WHY DIDNT I KNOW THIS? | Home Free - American Pie ft Don McLean REACTION!

[@JaimeDornanLady]

I remember playing this song as a kid in the early ‘70’s and singing to it, & I still have it on the original 45! Everyone knew it word for word. Songs like “American Pie” & “Rockin’ Robin” we’re extremely popular back then, & we’d play them over & over til our parents had enough! lol #HomeFryForLife

[@IFdude]

Thank you so much for the laugh you gave me at the end of your reaction video. After a terrible week, I really needed it. That being said, I hope you enjoyed the video as much as I did.

[@ddraiss]

Best reaction ever when you finally figured the Don McLean part! It's amazing 50 years later and his voice is nearly identical to when he originally sang it.

[@jennywren7822]

'Can't Help Falling in Love' Tim Foust, from Home Free, its absolutely amazing. You won't be disappointed.....

[@sharontaylortaylor1858]

He wrote this song and sang it. This year is the 50th anniversary of that song. It's also been 62 years today when the plane carrying Buddy Holly, JP Richardson ( The Big Bopper) and Richie Valence went down killing everyone seconds after taking off. Iconic song. Thanks for checking it out.

[@Stick0413]

And a side note Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on that fateful flight and he suffered from survivors guilt for years after.

[@andreahamilton5947]

Such a wonderful song. I never get tired of hearing it.

[@leonardshevlin7260]

*"Ritchie Valens" [Richard Stephen Valenzuela]

[@darkiee69]

@@Stick0413 He gave it to JP cause JP had the flu. But what really haunted him was when Buddy joked with him and said "You'll freeze your ass of on the bus" and Waylon replied "Well I'll hope you crash".

[@darkiee69]

@Royal Jalen Who do you really think you are fooling? Posting the same crap under different names in different videos?

[@deborahdennehy9937]

Yes that was Don McLean singing his own song with Home Free, just loved watching them all, brilliant. xx

[@rayc2993]

Great Reaction. This was my Era and its music. We all learn everyday, It is great to see the younger artist honoring the older artist and singing with them. We need more of that. GOD BLESS YOU,

[@artemisdanube4941]

I love everything Home Free does, but I have to say this one is an absolute masterpiece. I wonder if they'll ever top it. Thanks for doing a reaction to it!

[@jeanniehartley7012]

Love Home Free and Don McLean still sounds great!!!

[@swampmagiclouisiana1490]

I love Home Free... They sing -How great thou art also....Beautiful!

[@elaine8013]

WOW! Don McLean. This brought back so many great memories. 50 years of friends who have passed, good times, my hippie years, my biker years, my settle down and be a mom years. Couldn't help not let some tears out. Thank you for this.

[@kuttfam0191]

Don McClean singing with Home Free made it so special! And it was amazing !

[@juliecrane9647]

This is AWESOME. And beautiful. Omgosh. THANKS!!!!!!

[@gsf23]

One of the things I love about Home Free covers is when they include the original artist.

[@kirioes]

Yeah like God Bless the USA

[@1980LynLyn]

Same here

[@grandmaterilee]

Billy, I don't know if you so crazy, but you so precious. Thank you for reacting to that song. The memories came rushing back in a flood of tears. I was a child on the day the music died and a young adult when Don McLean wrote and released the song. Don McLean was my favorite singer of that time, and Home Free is my favorite group of this time. It is a joy watching your channel. Thank you again.

[@mike28003]

At the start when you asked what song he sang i yelled at my phone THIS ONE.

[@arkikali5632]

Same. LOL

[@maryhoffman7036]

Me too.

[@Raudoc2k1]

Yup same here.

[@sweetbitz]

Your not the only one yelling at their phone, iPad, etc. I just did the same thing! Is that a sign of any specific mental challenge?

[@annemayseyfried8907]

This was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Don = amaazing + Home Free just slayed, each voice= solo worthy! Going back to listen tothe original then Home Free w/Don McLean again..🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Thebookworm56]

Song of my youth!! Haven't listened to it in years and still remembered every word!!

