DON MCLEAN American Pie REACTION

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[@Mr54nomore]

American Pie describes the disillusioning end to both decades. The 1950's and then the 1960's. On February 3rd 1959 is when "The Music Died"... It was 60 years ago when 50's Rock & Roll icons Buddy Holly, Ricardo Venezuela aka [Ritchie Valens], and the Big Bopper [JP Richardson] all died in a Plane crash. It was a sad ending to the decade [50's] that brought us the birth of Rock & Roll. And these young men were a big part of that history. Waylon Jennings who had lost the coin toss, and took the tour bus instead... Gave him a new lease on life where he went on to become one of country music biggest stars. Note" The King was looking down-Elvis Presley. Do you recall what was revealed' The day the music died?-The start of the Viet Nam War!!! The Jester-Bob Dylan wearing a black leather coat given to him by actor James Dean. Girl Who Sang The Blues-Janis Joplin committed suicide instead of bringing happiness to Americans in the 1970's. John Lennon reading a book on Karl Marx. Where years later he will write his famous Karl Marx inspired song "Imagine." Quartet practice in the park-The Beatles performing at Shea baseball Stadium Flushing Meadows New York 1965. Book Of Love- A 50's love song. This will be the day that I die- Americans being drafted, and heading towards the Viet Nam War. 10 years will be on our own-The virulent decade of the 60's. Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry...drinking buddies would be drafted in to the army to become soldiers... and be involved in the Viet Nam war...many never to return. A T.V. commercial of the 50's [Dinah Shore]. Helter Skelter and the summer swelter... A book on Charles Manson, and his girl gang that murdered Sharon Tate, and her unborn baby... & Football game-Viet Nam war protest in summer of 1967. Marching Band Refused To Yield-most of the public wanted the Viet Nam war to continue. 8 Miles High and Falling Fast-The Byrds song "8 Miles High" was banned because of its implication of drug use on a transatlantic flight. Group split up after this incident. A Generation Lost In Space-The decade of the 1960's and a famous 60's television show. No Angels Born In Hell- The Hells Angels Biker Gang did the security for the 'Rolling Stones' at Altamont... and they wanted Mick Jagger to stop singing. The result were stabbings, and rampant drug use... And Mick Jagger of the rolling stones 'Jumping Jack Flash' himself singing like a man possessed by the devil. This incident would become a stain on America... And would be the beginning of the end of the Hippie Generation, and the turbulent 60's decade. Hat tip to Allen MacCannell… Great response as always!

[@kristerforsman2448]

Hmm, Bob Dylan was born 1941 James Dean died in 1955. Do you think he gave a 13/14 year old Robert Zimmerman his overcoat? No Dylan has a similar overcoat as Dean on his album "The Freeweelin Bob Dyan." "The quartet that practiced in the par"k may have been "The Weavers" with, among others, Pete Seeger.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

The one single thing on that very exhaustive, impressive and amazing list of yours that I would provide a different interpretation for would be "The Marching Band refused to yield". I'd say that refers back to the line: _The Sergeants played a marching tune_ A "marching tune" was slang in the Music world in the '60s and '70s for music you couldn't dance to. The "marching band", then, is this band who McClean says plays primarily "marching tunes", earlier referred to as "The Sergeants". Now, the question then is, of course: who who were "The Sergeants"? Why, "Sergeant Pepper's 'Lonely Hearts' Club Band", of course! Or, in other words, the Beatles. The "marching tune" line was a dig of McClean's towards the Beatles. The lines _We all got up to dance_ _but we never got the chance._ _Cause the players tried to take the field;_ _the marching band refused to yield_ then, are about how a ton of other musicians and bands were very eager to play their music, and try and get a career for themselves off the ground in the late '60s and early '70s. But "Beatle-mania" was so all-encompassing, or in other words the hegemony of the Beatles was so unbreakable, that a lot of those others were never given a chance; there really wasn't much room for other artists to get any attention. Because the marching band refused to yield.

