Don Mclean American Pie | Opera Singer Reacts LIVE

Don Mclean American Pie - Juilliard trained Opera Singer and Vocal Coach Maggie Reneé reacts
👀👍🏼 SUBSCRIBE AND LIKE for more videos like this 👀👍🏼
👉🏻 ALL THINGS MAGGIE: drum.io/maggiereneemusic
Thank you to Roy for sponsoring this video! 😊💐👍💟
‼️ Sponsor Your Own Reaction: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/s...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
💃🏻Maggie’s To-Do List for you:
✔️👍🏼 LIKE!
✔️💬 COMMENT!
✔️📺 SUBSCRIBE! bit.ly/2TRyEid
✔️🔔 RING THE BELL TWICE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS!
✔️💖 SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
✨ SUBSCRIBER GOAL: 500,000 ✨
👉🏻 EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS AND PERKS: / maggierenee
👉🏻 FREE vocal course: skl.sh/3aHdSuy
〰️〰️〰️〰️💃🏻SOCIAL MEDIA💃🏻〰️〰️〰️〰️
👀 Twitch: / maggiereneemusic
💬 Discord: / discord
📲 Instagram: / maggiereneemusic
☀️ Tik Tok: / maggiereneemusic
👤 Facebook: / maggiereneemusicpage
💻 Website: www.maggierenee.com
📺 KZbin: / maggiereneemusic
📩 Business Inquiries ONLY: [e-mail]
〰️〰️〰️〰️🥰 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 🥰〰️〰️〰️〰️
💖 Become my Patron: / maggierenee
🙏🏻 PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/Maggi...
🙌🏼 Venmo: venmo.com/maggiereneemusic
🏁 Membership: / @maggiereneemusic
🎭 Merch (supporting American Cancer Society): teespring.com/stores/maggie-r...
🎁 My Wish List: www.maggierenee.com/links/wis...
🎵 FREE Singing Course: skl.sh/3aHdSuy
💿 Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/0uM...
〰️〰️〰️〰️💌 P.O. BOX 💌〰️〰️〰️〰️
c/o Maggie Reneé 60 Lincoln Center Plaza No. 576 New York, NY 10023
〰️〰️〰️〰️🤯 LIFE CHANGING AMAZON FINDS 🤩〰️〰️〰️
✨CLICK HERE: www.amazon.com/shop/maggierenee
THANK YOU SO MUCH to my Top Patrons ❤️🤍💛💖💚!
Mike N • Dorky • Jerry L • Denny • John T • Luna • Bart D • Jess G • Trixie • Thomas H • Brian P • Alan • Roy P • Roy G • Jamie
〰️〰️〰️〰️🔥FAQ 🔥〰️〰️〰️〰️
Occupation: Singer-Songwriter, Actress, Influencer, Performer
Birthday: July 12
Education: The Juilliard School
Editing Software: FCP
About: Hi there! I am a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, KZbin, Twitch and TikTok content creator and Honors Graduate in Classical Voice from The Juilliard School. I have an Album of original songs out on iTunes, a black belt in karate, and perform throughout the world with a goal of bringing joy to audiences all over the world through music that touches people's hearts. I hope you enjoy my content and consider following along on all my platforms to follow my journey 💗
#donmclean #MaggieRenee #reaction #operasingerreacts #americanpie

[@maggiereneemusic]

Who should I react to next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-reaction-live What should I sing next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-song-liveAnd just for you: ‘Sing Better Instantly" my FREE Singing Course: skl.sh/3aHdSuy and for EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS AND PERKS: www.patreon.com/MaggieRenee

[@ChicagoDB]

Don McLean actually disputes the meaning of the lyrics everyone keeps coming up with…

[@ChicagoDB]

The DJs at one of my favorite places back in Chicago have been playing “American Pie” every night at midnight for about 40 years now…everyone in the place sings and dances from start to finish… About 25 years ago, one of the DJs decided he was tired of doing it…and didn’t play it for the crowd….he was fired next day and never returned. 🍻🇺🇸🥧

[@pamstuckey8349]

Please listen to Eva Cassidy - Live performance at Blues Alley. I would love to hear your comments about her artistry - both her voice and her guitar playing. It is a performance you will never forget

[@stevenklyce3555]

Dylan, James Dean, Elvis, Lennon and the Beatles, Byrds, Rolling Stones…it’s all there.

