Don McLean - American Pie 1972 (Songs Of The 70s) *DayOne Reacts*

[@jamesstrickland517]

I got this from a comment on another channel. 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. A generation lost in space is not only a reference to the TV show but to the fact that people became less interested in concerts and more interested in what was on the TV (boob tube) As I said before, the song is an absolute masterpiece

[@robbpowell194]

Good summary

[@nelsonfoster4476]

the good old boys were the Nashville cats

[@TheNorthernMist]

Wow thank you for that

[@joesinnott2461]

It was actually a car accident and it didn't end his career, just put it on hold for a few years. But the result of that accident forced the creation of The Band. They were his backup band and Bob took care of them until they made it.

[@johnnie2638]

Thanks for that breakdown. I'm part of the Lost in Space generation. I've always wondered if he was actually referring to the TV show considering the timeline he's singing about.

[@xrentonx]

The song is a history lesson in rock and roll and a history lesson on the 60s.

[@russ4862]

This is the more classical rendition than the one that was on Patreon. Glad to see you got to hear both. In my opinion, this is the one for all ages. Simply unparalleled! As always, here's to your next reaction! 🙏😊💜

[@ChicagoDB]

The entire album is superb…”American Pie” and “Vincent” are the two best known songs from it.

[@mikegazanchyan2423]

Love Vincent

[@chris72.]

Mr Bojangles was a better song than Vincent I think

[@bkm2797]

Absolutely love this song, but Vincent makes me tear up every time I hear it.

[@magneto7930]

Vincent is a great song for stirring up the emotions.

[@lifelover515]

And let's not forget the song that immediately follows 'Pie', 'Till Tomorrow', often overlooked in the McLean canon.

[@johnsmith-ub7vr]

Don McLean wasn't a songwriter, he was a poet.

[@nancyjohnson403]

I spent the entire summer between 7th and 8th grade learning every word to this song. I can still remember that sweet summer. Every time I hear this song, it brings me back. ❤️

[@richjackson2986]

One of my earliest memories is being in my aunt's car singing this with her.

[@joelong7448]

So you and I are the same age :) I had an advantage to hearing the music and seeing the words as written because I was the youngest sibling and had (and learned) all this music before most, if not all of my friends.

[@nancyjohnson403]

I was lucky as my older sister and brother were 10 & 8 yrs older and both into different genres. From the early Beatles to BB King to early Southern Rock - I wore out their 45s and albums!

[@joelong7448]

@@nancyjohnson403 45s were such a pain weren't they? lol And the really good thing with albums were they offered deeper way to see or hear what you liked about that band, and for me probably 95% of the time, I loved and played the hell out of the lesser known songs.

[@nancyjohnson403]

@Joe Long My entire iPod is nothing but B sides and one-hit wonders. I can listen to it for hours!

[@ChicagoDB]

“American Pie” was a midnight ritual for decades at several bars/clubs we’d go to in Chicago…and probably still is at some. Everyone sings it, they barely need the record.

[@corawheeler9355]

I can still sing along.

[@gerardmclean4606]

That's a great song when you look at the meaning behind all the words he's very interesting commentary on the 50 60 70s I don't know have a great day peace Keith in New York

[@Wungolioth]

Overall, the song is about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper in 1959, The Day the Music Died. The song also touches on music from the late 50s to the early 70s, with subtle references to Elvis, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, The Byrds, and various other pop culture references, many are up to interpretation.

[@RicoBurghFan]

Thank you for this. On the reactions I usually have to explain it! 😂

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

@@RicoBurghFan Yeah. It is sometimes hard to explain all that is there. Have you heard the version with Home Free and Don McLean together. O.M.G. Check it out. Having said that @DayOne Reacts you so fun to watch, getting into the music. As always a great reaction review.

[@crafty1096]

Besides the three that died in the plane crash and the Beatles, The Rolling Stones had the most references to include Jack be nimble , flash sat. (Jumpin Jack Flash, Jack is Jagger), moss grows fat on a rolling stone which was a double Entendre, referencing Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, and “No Angel born in Hell could break that Satans spell.” The previous was a reference to The Hells,Angels and what happened at The Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway in 1969. You are good. You caught a lot of them. Other Musicians referenced were Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Dinah Shore and Aretha Franklin.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

@@crafty1096 okay no one's mentioned Janis Joplin getting refer to and I always thought that the girl who sang the blues was a reference to Janis Joplin but it looks like you might be saying it's a reference to Joan Baez

[@Wungolioth]

@@bernardsalvatore1929 As I stated above, all of this is open to interpretation, and everyone has a different opinion, and I did actually tag JJ in the original post.