[@kickinvideo333]

Ahsim Nreiziev or it may refer to The Beatles' frustration with playing live, where they became quickly disillusioned with not being able to grow & improve musically through their performances because they couldn't hear themselves nor genuine audience responses. This, and the increasingly crackpot dangers & threats that grew acute in the Southern Bible Belt, caused them to retreat into the recording studio & ultimately creating an entirely different alter-ego band (aka Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) Their bold attempt to return to the simple club-playing rock n roll dance band (aka The Quarrymen) with the aborted Get Back album (aka Let It Be), documentary, and most important, world tour culminated in their only live performance - an impromptu "rehearsal" on the rooftop of Abbey Road Studio where Sgt.Peppers band flourished at the expense of the young mop top Beatles. This event was also cut short due to 'disturbing the peace' and complaints from their neighbors in the surrounding business zone. That moment symbolically fulfilled their desire to play live again and ultimately killed the band they once were. "As the players (John, Paul, George & Ringo) tried to take the field (Get Back "to where they once belonged" onstage), the marching band (Sgt. Pepper) refused to yield" The Beatles regrouped, realizing that they could never "Get Back", and created their masterpiece, Abbey Road, where the band would end - and perform live one last time. The uber-scrutinized album cover of Abbey Road portrays both the band's funeral, but also their escape from both the trap (Abbey Road Studio) and the marching/recording band they'd become. I believe that's why they titled the album after this place. The Get Back session tapes were handed off to Phil Spector - not George Martin - and rushed to market as Let It Be just in time to announce their breakup. "Let It Be", became their requiem album and song.

[@RBNightlinger]

Helter Skelter refers to the Tate/LaBianca murders by the Manson Family. Charles Manson was delusional, and believed that the Beatles were sending him secret messages in their songs. He interpreted Helter Skelter, a Beatles song on the White Album, to be the Manson Family's marching orders to spark race wars in America. The Beatles said it was actually about a giant slide at a carnival. Helter Skelter was also the name of the prosecuting attorney's book about the Manson trials.

[@lazylady8591]

The public wanted the war to end in Vietnam. If the people hadn't protested, the US would probably still be in Vietnam. Korea and Vietnam were the beginning of the endless small wars that the industrial military complex always promotes.

[@michaelwolfe9496]

American Pie is a very cryptic song on the surface, a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and BIg Bopper a layer deeper, but at it's core it is about the Loss of Innocence that was felt by a generation of fans following the deaths of those 3 Rock pioneers in 1959 and their disillusionment with the world that followed. But the beauty of this song is you could dissect the lyrics and come up with your own interpretations for every one of them.

[@dimedraweriv258]

The song is about the being American in the 50s to the end of the 60s. It references many pop culture things and artists like Buddy Holly , Bob Dylan , The Beatles , The Byrds , The Rolling Stones , and Janis Joplin is the girl who songs the blues towards the end.

[@incarnate3362]

@@TucBroder The 'Jester' is Bob Dylan....

[@EgbertWilliams]

An entire history of rock and roll, lost dreams and lost innocence. Classic and brilliant. Do his "Vincent" please.

[@toyman9642]

This has to be one of the best songs ever written with definitely the best lyrics.

[@nwmonk3105]

This version of the song is an American national treasure. It's so melancholy with nostalgia it hurts.

[@sondrahyder2753]

@NW Monk Songs like that are always beautiful; as if they were transcendent.

[@incarnate3362]

I met a girl that sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news.....but she just smiled and turned away....

[@MySerpentine]

Janis Joplin

[@ole9421]

Right off the bat, before I even watch this, am going to say this ought to be a lot of fun. It's taken me nearly 49 years to grasp all the inferences made through out it. Good luck deciphering it!

[@inway404344]

ole9421 I’ve heard the jester that stole the Kings crown was Bob Dylan and of course the king was Elvis.

[@trishferris7355]

The girl who sings the blues is Janis Joplin

[@NileQT87]