[@ChicagoDB]

Don actually disputes all of those things…but I think he’s yanking our chain.

[@dazed1nyc]

​@ChicagoDB Yeahh, he said that if he meant Dylan, he would have said Dylan, same with Elvis, Kennedy etc. He said if he meant them he would have said them. I always took the song to mean that was the day the music died to him, but that's not the case for everyone, therefore the lyrics are purposely cryptic and vague so that they hold different meanings to different people. But that's just me.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Walk into any bar with a jukebox and play that song - see how many people are singing the chorus by the end! Enigmatic as the lyrics can be, a reporter famously asked what it all means, and Don said, "It means I'll never have to work another day in my life".

[@zooks527]

The last verse of this performance should be the gold standard definition for "Holding the audience in the palm of your hand".

[@deanm375]

Notice at the time of this recording the song was not even a year old and EVERYONE knew the Lyrics. I was 6 years old when this came out and my mother bought me the 45 single and I too knew every lyric. Amazing how great Don sounds with only his voice and a single guitar. Classic song.

[@umpdaddy1]

The sargents were The Beatles, a girl that sang the blues is Janis Joplin, Jack Flash references The Rolling Stones, his fist were clinched in rage watching Jagger. So many cultural references you almost had to live during the Sixties to get them.

[@IAMCAVE]

And don’t forget the Byrds that flew 8 miles high.

[@russyeatman5631]

@@IAMCAVE YUP

[@russyeatman5631]

YUP

[@jonassamme1889]

R.I.P. Buddy Holly. For us who grew up during the bleak decades after the tragedy it was obvious that without his influence there would have been no Beatles, no Stones no Bowie etcetera. His influence on the contemprary music in the decades that followed cannot be overestimated.

[@justajo2]

He wrote the song. He sings it his own way, every time a bit different, yet still the same. What an artist!

[@mikenolan8044]

I was 16 that day in February when the music died. And when the song first came out years later, I got all the references right away. For anyone in tune with the music scene in that era, they are obvious. Great live energy! TY Roy! Loved your reaction!

[@user-zk4vi5hw6x]

U have 7 yr on me but same gapes with me

[@mikenolan8044]

@@user-zk4vi5hw6x OK they were not all obvious. Drove my Chevy to the Levy (note spelling) is something personal to Don McLean.

[@chetstevensq]

Every person in that audience knew every lyric of that song. It was an anthem that we actually learned in music class in junior high.

[@Laura_Martin42]

He re-released a new version of this in 2021 as a collaboration with Home Free. They also sang it at his ceremony when he received his star on the walk of fame!

[@michaeldalzell6670]

An its just been announced that he asked them to collaborate with him again on his next album 💿

[@Laura_Martin42]

@@michaeldalzell6670 American Boys is already out!

[@TomBagwell]

Agreed. Works love to see Maggie compare his performance here to his performance with Home Free 50 years later.

[@paulwhite5840]

That collaboration was fire!

[@Laura_Martin42]

@@michaeldalzell6670 American Boys is already out!

[@John-yx4dc]

A generation lost in space refers to people who grew up with the science fiction tv series "Lost in Space".

[@glenngunnis6642]

This song would get everybody singing every time it came on radio!🤘🎸

[@rudedogmat]

Those were tears you saw on his face.

[@scottborenstein8291]

Yes, that verse is very emotional to him.

[@SCVocalStudentReacts]

"His voice is so flexible." 100% on that. Superior musicality, I think

[@binxbolling]

Killing Me Softly was written about Don.

[@kennethbryson7751]

It was a very well written song, quite poetic, and the chorus became extremely well known! All these years later still quite pertinent to things going on today! A few years ago he had heard Home Free and decided to call them and do an a cappella version with them! It is equally as good, and Don, though quite a bit older sounded great! You’ll have to check that out as a sequel to your reaction to this one! Great job as always! Low bass Kenneth.

[@StanEngland]

The chorus also became a movie title.

[@peccatumDei]

"Drove my Chevy to the Levy" is a reference to a line in a 1953 commercial sung by Dinah Shore, on her TV show sponsored by Chevrolet.