[@kevinhooper3003]

February 3, 1959, the day the music died, when the plane carrying Buddy Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens crashed in Clear Lake, Iowa.

[@vkaPAUL]

There is so much Historical context inserted into this Iconic song. you may enjoy it now 50 years later but then it was a Statement!!

[@RobRager]

You thought it was Dylan, because one of the KZbin videos has one of his pics as the thumbnail, instead of Don McClean

[@rogermcginnis2765]

This is a history of rock music up to when it was written...many medifors and paraboles

[@IMEveryTrueAmericanRU]

I have never seen someone so gleeful over this song that drive me to tears every time I hear it.

[@robs.6891]

I remember hearing this on the radio, first rock song I was exposed to hearing. Buddy Holly Richie Valens ( nee Valenzuela) Big Bopper

[@wpl8275]

As soon as this song came out it was a classic epic. It just was. And it has always stayed that way. It's untouchable. I never heard of Madonna's version nor do I ever want to. You can't make this better. It's impossible.

[@markbarnwell942]

it does my musical good to see a young woman 35 years younger than me love a song of my time. i did the same when i finally broke free and listened to frank sinatra, billie holliday etc from my parents time.

[@sammy2840]

Buddy had just played the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa! I was 6 years old and lived in Mason City, IA! Still remember his death!

[@kf9346]

Memorised this song one summer at camp! Still know every word.

[@oldmanghost219]

The story goes that Kris Kristofferson broke down when he heard about "The Girl that sang the blues" death and he heard for the 1st time her not yet released version of his song "Me And Bobby McGee" which is another must do 70's song. Janis Joplin.

[@williambill5172]

I just love your reactions!!! Great stuff and a really neat young woman!

[@jeffreycellini8923]

Love the fact that Angela is so smart and intelligent....makes these videos very enjoyable...

[@rk41gator]

Such nostalgia! I vividly remember when this crashed upon the radio scene. Working on an architectural project with our team. Rocked out to this. And yes, it propelled us to a great grade. Yeah.

[@ducrnd]

I love the way the music makes you move.... you just dont sit there.....love your stuff

[@keensoundguy6637]

In the early days of the internet, there was an annotated version of the lyrics that circulated, attempting to explain all the references for those too young to be aware of many of them. One can probably still find a version of it.

[@childlessdoggentleman746]

Some other references in the song include when the Hells Angels who were hired as security at a Rolling Stones concert killed a member of the audience (the Satan lines refer to their "Sympathy for the Devil" song), the shooting of JFK, Dylan is the jester, Helter Skelter refers to both the Beatles and Charles Manson, ect... Practically every line in this song is a reference to something. In addition, I would like to request for seventies month, you listen to Paperlace's, "The Night Chicago Died."

[@rocco...]

This is why I was glad to be born in 1964!

[@lecutter9382]

I used to do lighting for films and concerts. I was fortunate to meet Don once and do a show for him. Nice guy, talented artist. Still, his song "Vincent" was the best thing he ever did. A song beyond worth in "reaction", particularly when you've seen his work in person. Van Gogh was truly extraordinary.

[@georgeanthony7282]

Great song. What comes to mind is hearing one of my teachers humming this song (I was in JHS back then). Great memories!!

[@magneto7930]

This whole song is about the series of events that were happening around the time of Buddy Holly's death. Buddy Holly had a song called That'll Be the Day, and the lyrics were "that'll be the day that I die." Don McLean uses the lyrics "this'll be the day that I die" as a tribute

[@kitkatcats3360]

I love your energy. Gives me optimism for a better world.

[@leewhite4547]

One of the greatest songs ever, but that dancing was freaking adorable!

[@oldmanghost219]

There are so many references to people and events in American Pie that I have to look it up to refresh my memory.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

When played the 45 rpm single of this back in the day it was one of those rare recordings where it was too long for one side of the single. So I had to hover over the record and quickly flip it and carefully lay the needle back down as fast as possible to not lose the song continuity.

