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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@Ronald-k6s]

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

[@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

[@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? 🤣

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@markgreene6349]

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

[@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)

[@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

[@marychurch5166]

And La Bamba by Richie V.

[@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.

[@barbaracollins385]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@kenroyal2559]

And these guys are making money for there statements

[@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?

[@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.

[@sisuboy]

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

[@jimeager2339]

Love how Amber always feels the lyrics.

[@rockshot100]

They BOTH feel the songs.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 😏

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@marshag9360]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@dianefurlong2911]

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

[@tishrami1274]

I thought you were going to say that you hoped that the Soviet ship's crew joined in on the singing. That would have been a sight! --- everybody's crazy!!!

[@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 .

[@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.

[@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....

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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, 🤗😍🤗😍🤗😍

[@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).

[@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.

[@AriMalatesta]

@Penderyn LewsynOk, really? You look prettier when silent.

[@sondrawhite3853]

@@michaelfinlay6341 yeah and she was damn right

[@julien.4617]

@Penderyn POPULAR culture.

[@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.

[@davejones1959]

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

[@scottdonohue3379]

This song is so deep and involved that there are colleges that do courses just on this one song. The various writing styles he employed in it and his use of symbolism. Anyone that tries to give you quick explanation of the full meaning of the song is guaranteed to be missing lots of stuff. I used to have a bootleg live recording of him performing this song and when he does the line about “a girl who sings the blues and I asked her for some happy news.” He very softly said “goodbye Janis” because that part was about Janis Joplin’s death. This song is layers and layers deep. He’s an incredible songwriter. I really love “Castles In The Air” as well and “Vincent” as you all already noted is incredible.

[@pmgandco6322]

My awesome high school English teacher was into spending sections of the school term going deep into lyrics. My senior year she offered The White Album, or this song. The class majority voted for The Beatles. I wanted this song. What a semester that would have been.

[@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.

[@brendabarker524]

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

[@deennaemilio]

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

[@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!

[@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?

[@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! 😊

[@reneebush2399]

It still amazes me how much Rock history he crammed into this song while also including musical motifs and metaphors. I’ve been listening to this song for decades, yet I don’t think I will ever stop discovering new things in the lyrics and the music

[@wedge4hire]

This song will go down as the most iconic piece to the baby boomer generation. So much of what we dealt with, and are still trying to work through today, is mentioned in this well-written piece! The absolute best!!!

[@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!

[@lorisnaith9650]

I love that you are appreciating and sharing this beautiful music from my generation’s heyday! Your interest in the songs really make me happy, 60 years after my crew first encountered it for ourselves. When I was in sixth grade, our teachers taught us to dance and sing this song, so we would be able to enjoy ourselves for the sixth grade dance. So many great memories!

[@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.

[@aliciahoverson]

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

[@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

[@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

[@annieknight71]

The part about boys drinking is the day, or week before they were inducted into the army and eventually going to Viet Nam being the day they died. Other things were references to things that happened between n 1959 and 1969. I started high school in ‘59 and my daughter was born in ‘69. I had dances, dates, weddings, my life went from be a child to being a mom. Friends and my husband went war. I think it’s all about how much changed in those 10 years.

[@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.

[@joestuph1]

Some things I heard that make sense to me: "The players tried to take the field The marching band refused to yield" was about protests in the 60s. The players were the protestors. The marching band was the National Guard. "No angel born in hell could break that Satan's spell". The Rolling Stones hired Hell's Angels as security for one of their concerts and people ended up getting killed. "There we were all in one place." Woodstock. "I met a girl who sang the blues." Janis Joplin. The dirges were for the Kennedy's and Martin Luther King. Tons more.

[@territimmerman140]

Jim Croce was my favorite from this time period. His song "Time In A Bottle" is so very beautiful. He was another who died way too soon. All of his music is a treasure but Time In A Bottle was so profound because of his early death.

[@kevincaulder9001]

The song represents the end of an era. He found out about the deaths of three rockstars who died as he delivered the newspaper the morning after. The song contains imagery and words to express the loss of days gone by. The loss of innocence and the passing of youth. It begins with the passing of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper, a.k.a. J.P. Richards in a plane crash in Iowa in February 1959. It charts the coarse things that happen in the aftermath and high school memories and friends and trouble we got into, while mourning that these things are also gone. Amber the line that says, I met a girl who sang the blues and asked her for some happy news and she just smiled and turned away, is generally believed to be about Janis Joplin. By 1972 we had come to the e d of another era, the 196o's. Just a few years earlier we lost Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison of the Doors, all at the age of 27. And then another era would begin. Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, AC/DC, America and others would come soon after. The Beatles had broke up, Diana Ross left the Supremes, Smokey Robinson left the MIRACLES, and Simon and Garfunkel broke up. It is mostly a song about the passing of youth and all it represents and having to move forward. The last hero we lost in the rock movement we lost was Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. Rock hasn't had a real movement since his loss. The old soldiers carry on but there a fewer of them now. So Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie. And Amen.