[@oneknight55]

American Pie is one of the Anthems of my youth. This song sticks in my head more so than the others. Thank you for reacting to Home Free.

[@charliejohnson7751]

RELAX ! Good honest reaction. You are young and willing to learn. I am old and have heard most of them. But they are new again and I am younger when I see and hear them thru you. Thanks

[@TennesseeMelanie]

The single most iconic song in rock, pop, any genre. It is perfect.

[@BLADEST3R]

I love that part of the reaction where you were along the line of "wait a minute what LOL"

[@dwanemarsh4378]

He sings THIS song, which he is famous for. This is a great nostalgia piece. Good of you to react to it!

[@garylev35]

Don McLean sang the original version of "American Pie" which is a song about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper who died on Feb 3, 1959 in a plane crash outside of Clear Lake, Iowa. If you want another good song by Don McLean listen to "Vincent" about Vincent van Gogh

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Vincent is also colloquially known as "Starry starry night" by a lot of folks. He also did a great cover of Roy Orbison's legendary "Crying" and also another great song, Castles in the Air.

[@jamesoliver6625]

The song goes WAY beyond just Buddy, Ritchie and the Bopper. Just sayin'

[@garylev35]

@@jamesoliver6625 Yes it includes the Beatles "while the quartet practiced in the park" The song was primarily written about the deaths of those 3 though

[@jamesoliver6625]

@@garylev35 and Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, and Janice Joplin, and Woodstock, and Charles Manson, ...It's about the death of a zeitgeist and the generation lost after that. I was 20 when this song came out, a music student with a draft number of 345. I was there when the Students For a Democratic Society (SDS aka young communist "reading Lenin and Marx) was the biggest student organization on campus (UTx). I saw the reaction and influence of the song in '71. And this collaboration should earn a Grammy.

[@charlesturner3688]

Did you know that Aerosmith was offered a ride on that plane, but they didn’t like the condition of the plane and turned it down. Thank GOD for that.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

We used to sit around the fire (when you could have fires) on the beach in San Diego with our guitars and played this song back 50 years ago. It always attracted a crowd and EVERYONE sang along. It is a great drinking and group song.

[@Smilodon1985]

"What song does Don McLean sing...?" THIS ONE... This song is an absolute icon of American music. Welcome to the world...

[@StudeSteve62]

Well yes, but Billy wasn't exactly following the music scene in 1971, not having been anywhere near born yet...😁

[@1645308]

So much for doing your homework when hosting.....

[@jenniferirvine7827]

Don, wrote the song many many years ago. Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the airplane. He lived with survivors guilt untill the day he died.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Such an ICONIC song, it's the theme song of my generation...everyone my age can sing along to all 8+ minutes...others have explained what it's about....but Billy it's really good to see you react to Home Free again....I know you like them a lot !!!! They freakin' killed this !

[@kirioes]

Ayy i saw you in the premiere lol

[@beverlyandkissie8789]

Still can today!

[@wandahaines7143]

Still know it

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@wandahaines7143 yes ma'am

[@RinniePere]

HE DID SING THE SONG!! Man, that made me laugh way too hard. 🤣 love it!!!

[@brendagrothier967]

This is the 50th Anniversary of American Pie. And yes Don McLean is 75.

[@baskervillebee6097]

62 years. Feb 3, 2021

[@jamesmcallister5696]

Mr Don McLean is 75 and he still has the great "chops" (singing ability )and HOMEFREE but themselves in a new and higher category of talented musicians..ie..they are the standard bearers when it comes to singing "A Cappella.

[@bernardcoombs1778]

Pretty easy to think, albeit mistakenly, that McLean has been dead a while.

[@MagsonDare]

@@bernardcoombs1778 I shared the video to my FB page when it released and a friend responded that she learned on that day that "a) Don McLean is still alive and b) he can still sing like its nobody's business."

[@tomcarson8854]

I was a punk-ass 15 y/o kid when this dropped, and I knew at the time that it was an anthem for all generations!

[@colinmerritt7645]

I love it when people hear this song for the first time and, for a moment, see what I see.

