Don McLean Serves Us A Delicious American Pie

[@garyiow8482]

You are the best music reaction channel on KZbin. All the others pale into insignificance. You are the simply the best. Don't ever stop doing this. We all look forward to your next one. Just don't stop.

[@michaelfrank2266]

I wouldn't pin Amy as the best. I would call her "different" in a good way.

[@garganega]

No she is my favorite.

[@bnhli7190]

Amy is an embarrassment to music lovers but ok.

[@michaelfrank2266]

@@bnhli7190 A bit extreme.

[@MiscellanyTop]

@@michaelfrank2266 You're very generous. More like trolling I'd say - a stark statement, designed to cause controversy but completely without any intellectual (nor intelligent) argument whatsoever. Designed to put the poster at the centre of a spurious debate over a pointless, though rude, assertion. In t'other words, somewhat par for social media. The only response I'd recommend is to ignore the poster - hence my reply is to you, rather than them. All the best, Cheers.

[@Julia68yt]

You need to listen to Don McLeans's "Vincent" WITHOUT looking it up first, and try to figure out what's he's singing about :)

[@markredford84]

I love Vincent

[@davidwild66]

"Vincent" is certainly one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Yes yes

[@soundofnellody262]

yes, yes, yes,... this !

[@nickrr5234]

Nice reaction. While this is a great song, for me "Vincent" is even better - one of the most poetic songs ever written.

[@BadErnest]

Almost every line in this song is a reference to a prominent artist or song in rock history. You absolutely must listen to his song Vincent as soon as possible.

[@PortilloMoment]

'Vincent' still makes me a bit bleary eyed and I'm by no means a fan.

[@acfiv1421]

I've always thought of this song as a collection of postcards depicting random scenes from American culture of the time. It's a very visual song. Images of a kid delivering newspapers as a first job, dating, going to the prom, seeing terrible things on the news, and so forth. It's a wonderful collection of Americana, which sadly will get more obscured in time as points of reference become forgotten (for instance, how many kids today know that newspapers used to be delivered to homes by kids their age?). Certainly one of the great songs of the 20th century, and probably the most distinctly American of them all.

[@lovesmusic0845]

I’m 70. I can’t remember where my car fob is most of the time but I can remember every word to this song. You can’t imagine how much this song impacted us.

[@yourontheair]

haha

[@zredband]

I'm just a couple of years younger and I agree whole heartedly.

[@barbarayoung9376]

So true

[@dougca7086]

When Don McLean was asked what American Pie Meant to him he said it means I'll never have to work again!

[@ThenISaidHey]

Ya I love that quote and it happened to be true! Yet he did continue to perform, he didn't have to

[@Anon54387]

So he was just crassly commercial.

[@ThenISaidHey]

@@Anon54387 No! But would you turn down money that last you a lifetime for something you created? He had been asked 100s and 100s of times what the song meant and he gave a great quote "It means I never have to work again"... brilliant!

[@tim2024-df5fu]

@@Anon54387 If by you mean by that that he's not just another starving artist? No. He's not. He got rewarded for his efforts. Welcome to capitalism.

[@idontknowleavemealoneplease]

He got thet slice of the American pie that he was looking for I guess.

[@Arkryal]

References some might have missed: The King - Elvis Presley The Jester - Bob Dylan The Quartet / The Sergeants- The Beatles The Girl who sang the Blues - Janis Joplin The Father - Buddy Holly The Son - Ritchie Valens The Holy Ghost - The Big Bopper Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones The Devil - Specifically Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones The "Good Ole Boys" - Musical Archivists who catalogued and recorded many Blues and Folks artists at the time. Ms. American Pie - Our collective innocence and naivety. These various allegorical characters representing real-life musicians has basically been confirmed already, though there were years of speculation which led others to different conclusions and McLean didn't want to strip away any meaning people had attributed to the song by over-explaining it. So the gist is a change in the musical landscape, moving away from the wholesome, innocent beginnings of Rock 'n Roll and toward darker, more politically charged topics. It began with the plane crash, but isn't isolated to that. The song is about the whole shift of the music industry at the time. These days however, the song is often viewed more as a song about massive cultural changes, the succession of one generation to another. Though it was written about musicians, it has since taken on a broader meaning in popular fan interpretations. There's no right or wrong answer as long as you find meaning in it.