[@spacefox1016]

"The day the music died" refers to the airplane crash that happened in Iowa US in 1959 that 3 famous singers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were tragically killed. This song had lots of references, but it was a tribute to those 3 singers who had a very bright future as singers and musicians. The day of this tragedy is now known as "The day the music died". RIP Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper 💙

[@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

[@UndrayyAdamss]

The 70s songs always had great stories to them with great lyrics and instruments to them priceless ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@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.

[@TheAcgtrs]

This is one of the most perfectly written songs, which captures a generation, and their memories, in about 5 minutes… Music is memories.

[@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.

[@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.

[@TealBlues22]

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.

[@bigjoe330]

Never was a song so beautifully crafted. Woven like a fine tapestry.

[@larrypaynter6901]

I saw Garth Brooks in concert in Columbus OH in ‘97, and he covered this song at the end of the show, with Don McLean no less… it was an amazing rendition…

[@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!!!

[@AndICanTalk2]

It has been a long time since I watched this reaction. It was a pleasure to see you back in the day, and watch you both fall in love with one of the greatest songs ever made.

[@nwredneckturner1508]

Just recently Don McLean teamed up with Home Free to do a 'remake' of this song for it's 50th anniversary. At 75, Don still has incredible pipes and Home Free compliment him perfectly. Don specifically requested Home Free to do this song with him because according to Don, 'They understand harmonies'. They certainly do!! You definitely need to check it out!

[@staceysmith8173]

I came to say the same thing you will absolutely love they way they arranged it. Don asked Tim what they wanted to do. They told Don do it how you would like and we will follow your lead

[@pinkstarphoenix6182]

Definitely, you should watch Don with Home Free. Beautifully done!

[@wtimmins]

Whoa!

[@pmgandco6322]

Ok my goodness! I just listened to the McLean/Home Free edition! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@susanpierce4880]

He is a genius with music and words.No other like him.Pull up the documentary he explains the words to this song.This song was so respected and loved by my generation. People of 60 and 70's rock said they wouldn't want to live without our music.

[@jvondd]

This is one of the most scrutinized songs ever, but the beauty of it is that even if you don't have the context for the symbolism he's using, it's still a great song. When you know what he's singing about, it hits even deeper. Short version: after Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper all died in a plane crash, rock & roll lost a lot of its innocence, and so did American society. It's Don McLean growing up, falling in love with rock & roll, then his favorite (Buddy Holly) dies at a very young age, and since then, he and everyone he grew up with felt like lost children trying to make sense of a world that was only seeming to get more complicated.

[@beachbumsailordude]

I used to HATE when people would translate it line by line as the song played like, "Look how clever I am". Just listen to the song man!

[@jvondd]

@@beachbumsailordude But you don't hate it anymore?

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

BEST COMMENT

[@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.

[@bobpowers6111]

You guys are my favorite reactors on KZbin I wish I could surround myself with people like you.

[@26shedan]

me too, wish they were my neighbors.

[@garywi.9299]

I concur.

[@korybeavers6528]

The quartet in the park, was The Beatles The Jester was Dylan Smell of sweet perfume was pot smoke Byrds, 8 Mile's high The football game was the Vietnam War The Sgt's played a Marching tune, Sgt. Peppers The song is a history of the 60's starting when Buddy Hollys plane crashed

[@MsCatstaff]

The funny thing about the lines about the football game and the marching band is what happened 11 years later to end a game between the Stanford Cardinals and the California Golden Bears in 1982... the Bears used a series of lateral passes to score a TD as time ran out, but the marching band for Stanford, thinking the game was over and they'd won, came out on the field as the play was still in progress. From Wikipedia: Cal announcer Joe Starkey of KGO-AM 810 radio called the game. The following is a transcript of his famous call:[5] "All right, here we go with the kickoff. Harmon will probably try to squib it and he does. Ball comes loose and the Bears have to get out of bounds. Rodgers, along the sideline, another one... they're still in deep trouble at midfield, they tried to do a couple of - the ball is still loose, as they get it to Rodgers! They get it back now to the 30, they're down to the 20... Oh, the band is out on the field! He's gonna go into the end zone! He got into the end zone! Will it count? The Bears have scored, but the bands are out on the field! There were flags all over the place. Wait and see what happens; we don't know who won the game. There are flags on the field. We have to see whether or not the flags are against Stanford or Cal. The Bears may have made some illegal laterals. It could be that it won't count. The Bears, believe it or not, took it all the way into the end zone. If the penalty is against Stanford, California would win the game. If it is not, the game is over and Stanford has won. We've heard no decision yet. Everybody is milling around on the (conferencing officials now finally signal a touchdown) field! And the Bears! The Bears have won! The Bears have won! Oh, my God! The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending... exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football! California has won the Big Game over Stanford! Oh, excuse me for my voice, but I have never, never seen anything like it in the history of I have ever seen any game in my life! The Bears have won it! There will be no extra point!"