"Helter Skelter in the summer swelter" is the Charles Manson Girls' murders (Tate and La Bianca households) in addition to being a Beatles song reference, which his insane ramblings referenced as what he called his race war plan. This event put a complete stop to the Summer of Love (the lovers, protests and poets) and put a huge shadow over the Counterculture movement. Buddy Holly (the Holy Ghost--his wife had a miscarriage after the Februrary 1959 plane crash a.k.a. The Day the Music Died, which is in itself referencing That'll Be the Day (That I Die)), Ritchie Valens (the Son), the Big Bopper (the Father--note that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, besides the Biblical aspect, also can refer to the assassinations of JFK, MLK, Jr. and RFK in addition to the musicians), Elvis Presley (the King and his thorny crown with Jesus imagery as he lost his career in the '60s to the Counterculture when he was in Hollywood), John Lennon (wordplay with V.I. Lenin and Karl Marx), the Beatles (Sergeant Pepper--the marching band), Bob Dylan (the Jester with the voice from you and me a.k.a. Folk music, Rolling Stone), Mick Jagger (the Rolling Stones), Janis Joplin (girl who sang the blues--she overdosed), the Byrds (Eight Miles High fell foul on the grass a.k.a. marijuana--it was a drug-related song scandal back when that was controversial), etc... are just a handful of the acts mentioned in the song. Jumpin' Jack Flash, Sympathy for the Devil and the Hell's Angels (biker gang) doing security and killing an audience member explains the Rolling Stones section of the song. Every line has tons of meanings packed together that are both music ('50s and '60s) and current events of the day. Even Pink Carnation and a White Sports Coat, sock hops and Book of Love are references. Don McLean was a paperboy in the '50s, which is what the opening is referring to in regards to him delivering the newspaper about the plane crash. He also dated a beauty queen, who is likely what "American Pie" is referring to in addition to the American iconography of apple pie. McLean was clearly down on the Counterculture of the late '60s (the generation "Lost in Space" with the Space Race and drugs) and was nostalgic for the innocence of his youth, an event he marks with the plane crash killing rock'n'roll (note that there were a whole bunch of plane crashes that plagued the music world--see also Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Denver, Jim Croce and Ricky Nelson). Note that this burnout on the Counterculture movement and Vietnam protest era led to a ton of nostalgia in film and television in the '70s (starting with American Graffiti, then Happy Days and then Star Wars, which put the final nail in the gritty, Counterculture "art" films that rejected big orchestral scores in favor of current music). Even the music of the '50s no longer played because of the change from 78 rpm to 33 rpm records (see also the 45 A/B-sided singles affordable to '50s teens, whereas 78 albums were out of their price range and were bought by their parents, vs. 33 LP albums favored by artsy '60s singer-songwriters). Having 78s after 1960 was the equivalent of Betamax, 8-track, cassettes and VHS.

[@RaymondSolo]

From 2009-2014 I toured locally as a solo acoustic act playing mostly for young people (much younger than me). I placed this song in my last set close to the end of my show. I’m sure very few of the kids that attended my shows never heard of Don McLean but I always seen many of them singing along when I played it.

[@johnfrancis1528]

”I met a girl who sang the blues”- Janis Joplin. ”The Jester”- Bob Dylan. ”A quartet practiced in the park”- the Beatles. ”The father, son and the holy ghost” - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper. ”The King” - Elvis Presley. ”The king and queen” - John and Jackie Kennedy ”Jack Flash” - the Rolling Stones. Like many people I thoguht the song referred to Vladimir Lenin reading a book on Karl Marx, but in fact the reference is to John Lennon reading a book on Groucho Marx.

[@spacefox1016]

This is a brilliant song. The song was written to pay tribute to Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Richie Valens who tragically died in a plane crash in Iowa, USA😢 The meaning of this song is very meaningful. The meaning of "The day the music died" part is that they all had a lot of potential in becoming massive stars, but unfortunately, this event happened and the music (that they made/written) died😢 Their legacy inspired singers like Elvis Presley, The Beatles etc. This is why this song is so meaningful in the way that this tragic event is remembered and respected by all musicians and fans♥️

[@Spacejockey426]

That is but one element of the song that is reiterated in the chorus. The entire song is about the decline of America, using events that happened in music/pop culture to tell the tale. For example, the "jester" is actually Bob Dylan, and the line where he was "In a cast" refers to the motorcycle accident Dylan had on 7/29/66.

[@GS-kx8wc]

American Pie is part of a saying. "As American as apple pie."

[@DavidBrown-ut5qi]

American pie was the name of the plane they all died in

[@Critical_Cynic]

Madonna murdered a part of this song...she never got close to doing the entire thing or capturing the soul and feeling in Don McLean's version (he was the writer and performer) Great reaction..thank you!

[@pablolinan4861]

Yeah i know, i just hear it Yesterday and i was like wtf you just do Madonna.

