Don Mclean American Pie | Opera Singer Reacts LIVE

[@maggiereneemusic]

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[@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

[@MarkoMakela-kk7qf]

Hi Maggie! I do love your reactions as you can see from your face when you enjoy something, but also you have picked up songs from completely diffrent genres allthough your backround is classical music. But the thing is that in all music genres there are some jewels. By the way: I haven't ever heard a one reasonable explanation to what music actually is. People can live without it and it has no evolutionist purpose at all, no more than you can explain why some songs are better than others. In a sense music is a differnt kind of language that immediately can transfer to emotions and with lyrics also to even bigger.

[@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.

[@garymaidman625]

What about the Big Bopper and Richie Valens? No RIP to them too? They died in the plane crash as well. The reason this was known as the day the music died wasn't because of Buddy Holly dying, it was because of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens dying all together.

[@binxbolling]

Killing Me Softly was written about Don.

[@clay-tw5gc]

That I did not know.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Not just Don, but his Central Park performance of this song.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@fredeerickbays]

U have 7 yr on me but same gapes with me

[@mikenolan8044]

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

[@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".

[@TheRealRedAce]

GOOD answer!

[@martinperry5072]

There are still jukeboxes? All of the small town gas stations that had a cafe attached are dead around here. Those cafe's always had a jukebox, and since I travelled long distances, a lot of new music I picked up came from there.

[@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.

[@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!

[@glenngunnis6642]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@bobpat56]

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

[@rudedogmat]

Those were tears you saw on his face.

[@scottborenstein8291]

Yes, that verse is very emotional to him.

[@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.

[@SCVocalStudentReacts]

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

[@garymaidman625]

I was lucky enough to see him do this live last year.

[@John-yx4dc]

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

[@thomastimlin1724]

And the race to the moon between Russia and the USA.

[@maruad7577]

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

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

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

[@chrino21]

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

[@318greenman]

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

[@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”.

[@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.

[@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..

[@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

[@josegiordano9838]

this IS the ultimate sing along

[@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."

[@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.🎵🎤🎸❤️🙏🇺🇸🌞🎶

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@rparret]

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

[@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

[@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 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Manson believed and taught that the Beatles’ song Helter Skelter was a coded message about a coming race war. As nonsensical as this sounds, it was one of the central tenets of the Manson family, and the one from which everything else flowed.

[@deanchambers5934]

Little moments In our lives back in the 60s.

[@scottdarden3091]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@donakahorse]

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

[@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".

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

The music and a few movies were just about the only good parts of the 70s, but to have been alive then and get to see most of the great rock bands in their prime would have been something.

[@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.

[@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.

[@genegottloeb7281]

I'm 74, and you had to be there it appreciate this masterpiece

[@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!

[@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!

[@GaiaOne]

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

[@jakesmith5278]

This version shows so much artistry.

[@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!! 💖👍💐🎉

[@stevedockeray]

I have been listening to this song for 50 years & this live version actually brought a little moisture to eyes as the loss of those great performers really came to the front as Peggy Sue was wearing Chantilly Lace while dancing the La Bamba .

[@steverino015]

every time I hear this song, I just cry, darn it can't help it.... disabled vet, I love this song.... so much.... Maggie, I think that was not sweat we were seeing... I think those were tears..... Another, please! you have heard Vincent so perhaps And I Love You So, or maybe Empty Chairs.... I subscribed today, I hope you get the chance to read this... Love your smile, and reaction.. God Bless America ✝❤

[@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.

[@RoGueNavy]

There's a documentary on this song, on Paramount+. They interview Don, and even Ritchie Valens' sister. Don plays this in the actual venue where Buddy, JP and Ritchie played their final show. It hits HARD.

[@leftcoaster67]

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

[@paulhadfield7909]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@gibbopg]

He wrote and sang ‘Vincent’ ... one of the greatest ballads ever written.

[@lovesmusic0845]

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

[@billboyd9028]

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

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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".

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@arniedainter3997]

That is and always will be a great song.

[@isinlarsa5996]

Making this song his own! It is his own.

[@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.

[@trixiebella]

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

[@maggiereneemusic]

🥳👍❤️

[@VFLPlus]

Here in the U.K. I was 15 and this was a huge huge hit. So easy to sing along with that chorus. And all of us millions of Brits had no idea what a levee is or why it was dry. But we sang along to the radio anyway. 😂

[@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!

[@darkpitcher5242]

Killing me Softly with his song

[@dennissensing9667]

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

[@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!

[@TristanandIsolt]

His song Vincent is possibly the best poetry about a real person ever put to music.

[@williamreiser3118]

When this song was a hit, I was 9 years old, beautiful, third grade.God, that brings back a lot of memories listening to that on the f.M radio little white one with couple nabs.Good grave I was awfully young

[@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!

[@AtmosphericSoundArt]

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

[@steelers6titles]

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

[@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.

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

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

[@connieliguori8312]

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

[@sueparras6028]

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

[@jeremiahrose4681]

This song is brilliant.

[@RiaVersteeg]

He recently did a song with Home Free.

[@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.

[@TheGadgetwiz]

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

[@biggie25x]

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

[@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.

[@dariopercali8884]

Great awesome voice..good song...

[@estebancorral5151]

One day I would like to hear your rendition of Va Pensiero. As Giuseppe Verdi’s hearst was being led to his tomb, the people out on the streets of Milan stepped aside and spontaneously began to sing this song of his, one last tribute to their great and beloved maestro.

[@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