DRUMMER REACTS to Home Free - American Pie ft. Don McLean (Official Music Video)

Super excited to check out Home Free's latest offering!
Question Of The Day - What's your favourite Home Free song?
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#HomeFree #AmericanPie #Reaction

[@JohnBare747]

Don McLean made the right choice having Home Free team up with him for a 50th year tribute to the classic that defines classics. Just Perfect!

[@goldito62]

This is an American anthem paying tribute to 3 rock-n-roll icons that perished in a single tragedy. The author is accompanied by a blessed group of talented boys on its 50th anniversary.

[@karinfichtner7479]

As a great grandmother.....child of the post war baby boom.....who grew up with Elvis, Ricky, Buddy, Ritchie, Chuck and so many more....I hear this song now, and it takes on a whole new meaning for me. To me it signifies the Age of Innocence, the post-war Happy Days in America. It lasted for about a decade....and then Viet Nam and the hippie culture happened. The girl mentioned in the last verse refers to Janis Joplin, who met her own sad end. It was a fabulous time to grow up, and I feel bad for my grandkids that they missed it. I think this song was prophetic and way ahead of it's time. True genius on Don's part.

[@m.harrison2151]

Don McLean still has it at75!! This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of this song, 1971!! Also, the release date of 2/3/2021, was the 62nd anniversary of “the day the music died” with the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, 22; Richie Valens,17; & J.P. “the Big Bopper” Richardson, 28, at the beginning of their Rock & Roll careers. Home Free & Don McLean teamed up to make this fantastic rendition!! A shout out to beat boxer, Adam Rupp, for 8-1/2 minutes of great drumming!!

[@sheliaspringer7389]

I AM 63. I REMEMBER THE DAY I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG. I WAS PRACTICING DRIVING MY DADDY'S PICKUP AND I WAS 13 YEARS OLD. I SANG THIS SONG FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL I GOT MY DRIVERS PERMIT. IN MISSISSIPPI THEN YOU COULD GET YOUR LICENSE AT 15. I LOVE THIS SONG AND IF THEY NEED AN OLD EXPERT TO SING ALONG, HERE I AM!!!

[@cheridampier2524]

I ended thinking of the amount of breath control and pure energy that Adam Rupp had to do this eight minute song! Standing ovation here

[@henrycouch9709]

The plane crash, "the night the music died," was Feb 3, 1959. Don originally released the song on Feb 3, 1971. This version was officially released on Feb 3, 2021. So it spans a period of 62 years from the event to this release. The fact that so many people remember a song that was, in many cases, originally released long before they were born is a testament to Don McClean's ability as a writer and performer in crafting a true classic. Excellent reaction! Keep them coming..

[@DennisKovacich]

According to Wikipedia, the original song wasn’t even recorded until May 26, and was released on October 24, 1971. And there’s only one “c” in McLean. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pie_(song)?wprov=sfti1

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@DennisKovacich I can concur on that because I distinctly remember hearing it for the 1st time after we had moved to Westchester, a western suburb of Miami...the local two big radio stations were WQAM & WFUN, and they were holding contests around the release of the song...we move to Westchester on Jun 18th, 1971

[@annemayseyfried8907]

And Home Free did an incredible job, too

[@susanhorn4325]

@@miamidolphinsfan Your memory is too damn good 😂

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@susanhorn4325 oh the day we moved is etched into my brain...because we bought the house in March but my parents did want to move until school was over for me & my brother

[@suecurtsinger60]

Don wrote the song, it was a big hit. It is now 50 years old

[@kristindunstan172]

I love it when Adam sings with the rest of the guys. His beatboxing is amazing, but he also has a wonderful singing voice.

[@MuriKakari]

It's somehow extra fun watching the people who haven't heard the song reacting.

[@Mikki44]

You really need to look into the story of this song. Don is 75 years old & still sounds so good. Love this!

[@DennisKovacich]

This cover perfectly duplicates the style of the original. The first and last verses are slower with light piano backing, while the rest is faster with guitar strumming. You called the bend that Rob did “showy,” but Don did the same bend in the original. They were extremely faithful to the original, while adding their harmonic flavor.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

I agree 100% with this...listen to the original and Rob mimicked Don 100%

[@dragonmusher]

It's a testament to how Home Free has matured over the years. This has been touted as their best arrangement to date and I can't disagree. I grew up listening to Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and Buddy Holly and didn't know they were dead til my mom told me that THIS song was about that. I was sorta devastated. It is true to the song...the run Robb does is actually in the original song. Don in the middle blessing this with his presence and voice makes it just EPIC! Adam Rupp is in the harmonies in the end. Those high bell notes are his.

[@belinda9696]

They are known for their killer harmonies. Don still has a great voice. This song was done a long time ago, but most everyone young or old has heard it. It's an iconic song.

[@carty43]

Chance said in his Tuesday chat that this solo taxed the limits of his voice. But he arguably had the strongest perforamance.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

I believe he did, Chance was the perfect one to start off the solos.....

[@susanhorn4325]

Chance was awesome in this!

[@angelserenade]

I'm so glad Chance get to showcase his upper range. His voice is so good and satisfying.

[@jamescaporale9367]

Don McLean was the inspiration behind the Roberta Flack song " Killing me Softly .......which she wrote after watching him perform ...