[@pablolinan4861]

I have hear a lot of covers but no one capture the soul and feeling of Don Mclean

[@WoncoTheSane]

You guys are amazing! These crazy old (really good) songs from the old days.... my goodness, it's so wonderful seeing them make their way around the world. Love your work!

[@hugosbeerspirits4871]

My father was the same age as Buddy, lived 120 miles away from him. My Dad saw him play in roller rinks and open for Elvis. This song was not allowed in the house because it would make him upset. For one year, I lived in Buddy Holly's birth home, unknowingly for a while, in college...it's now a Walmart parking lot.

[@kingoffire9373]

This song gets lumped into a bunch of categories: One hit wonder, underrated but overplayed, campfire song... In the end, there's just no denying that it is one of the most well written songs ever, lyrically Every line is packed with meaning The day the music died was the plane crash Elvis is the King Dylan is the Jester and The seargents are the Beatles

[@barscotch]

Ok guys. I'm a Generation X guy raised by a hobbyist musician and a language teacher. I myself am now a part time musician. I was fed baby food and helped my mom clean the house with Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, and Eric Clapton playing on an actual record player in the background. This song is about the death of American rock acts Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, and the more subversive(and largely foreign) brand of rock and roll that redefined American popular music and culture in their absence (Bob Dylan = the jester, Marching band = the Beatles, Jack Flash = Rolling Stones.) Apparently Don McLean really hated the Rolling Stones for some reason. I love them myself. 🎸🎶🤟

[@brucew3641]

"That'll be the day that I die" - Buddy Holly "Singing this will be the day that I die" - tribute lyric in the song to Buddy.

[@rhodekill7507]

my fondest memory of this song is listening to it on the radio with my wife (then girlfriend) and the DJ comes back on and tells us we can stop singing along with the radio now.

[@bookwoman53]

Miss American Pie was also the name of the airplane, with the three rock legends aboard, that crashed on 3, February, 1959. Another rock singer lost the coin toss and took the bus instead of the plane.

[@michelekoop244]

This is about the day three rock stars died in a plane crash - that was the day the music died. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the big bopper

[@ericaveillette6388]

Great classic! This is one that will be repeating in my head all day!😂🎶

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

People have already mentioned Vincent and Crossroads. Babylon is another beautiful Don McLean song, which he recorded as a round by looping his own voice. It was on the American Pie album. At the beginning you asked about the meaning of the title "American Pie." There's a saying, "as American as apple pie," which means really, truly American. But in the context of the song it refers to the time in Don McLean's youth when everything was simple, before all the changes and strife that seemed to begin when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. I remember when American Pie was first released. There was a lot of talk about what it meant. You couldn't look things up on the internet back then, because it didn't exist, and the extensive analysis hadn't been done yet. Don McLean was being coy about it (which was smart of him). Eventually, music fans, critics, writers, and DJs figured out what it was about and what all the symbols stood for. One bit of symbolism that people sometimes miss is near the beginning of the song, when McLean sings, "I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck." I believe the carnation is a reference to the Marty Robbins song, "A White Sport Coat." The full lyric is, "A white sport coat and a pink carnation." Robbins wrote and recorded this song in 1957 when he was inspired by seeing a bunch of teenagers dressed up to go to prom. It's one of those songs that today calls back to an earlier, more innocent time.

[@195511SM]

I remember running away from home the summer this album was released. I had this on an 8-track tape....brand new....but didn't even have a way to play it. I must have liked the song a LOT, because I brought it along with me in my backpack.

[@arthurm.tellez275]

On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died", after singer-songwriter Don McLean referred to it as such in his 1971 song "American Pie". (From Wikipedia) The concept of this song was about the above and all the time to 1971. American pie is from the says like Chevy as American as apple pie and so forth.

[@TinaScislow]

This has to do with things that happened in the 60s, Kennedy died, there was a plane crash in which three very famous singers died. He is talking about how society in general reacted.

[@wfew]

I think i have found the best reactors on you tube. You guys really know how to break down a song.

[@cklaetke]

I love that this timeless song is being appreciated once more I grew up in this era, artists from the 60's and 70's were amazingly raw and authentic.

[@thomaadye5620]

I believe American pie was about the tragedy with the big bopper and buddy Holly plane crash. They always said that was the day the music died.