[@patrickhanekamp2761]

Rip Buddy Holly. The day that music died. The artist that influenced all the great performers such Elvis, Orbison, Beatles and so, so many more. Gone way too soon.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

This is one of the greatest songs of all time. It's an 8 minute song that feels like 3.

[@bobpat56]

Fascinating to watch one man with a guitar captivate the entire audience.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

The song Killing Me Softly (With His Song), made famous by Roberta Flack, was written about Don, after the initial author attended his concert (Lori Lieberman was snubbed on the writing credits even though it was her experience and she was involved in the composition).

[@russyeatman5631]

YUP. And with American Pie and Killing Me Softly Don McClean never had to work again.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

@@russyeatman5631 I can't imagine he got any royalties for Killing Me Softly as he was not a composer or lyricist. He is not even named in the song. He did joke that the meaning of American Pie was that he would never have to work again, but he has continued to work ever since it was released.

[@russyeatman5631]

@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 Yes. Am aware he has worked. Simply said he does not have to. Neither did John Hartford "have" to work after "Gentle On My Mind" and he did as welll.

[@Natasha-ty7oo]

now you need to see the 50 year celebration he did with Homefree. Don was supposed to preform at the Surf in Clear Lake but do to Covid he couldn't. So instead he jump on with Homefree and re-released the song. It's a wonderful version.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

those lyrics are pure poetry

[@ellenstrack6274]

I am of an age that if you play this in a bar with people my age we all sing along to this song....and do not miss a word..

[@318greenman]

One of the greatest live performances of one of the greatest songs eva written 💜

[@josegiordano9838]

this IS the ultimate sing along

[@chrino21]

Every lyric of this is pretty deep. It's a real journey to explore the meanings of this masterpiece.

[@nmt2k2]

His "Vincent" is an excellent choice. Shows a more delicate approach to songwriting and singing.

[@russyeatman5631]

Vincent is brilliant. The whole album that Vincent is on is brilliant.

[@deanchambers5934]

Little moments In our lives back in the 60s.

[@rparret]

This song always triggers nostalgic memories for me because of things happening in my life at the time.

[@orangeandblackattack]

There are so many references it's hard to list. "Jack Flash sat on a candlestick" refers to the Rolling Stones/Mick Jagger, "DRove my Chevy to the levee" refers to an old Chevy commercial. On a personal note, as a truck driver, I passed by the plane crash sight near Clear Lake, IA over 50 times, and not one time did I not think about the loss that happened before I was even born in 1967.But my dad was a huge Buddy Holly fan, and I inherited all of his 45 rpm original records and wore them out. I am somewhat of a well-informed rock and roll historian based on the 2000 45's and 1000 albums I own. The fact that the music from artists dead before we were born affects so borders on the surreal.

[@scottdarden3091]

I think it was great that he asked Home Free to collaborate with him for the 50th anniversary.

[@yelnikigwawa1845]

I want to point out something very easy to overlook in our hyper-connected world of today; This song was released in 1971, and this video was recorded in 1972. There was no public internet back then (it was still just DARPAnet and a small group of universities), there were no cell phones, no msg boards, forums (okay, there were a few), chats, any of that. Transatlantic communication cables were a brand new thing back then, and we never saw television from other countries. Yet that whole audience knew the chorus to this brand-new song from another country. They were singing along. Some of them knew all the words. You can gauge the huge impact this song had on young people at that time, from that. There are some songs that became emblems of their times, and this song is one of them. By the way, the 70's were an INCREDIBLY fertile time for good music. Seven months after "American Pie" was released....Pink Floyd gave us "The Dark Side Of The Moon".

[@donaldriddle230]

The "Girl who sang the blues" is Janis Joplin. The Jester is Bob Dylan. Jack Flash is of course Jumpin Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones. The one he watched on the stage with hands clinched in fists of rage is Mick Jagger. Helter Sketler refers to the Charles Manson Murders, but also the Beatles had a song called Helter Skelter.

