marxist) was lead singer of. Helter Skelter is reference to the Manson family murders, "Jack Flash" refers to "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones, as does the line about how "no angel born in hell can break that Satan's spell" - one of the Stones' concerts used the Hell's Angels biker gang as security, which went badly when the Angels began beating people up and killed at that concert. I'd go on, but this song is too full of historical context. It'd be easier to just look into it.

[@andrealarocco4941]

I’m pretty sure John Lennon was not a Marxist. ✌️💗😊

[@kennbicknell5492]

And it is also a clever play on words because it sounds like he is referring to Vladimir *LENIN* (early leader of the Soviet Union) reading a book by [founder of socialism, Karl] Marx.

[@pedrox6959]

Lennon was an out and out capitalist, .he wasn’t a Marxist.and never claimed to be one. He never sang Helter Skelter. But he did sing Revolution which contains the lyric. “ But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow”.

[@32Omicron32]

Funny though despite the Hells Angels running security for the Stones, the population didn't diminish during the concert, there were four deaths and four births. Net zero :)

[@rogerdodger6025]

@@pedrox6959 He definitely hung out with Marxists like Jerry Rubin, Abbie Hoffman and others.

[@EMPRESSGLADYS]

“American Pie,” McLean sits down and does what he’s never done before. Verse by verse, he goes through what he means by the lyrics. Although the first verse clearly refers to the pain he felt over the death of Buddy Holly, many lines of the song relate to McLean’s childhood and other life experiences. Others come from songs, the culture, or things happening in the world at the time. Some references are deeply personal. “Well, I know that that you’re in love with him, I saw you dancing in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes, Man I dig those rhythm and blues” refers to a young, lonely McLean, watching other kids have happy experiences. His line “For 10 years we’ve been on our own, Moss grows fat on a rolling stone” is about McLean and his mother, following the death of his father in 1960. As he moves through the song, he addresses some of the lyrics that have raised questions through the years. “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.” There has been speculation the Jester refers to Bob Dylan, and the King to Elvis. McLean says that’s not the case. “I said James Dean in the song. If I meant Elvis or Bob Dylan I would have said their names.” He goes on to say his next reference to “thorny crown” should remove any doubt regarding Elvis. “If you want to think the King is Elvis you can, but the King in my song has a thorny crown. That’s Jesus Christ.” With regard to another famous musician, McLean says his Lenin reference in the song has dual meaning and “does” refer to John Lennon. “If you look at where I talk about John Lennon, I say ‘Lenin read a book on Marx.’ Well, Lenin read Marx, and then there was Marxist Leninism, and John Lennon certainly read Marx because he wanted socialism. So, it’s both.” In the documentary, he continues moving through the rest of the song, explaining more of the imagery. Some of the later lines are references to his frustration with the war in Vietnam. Regarding the title of the song itself, McLean explained earlier in the film that it came from the idea of “American as apple pie,” minus the apple.

[@jackjumper5807]

We pick our grandson up from school every day! Thank you for the “make someone smile today “ encouragement. I told my grandchildren to do that and one day he came running to me saying grandma I made someone smile today and proceeded to tell me about it! Thanks again ❤

[@tonypassaretti]

Today I was on line at a grocery store and I was chatting with the people next on line. When I was finished I wished the couple a happy day and the lady said God Bless you. I said you too. While walking to my car I had tears in my eyes because they made me feel so happy. Always be nice to people. You never know when you can make there day.

[@tonypassaretti]

Meant to write their day. Sorry for the error.

[@netzahuacoyotl]

When asked about the song’s meaning, McLean answered “It means I’ll never have to work again in my life.”

[@triciamoore5081]

The last time I went to his concert Don used that line by setting the audience up - he was going to finally share what the song means ¨I´never have to work again¨.

[@Kim-hc5si]

‘I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news’ - he’s talking about Janis!

[@shawnsnow2655]

Wasn't the verse with Satan referencing Nixon and the Vietnam War ?

[@Kim-hc5si]

@@shawnsnow2655 I’ve always known it to be about Jagger and the Hell’s Angels thing at Altamont. I could be wrong, tho.

[@andrewbradley8895]

The song is about the day the music died… when Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. It’s also more than that. The symbolism is outstanding.

[@paulmartin2586]

This song is not a meaningless waste of time like so much music is today. Each and every line is a statement full of meaning. Brilliantly arranged and orchestrated to narrate the history of rock and roll and the contemporary social and political impact of major events of the day from the perspective of one who lived through it ...