[@pipperlou6753]

Don McLean wrote this song. There is a famous interview where he was asked the meaning of this song. He said it means he never has to work again. It was that popular.

[@zanethind]

Don Mclean can get a whole classroom listening by just one word that's how great he is

[@Schnorgldorf]

If you are a certain age this one hits you as hard as anything will. This is gigantic.

[@davidpost428]

Very insightful commentary and message from you.

[@cttaylor7376]

Love this song, appreciate the lyrics, they are so well written! I am internally laughing though on how many lyrics I sang incorrect since first hearing it in the 70s🤤🎶

[@timothyjordan86]

As it was told to me by my dad, American Pie was also the name of the plane that crashed with Buddy, Ritchie, and Bopper.

[@Vintage206]

You two are adorable!✨

[@foots-qt4pk]

I think bye bye Miss American Pie means the loss of innocence. Just my feeling.

[@mjsmcd]

Music died when 3 rock stars died in plane crash in late 50's big bopper ,richie valens ,buddy holly, byrds had a song called 8 miles high , helter skelter a heavy metal song by the beatles ,jumpin jack flash song by stones

[@MrAitraining]

Sang this song drunk more times that I care to remember (or even CAN remember) in my pub days with friends. lol

[@zanethind]

This song is famous for many things and Don Mclean wouldn't have to work another day in his life after this song

[@PARTSUSEDEALER]

I always cry because the death of three legend, as well one of my classic from Mclean

[@pollynicklas5220]

I remember watching this on tv back then!!

[@willmcpherson8097]

Lots of musical reference in this song, one reference was "Lennon reading from the book of Marx, while the quartet practiced in the park", referring to the Beatles, lots of different references.

[@ididthisonpulpous6526]

Don Mclean has some of the saddest songs I have ever heard. The Earth and Vincent are gut wrenching and beautiful.

[@elizabethputnam6317]

I had Don McClean’s Perfect Love as my first dance with my husband when we got married. Love how he writes such truth.

[@Pugiron]

A long long time ago, in a Galaxy far away, Naboo was under an attack

[@trumphatesyou]

I know it's hard to pick a favorite song ever, but to me this is it.

[@roberttompkins6489]

Number 1 song for 1971. I was 10 and everyone was singing along on our transitor radios.

[@RobertBelcher]

This song is Don McLean's hommage to all his favorite musicians, both living and dead. Each line has meaning for those musicians he loved so much. The line "I met a girl who sang the blues and asked her for some good news" is a reference to Janis Joplin.

[@rmichael399]

lol reminds me being down Cape Cod in the warm summer night one night this was blasting out of one of the clubs Bufferbellys something like that but it was like out of movie everyone in the whole club was singing this great night ....

[@ipsofacto17]

Every part of this masterpiece is a reference to popular music from 1959 to when it was written in 1970. Obviously, the day the music died is reference to the plane crash of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. They are also refrained at the end as the 'Father' (Buddy Holly), 'Son' (Ritchie Valens), and the 'Holly Ghost' (the Big Bopper). But all the references in the song relate to major musicians or bands during that time period. The 'King' is Elvis, the 'Jester' is Bob Dylan. The Beatles are the 'quartet' that plays in the park. Rolling Stones are the whole sequence about "No angel born in hell" and "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick". Janis Joplin is "I knew a girl who sang the blues".

[@toyman9642]

Hello Enoma...enjoy your videos. Regards from Bob in Canada

[@michaelbrowne541]

Mr. 54 no more hits everything right on the head.. And must be the same age as me. This song is a great history lesson.. When I was in high school my English teacher broke down this whole song just the way Mr. 54 did... I guess the next big history lesson song after this ..would be we didn't start the fire from Billy Joel.. Great song.

[@paxonearth]

Takes me back to my childhood. Amazing song.

[@cristei28]

Don Mclean ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This song is amazing!

[@BobFibonacci]

The song Killing me Softly was written after a woman saw Don Maclean play this song live.

[@rjb6327]

It's interesting to watch people listen to the music I grew up with, for the first time. That's when there was music in the world.