[@dazed1nyc]

He actually disputes a lot of that. He always said if he meant someone in particular he would have mentioned them by name like Lenin/Lennon, James Dean, etc. Some people think Jack Flash sitting on a candle stick is in reference to Kennedy screwing up the Bay of Pigs. At this point its entirely possible he just enjoys not confirming because every time someone new hears it the conversation and debate is reignited soo who knows 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@plasticonion]

Enjoyed your reaction. as usual. On the 50th anniversary of this song. Don McLean approached Home Free to do a special anniversary cover with him. AND THEY DID! And it's fabulous. He still has the voice. You really need to hear it. Thx for all you do. it is appreciated

[@KathyRay-wx2rs]

I'm glad you chose to listen to this. I remember it as a brand-new hit. I still have my 45 of this. Please consider... doing more than just being entertained by this song. Its actually real Rock, America, and World History if you put in the effort to understand the lyrics. "Most," never do... I hope you'll make the effort to be better than "most."

[@captainkangaroo4301]

An absolute masterpiece. When this record first came out I had to listen to it about 20 times to understand all of the references and they were my contemporaries. I imagine it doesn’t mean as much to the younger generation. I always loved the references to Dylan’s near fatal motorcycle accident “the Jester’s on the sideline in a cast”.

[@sleepingwolf_8]

Will always be the quintessential song depicting the change from the old guard of Rock n' Roll to the new for me. It triggers so many flashbacks to times in my life. Thank you for the reaction to this video.

[@drcornelius8275]

I first heard this song while staying with my parents on vacation at a Howard Johnsons while on the way to Mt. Rushmore. They had a lounge and we went in to grab some food and a very talented woman was singing this song. Everyone was singing along there with her too... circa 1976.

[@EW-ty6qw]

This is a very deep rabbit hole. Dissertations have been written about this song. Probably one of the greatest songs ever written, poetically chalked-full of cultural references from 1959 to 1971. Seriously, you should spend a couple of hour diving into the meaning this song. There's ton's on the internet about it.

[@maruad7577]

So many cultural references in one song. It is a great tune.

[@turnerdan53]

The line of This will be the day that I die is a reference to Bubby Hollie's song That will be the Day.

[@mrright3277]

I saw Don McLean perform on February 3, 2022 (anniversary of the crash) at the Surf Ballroom (the last venue the 3 killed in the crash played at). Pretty surreal feeling. He stretched American Pie to twelve minutes. He sounded great.

[@rodl.miller3353]

Hello @Maggie Renee 👍 To me, this is one of the greatest songs ever written (my opinion). The day the music died was February 3, 1959. In the opening verse, he sings reading about his widowed bride. He was referring to the new bride of Buddy Holly. At the time of the plane crash, she was pregnant with their first child. Sadly, she would have a miscarriage a short time later. One of the greatest concerts that I have ever been to was a free concert in Central Park (NYC) of Garth Brooks. Garth brought on two special guests, Billy Joel and Don MacClean. Billy did, We didn't start the fire and New York state of mind. Don did American Pie. It was an amazing evening. I don't think that it will ever get better than that, at least for me. I hope that you have a very happy healthy safe and enjoyable day. I wish you much continued success in your musical endeavors.🎵🎤🎸❤️🙏🇺🇸🌞🎶

[@donakahorse]

we analyzed this song in 1972 when I was in 6th grade in music appreciation. Such heavy meaning, so well written.

[@billsager5634]

Don McLean and Harry Chapin were not only great singer/songwriters/storytellers, both were great humanitarians, constantly doing charity work, usually for organizations such as food banks, world hunger, etc. Both McLean and Chapin performed at my high school (one year apart) - while I was a student, with all proceeds going to charity. Both McLean and Chapin spent a lot of time talking with the students. Won't forget either of them.

[@n5iln]

Whoof. We took this song apart line by line in my high-school Freshman English class (I'll only say it wasn't too many years after it was released). It took us a solid week. My hat's off to you for attacking it in just over 15 minutes!

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

There's a mural in Pacoima, California painted on the side of a building near a car wash that has Buddy Holly,The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens' images on it.Perfect memory of all!

[@jakesmith5278]

This version shows so much artistry.

[@kinokind293]

It still gives me chills to hear it, all these years later. It didn't get much airplay at the time, since it was so long, but people bought the record and we heard it at home. I have never heard anyone with the cojones to let the audience carry the melody and harmonize with it. And it worked! What a musician.

[@GaiaOne]

Oh man, you have to check out McLean's collaboration with the Home Free men for the 50th anniversary of this song. Awesome.