[@lifelover515]

This song caused quite a media stir at the time. There's a lot of symbolism in here and the music press had a field day. The orthodox interpretation is the King = Elvis, Satan = Mick Jagger, the Jester = Bob Dylan, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost = the 1959 plane crash victims Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P Richardson (the 'Big Bopper'), who never lived to see his 'Chantilly Lace' become an iconic 50s hit. There are many others, but despite its densely packed wordiness, the song retained its catchy singalongability and infectious nostalgia for the earlier, 'simpler' days of the rocknroll pioneers. A masterpiece of pop songwriting, no question. I read somewhere that when McLean himself was asked (for the umpteenth time) what it was all about, he said 'It means I'll never have to work again.'

[@Katmandu29]

Sister Golden Hair by America. 😊🎵

[@ironeagle22a]

On my saved playlist. So many amazing songs from our past.

[@larrystuder8543]

This is the history of rock 'n roll in 8 minutes, beginning and ending with the plane crash that killed Buddy Holley. The King is Elvis, The Sergeants are the Beatles, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band, The Rolljng stones, the Byrds, The girl who sang the blues was Janis Joplin.

[@ryanm5578]

Don was bummed by the death of the USA's next big things in rock and roll and thought it was so terrible, that rock and roll would die. He didn't see the coming of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones from the UK, and how it moved rock forward. He uses a ton of symbolism in this song. The time frame he writes about is from '59 when the plane crash happened until '72 when he released the song and saw how much Rock and Roll actually thrived -- even with the loss of those American rock heroes. It's full of symbolism and by understanding what it is, one can follow along. Thanks for reacting!

[@markpaterno9415]

Don McLean was great!! Try listening to his song "VINCENT"!! Beautiful tune. Would luv to see your reaction to it!!!

[@josephmyers4552]

Love you! Any song you review is cool for me cause I watch you, the.song is immerteral, you are my star!

[@mikewilson7081]

Excellent rendition of Don Mclean's American pie! Share the hell out of it!!!

[@sueschmidt9404]

His ode to the age of innocence. He mourned the age of innocence, because it passed into history.

[@DaveK0526]

Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were killed in a plane accident

[@amiegee3134]

One of our favorite sing along songs from back in the day.

[@shaunpetersen7185]

one of the most incredible and unique albums fro start to finish, utter other worldly poetry from start to finish, I swear I could hear it when when I was in the womb and grew up on it

[@AliasMark69]

Great Classic Tune. Have a Splendid Successful Day

[@stephenhuber1219]

Every word in every line has a historical meaning. The more you know about the song the more you'll love it

[@loadedorygun]

This is a poetic masterpiece. I break down like Kris Kristofferson in the last verse.

[@sgtcrab2569]

I subbed your channel I am an old Celtic guy with an old Celtic wife. You are hands down the MOST interesting Black woman I have ever seen. SO SMART and SO compassionate.

[@howardbrown911]

A history of events in music and history from the late 50's to the early 70's. Mentions Buddy Holly, Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Janis, Bob Dylan, and more, as well as the space race, the moon landing, the TV show "Lost in Space, the Vietnam War, the major assassinations of 1968 and more.

[@dianagerding8541]

Just loving the 70’s your reviewing!!!! This song was on the radio 24/7 back then!!! 💚💚💚💚

[@davids2096]

This is a very epic and perplexing song! There is more than one version, but the lyrics are the bread and butter of the song! He's referring to the plane crash in the late 1950's with a handful of the major rock stars of the day! Ritchie Valens whose name is really Richard Valenzuela, Buddy Holly were among the ones who perished in that airplane crash! The rest of the lyrics are open to interpretation, but are still fun to listen to and try to decipher!

[@michaelkeenan3437]

O my god my mom use to do that dance with the thumbs…..Thank you for the memory 😃😄😁

[@rogermcginnis2765]

There have been college courses about this song and its meaning. My fav is the chorus, he went to the Levy (his college bar hangout) but the Levy was dry (no longer sold alcohol)...and he was hit with life moves on and nothing stays the same.

[@jmcquown]

I like the fact that the reactions of yours I've seen so far seem to focus on songs that tell stories. :)

[@rubbersole79]

When asked once what the song "American Pie" meant, Don replied "It means I don't have to work anymore."

[@george217]

He and the acapella group "Home Free" just came out with a collaboration of this song a while back that is very good, too. BTW, " the girl who sang the blues" was Janis Joplin.

[@davidgannon4302]

He has a song by the name of Vincent which is a tribute to Van Gogh well worth a listen

[@MermaidMusings7]

Perfect storytelling.