[@tomcarson8854]

...& NEVER be embarrassed to admit that you're learning. Learning is a gateway to everything!

[@laurab391]

I love Home Free. Hope I can see them in concert some day.

[@RexAlfieLee]

So glad you worked that out. It's the 50th anniversary of the original recording by Don McLean. It was written because of a plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, the Big Boppa & Ritchie Valenz also the pilot. That's why it's "the day the music died". I'm Australian & I knew why the song was what it was about but I come from back then.

[@debrabusch1090]

Absolutely loved your reaction as soon as you realized who he was. Glad you uploaded anyway. When you questioned who he was my immediate thought was you were too young to know the song. #GoBills

[@jasonelliott66]

"I'm never gonna listen to this song the same again"...That's the Home Free effect bro....I've said that same thing on almost every thing they do.

[@reginaminton1135]

So many people now don't know about Don McLean or the passing of three really great singers. Don't feel bad about it, you are much younger. Made me cry to think you felt bad about your reaction. It is sad to remember the day Buddy Holly Richie Valens and the Big Bopper (JP Richardson) plane went down. You are young and no reason for you to actually know Don McLean. You did just fine. :)

[@garywinters4636]

This is a song from my High School days, and I'm an "Ol Geezer" so don't feel bad. You did an excellent job of reacting to this version, which is killer. haha. Thank you, and welcome back.

[@themajor743]

Indeed - many of us are remembering this song from our teens and are just glad that you discovered, and enjoyed it as we have for decades now Billy.

[@sharonmortimer3843]

This has to be my favorite collaboration they have done. I love this song brings back so much. It's okay

[@yolandaclaassen4492]

I signed up for your page, love your reactions. Please do not feel bad about not knowing, my heart just broke when you felt bad about not knowing. Just know that you are not alone. Home Fries stick together, good or bad days. You are one of us now and we have your back. Just continue doing the reactions.

[@randybean4678]

This is Don's song. You don't know what you don't know. All cool. Nice reaction. Great job by Don and the guys.

[@michaelsova7349]

Nicely done Billy. Most of this history goes unnoticed in this current generation. You get it! Thank you. Check out what and who Don was singing about, you may like it. .

[@quiltie1774]

Great video and singing. It’s fun to see Home Free celebrate these iconic vocalists! Love watching you react.

[@yvonneb5481]

💡💡💡💡💡💡 ding ding ding! Oh I knew you didn't know. You're not old enough to remember the original. I love it when I see these reactions and the reactor doesn't realize what they're watching. Meanwhile I'm screaming at the video "YES HE'S THE ORIGINAL SINGER!" 😂😂😂😂

[@Bobby4USN]

You should check out the references in every line of this song, it really puts it all in context and will give you a true appreciation for how deep this song is.

[@MommaBird52]

62 years ago today the music died when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper perished in a plane crash during the Winter Carnival Tour. Also slated to be on the plane was Dion Dimucci of Dion and the Belmonts and Waylon Jennings who was playing bass for Buddy Holly at the time, but they did not take the flight. They took off around 1 AM and the crash was attributed to inexperience flying in such conditions by the 21 year old pilot. Don McLean wrote and sang American Pie. Another song he did was Vincent (Starry, Starry Night.) Sermon Over!

[@darkiee69]

It was Waylon and Tommy Allsup (Buddys back up guitarist) who was supposed to be on the plane. Waylon gave his seat to JP cause JP had the flu and Waylon didn't think he should ride in an ice cold bus. Tommy Allsup lost his seat to Valens in a coin toss. And a Beechcraft Bonanza only have three seats plus the pilot.

[@MommaBird52]

@@darkiee69 those 3 seats mean we still have Dion and Waylon was with us for many more years!

[@darkiee69]

@@MommaBird52 Not Dion. It those were for Waylon and Tommy. That's some crap Dion's been spreading. He would've been on the cold bus anyway.

[@andrewkearley6900]

I'm constantly impressed by Tim's vocal range, absolutely mind blowing.