[@steelers6titles]

Packed with references. The Monotones had a hit with "Book Of Love" in 1958.

[@darkpitcher5242]

Killing me Softly with his song

[@gl15col]

If you grew up with this song and loved it, you will always be able to sing it word for word. If you grew up in the times he sings about the meaning will give you tears of grief and loss because those years were real, real rough...

[@howardyoung9987]

Greetings from Scotland. Thanks for reacting to this. Great song.

[@frankbolger3969]

Love a lot of McLean's canon, but my personal favorite of his is "Empty Chairs." Such a great voice and talented lyricist. Thanks for a great reaction.

[@Undefinedsoundscapes]

He is not sweating, they are tears, ....

[@RiaVersteeg]

He recently did a song with Home Free.

[@michelestiles7692]

Grew up listening to this and we all learned the words because it played incessantly on the radio. Soundtrack of my youth 🎉

[@tgriffin8179]

Another accidentally purchased album when I didn’t return the don’s send card to Colombia Record Club. Happy accident as I loved this album and would play it over and over again. Consider listening to Babylon… such a beautifully haunting rondo… As always thank you for sharing your thoughts and skillful analysis…keep’em coming!!

[@grapeman63]

My university radio station, in South Africa, used to compile a weekly countdown based upon the number of requests received from students that week. By the time I got there in 1982, this song had been number one for eleven years!

[@subbie333]

I was too young for listening to pop music when this first came out. I distictly remember the first "pop song" I heard when I turned the radio on was Jim Croce's "I'll Have to Say I love You In A song" right after he died September 20, 1973. Well, a few years later I also distinctly remember hearing a version of "American Pie" where it was stopped after almost every lyric and some guy came on and stated what the lyric was referencing. I have been unable to find a copy of that recording, and, most people don't believe that it ever happened.

[@connieliguori8312]

You really have to listen to him sing this with home free . It is so good.

[@ellygoffin4200]

Roy Markowitz played the drums on the original album in 1971. He also played drums on my dad's debut album Neshomo in 1972. My dad's album was the #2 selling Jewish album of 1972/73

[@leftcoaster67]

When asked what the song means? He answered "It means I never have to work again...."

[@billboyd9028]

Fantastic reaction! Thank you for sharing this tune with us!

[@TheGadgetwiz]

I always play Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" when I pick up my wife. Always makes her smile.

[@Tiger5672]

Maggie, Home Free sang this song with Don back in 2021 for the 50th anniversary of this amazing song. And Home Free uploaded them singing the song Vincent with him a few weeks ago.

[@jasonlmeadows]

Easily in my top 5 greatest songs ever, and arguably is the greatest song ever. This is a song I could put on repeat and not get tired of hearing it!

[@trixiebella]

What a great classic! Great reaction Maggie! Keep up the great work!

[@maggiereneemusic]

🥳👍❤️

[@mikemiller3069]

One of the main theme lines in this song is "this will be the day that I die", referencing one of Buddy Holly's most popular songs, "That'll Be The Day" in which the refrain ends with the lyrics, "that'll be the day that I die".

[@steelers6titles]

"Lost In Space" aired for three seasons on CBS, from 1965 to 1968.

[@raymondlong3024]

isn't it fun to listen to an actual artist perform, much different than what I see as the majority today. congrats, good job.

[@cliff481]

The comments have said what the song is about. An interesting connection is that this song spawned the song "killing me softly", written by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel, after they saw Don perform this live, Roberta Flack had a hit with killing me softly when She released it in 1972. Defiantly worth a listen or/and a reaction. Great reaction, Thanks!

[@jakesmith5278]

It don't get any more American than this. Let's us all SING!!

[@TheOGpurpleRanger]

Wow all I remember is weird Al and his parody of this it's hilarious

[@WoncoTheSane]

THIS! This is why we love you, and if I've overstepped my bounds then this is why I love you. Awesome reaction to this classic song and bless you and your fans for choosing a version that I've never heard before. Amazing!

[@kennethcook9406]

Don McLean was describing about 30 years of music in one song.