[@MactanMurray]

*_"Angels born in hell"_* was when the Stones hired the local chapter of Hells Angles as a security detail at Altamont - and the Hells Angles ended up killing a concert goer.

[@ChrisParrett-qo4sx]

@@MactanMurray To be fair to the 'security', the man did draw a gun (though he was stoned at the time).

[@troidva]

8 miles high and falling fast - refers to the Byrds. "And we sang dirges in the dark" -- probably refers to Woodstock (the night performances of Melanie, among others).

[@Alex_Riddles]

American Pie. The name of the plane that crashed.

[@MichaelBeckman]

I agree with most of them could the father son and Holy Ghost also reference JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King-who all were assassinated-and we lost our innocence.

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

Janis Joplin is the girl Who sang the blues.

[@MrCRayAnderson]

Barbara Striesand, he proposed

[@silgen]

@@MrCRayAnderson She wasn't a blues singer, Janis was.

[@celinhabr1]

Vincent by Don Mclean. It's truly a must. I cry everytime i hear it.

[@jrepka01]

One of Buddy Holly's big hits was "That'll be the Day," in which he's singing to his girl about her breaking up with him. In the final line of the chorus he sings: "That'll be the day -- when I die." The last line of the chorus here is an homage to that lyric. The Jester wears a "coat he borrowed from James Dean." In Rebel Without a Cause, Dean wears a red jacket, On the cover of "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," Dylan is walking down the street arm-in-arm with Suze Rotolo, wearing a very similar red jacket. In the third verse refers to the jester in a cast -- Dylan broke his leg in a motorcycle accident in 1966. And Dylan's songwriting throughout his career can easily be described as the voice of the people. In the same verse, the confrontation between the players and the marching band is a reference to the National Guard shooting into a group of Vietnam war protesters at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four and injuring several others.

[@wilhelmbeermann2424]

That's it

[@robertsullivan6246]

The background singers at the end included James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Pete Seeger.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Wow. Seeger? How appropriate.

[@dogsmusicbookstravelscience]

@@helenespaulding7562 Yep, Pete Seeger, not Bob Seger.

[@WendyDarling1974]

My father had reverence for this song. He was not too interested in music after the 60s (he was born in the ‘30s and Little Richard was about as modern as he’d get) but several times when the song was on the radio he explained to me how this song encapsulated so so many things about the early 60s. He said nothing was literal in it, but somehow it evokes a feeling that you will only recognize if you were alive at the time. To me, the song is always been about a loss of innocence, and the plane crash is more of a symbol than anything.

[@TheDunadan01]

"Vincent" is my favorite song by Don McLean. You really need to listen to that one.

[@craigwells3655]

If Vlad doesn't introduce you to Vincent, it will be a crime against humanity. (IMHO)

[@MordicusEgg]

😂

[@margaretdavis3030]

"Vincent" by McLean is another critically important work of his. Not to be missed.

[@richardcurley5798]

This song is like an anthem of rock & roll history & I am old enough to recall it all. I remember hearing the news that Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, & The Big Bopper died in that plane crash. Valens, & Holly in particular most assuredly would have gone on to greater fame had they lived. Holly was already starting to broaden his musical horizons.

[@davidlfort]

It strikes me that Holly was key to the sound that emerged as surf rock.

[@seangates1451]

Yes! Buddy, in his short career, created so much great music at such a pace that I feel his talent was still largely untapped. And young Mr. Valenzuela was only, what, 17? He was just getting started.

[@seangates1451]

@ yep. Just the drum part from Peggy Sue is well into Ventures territory.

[@larrybremer4930]

@@davidlfort The Beatles name was a direct homage to The Crickets. Holly's influence lives to this day as the core of what we call rock and roll because up to this point what would now be called rock started with motown with the likes of Chuck Berry and others, but Holly made it OK with the parents allowing rock to cross the race divide, and opened up previously barred stardom for many artists that were previously barred by racial barriers. One can only imagine how far his career would have gone since it was literally just really taking off when he died yet he still has an incredible catalog of great songs for such a short career. All of that to say his influence was far beyond surf rock although Brian Wilson was also heavily influenced by Buddy Holly.

[@TheNosferatu666]

This song will NEVER die! Just Don's voice + vocal guitar + a little drums + piano, keeps it alive!