[@pattyestrada6]

You should listen to James Taylor “Fire and Rain” Jim Croce “Operator” John Denver “Take me home, Country Roads”

[@MagnusSkipton]

I'm thinking since they like this music, they should listen to "Alice's Restaurant ". It is a Thanksgiving tradition in our home even after 52 years!

[@emanonfox1709]

fantastic suggestions!

[@amyv8416]

I wish I could like this comment 100 times.

[@kennethohnemus4750]

Almost anything by Jim Croce. But how about some Seals and Croft tunes?

[@michaelkramer2417]

He feels the music, she hears the words. They reach for the meaning of both together. ❤

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Agreed. So illustrated in the very beginning.

[@mikegardner267]

Yes, agreed!

[@Jayscollo]

So true!

[@nicmevan9966]

They're adorable, 🤗😍🤗😍🤗😍

[@MrRandyv]

Those of us who lived in the 60’s knew what these references were all about, because we live through them and the references were in our minds and hearts.

[@jaybrown4526]

"I saw Satan laughing with delight, the day... the music died..." Gives me goosebumps everytime!! So damn powerful.

[@chetstevens4583]

5th grade music class we analyzed this song for a week when it first came out. Easily one of the top 5 songs of all time. The Jack Flash verse is about the concert at Altamont where the Rolling Stones closed the show. They hired Hell's Angels to provide security and guess what, people died. The "death" being referred to is often interpreted as the "innocence" of music changing in the late 60s.

[@lmhann9905]

Nice

[@MrGreensweightHist]

The day the music died was the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Richie Valenz, and yes, it was also considered a loss of innocence event.

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

@@MrGreensweightHist that is such a basic interpretation. It's about so much more than that.

[@johnrichards4976]

And of course, the line also includes "fire is the devil's only friend", a reference to another Stone's song, "Sympathy for the Devil"

[@MrGreensweightHist]

@@dustywaynemusic6297 The song is about much more than that, yes, but that is the hinge pin. That is the day he considers the music to have died. Then he talks about cultural evens following it, including the Stones the Beatles, and many more thing, but the CORE of the song that the rest revolves around is that plane crash.

[@sisuboy]

Amber has great intuition when she reflects on various songs. She is a smart young lady.

[@bexanne99]

When he says “the three men I admire most, the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost” they caught the last train for the coast.” refers to Buddy Holly, 22, The Bopper, 29 and Richie Valens only 17 when they were killed. An amazing song and one of my all time favourites!!

[@rorygrime1202]

I heard that it was referring to The Father JFK, The Son Robert Kennedy The Holy Ghost MLK Jr. Bobby Kennedy was buried in California.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Don McClean is a story teller. American Pie is a masterpiece and long.

[@aidiess]

I am 74 years old and I live across the pond ! Every time I hear this song I get goosebumps ! It is one of the top ten classics of my lifetime and it is indeed referring to the tragic death of Buddy Holly and some other big stars of the period. The "American Pie " album is still currently available and I would recommend you get your hands on it because you will find references to the Vietnam war in there along with many other phenomenal tracks. May I just say I had a lump in my throat watching you two young people showing so much appreciation for what can only be describes as modern classical music ! Keep it up .

[@Rob-eo5ql]

The day the music died happens twice: 1959: occurs after reading the newspaper about the death of Buddy Holly; the end of his childhood 1969: occurs as an adult (‘ten years we were on our own’) while watching the disaster at the Altamont/Rolling Stones/Hells Angels concert (‘as the flames climbed high into the night…I saw Satan laughing with delight’) ending the turmoil of the 1960s.

[@tomsdotter3228]

Great explanation! Thank you

[@Rob-eo5ql]

@@tomsdotter3228 great song!

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Edit: the day the music died happens 3X: The final verse: The Girl who sang the blues: Janis Joplin. ‘And I asked her for some happy news’ (looking for a new hope following the turmoil of the 60s) ‘But she just smiled & turned away’ (Janis dies from an overdose in 1970)

[@JHNoble]

you could say that Altamont ended the promise and innocence of the '60s, but not the turmoil, which continued at least through Watergate (Nixon resigned in 1974) and maybe even the fall of Saigon (1975).