[@MaKettle111]

He actually wrote the words to American pie, sitting in a restaurant scribbling on the back of an napkin. He’s also stated in interviews that what made sense to him while he was writing it didn’t make any sense to him after it but it was good so he did it anyway. 😂😂😂

[@MaKettle111]

You should check out the version that he did with Home Free. That’s pretty cool.

[@dennissensing9667]

If you like this, look up when he does this song with Home Free. Excellent harmonies

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

Loved your reaction.I don’t always enjoy live shows but this was great

[@scoobyj803]

one of my most favorite songs

[@curiousman1672]

The thing about this song is that I have so many memories attached to it. Both personal and cultural. I remember sitting on my best friends floor and singing along on a 45rpm record player. I remember the Altamont riot, and how upset my sister was. So many memories with this particular song. Brilliant lyrics. Thanks to the guy who sponsored this.

[@paulhadfield7909]

any one over 50 knows this song off by heart, it used to be sung in bars allover ther world

[@myrondyal6117]

DON WAS PAID , ONE MILLION BUCKS FOR ALL THE LYRICS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG.

[@jimfrederick3907]

Pretty much if you were alive back then, you heard it on the radio at least 10 times a day regardless of where you lived. Everyone knew every word and still do today. Play this, then "Piano Man", then "Hey Jude" and any bar becomes a karaoke fest.

[@karenmandeville7116]

hadn't seen this clip before-thanks for pointing out his quiet harmonizing with the crowd! i had not noticed it before. great reaction!

[@lunaetsoliel0535]

Every time I hear this song I have to sing a long and continue to do so several hours later. Loved the reaction Maggie!🥰

[@maggiereneemusic]

Thank you sooooo much!! 💖👍💐🎉

[@marybryan4168]

Gotta see the remake with Home Free now

[@WolvenHeart1]

Drive my Chevy to the Levy but the Levy was dry, them good old boys were drinking whiskey in Rye is a nod to the bar where he grew up. The bar was called the Levy and it closed so they had to got to the bar in the next town called Rye so they drank whiskey in Rye. ... love the lyrics when they put a piece of their life in it

[@sueparras6028]

Thank you for finally letting the singer do most of the singing! Much appreciated. ✌🇨🇦

[@ssark7632]

My dad always said part of this song referred to the death of Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper (Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr.) in a plane crash.

[@biggie25x]

Never seen that version. Great song. One of the best. Great reaction. Thanks.

[@dariopercali8884]

Great awesome voice..good song...

[@warrenrule2003]

One of the greatest analysis of America's descent post WWII..."church bells all were broken". Does this have anything to do with a society's music dying? ...best upbeat lament ever written...

[@matthewcostello3530]

when the bar The Levee was closed they went up to Rye, NY to drink whiskey in Rye

[@AVGuyhall]

I worked as a DJ at a radio station in the late 70's. American Pie and Alice's Restaurant were the go to songs when you needed an extended bathroom break. Great songs.

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

Oh, dearest Maggie- now you need to hear _The Saga Begins._ It's Weird Al's Star Wars-themed take on this song. Don McLean tells the story that one of his daughters loved the Weird Al version so much that McLean learned to sing to her at home...and then proceeded to occasionally sing the wrong one in concert. 😂

[@kevinmoore2929]

Exactly! Even though it's a parody, Weird All did an excellent job with the music on his version. The piano in the studio version of the original brings so much energy to the song and Weird Al duplicated it faithfully.

[@redoctober00]

Yes! please react to that..

[@MarkMcLT]

​@@kevinmoore2929Indeed, it would be good for her to hear the studio version of this before Weird Al's fantastic Star Wars version. But either way, Al's is a must hear.

[@wayland76]

I covered the Weird Al version with a group on stage one time. While I agree the version Maggie listened to was the best for hearing the vocals, I can say that, as someone who loves counterpoint, the things I missed in this version (that also appear in the Weird Al version) were a) the bass line, and b) the little piano riffs. I've also heard an a capella version that has a nice little harmony on the chorus (which we included in our cover as a violin part).