[@jamesdodger5588]

The final verse regarding Jack Flash sat on a Candlestick...Cos fire is the devils only friend.... No angel born in hell could break that Satan spell' refers to an infamous outdoor concert (Altamont) by the Rolling Stones where a fan was killed by a group of Hells Angels who had been employed to provide security at the event. It is doubly pertinent (lyrically) because it alludes to Rolling Stones song 'Sympathy for the Devil'.

[@alanarakelian5021]

Nice wordplay with the Hells Angels referred to as "no Angel born in Hell".

[@lisakaz35]

And Jumpin' Jack Flash, a Rolling Stones song.

[@stevemorse108]

Amy restores faith in the human spirit. Each time I listen to her videos I feel uplifted. She is playful brilliant insightful and sensitive and brings joy and inspiration. She reminds me if my cello teacher who asked me to bring her three albums I thought were great in contemporary music. I brought her the dark side of the moon abbey road and foxtrot of genesis. The loved the first two but was luke warm about genesis which she found derivative from classical music. Amy brings her erudition and profound knowledge of classical music to invite us on her journey of discovery of rock pop folk and progressive music. Just watching her face is delightful it is so expressive and often her first insights are remarkably profound. Her channel is a source of renewed inspiration joy and discovery.

[@donhelley976]

"Vincent" may make you cry, so be forewarned. I've heard this song for over 50 years and I cry almost every time.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Cool that you forewarned her, because every song I heard back then on the radio the DJ was kind enough to forewarn us for the next track. I don't know how anyone can listen to a song without being forewarned.

[@JimK03.]

I still remember where I was the first time I heard this song. I was a little boy sitting in the back seat of my dad's '64 Pontiac LeMans listening to AM radio while we were on a ferry that happened to be right in front of the Statue Of Liberty. I grew up in NYC. Every time I hear this song, it takes me right back to that exact moment in time.

[@zaphods2ndhead193]

I actually love a songwriter not explaining a song. Some songwriters intentionally make the lyrics vague enough that you, the listener, relate the lyrics to your own life and create your own meaning to the song.

[@Pluvio624]

It's a masterpiece! Also, Don McLean's voice is one of my favorites. It's so pure and expressive!

[@markk.4941]

I really enjoyed seeing you, a classically trained musician and teacher, enjoying and singing along with a folk rock song that we have enjoyed our whole lives!

[@acatwiththreenames3658]

"This will be the day I die" is a direct reference to Buddy Holly's song, "that'll be the day (that I die)".

[@thomastimlin1724]

Last August we had our 50th high school reunion, Class of 1974. I sang three songs for with them with guitar and back up music. But the lastone we sang was all 8 1/2 minutes of American Pie. EVERYBODY in the room, all 125 of 550 graduates, knew EVERY word to this song. we had a blast.

[@Wordsmyth8]

Hey there. I’m Class of ‘74 as well and I still know every single word.

[@djknox2]

What an iconic American song. What more can be said? Please also listen to Vincent - an incredibly touching song.

[@jollyjakelovell4787]

Nobody can write a song that encapsulates an entire decade! Don McLean " Hold my Whiskey and Rye"

[@jedislap8726]

Billy Joel: Just one decade? Bitch, I did 4 decades.

[@ask21900]

And then Billy Joel tried to fight it

[@thomastimlin1724]

😂😂

[@aaronbredon2948]

​@@ask21900right. Billy Jorl did 4 decades in 4 minutes.

[@samfisher6606]

A few years ago, the channel POlyphonic made a wonderful video that broke down this song and identified some of the people in the song. For example, "The King" is Elvis, "The Jester" is Bob Dylan, etc. I highly recommend it.

[@chuckster255]

Without reading any comments, I know you are going to get a ton of requests for "Vincent". It's another beautiful song by Don McLean.

[@garysladek9110]

I'm so glad you mentioned the piano work, it's incredible.

[@tmc02086]

I love your genuine reactions and insightful comment on the songs. It’s a fun and joy to listen to this song and your commentary. Keep up the work! I really like your channel!!!

[@Dan-C-71]

When he references Jumping Jack Flash and “no Angel born in hell” refers to a concert held in California where The Rolling Stones hired the Hells Angels motorcycle gang as security and it didn’t go so well.