[@827dusty]

This song is about 3 early 1950s Rock and Roll pioneers, that lost their lives on a small plane going from one concert in the Midwest, to another in a storm. "The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and the great Buddy Holley were all killed. More than a few movies were made about this horrific event. Don McLean's iconic song from 1972 is a one-of-a-kind tribute to those early and very young Rock and Rollers. This song is amazing.

[@Tijuanabill]

He was right; he made those people dance.

[@jamesanthony5257]

In this song, the Jester is Bob Dylan, who in the 60’s took the Crown from the 50’s music King, Elvis

[@jeffreyswanson192]

This song is the very first song I can remember as an 8year old boy in '71', I remember a school bus and the driver was playing this on his transistor radio , growing up in northern Indiana was so entertaining

[@jimfrederick3907]

There is no better definition of "Catchy" in music!

[@oldmanghost219]

American Pie!!! Enough said. Oh yes - "Killing Me Softly With His Song" Roberta Flack about Don McLean

[@bruceday4036]

Awesome girl. The day the music died. Big Bopper, Richie V and Buddy Holly. You nailed it

[@donaldroberts9743]

The death of music is referring to Buddy Holly, Big bopper, and Richey Valens plane crash... The band who took the field is referring to the Beatles... The King and Queen is referring to Elvis Presley and Joan Baez... The Jester is Bob Dillan... Bob Dillan was in a cast due to a motor cycle crash, broke his arm... Helter Skelter is referring to the Manson murders... Sweet Perfume is referring to Agent orange or tear gas.. .The Byrds song: Eight Miles High Jack Flash is a song by the Rolling Stones... Rolling stones had problems performing at candle stick park in the late 1960's... The Hells Angels were security at the concert... The devil he was referring to was Mick Jagger... The girl who sang the blues is referring to Janis Joplin... The three wise men are referring to John F Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King... This song has so many different meanings that trying to interoperate them is hard...

[@blueboy4244]

oh..I think 'sweet perfume' might refer to marijuana smoke

[@curiousman1672]

GOAT lyrics. The lyrics have to do with a lot more than the crash. All the references are about real people, e.g.., Jester= Bob Dylan, King=Elvis, Girl Who Sang the Blues= Janis Joplin, etc.

[@midnightblue6668]

There is SOOOOO much pop culture woven into those lyrics!

[@kevingilliam6807]

The three men I admire the most: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost...

[@toddhutchins2492]

Hi Angela, Home Free did a cover of this with Don McLean during the pandemic. Don got 3 awards for the video. I think you'd really like it. In interviews, Don as stated that he's never told anyone about the meaning of the song or any of the references. Last November he was supposed to do an interview where he would reveal at least some of it, but I don't know if the interview ever happened. I never saw that it was done. I love your dancing to the song.

[@daveloboda1769]

The whole album is excellent especially "Vincent", "Crossroads" and "Till Tomorrow ".

[@barbsmith5465]

Classic. 70s huge hit. Huge.

[@williamhall630]

Shout out to you I watched many reaction videos. When I click on your reaction vid of 3 dog night mama told not to come. Have watched a few others and I really like the fact you don't talk through the song playing.

[@keimahane]

Really enjoying this 70's series, so much fun, the music of my youth :)

[@amb2745]

Don McLean's American Pie was one of two rock songs. in rock history to have been split up on two sides of a single. Listed on the single as "American Pie Part 1" (side A), and "American Pie Part 2" (Side B), American Pie clocked in at about 8 1/2 minutes. Radio stations initially played the Side A version but over time switched to playing the full length to satisfy their audiences. The other song that was split up on two sides of a single was Eric Burdon and The Animals "Sky Pilot" from 1968.

[@MUE4731]

I believe sky pilot from Eric burden and the animals had both sides of the single first

[@amb2745]

@@MUE4731 You are correct. 1968, 7 1/2 minute song split up between A and B sides. I'll update my previous comment.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Dylan was the Jester of course. I remember when this song was released. I had to listen 20-30 times to get all the references. It is an absolutely incredible piece of writing.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

Lol! the third one is The Big Bopper... ie,... "Chantilly Lace"... fun song, too. The cryptic lyrics invite interpretation, and it's no doubt he's talking about a time in (musical) history... but until recently has never confirmed or denied anyone's theories. However, for "a generation lost in space" it evokes that time and place and the memories of teenage love and war and Viet Nam and the death of pop idols and the bitter-sweetness of memory.