[@jeffwatts1126]

You missed the Satan verse, which was about Mick Jagger

[@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.

[@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❤

[@penlynn5036]

For the 50th anniversary of this song, Don wanted to recreate it in celebration. He asked the acapella group Home Free to work with him. No instruments, just their voices. They've made an amazing video together, and Don sounds just as good in his 70s as he did 50 years ago. (And it's pronounced McClane, not McClean.) The video can be found on KZbin.

[@nunya_binnaz]

Yeah. Check that one out. Great.

[@donnamiley6778]

I need to hear that. You guys should do that.

[@jackielewis452]

College courses were offered to learn whT this song was about.

[@nadinethomas4080]

I think you would love Seasons in the Sunby Terry Jacks

[@taun856]

"This will be the day that I die" is a reference to one of Buddy Holly's songs "That'll be the day (that I die)". A few of the references (as I understand it) "The King" - Elvis, "The Jester" - Bob Dylan, "The Sergeants"/"The marching band" - The Beatles, "A girl who sang the blues"- Janis Joplin, the bit about Jack Flash and the Devil - The Rolling Stones, "The Sacred Store" - Drug stores use to have soda bars in them with juke boxes. "The Father, Son and Holy Ghost" - The spirit of rock/pop music. "Took the last plane for the coast" - The big record companies use to be centered in New York City, but in the early 60's (ish) the big record companies moved to Los Angeles.

[@kevinmclaughlin1092]

Interesting. Mabye I'm wrong but, I always thought "the sacred store" & "the man there said the music wouldn't play" was referring to when the Fillmore East in NYC was closed down for good in 1971 by Bill Graham the owner. (The Man)

[@taun856]

@@kevinmclaughlin1092 To be honest, it could be. However I was basing my statement on a radio interview I heard many, many years ago, with a music scholar. Perhaps it's both? And it looks like we may share the same last name - if so "howdy 'cousin!"

[@kevinmclaughlin1092]

@@taun856 Cool. 👍 All I can say is that MANY people have tried to figure out all the meanings of the lyrics over the years and Don McLean to this day STILL WON'T say what they really mean so....., I guess it's all up for grabs at this point! 😎

[@kst357]

What's amazing is that Don McLean is still alive & performing and his voice & musicianship hasn't declined at all over the years.

[@PrinceJediMaster]

I know. He recently redid this song with Home Free.

[@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.

[@lennygriffin1149]

Someone you will probably love is James Taylor. His songs are so well written and he’s a phenomenal singer. “Fire And Rain” and “You’ve Got A Friend “ are SO good. Now, they are slower songs but amazing.

[@juliapernicka2698]

Carole King wrote You’ve Got a Friend for him after he wrote Fire and Rain,,,Which deals with his friend’s suicide, his drug problem, and the break up of his band

[@RLKmedic0315]

As a proud North Carolina boy my favorite song by the legendary James Taylor is "Carolina on my Mind", would love to see a reaction to it as well.

[@RobPetty622]

A generation of people gathered around bars, campfires, dorm rooms and are in parking lots to harmonize and sing this song together. I do it in the car every time I hear it on the radio.

[@billwalker7556]

Most everybody knows the lyrics of this song and sings every word when they hear it. Unless you are old enough to understand what the lyrics mean and the tribute and symbolism it represents. Those of us who were alive in the 50's and 60's understand the words and love this song.

[@GN-jn1ty]

@@billwalker7556 I was alive at the time. I have to sing with it almost almost like its a hymn, or a dirge, or both.

[@billwalker7556]

@@GN-jn1ty agreed

[@heyou702pc]

There's a movie about Richie Valens called La Bamba. In the movie it shows you how they died. Such a tragedy. A lot of it was filmed in my hometown where the director Luis Valdez lives. This is such a great song. Thanks for your reaction.

[@u2bpot807]

They should react to the song "La Bamba!"

[@kennethohnemus4750]

Great movie 👍👍👍👍

[@robertfurner1729]

this woman has such an insight into lyrics and music so intelligent

[@sirsnarry8013]

This song deserves a deep dive in the lyrics.. Seriously so many hidden stories and messages

[@jaime8318]

American Pie is like James Taylor's "Fire and Rain". It's about many things. There are references that you have to dig deep and investigate to understand.

[@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)

[@JHN12x12]

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).

[@richardsackler7627]

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

[@vincent4698]

This song is a whole history lesson within 8 minutes. It really makes sense once you understand the context of what he's singing about.

[@Lona_Chess]

This is a lyrical masterpiece. A true classic that speaks to American culture and its music history. This song never grows old.

[@gregwatson3300]

"That'll be the day that I die" is a line of Buddy Holly's. The refrain of this song is an homage. "I met a girl who sang the blues" is a reference to Janis Joplin.

[@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. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂❤️

[@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