[@silgen]

The Jester is Bob Dylan.

[@sierrabianca]

@silgen McLean himself said it's not about Dylan.

[@Stjaernljus]

​@@sierrabiancayes he says that but the jacket and the cast is speaking very clearly.

[@sierrabianca]

@ Not necessarily. Just because there are a few coincidental details doesn't make it cut n dry. Of course he could be lying about his own lyrics but then you'd hafta explain why. He's got nothing to lose at this stage by being honest, nor anything to gain by lying.

[@silgen]

@@sierrabianca It's very Dylanesque to contradict anything said about his songs...

[@pyenapple]

@@sierrabiancanot really sure how else it could make sense. The jester (dylan) stole the king (elvis’) crown…a voice that came from you and me. Nobody else fits but dylan here

[@גלעמיחי]

The song "Vincent" by Don McLean is one of the most beautiful songs there is.

[@TombHermance]

Fantastic reaction. As a boy I memorized every line & as an adult I’m still learning all the references. It’s such an amazing song that it still brings me to tears. Thank you for such a perfect way to start my day. Cheers!

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

I think I was 16 years old when the song came out, I will be turning 68 this year!! I can still remember going to a local pizzeria, which had a jukebox, getting a couple of slices and a Coke, and sitting there listening to this song!! Actually, back in those days with the old-fashioned jukebox, this song had to be divided into TWO parts!!😅 So you basically had to put enough money into play two songs!!😮😅 Myself and my friends would sing these lyrics, not knowing the true meaning, just singing along with the song!! Now it's difficult for me to listen to the song without shedding a tear, mostly for the feeling of nostalgia that it brings me!! I feel lucky that I was born in the generation that was able to grow up with this music AND be in that transitional generation!!❤❤

[@captainsatellite2112]

"The marching band refused to yield" means Sgt Pepper's psychedelic and introspective rock was embraced by the public, replacing the simpler and more dance oriented rock and roll that preceded it. "We all got up to dance but we never got the chance."

[@pwoody9416]

Also, in some colleges during that time the marching bands sometimes did not want to give the field back to the football team after the halftime show

[@bigskyrambler]

Or Kent State.

[@captainsatellite2112]

@@pwoody9416 Good point. He might have initially started describing that and then realized it was also a good metaphor for the change in the musical landscape due to Sgt Pepper.

[@jfziemba]

I was waiting for Amy's eyebrows to arch when he sang "helter skelter," but then I remembered she was still on Sgt Pepper.

[@rippog1]

@@jfziemba I was waiting for Amy to try to decipher if he sang Lennon or Lenin read a book on Marx.

[@ozludo]

@@rippog1 Sergeants sang a marching tune -

[@HabaneroTi]

Yeah Vlad missed an opportunity there. Although he did refer to sergeants.

[@Naolslager]

I think this was your best analysis yet. I LOVED watching and listening to you as you experienced this music. My eyes began to rain.

[@captainsatellite2112]

The Jack Flash segment refers to Mick Jagger, the Stones and the death of Meredith Hunter ("sacrificial rite") after Hunter, a concert goer agitated on meth, was killed by a Hells Angel serving as security at the free concert in Altamont, CA after Hunter waved a gun near the stage. That incident and the Manson "family" Helter Skelter case are regarded as the end of the 60s peace and love era. Luckily the peaceful and hugely successful Woodstock 69 festival was the true swan song for the era.

[@adymode]

I think this was perhaps coincidental spectulation, so im interested to hear if Dons more recent explanations of the lyrics support it. Certainly Jagger and co were somewhat artfully at least into satanism around the time and personally connected to Manson. Its very dark looking, yet the hyper-moral poet Percy Shelley was respectful or apologetic towards satan conceptually as a promethian analog. Its all a bit hard to swallow. I rather doubt Don has confirmed this intent of the lyrics.

[@captainsatellite2112]

@adymode He allowed the Stones interpretation to be used in an essay that was part of the auction of his original lyrics by Christie's, where they fetched $1.2 million. It also jibes with his conservative longing for the good old days of the original rockers like Buddy Holly and his perceived downfall of American culture brought on by folks like Dylan, the Beatles and the Stones and the music and societal changes they inspired. What is your interpretation of that section?