[@sharonstrain9831]

So nice to see your smile again. I always love your reactions. This was a great one.

[@espenbakke1584]

"American Pie" is a song by Don McLean written in 1971. The song is mainly about "the day the music died", which is the name McLean gave on February 3, 1959, the day when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson died in a plane crash

[@TheSwede9]

When you said "who wrote this song, I appreciate so much of this." I realized I had heard this song probably a hundred times throughout the years and never paid attention to the lyrics until now. I feel like I liked this song for the wrong reasons hahah, great reaction. I blame second language but I only ever knew the chorus until just now. This song is deep and I just found a new appreciation.

[@kristindunstan172]

Paramount + has a documentary out for the 50th anniversary of this song. It includes a lengthy interview with Don McLean, who wrote and originally sang the song. It also includes clips of this song and of an interview with Home Free.

[@babyfry4775]

It was so good and Don McLean still sounds good after 50 years. Home Free killed it again. The video was clever too. Those harmonies!

[@Cindyannef]

First let me say that I've missed you. These guys killed this song, it couldn't have been done any more perfect than it was. Don McLean is now 75 yrs. old, and yet he's still got it!~ They not only did this video, but the song is suppose to be all over the radio airwaves throughout the whole U.S.A. starting today. This is the 50th. year Anniversary from the day it first hit the airwaves back in 1971.

[@judydempsey3957]

Billy...I was . 16 when I heard this on the radio..Such a tragedy. The world cried...Don and Home Free did this justice......Judy D

[@tanya4025]

Don Mclean sings folk; folk rock 👍 ...Castes in the Air; Everyday; Superman's Ghost; Vincent; If We Try; Dreidel and Amerian Pie are my faves from him 🤗

[@TheCaveman46]

Collaborations with FIVE American music legends...so far: Kenny Rogers, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood and NOW Don McClean! Not too shabby at all!!!

[@carolinpettit7944]

You are a baby.... it's really ok. I'm really not a baby and I didn't know the song until Home Free did this cover. It's an awesome song and now we both know it! Great reaction!!

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

American Pie has more meaning today than ever before!✨❤️✨🇺🇸🙏🏽🇺🇸

[@belinda9696]

Yes, Don was the singer of this song originally. It's a classic almost everyone young or old grew up with.

[@watcherwlc53]

Don MaLean was very famous in the 60s and 70s and sang a lot of songs but this song, in its original form, was the one he was by far the most famous for.

[@maryannc6313]

Wonderful performance of this iconic song! Love your reaction.

[@bambamnj]

A fact that many people don't know about "The Day the Music Died", Buddy Holly charted the flight because the traveling condition for these guys was horrible. Their bus had broken down and it was freezing cold. A young artist by the name of Waylon Jennings gave up his seat to The Big Bopper, who was ill at the time and due to his size, very uncomfortable fitting into the bus. Waylon Jennings of course became a staple Country artist and part of the well know group The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash,

[@relens2]

"I'm just a baby" -- that's part of the fun of watching your reactions -- seeing you learn about and appreciate all this great music for the first time the way we did 50+ years ago. Keep on truckin'.

[@denisea871]

I hadn't seen this before. I knew the original song, but this one with Home Free is really amazing, and moving. I loved it. Thank you for the reaction!

[@jaskim5723]

Home Free released it today.

[@sixosixo]

"Y'all won! Y'all won! That's it!" LOL Love it.

[@bernadette3069]

Yay! Wasnt it amazing?! Vocals on point! It's the 50th anniversary of American Pie this year. Don is 75 years old and still has amazing voice. Check out the making of this/behind the scenes. Madonna did a cover of this. I've heard Garth Brooks doing this years ago in concert at Central Park,but I prefer this and the original. I love that you always acknowledge Adam Rupp also. 🤗

[@dandellapaolera8169]

Interesting notes: Roberta Flack's 'Singing me softly' (later covered by the Fugees) was based on the original writer being at a performance from Don McClean, and it's her talking about his song writing ability. While he never got the commercial success of American pie again a lot of his songs are amazing. This is the longest song (at 8 minutes and 37 seconds for the original) to hit the #1 spot on the top 100 list. (November rain at 8:59 was the longest top 10 hit, but didn't hit #1).