[@bloodybutunbowed291]

Studied this song in my creative writing class in college, it's a creative work of genius... 1. ‘Drove My Chevy To The Levee But The Levee Was Dry’ There was an advertisement for Chevrolet sang in 1953 by Dinah Shore who was a top-charting female vocalist of the 40s and 50s. The fact it was now dry refers to the change in the social climate in the 60s compared to the 50s. 2. ‘Singin' This'll Be The Day' - in the chorus Likely refers to Buddy Holly's song "That'll Be the Day." 3. ‘But February Made Me Shiver’ Of course refers to the deaths of Buddy Holly, along with singers the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, and pilot Roger Peterson, perished in a plane incident February 3, 1959. Their small aircraft went down on a snowy late night after a concert in Clear Lake, IA. (Made me shiver - plane crashed in a blizzaed_ 4. ‘With Every Paper I'd Deliver / Bad News On The Doorstep / I Couldn't Take One More Step’ McLean worked as a newspaper delivery boy. And on February 3, 1959, the "bad news" was Buddy Holly's demise, on the cover of every paper that he delivered. 5. ‘When I Read About His Widowed Bride’ Buddy Holly was married to his young wife, Maria Elena Santiago-Holly, for only six months when he perished.His widowed, pregnant new bride was so traumatized by the news of his demise that she had a miscarriage. 6. ‘The Day The Music Died’ Since there was the loss of all three rock musicians in the same incident was seen as a tragedy, and in McLean's mind, marked the end of a musical era that would never be reclaimed. 7. ‘Did You Write The Book Of Love?’ "The Book of Love" is a famous song by The Monotones, a group from Newark, NJ. The song was released in 1958, topping pop and R&B charts. It must have left an impression on young McLean. As the lyrics to the song go: "I wonder, wonder who, mmbadoo-ooh, who...Who wrote the book of love" 8. ‘If The Bible Tells You So?’ "The Bible Tells Me So" was written by Dale Evans in 1955 and recorded by a handful of singers the same year. It was a pop(ish) version of the of the Sunday school song "Jesus Loves Me" 9. ‘You Both Kicked Off Your Shoes’ Refers to sock hops. Teenage dance parties in the '40s and '50s that involved playing popular music in gymnasiums or community halls. Kids were told to take their shoes off to protect the varnish on gymnasiums and dance floors. 10. ‘With A Pink Carnation And A Pickup Truck’ In 1957, Marty Robbins released the heartbreak song "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)" about a young man "all dressed up for the dance" and "all alone in romance." 11. ‘And Moss Grows Fat On A Rolling Stone’ A year after Bob Dylan released "Like a Rolling Stone" in 1965, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that made him lie low for a year or two at the height of his career. He had just transformed himself from a folk singer to an electric guitar-playing rock musician, which caused a lot of controversy within the American music scene. Some people believe McLean's intention was to highlight the evolution of music between the '50s and early '70s while also pushing the action of the song into the '60s. 12. ‘When The Jester Sang For The King And Queen’ Bob Dylan is the jester, Pete Seeger is the king, and Joan Baez is the queen. Bob Dylan opened for them at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, where the three of them sang Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" together on stage. 13. ‘In A Coat He Borrowed From James Dean’ On the cover of his 1963 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Dylan wears a red windbreaker similar to the one worn by James Dean in the film Rebel Without a Cause. 14. ‘And While The King Was Looking Down’ Reference to Pete Seeger looking down on the way Bob Dylan experimented with music in the 1960s. 15. ‘The Jester Stole His Thorny Crown’ Bob Dylan the jester became the king, taking the crown when he won hearts with his brand of folksy rock 'n' roll. Some people believe he took the crown from Elvis, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll." Others stick with Pete Seeger. 16. ‘The Courtroom Was Adjourned / No Verdict Was Returned’ Refering tothe JFK assination. After he was slain in 1963 , the man accused of the slaying, Lee Harvey Oswald, was himself slain. Therefore, "no verdict was returned" because no trial actually occurred. Also, the Warren Commission showed no real explanation to the event. 17. ‘And While Lennon Read A Book On Marx’ The popular theory is that he's singing about the Beatles becoming more political with their music as tensions soared in the '60s. The Beatles, adored by American youth, were deemed inappropriate by older generations who thought their music was too rowdy. Also, the Beatles released songs like "Revolution" in 1968, whose message is in line with the Communist writer Karl Marx, known for The Communist Manifesto.