[@robertwoodward9231]

Possibly Sympathy For The Devel?

[@adymode]

@@captainsatellite2112 Im ever awestruck by the song, the meanings behind the lyrics would be totally opaque to me if it were not for others explanations. Some of these interpretations have seemed darkly fanciful, the artistic rendering allows for it to be diminished as fanciful, but it seems to carry serious substance. I cant be sure about it, but I went right off singing jaggers songs when I heard about it years ago.

[@captainsatellite2112]

@adymode The song and writing are obviously quite impressive. I'm merely providing info based on the opinions I have read over the decades. McLean might give some tidbits here and there but I don't think he'll ever provide a definitive explanation for all the lyrics. That would spoil the magic and mystery that keeps folks discussing it.

[@DannyD714]

"music is your only friend, until the end" - jim morrison... how true.

[@jimruffi7713]

The funny thing about this tune is that it's a jaunty number that's just dripping with melancholy, the ultimate rock and roll elegy. I remember singing this song with a bunch of fellow 4th and 5th graders who'd used it as the soundtrack to their otherwise-silent class "film project" around 1974. We all knew the words but we didn't understand their significance. I feel that way about most music listeners to this day.

[@raymond7880]

It's very, it's very...well crafted. Put together. Precise.

[@2trainsrunning]

Produced by Tom Wilson and a #1 hit record.

[@steviesellers]

Ritchie Valens was only 17 or 18 when he died in the plane crash , he is best remembered for La Bamba

[@steveh7108]

Although not talked about as much. The Beatles were heavily influenced by Buddy Holly. Their band The Beatles was actually a take off of Buddy Holly's crickets. They did many cover tunes of Buddy Holly in their early days of live Club performances some recordings of Buddy Holly cover songs

[@blankeon6613]

Buddy Holly was a genius and died just before he became a superstar at age 22. He could easily have become as big as the Beatles had he not died so young.

[@ask21900]

There are also many that believe that the reason the Beatles were so popular was because of the vacuum in great music that was left after the plane crash. By the time the Beatles came around the world was desperate to love music again.

[@ChrisParrett-qo4sx]

And of course, one of the Stones' greatest early hits was Buddy Holly's 'Not Fade Away'.

[@thomastimlin1724]

The line that always gets me teatr eyed, as I lived through the 1960's as a child, is "In the streets the chlidren screamed, the lovers cried and the poets dreamed." And also "The three men I admired most, the father, son and holy ghost, is a reference to three leaders who were assassinated, probably arranged by the CIA or FBI, President John F. Kennedy, Dr. MartinLuthe King, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy [John's younger brother].

[@ruthlafler5622]

There are a lot of interpretations of that line.

[@TillyOrifice]

I always think that's the worst line in the song ("In the streets the children screamed, the lovers cried and the poets dreamed." Ugh) but then it's almost immediately followed by one of the best ("the three men I admire most...")

[@PopHorizonScanner]

I glad you mentioned the piano work, but you're so right; it is fabulous. I've known all the words to this since I was a kid, even if I never fully knew what those words mean. I'm keenly aware, whenever listening to Don McLean, that I'm listening to a singer poet. As others have mentioned, "Vincent" is beautiful poetry, but also from the same album are two other wonderful songs, "Empty Chairs" and "Crossroads."

[@andrewrose2337]

Thrilled to see you do Don Mclean. Please do more 70's singer-songwriters! (Carole King, James Taylor - maybe both their versions of You've Got a Friend. More Joni - A Case of You, River... she's the undisputed - by me at least - GOAT of female artists.) Next Don Mclean - obviously Vincent, and then Empty Chairs (and after that Killing Me Softly With His Song which Lori Leiberman co-wrote and performed as a response to hearing Mclean perform Empty Chairs live in a small club, and then Roberta Flack did a stunning cover of).

[@Ben-nh9xw]

Whenever I am around people and this song comes on I always tell them to to isolate the piano and focus on it. For me it’s exceptional, so rollicking and fun, just gets me every time I hear it

[@2trainsrunning]

Paul Griffin on piano, played on some of Dylan’s best, including Like a Rolling Stone. According to Rob Stoner (on bass & vocals here, and later in Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue), Griffin was the author of that little piano lick at the end of the intro.