[@davidroberts4769]

‘I can’t remember if I cried, when I read about his widowed bride’ refers to the plane crash the killed Buddy Holly and two others (The day the music died) The King is Elvis Presley The jester is Bob Dylan and the line ‘with the jester on the sideline in a cast’ refers to the motorcycle accident that halted Dylan’s career. The quartet are the Beatles and the park is Candlestick Park in San Francisco where they played their final concert (another day the music died) Jack flash is Mick Jagger as is Satan (a reference to the Rolling Stones songs ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ & ‘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, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper who all died in a plane crash. The second reference being to JFK, Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy who were all assassinated in the 60’s ‘Helter Skelter in the summer swelter’ refers to the Charels Manson killings that were inspired by the Beatles song ‘Helter Skelter’. The sergeants and the marching band refers to the Vietnam war and protesters. ‘And there we were all in one place’ refers to Woodstock.

[@stevemd6488]

You will get a lot of comments as to exactly what the lyrics mean, but the only definitive interpretation was when Don McClean was asked what was the meaning of the song, he said "it means I never have to work again".

[@bradsullivan2495]

Supposedly gets $300,000 a year in royalties.

[@Mikeschmidt61]

His tittle was ripped from the headlines on February 3rd 1959 “When the Music Died” three of the biggest names in rock and roll died in that plane crash Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Richie Valen’s.

[@steveh7108]

@@bradsullivan2495 wow if this song gets 300,000 and royalties a year imagine what George Thorogood gets for Bad to the Bone. Or One Bourbon One Scotch and one beer.

[@lifelover515]

Shoulda read this before my own comment. A tip of the hat to you, sir.

[@mikemiller3069]

The line in the song (repeated a few times), "this will be the day that I die" is a reference to a line in Buddy Holly's song, "That'll Be The Day" where the last line is, "that'll be the day that I die".

[@djjonosborn1531]

Angela - You are BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@artamm777]

This song is a true classic. Never gets old.

[@dvsreed]

A song from the 70's you should listen to is Love Machine by the Miracles. You would be the first reaction to it and it is the most disco song you can hear

[@jefftucker9225]

Not a comment on the reaction, but your hair looks really good :) have a great day

[@dr.strangelove7788]

I kinda think this song is a picture in time. It is what was happening in Don’s life at the very moment Buddy Holly died.

[@PurityKontrol]

you should see the Home Free COver of this. They do it with Don McLean as a 50th year tribute. It's great

[@howardblock5290]

Great song , it brings back so many memories

[@shanenolan8252]

I pride myself on knowing all the word tp this song , and what they mean

[@terenceingledew1442]

Looking like you're having fun with this one.😃 We've watched you turn from a timid girl to a poised confident young lady. Have a great life.

[@ORagnar]

You have one of the better intro (and outro) songs. 4/11/22, 9:50 p.m.

[@WolvenHeart1]

Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry, them good old boys were drinking whiskey in Rye..... is actually about Don's home town. They had a bar named The Levy but it closed down, so they had to drive to the next town Rye to get some whiskey.

[@ORagnar]

It's a one of a kind song. 4/11/22, 9:48 p.m.

[@Everyday-np5nz]

I love watching you dance So cute...❤ I'm Day from Philippines... Be safe always... :)

[@DanielFrost21]

This is one of those songs that when it comes on the radio, I stop and listen to it in its entirety.

[@bsharp6856]

The song Killing Me Softly (with his song) was inspired by watching Don McLean play.

[@georgephillips3625]

Without you, is a great song by Harry Nielsen, from 1972 I believe. Mariah Carey covered it as well.

[@mlong1958]

Waylon Jennings was supposed to be on the flight that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens, but he gave his seat up for The Big Bopper because he was ill and couldn't sleep on the old school bus they were touring in. According to Jennings, Buddy Holly teased him by saying something like, " I hope that old bus freezes up again." Jennings joked back, "Well, I hope that ol' plane of yours crashes." Five minutes later, it did. Jennings said that haunted him the rest of his life. Years later, Jennings was on his tour bus and a young man sat beside him and he thought he was seeing a ghost. It was J.P. (Big Bopper) Richardson's son who just wanted to ask what his dad was like. He said they talked for a long time.

[@Johnadams20760]

bob dylan is the jester