[@amb2745]

American Pie was released as a single in 1971 on United Artists record label. It became the longest single released at 8:32. The song was too long for one side of a single, so the record label split the song into two parts, The A-side clocking in at 4:11, and the B-side clocking in at 4:31. This was the first time a song was released as a single that was split up between two sides.

[@Fubblin]

If either of you have watched Star Wars, you have to see the Weird Al Yankovic cover song/music video - The Saga Begins. It has an equally amazing sound on top of the parody.

[@sensationaldenny]

"This will be the day that I die" were lyrics to a Buddy Holly song, Buddy Hollys death and the death of the others in that plane crash inspired this song

[@user-xr4gz6cg5u]

IT'S Remembering How The Year's Have Changed The and Now That's Why He Says That's not How It Used To Be Enjoy Something's Something's Not As Good Bless You Both My Family ACROSS THE OCEAN

[@davidwoodard1924]

May I suggest Don Mclean's hit "Vincent"? An excellent song about an amazing man.

[@bobsteinzig]

I Remember, at age 10 when Kennedy said we will go to the moon "NOT BECAUSE IT IS EASY BUT BECAUSE IT'S HARD" that inspired me to understand that doing right will not often be easy (now 66)

[@andrewfisher9125]

Lucky man... she is beautiful !

[@davidlawson2551]

For me, this song always reminds me of being in a pub when I may have been underage ;) an everyone singing along

[@harlanginsberg2907]

This song was a history of music. The day the music died was the death of Buddy Holly Helter Skelter a Beatles reference eight miles high a name of a Byrds song Lennon reading Marx a reference to Lennons embrace of Marxist ideology etc

[@jdgoodwin325]

You're correct on the Buddy Holly reference. However, the term "helter-skelter" is not referring the the Beatles song by the same name. It simply means confusion and mayhem. And it's not "Lennon read a book on Marx". It's "Lenin read a book on Marx", as in Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.

[@harlanginsberg2907]

@@jdgoodwin325 Not buying that I think both were plays on Lenin/Lennon and the helter skelter reference. This song came out in 1971. If memory serves that was at a time when the Beatles were absolutely huge. Add that to the eight miles high which I guess you believe just somehow found its way into the lyrics and I am very confident they are current music references mixed in to the fabric of the song. I am not an idiot I knew that it was Lenin and Marx but I believe he was playing with it to reference John Lennon.It seems weird to me that in a space of a few lines he mentions Lennon /Lenin helter skelter and the phrase eight miles high

[@jdgoodwin325]

@@harlanginsberg2907 What does "Eight Miles High" have to do with The Beatles? It was a great song by The Byrds. Oh, and I never referred to you as having below average intelligence. But somehow you consider it necessary to tell me this.

[@harlanginsberg2907]

@Derek Diggler I know I was alive then.It does not change the fact that in 1971 the Beatles were huge.Perhaps as big as they had ever been.The breaking up did not somehow diminish there popularity,

[@harlanginsberg2907]

@Derek Diggler And by the way if he meant Lenin how come every lyric sheet of the song I could find says Lennon read a book on Marx.Just asking

[@jonnno243]

Other good songs by Don Mclean are "Empty Chairs" , "Vincent", "Winterwood" etc

[@iganatiousjr]

Somebody asked Don McLean to the precise meaning song and he it means I never has works in my live.

[@peacecole1968]

Need to listen to Roberta Flack, "Killing Me Softly With His Song". It is about the song American Pie by Don McLean.

[@cheampeake1680]

Fabulous reaction.

[@acesfn7316]

This song was sung in 1972 by Don Mclean

[@warrenpeterson6065]

Dear Kirti, you are one of the most beautiful women on KZbin today ... Congratulations Savio for having such a beautiful woman love you because you are not the most handsome male on the Internet today ... lol. Isn't love great and so empowering ... it offers such great confidence. When we feel loved we can accomplish almost anything. I wish the two of you great success.

[@GS-kx8wc]

Buddy Holly has a song called That'll be the day, when I die.

[@markstevenson7577]

Influenced by John Wayne (That'll be the day)

[@terrymayerful]

A favorite for many years, long ago.

[@arthurm.tellez275]

Don McLean sings songs that pull at your hart like Vincent and Castle in the air.