[@acatwiththreenames3658]

The bass playing is amazing too but the producer buried it in the mix. I recently heard it isolated and was blown away.

[@jimbrentar]

This'll be the day that I day is a reference to Buddy Holly's biggest hit, That'll Be The Day

[@steveh7108]

The true Brilliance of it is that he recognized after finishing the song the potential for people to make their own interpretations. And to leave his true Inspirations a secret. I personally think much of it was just poetic license to keep the Rhymes and rhythm going. Inspired by any memories he could reach in his back pocket and grab. Abstract art

[@steveh7108]

I think the lyrics are simply iconic moments of his youth. It's that simple. Some might be memories of friends arguing at the prom. Some memories might be of James Dean's death. Or a big news story / trial. And obviously the most memorable moment is the plane crash of his musical idols. I don't think it's that complicated. Just memories that we all get when we hear those songs and artists of our youth.

[@wmason1961]

This was positive proof that no one can gef all the way through this song without having to join in and start singing it.

[@adambehar9750]

Back in the day, kids knew the lyrics and would sing along even if they didn't understand the lyrics. Now when you listen it's through a different lens. Besides being just an amazing song, you also have the nostalgia factor. Our brains seem to like making connections with the past. So the nostalgia intensifies the listening experience.

[@patrickv391]

1975 I was a new driver cruising down Bassit road all alone in Westlake Ohio. American Pie came on the radio (WMMS) and I sang along at the top of my lungs. We all new the words by then. Every time I hear this I'm cruising and singing.

[@BarrySowder]

Amy, you will definitely want to watch the "newer" documentary “The Day The Music Died: The Story Of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie'”. Don tells us everything about the composing of the song, its ***meanings***, and goes deep into the history of the music that meant so much to him -- and us. I'm sure that you will be fascinated by how a second pianist, hired during the studio recording, literally saved the song by providing the driving musical force of the backing track. You might even want to watch it on your movie channel!

[@MichaelHiggins1]

This album brings me back to my childhood in the early 70s, he set the bar so high for quality lyrics. To this day, despite the countless times I have heard them, American Pie and Vincent bring chills. Thank you for reacting to this, hopefully Vincent is next :)

[@Greg-om2hb]

These cryptic lyrics contain some perfectly clear references to popular music that likely went over your head: - (I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, who, who wrote) The Book of Love, was a 50’s Doo Wop hit - (Like) A Rolling Stone, by Bob Dylan - The Jester (a wise person who plays the fool) is likely Bob Dylan - (Jumping) Jack Flash (sat on a candle stick), by The Rolling Stones - Helter Skelter, by the Beatles is literally about a type children’s playground equipment (I think it’s a spiral slide), but it’s the sound of Chaos and is considered by many to be the first Heavy Metal song (which of course is actually Holst’s Mars). I always imagined the Good ol’ Boys drinking whiskey and rye on the levee to be getting ready to ship of to (the Vietnam) war and sacrifice their lives in a totally misguided and pointless manner, which of course started in a different decade, but perhaps in ‘59, the Korean War?

[@avlisk]

I think your take is right on. Being of that generation, and facing an uncertain future as cannon fodder in Vietnam, this song always felt like the good ol' boys having one last fling down by the levee before being shipped off to go and die.

[@seangates1451]

Don’t forget Buddy Holly’s song “That’ll Be the Day.” which contains the line in the chorus, “That’ll be the day that I die.”

[@mojorider8455]

love this song, remember when it first came out and I had no idea what it was about, just that it was a great melody and tune. As I've gotten older and understood the song better , it brings a tear to my eyes today--the poignancy, the wistfulness, of the good things that are now gone: friends, family, cultural icons. And I miss them dearly. 😢

[@lauramurillotovar811]

The reactions of the "It's good!" type are ok, but yours are not only sincere about your love for the music, but also give ideas and even can give us some NEW reflection themes... even to us that have been listening this song for decades. Your reactions are exactly what rock music has been always needing. Thank you for your time.

[@davidschecter5247]

Just an outstanding work. Such brilliance, even after all these years and having heard it a million times. You are so right about it being very simple structurally, but filled with different nuances throughout.

[@carlosjavier-ux2ig]

When this song came out, we had in Spain a fascist and ultra catholic dictatorship. The line “The three men I admire most, the father, son and the holy ghost” was replaced by a beep Sound.