[@timothymills3864]

Billy love ya bro! Wow there’s that and I am at a loss for words. The day the music died. Buddy Holly, Richie and the Big Bopper, RIP.

[@anthonygriesel5948]

This song is so iconic I was raised on it and yet I was born 2000 and now it has had its Phoenix rebirth

[@solitarybee3714]

For those of us of a certain age, this song has a very deep meaning that goes all the way back to February 1959, when we lost a trio of our favorite singers all at once. It was truly a cold dark day, and you probably have to be old enough to remember it as a tragedy at the time to understand. This song by Don McLean came later, of course, but most of it has meaning referencing that loss. We all enjoy the great beat of the original, but I can't quite get into the happy rhythm of this version, as great as Home Free sounds otherwise. Thanks for the post anyhow!

[@leannmiller7153]

Everyone had this album in 1971. So many musical references. The day the music died...Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper; the King is Elvis, the jester Bob Dylan, John Lennon, girl singing the blues is Janice Joplin. I may have missed one.

[@DaveyWilliamsPantzNotRequired]

The words " I don't or didn't know " .... These are words WISE men say ... you earned my subscription based on that !!!

[@1645308]

Don McLean sings and wrote this song!!!!!!!American Pie...that's why he's featured here with Home Free

[@kristenchase9422]

"I didn't know" - We grow and we learn :) Now you know! Really enjoy watching your channel.

[@bobllanes3808]

La Bamba will never be forgotten. RIP Richie....

[@shruggknucklesfistbump4381]

all the homefree covers i listen to..i hear the song on the radio and be like where have i heard this song and then it replaces what the original was and i start singing homefree version in my head

[@joanwharff6483]

This Is the Full version...8 1/2 minutes !!! It was a huge hit !!!! At 75, he still has an Awesome voice!!!

[@billsloan9318]

I was thinking that there were 2 versions on the radio, a long and short. Thank you for the confirmation.

[@michaelrunnels7660]

Legend says that the name painted on the nose of the airplane that they were all on when it crashed that February night in 1959 was "American Pie". The biggest tv news of the late 1950s was about some "Good ole boys" in the south, drunk on whiskey & Rye, driving a Chevy pickup dragging 2 black boys behind a pickup on a rope late at night in Alabama, ending up in a dry levy.

[@adriennesteeves7861]

This was an awesome arrangement! I first heard this song at a roller rink when I was in 3rd grade back in 1971. I bought the single and was very aggravated that I had to turn the record over to hear the whole song. I’m 58 and I have listened to this song for years and years....literally!🙄

[@christyeckert3115]

It is awesome. Chance killed it. Can't wait to see them in March.

[@hamblinta]

Billy, you so crazy! You the best right along with Home Free

[@evalevy2909]

I love how his voice still sounds so youthful

[@rozmccauslin3246]

Yes he did sing it originally - they also do a cover with the Oak Ridge Boys of "Elvira" which is worth your time for a reaction.

[@darrinlindsey]

Don McLean's American Pie was voted the #2 song of the 20th century. Behind Stairway To Heaven.

[@janeyoneal6878]

the best iconic song ever written it takes you from the 50'swhen rock and roll was in its stage of innocence and fun and a time of peace (but with the cold war hovering ) and it was a very prosperous time for america ...into the 60's , segregation in the south was being protested , hippies , flower power was the theme and the hippies and youth of the day protesting the vietnam war , the nation in an uproar , drugs were hugely on the scene and moral values went down the toilet ( who thought it would be even worse these days ) into the seventies. And i've recorded so much in my mind...WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE !

[@sherryarflin726]

American Pie....😂😂😂😂. Vincent. He was a great story teller. If you haven’t heard Vincent then you definitely need to. Amazing!