[@bloodybutunbowed291]

18. ’The Quartet Practiced In The Park’ The quartet is likely the Beatles: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. 19. ‘And We Sang Dirges In The Dark’ A dirge is a funereal song of mourning, and there a lot of funerals in the '60s: President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy among them. The line could also refer to the Vietnam conflict; many drafted service members sent overseas never made it back home. 20. ‘Helter Skelter In A Summer Swelter’ "Helter Skelter" is a song the Beatles released in 1968, a year of political and social turmoil in the United States. The next August, "in a summer swelter," followers of Charles Manson (who called for racial war he refered to as "Helter Skelter") brutally slayed five people, including the actress Sharon Tate. 21. ‘The Birds Flew Off From A Fallout Shelter’ Some fans speculate this is an reference to the '60s rock band The Byrds. A fallout shelter is a euphemism for a drug treatment center, which one of the band members checked into after being caught with illicit substances. 22. ‘Eight Miles High And Falling Fast’ Eight Miles High is the title of a 1966 album by The Byrds. It is considered one of the first real trippy records. The sound of the album was influenced by plenty of experimentation with acid. 23. ‘It Landed Foul On The Grass’ Referencing the counterculture's overt use of the weed. 24. ‘With The Jester On The Sidelines In A Cast’ In 1966, Bob Dylan (the Jester), was in a very bad motorcycle accident which had him laid up and in a cast. He didn't want to go to a hospital so he moved in with small town doctor, Doctor Ed Thaler and his family, staying in the third-floor bedroom of their home, until he healed. 25. ‘While Sergeants Played A Marching Tune’ The Beatles released their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in 1967. It was an album where they changed their style making traditional "rock n roll". Experimenting with different soundscapes, introducing instruments such as brass horns and sitars. 26. ' 'Cause The Players Tried To Take The Field / The Marching Band Refused To Yield’ Talking about the protest movement that seemed to peak in the late '60s and early '70s, from Chicago protests at the Democratic National Convention to the one at Kent State in Ohio where the National Guard opened fire on a bunch of students. 27. ‘Oh, And There We Were, All In One Place’ Woodstock. The 1969 music festival in Bethel, NY, which brought together more than 400,000 people in one weekend. Many of the most well-known rock musicians of the time performed, including Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. The festival is viewed as the height of American hippie culture. 28. ‘Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick / Jack Flash Sat On A Candlestick’ A mashup of the "Jack Be Nimble" nursery rhyme and the 1969 song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones released on their album "Live'r Than You'll Ever Be". The album sold poorly, so this could be read as an insult to the Stones for not coming up with a good comeback to the Beatles' album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". 29. ‘Cause Fire Is The Devil's Only Friend’ The Devil seen to be represented by the Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. The Rolling Stones music potraying rebellion and estrangement, and the pull away from a more innocent time perceived earlier in the '50s and early '60s music as well as the world in general. 30. ‘No Angel Born In Hell / Could Break That Satan's Spell’ "Angel" refering to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, which started a riot at the 1969 Altamont Free Concert in California. They were hired to provide security during a performance by the Rolling Stones, and an 18-year-old Black man was stabbed by a member of the motorcycle group (some say for trying to pick up on a white girl). The events of the day are considered by some to be the day the "free love" movement ended. 31. ‘I Met A Girl Who Sang The Blues’ The "girl" could be Janis Joplin, the rock singer with a very bluesy voice who perished from taking illicit substances in 1970. Her hits "Piece of My Heart" and "Me and Bobby McGee" were considered anthems for the hippie generation. 32. 'I Went Down To The Sacred Store / Where I'd Heard The Music Years Before / But The Man There Said The Music Wouldn't Play’ Don McLean is possibly talking about the loss of interest in '50s music at record stores. When he released the song in 1971, perhaps he was suggesting no one cared about music from this bygone era anymore. 33. ‘And In The Streets The Children Screamed’ In recent years leading up to the song's creation, thousands of young people across the country were involved in various protest movements, which led to confrontations with law enforcement or other groups. 34. 'And The Three Men I Admire Most / The Father, Son, And The Holy Ghost' Since Don McLean was raised Catholic, bringing religion in at the end of the song makes sense. The sacred holy trinity he speaks of, however, catches "the last train for the coast," likely a sign McLean believes America lost its moral foundation in 1959, the year of Buddy Holly's plane crash.