[@voodooacidman]

Don is a poet! even if you do not catch all of the pop culture references, the music and tempo of the words make it awesome :) big love to all people :)

[@voodooacidman]

also, at the end of this video you talk briefly about war , Vietnam in particular. maybe you could react to some songs about that? Edwin Collins' "war" for example? or maybe a song from the woodstock festival by " uncle Joe and the Fish" ...... but it may have bad language issues for youtube? :)

[@thenannymoh]

You should have more subscribers. Your enthusiasm and musical intelligence makes you the best reaction on KZbin. Plus you seem like wonderful people.

[@judywalker8020]

Ranked in most polls #3 behind Stairway to Heaven and Free Bird of greatest songs of all time.

[@leemorgan4799]

I saw him in concert I the late 70s

[@VadersRage]

Yeah....I could see where the title would seem odd to someone not too familiar with that particular "American-ism". I'm glad you understood it. It's said the song "Killing Me Softly" (sung by Roberta Flack) is a response to this song.....about the emotions felt when hearing the song. Would love to hear a Country Music version of this song, too. Just sayin'. Great Reaction, guys!

[@chrissimpson1183]

Somehow that song led to Killing me Softly sung by Roberta Flack.

[@TheSecrets04]

Plane crash in 1959 that killed Buddy Holly Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper is what this song is about The Day the Music Died

[@haydenochoa1681]

I haven't heard that song In years.

[@auscomvic9900]

Accurate analylsis

[@offal]

madonna covered this but a shorter version, not the full 8.5 mins, mclean recorded this in 1971, could say lyrically the greatest song ever written, about the death of buddy holly and the circumstances afterwoods, the jester was bob dylan, the seargents the beatles, jack flash is mick jagger, the king was elvis etc, it`s full of 60`s references, Amazing, truly amazing..

[@ilovecatweazle]

RIP Buddy Holly.

[@Majoofi]

If you do a reaction to every song referenced in American Pie it'll keep busy for a while.

[@tankblack6758]

American Pie is an analogy, symbolic of the Dream.

[@dsfddsgh]

Some singers like Justin Bieber might have a ton of hit songs that won't be remembered in 10 years but real artists like Don McLean might only have two hit songs in their whole career but they are among the greatest songs ever written and recorded and have withstood the test of time.

[@edcastillo9342]

The lyric is whiskey in rye and not whiskey and rye. The jester is Bob Dylan.

[@willsofer3679]

Kriti really vibes with, and understand this song.

[@pullmyfinger336]

This is a tough song for a non-American to try to interpret. The lyrics are very much a commentary on the music scene and the changes to society that were happening between the 50's and the 70's. If you didn't live through it, or experience it indirectly through your parents/grandparents, it won't resonate the same way. It's still a beautifully constructed song though.

[@67cuda38]

Music, particularly the rock genre, depicts a National, and world view of the period of which it is created.

[@liamwimmer562]

the songs about a plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Big Bopper. great song and a great memorial to those lads.

[@The_Pieman]

Vincent...a must listen

[@tmac8892]

And the 3 men I admired most/the father, son and the holy ghost/they took the last train for the coast/the day the music died.

[@astrogoodvibes6164]

In deference to the common held legend behind the story about the plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, there has circulated for decades another legend that the song refers to the Rolling Stones concert at Altamont 4 months after Woodstock, where the Hells Angels bike gang acted as unofficial security to the Stones and lined the front of the stage. At one point the crowd were pushing forward and one fan was struck by a member of the Hells Angels with a pool cue in the ensuing scuffle. The fan died of multiple head injuries. This concert by the Stones was seen as antithesis of the peace and love of the 1967 'summer of love'' and Woodstock in 1969. It's suggested that Don McLean was responding to this event in American Pie. This story is neither confirmed nor denied by Don McLean.

[@user-cr2bt3zp1f]

Rod Bathgate All that Jack Flash and Satan stuff is suggested to refer to that.

[@astrogoodvibes6164]

@@user-cr2bt3zp1f All is inferredn ot implied. I guess like all modern art it's up to individual interpretation. Notwithstanding, it all adds to pop folklore and it only scratches the surface of what is still an iconic and rather beautiful song.

[@1NationsEagle]

"That will be the day that I die" - Buddy Holly.

[@pedrolopez8057]

Unfair to Enoma. This song is like drinking from a firehose of American culture of the 50's and 60's