[@rkmklz7562]

We had this album American Pie...in the 1970s....it is a real masterpiece.....the song is talking about the pioneers of Rock and Roll...the 3 that died in 1959....we went through a Rock and Roll 1950s and 1960s Revival....❤.. we loved it....our Radio station played all the 50s and 60s oldies with the New❤

[@caseyferrill6953]

I was 10 years old when this was released and instantly fell in love with it. Later, on a trip to the mountains, I listened to it with my mother and brother on the way to the mountains and they both instantly fell in love with it as well. (And my mother was able to bring together and explain to me all of the "hidden fragments" in this song). Love it. Thanks guys!

[@ilsagutrune2372]

Dear God, when she said "I hope this one is a happy one"... I almost burst out in tears.

[@bretcantwell4921]

I actually said aloud, "Oh Honey".

[@stacybenstockklein449]

Same and I just highlighted the tragic event yesterday because you know on this day.

[@deennaemilio]

This song was a chronicle of history. Every thing he sings about is related to something that actually happened.

[@jameskresge3459]

This was a song reflecting on the huge loss of Buddy Holly, (Peggy Sue) Big Bopper and Richie Valens (Labamba) in a plane crash. These 3 were young rising stars in the music business with endless great songs yet to come all died in a plane crash in the corn fields of Iowa. The Name of the plane was “American Pie” and with this great loss part of the upcoming greatest of their talent died that day

[@PrivateAccount--]

This is probably the strongest case for reading the back story BEFORE your first reaction. The back story is arguably more significant than the instrumentals.

[@maxpeppmueller5622]

McLean has always refused to answer questions about individual details in his song: “They defy interpretation. They are poetry. ”[3] An exception is his comment on the line“ February made me shiver / with every paper I'd deliver ”[4]: He admitted that he was just about to read the newspapers for his tour as Newsboy when he heard about Buddy Holly's death on the radio on the morning of February 3, 1959. Over the years, many radio hosts and DJs have released unofficial renditions and, with the help of the Internet, something of a "standard rendition" has emerged. The breakdown of the main allusions is based on the interpretations of Bob Dearborn [5] and Jim Fann. [6] This includes the following interpretations: "The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost" = Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly "The Day the Music Died" = February 3, 1959 (anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens) "This’ll be the day that I die" alludes to Buddy Holly’s song That’ll Be the Day "Who wrote the book of love" refers to the song The Book of Love by The Monotones "The king" = Elvis Presley "The queen" = Connie Francis "The jester" = Bob Dylan "The quartet" = Beatles " Eight miles high" quotes the Byrds song Eight Miles High "The marching band" = Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band from the Beatles "There we were, all in one place" refers to the Woodstock Festival in 1969 "Satan laughing with delight" = Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) "The girl who sang the blues" = Janis Joplin

[@lizgallardo8464]

Yes! You guys need to watch the video called Deconstructing American Pie to really understand the meaning. This is one of the first songs I ever learned. Watch that video, then also watch the old movie La Bamba. It will help to round out the entire story and era.

[@contucker9413]

I saw McLean on an interview talk show either late eighties or early nineties and of course the topic was American Pie. When asked of McLean by the host of the show what the meaning meant McLean replied "It means I'll never have to work again for the rest of my life." and ripped off a binge laugh for several minutes.

[@rollyunicorn]

The Father Son and the Holy Ghost most likely refer to the Kennedy's. No verdict returned.

[@malenor4148]

"The Day the Music Died" = February 3, 1959 (anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens) - That's why you shouldn't rely on internet searches. The day the music died was December 6, 1969. The song does not defy interpretation.

[@keithmays8076]

Don't forget the "widowed bride." That was Jackie at John's funeral. As for the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I've heard it to be JFK, MLK, and and Bobby Kennedy when they died within five years of each other and at their prime.

[@Kari_B61ex]

I love this song - and also Don McLean's answer when asked what American Pie means, his reply "It means I never have to work again"

[@jamesredman1263]

Hilarious. I love it!

[@seandonahoe8537]

My father was a junior high school English teacher who had his students analysize this song, there is a lot of history

[@davidmichaelson1092]

Love this song. So many layers of meaning. But also love Weird Al's parody of it!

[@travelrn]

Makes more sense than the movie he was parodying.

[@jwmson7791]

He literally tells the rock and roll history of a decade, the 60’s. So many references to different stars from Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, the Stones, Janis. If you’ll pull my comments from your Vincent review I told a lot of the meaning in my comment. But there’s still so much more..... And yes he is truly a musical genius. ♥️♥️

[@hazelcampbell2779]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the song, Home Free did a collaboration with Don McLean

[@melissaharris7126]

“The day the music died” is when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. This song is such a great tribute!