[@FranGil-m7r]

Tampoco hacía falta, aquí entonces no sabía inglés ni el tato.

[@carlosjavier-ux2ig]

@ pues es cierto pero la censura tenía que ganarse el sueldo.

[@GuyWalters-j4w]

Music like this must never be forgotten. National Treasure.

[@KevinQHall]

This song, more than ANY other I've ever listened to, draws EVERYBODY listening to join in on the chorus. We noticed you singing along with all the choruses except one. :) Part of the magic of Don's pacing and his pen. Nobody can resist! :)

[@ericeastmead7770]

Every instrument has a home in this song, creating a community of family and friends living in harmony.

[@adjman48]

I've read that other than Buddy Holly, the characters in the song are: the King - Elvis, the Jester - Bob Dylan, The Byrds are referenced (Eight Miles High), the 'quartet' and 'sergeants' - The Beatles, Jack Flash (Stones/Jagger) and the girl who sang the Blues (Janis Joplin). Probably much more than that too.

[@edwardmiles3921]

I’m glad you appeared to enjoy this. This song moves me and watching your enjoyment literally made cry with joy. Thank you

[@summerof67]

This is one of the few songs where I can remember exactly where I was the first time I heard it. I was 11 years old and I knew I was listening to something more than an ordinary song.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

A huge hit at the time. The 45 had a half of the song on each side. Good fun listen. Thanks VirginRock

[@thinker9115]

That is interesting! Thanks for that note.

[@supasoulproductions]

Isn't it amazing how a song with a repeated chorus about dying can be so uplifting? Don did an anniversary version of this song with the vocal group Home Free that is also great. His song 'Vincent' is very beautiful as well.

[@kyagu]

This one NEEDS a deep dive! I appreciate the breakdown, but this song just oozes all kinds of little nuggets about different issues, people and events. Once discovered, youll have a new appreciation for this song.

[@bartdrennon1764]

One of the greatest singalong choruses ever. Brings back memories of a carful of inebriated frat bros singing along at the top of our lungs. Too many "music video reactors" try to overanalyze or put too much importance on lyrics. The truth is, many lyrics are only there because they match the cadence, or they make a rhyme. However, Don McLean's lyrics were always thought provoking, impactful, and worth of interpretation. He was one of the greatest lyricists of that era. "Vincent" will bring tears to your eyes.

[@anneridge9800]

Vincent. It stands on its own, but with a deep contextual knowledge of who it's referring to, its even more moving/ profound.

[@amehlee]

the reason why i love this song is because it is just so so much fun to sing along to

[@2011littlejohn1]

To this day I mourn Buddy Holly - only 2 years of fame and he died at 22 and we still play his songs and the kind of guitar he pioneered. He invented the modern self contained rock band. My generation lived its life to the sound track of rock and roll. I watched Don McLean play live at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the 1970s and he played Buddy Holly songs.

[@little-earl]

The recording of this song was a nightmare because Don famously never sang his songs the same way twice, so trying to go back and re record sections caused the producer real problems. One of my favourites. Thanks.

[@Dularr]

Including the deleted verse.

[@Vamps17]

My favourite part of this channel is watching Amy discover song that transcend culture and time and immediately seeing why. As a classically trained guitarist who then did her music teaching studies in predominately modern music history this channel just makes me happy in so many ways.

[@nickdomenicos5987]

Amy, I am a 51 year old man, and listening to you analyse this song (which I thought I knew very well) and the significant insights you perceived from it, literally made me cry. You really bring home and remind the listener of the significance of what was lost - the innocence and hope of early rock and roll and how it became almost imperceptibly corrupted by various forces. The William Blake poem: The Sick Rose comes to mind: O Rose thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm: Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy. Your insight about how austere authority perceived rock and roll as "the devil's music" yet McLean positing that it is rock and roll in its early hopeful beauty and innocence that has in fact been "possessed" by external negative forces - was particularly captivating. Thank you so much!

[@daveking9393]

The BEST reaction to this song for sure. Thank you so much for sharing. What a great start to the day! You are the best!

[@rohmarts]

No 4th of July BBQ is complete without a sing along to this track.

[@guacamolekid3899]

Don has such a great voice!