[@Tribblepuppy]

Tim Faust must have been singing in a basement somewhere! He goes subsonic throughout this song. Great remake of the original, and with Don contributing makes it even better. ✌️😎

[@robertorange6024]

My favorite song sung with my favorite group. Just made my night!

[@ceoanw]

They also did "Elvira" with the original artist who sang it, the Oak Ridge Boys.

[@relens2]

American Pie is chock full of historical references -- you can find a number of videos explaining each of them and the many metaphors as well if you want. It's a lot of fun.

[@Tabby_Angela]

I remember Garth Brooks singing this in concert 25 years ago. 30,000+ people singing along. Still gives me goosebumps!

[@bernadette3069]

Yes I remember Garth singing this. And Madonna had covered it too

[@lanceblough5195]

Possibly most iconic song of all time

[@jaimesonmeza7097]

Such a great classic American song talking about the tragic plane crash that 3 music icons were lost on that tragic day and I love this updated version with the group Home Free be in the background vocals and instruments for the great Don Mclean is amazing voice which is still incredible event today also celebrating the 50th anniversary of this song as well at the end of the video reaction watching Billy’s mind being blown that the realization that reason why does sound like the original is because Don McLean originally sang the song and then kaboom Billy’s mind was blown that was so funny

[@kj_bubbles]

Ahhh I love this song!!!!! (Dancing in my living room) lol

[@CarlaDelk]

Loved your reaction! This song was first released during my youth! Still makes me sing along. Homefree is absolutely the best! You should react to more of them again! They have continued to put out great music during quarantine. Snow Globe is a newer original song from them. Stay safe and healthy and have a blessed day!

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Hey Billy. So much to absorb in this song. I have been listening to it since it was new and there are lots of things I haven't figured out yet. Don McLean has refused to say what things mean specifically. Some are well known though. It is true about this being about the day that those folks were killed in that plane crash. The music refers to Buddy Holly who at only 22 when he died was already being seen as the new direction of rock n roll. Other references include: the sergeants refers to the Beatles album Sergeant Peppers. The Jester is Bob Dylan. The part where the jester is in a cast, Bob had an accident and was sidelined for a while. The line "in a coat he borrowed from James Dean" refers to pics after the accident where Bob was wearing a jacket much like one that James had worn in a movie (I think it was rebel without a cause). The girl who sang the blues is thought to be Janis Joplin. Helter Skelter in a summer swelter refers to the murder spree of Charles Manson's followers. The devil was Mick Jagger due to his hit song Sympathy for the Devil. The line "No angel born in hell could break that satan's spell" refers to a Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway. Jagger had hired The Hell's Angels to provide security and a guy tried to rush the stage with a weapon and the Angels beat him up and one of them stabbed and killed him. There is way too much to cover here lol. There are a few decent videos on YT explaining some other parts. Just be aware that there are also some from people whose parents weren't even born when this came out just trying to get views. Don did write this and record it first. 50 years later I heard him admit in an interview that this song still brings him around 400k a year. He deserves every penny for this masterpiece. Stay safe and well Billy and everyone.

[@garywinters4636]

Jeez, thank you Jeff. I was around (High School) when this song came out, but I didn't know all of the intricacies of the back story other than the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. Thank you for filling in the gaps for us. I appreciate it. Billy, you did a good job, especially going in blind. haha.

[@jeffdetmer4681]

@@garywinters4636 My pleasure Gary. Thanks for the kind words.

[@jameskuntz1326]

Waylon live because he gave his seat to Richie. Rest in peace Buddy Holly, Richie Vallence and JB Richardson (Big Bopper). I still cry every time I hear this song

[@dsusan17]

This is a great reaction as usual.

[@mikolaimooronomous3893]

You should definitely listen to don mcleans original recordings of American pie and Vincent. His voice was so beautiful when he was younger and he was a great guitar player too

[@marciaskillern6889]

Yes,isten to Vincent!!!

[@thehunter5000]

Alright man. You win. I’ve watched several of your reactions and I’m subscribing. I like how you’re reaching out to different genres and fan bases. I found you from reacting to Home Free videos. Sign me up. I’m a fan.