[@abelincoln3287]

This song actually takes you 1959 through 1969

[@richardsackler7627]

This is great. Must be a joy discovering these classic beauties.

[@stephaniefain1863]

I was reading the comments before the song even started during the commercials. You guys had me crying, even before the song started.

[@chrispeek8412]

In sophomore English class, we read these lyrics as poetry - packed full of symbolism, metaphors, and so on. Truly a masterpiece!

[@monoymono9]

thats cool

[@kelleewolfe2834]

Me too! My teacher would pick a song a week to basically interpret each line of the song. This one was my favorite. And she was my favorite teacher. 💖

[@paulahunt3508]

@@kelleewolfe2834 That is so Cool. Wish my teachers would’ve done that. ❤

[@Repdem]

We did the same in my Freshman Composition class

[@MargaretMartin-kg8dd]

I should've gone to your school!!!

[@jenniferlehman326]

It's a rock and roll history lesson. It is a must watch Polyphonic has a complete history of this song. If you watch the live version, he actually starts crying halfway through the song. And he's still crying at the end of it. But it didn't affect his performance at all. One of the best songs ever written. The Jester is Bob Dylan, and Met a lady who sang the Blues is Janis Joplin. Just to name a couple of the players in this song. Stay Safe Everyone! From Ontario, Canada, Jenn. 💖 💖 🇨🇦 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@constanzaed]

That video of Polyphonic is so useful and that live performance is amazing!

[@jgarcia1ful]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJTMfmqGbrBmfKM

[@salvatorerizzo8640]

Yes. He has the Beatles in there as well

[@salliehall304]

Growing up with this song, to me it was always about the loss of innocence brought by the Vietnam war, and the changes in American culture & society in the 60s/70s.

[@brianmcnish4528]

Also refers to Stones concert where Hells Angels were Security... people died, McLean is not a fan of Jagger.

[@sweisbrod6109]

Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper were three early rock&roll giants. They all died in a plane crash and THAT was the "day the music died".

[@loadedorygun]

Probably one of the most lyrically deconstructed songs of all time. It’s at once historical and fantastical. And clearly one of the great American compositions of the century, Yesterday-type level.

[@pmgandco6322]

“Historical and fantastical”. One of the best descriptions of this song ever. Thank you for this!

[@loadedorygun]

@@pmgandco6322 welcome and thank you for the kind note

[@UKcanuck55]

Amber, I can not get over how you immerse yourself in the lyrics of these songs. You hear them, and you want to know the meaning, exactly like we did all those years ago when we heard them.

[@samanthahall356]

I totally agree!! I'm 51yrs old and analyze every song to this day. For you to be so young, you've got mad talent sweetheart!! I'm sure your being a music lover and teacher helps!! Keep doing what you do, please!

[@joant1951]

I absolutely adore you too you are the two most sweetest people and I have never met you and I love you also I love the songs that you are reviewing you seem to understand everything that they are about I would also like to hear Pentatonix Amazing Grace I think you would like it you two are so special God bless you and keep up the good work

[@artangiblesstudio]

"The Day the music died .." refers to the 1959 plane crash that took the lives of three up-and-coming rock stars of the era - Buddy Holly ("Peggy Sue"), Richie Valens ("La Bamba") and The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace"). McLean's timeless classic song honors these three musicians and remains a time capsule of the end of the 1950's and the beginning of the space age of the 1960s.

[@debjorgo]

This is basically the history of Rock and Roll, with several events represented as "the day the music died", Buddy Holly's plane crash, the Rolling Stones' murder at Altamont, Helter Skelter and the Manson Family.... But the music kept going.

[@davejones1959]

Over 5 decades and this gem still sounds fresh and hits home. Iconic.

[@trevorjones7101]

the song is about the plane crash that buddy Holly, the big bopper and Richie vallance all died on february 3rd 1959 hence the line "the father, son, and holy ghost" , thats was the meaning of day the music died

[@jerrygentry2348]

I'm sure you've had time to research all the meanings in this song. When it was released it was something we all sang since we knew what he was singing about. Everything from Buddy Holly to Elvis to Dylan and the Beatles. The Hell's Angels killing audience members at a Stones Concert while Mick Jagger sang on and Janis Joplin. The death of Kennedy. It was about how our memories are anchored to the music of the moment. It was also a song about how we got to VietNam and the confusion we all felt about our own beloved country. It is a powerful song.