[@edcavanaugh9507]

For a song with a LOT of cultural references, check out "We Didn't Start the Fire" from Billy Joel. There are over 100 references. Even Billy Joel has trouble remembering all the lyrics.

[@conniekungfu206]

He's a poet! People who grew up in that time understood what was going on. Its about musicians all dying in a plane crash. But also the Vietnam war going on and what people were feeling at that time. Way, before my time but I know the history and American history especially and what happened to older relatives of mine! ❤😊

[@NeverGiddy]

Don McLean wrote this hit song and a hit song was written about him, first recorded by Lori Leiberman in 1971, and two years later recorded by Roberta Flack who made it a smash hit. It was called, "Killing Me Softly With His Song". You should react to that song next. A hit by Don McLean followed up by a hit about Don Mclean.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Arguably the most popular song in Australian pub rock history. Every cover band knew this song and so did the patrons, every word. Ubiquitous in the 70's and 80's, particularly.

[@MactanMurray]

In 1971 - the first time I ever heard this song - I was 13 years old - dancing in my socks - in an after school "sock hop." The fact that I was dancing - in a sock hop - when the song mentions dancing in a sock hop - blew my mind and made a lifelong impression on me - to the point where I'm now sharing it to the world in 2025. Consider this a full circle.

[@jimcomvideos]

Wonderful job on a seemingly simple, but complex song and lyrics. Thank you. They asked the writer what the song means. He said, "It means I won't have to work another day in my life."

[@algures]

I had a really nice evolution of the understanding of the lyrics, since I grew up learning about the history of music and knowing and gradually becoming a fan of the bands and singers that the song alludes to (like The Byrds, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, etc), so it was a nice experience over the years.

[@MikeytheGeek7711]

I'm so glad that you read about the song first because it's so frustrating hearing reactors comment on this song without having a clue what it's about. With most songs, it's fun to watch the reactor figure the song out while we watch, but with this one, some foreknowledge is better.

[@daveking9393]

Or post knowledge... I love reactors having the " Ah ha" moments learning things we've known for decades. I also end up learning new things with this research at times...

[@davidtullis2810]

It's because her channel vocus is on a music professor's perspective rather than untrained reactors perspective

[@Docjonel]

Can't wait for you to listen to his "Vincent," one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs ever written.

[@Ninang363]

Lemmy sang "Rock and roll music is a true religion. It don't ask for much and you can dance to the rhythm"

[@LoveBandit1000]

"I saw Satan laughing with delight"....that line always gets me!

[@belenpaccagnella183]

You should watch the version don Mclean did with Home Free a few years back. it's just beautiful.

[@hudsonhollow]

I was 9 in 1959 so this song beautifully, and emotionally chronicles my young life.

[@paintedjaguar]

Yeah, this is a fun one. And like Paul Simon's, McLean's lyrics display a poet's sensibilities and one can often infer mulitiple layers of meaning in them. For instance, the line "a generation lost in space" obviously references the US Space Program which was a dominant and unifying cultural theme in the early 1960s. It's also probably a throw-away reference to the pop sci-fi TV show "Lost in Space" and of course to a younger generation which was beginning to feel betrayed and cast adrift like one of the animated figures in the intro credits of that same TV show. There's also an echo of the "generation gap" and other artifacts of a society that over the couple of decades referenced in this song, progressed from a relatively unified culture to something much more fragmented and flying apart. One could also view the history of pop music of the period as following a similar trajectory, with multiple genres weaving together to produce something people called Rock before breaking off into a bunch of distinctly separate strands again.

[@ask21900]

Now you gotta do Vincent. It truly paints a picture

[@chrisbanks6659]

I see what you did there!

[@Stratocus]

You might also want to check out "Home Free - American Pie ft. Don McLean" here on KZbin. It's Don joined by a close harmony vocal group and the resulting version is absolutely beautiful.

[@joeterp5615]

My favorite pop/rock song. I'm so glad you seemed to love this too - as so many millions before you have!❤

[@mtzoar]

You may be the most articulate person i have ever heard. Being articulate is not a gift i was born with, nor is it a skill i have been able to develop in over 40 years as a lawyer. You can always find the words to perfectly express your thoughts and it is a pleasure to learn from you.

[@quininde]

Amy’s commentary on the blending of the sacred and profane starting at 21’30” was inspiring!