[@barbaraharlan1152]

I remember the first time I heard this song. I was riding in Daddy's truck. We were going to the grocery store. He said "listen to this song" when it came on the radio. Then asked me if I liked it. It's still my favorite song. I think Home Free did it justice. Brings back memories of Daddy

[@sallyread7032]

This is Don McLean song, he recorded it 1971. He wanted Home Free to sing it with him. The day the music died is about the day that Richie Valens, The Big Bopper & Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crashed. It shocked the music world. I still have it on a 45, it covered both sides.

[@pop-sd8cq]

It is Dons song.. he’s in his seventies now.. he still has it 😎

[@jackmandu]

The rise that Rob does on the word “fast” in the line “8 miles high and falling’ fast” is actually the same as in Don’s original version. While there are some differences in all of the parts, overall it’s pretty true to the original song. I love the original and was glad to see they did a great job with it.

[@lesli148]

I love how Home Free makes this their own but keeps the song in tact. Home Free definitely deserves a Grammy for this. I'm a new subscriber and great reaction.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

This really is about their best they have done that is a pop "cover"....this was done with giving Don the respect he deserves, as the songs composer & original recording artist. Poor Adam, story is (no confimation) that he nearly passed out after beatboxing 8 minutes long. This song by the way is the song of my generation - some of the lyrics I'm sure go over the heads of people of your generation...the reference to the "Quartet in the Park" is a reference to The Beatles, "The Byrds flew off to the fallout shelter and it was 8 miles high, references the mid 60's group The Byrds & their song "8 Miles High" from 1967 or 68. There are other things too....it's just an amazing & iconic song, that Home Free covered awesomely

[@chrismorin1318]

I read the same thing in other comment sections. That Home Free may not perform this live because Adam nearly passed out doing such a strenuous beat for such a long stretch at a time.

[@carty43]

Don't forget that Adam has become quite adept at employing the looper. This song is many pieces put together, so he likely never had to go much longer than one verse at a time. That, and he was singing in thelast verse harmony.

[@laurat2509]

Isn't the video of Adam's live drum solo over 9 minutes long? I think he has stamina. The drum solo is usually in the middle of Home Free sets too I believe.

[@debrabusch1090]

@@laurat2509 His drum solo is roughly 9-10 minutes long. The difference between this and his solo is he has time to stop and breathe during his solo. The beat on this is pretty darn near constant with very few times to really breathe.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@laurat2509 this is all just rumor as no one has confirmed any of it from Home Free

[@corryjookit7818]

My interpretation of American Pie, is that at it's heart, it's a lament by Don McLean for an absolute and unmistakeable shift in American culture and politics.. I think. It begins because of McLean's own life, his thoughts at the time must have felt as though he was being pulled from pillar to Post. The shock of the plane crash which killed Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens, must have been quite traumatic for him. He takes notice of events occurring around him. He had noted that the British musicians were taking hold in his own country, the massive merseysider invasions had began, led by the Beatles, all from Liverpool. Bands from London and Newcastle, such as Dave Clark five, and the Hollies, a great harmony band, would have been on his young radar. Mick Jagger's " Jumping Jack Flash " pounded out everywhere. It might be a reference to the song, but also to the assassination of President Jack Kennedy., "Jack be nimble Jack be quick".a sort of child's anger, that spilled out as he realised that what he'd seen as strength in his world, some people he loved were not always going to be there, they were not invincible, like he'd thought. He thinks he might be next. "This might be the day that I died " , is something he mulls over, first of thoughts on death. He's' concerned the American music he loves, idolises and grew up with in this, the first part of his life might move away entirely. "We caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died". California and the Beach Boys were the best place to be with American music and culture, also Hollywood was a factor. Look at all these people going away , I must go with them in order to still breath America. Since Don McLean didn't write this as soon as these events occurred, he may well have made some notes along the way. , he was young when the three young rockers died in a plane crash. He does recall delivering newspapers, as he had a job as a delivery lad. He'll have found his emotions highly charged when he began to really tackle it. Delay in tackling it might have felt like a dam burst when he did. Tragic. I'll finish my thoughts later.

[@kathysnyder876]

They did such an amazing job with this.. especially since they are still quarantining .. Austin, Tim and Don did their parts in Nashville, Rob and Adam did theirs in MN and Chance in CA. The editing is great and Darrin Rust did a wonderful arrangement!

[@lesleypalmer4295]

Don McLean also wrote the song, “Starry, starry Night.” A wonderful tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.

[@lesleypalmer4295]

Sorry, it’s called, “Vincent”.

[@jamescaporale9367]

And McLean was the inspiration for the Roberta Flack song : Killing me Softly " which she wrote aftr watching him perform ..

[@MuriKakari]

That is one of my favorite songs.

[@christinadowdican3268]

Don Mclean wrote & sang this song 50 years ago. They released this on the 50th anniversary of this song & the anniversary of the plane crash that killed some of the biggest names in rock & roll history

[@brendagrothier967]

They killed it. I was 20 when the original came out.

[@davepasnthru]

Its a very American song. The references are myriad. Paper delivery was one of the first American kids got as their first job.

[@joanwharff6483]

Thank You, for the great reaction ! I too thought it was so well done ! I love the fact Don McLean at 75 Still has it !!! His voice is soooo good. !!! Cheers !

[@rayc2993]

It is so good to see the younger musicans honor the artist of the older generation and blend this together.

[@yzguise]

The more I hear it the more I appreciate this song. While this is up there on my fav list I think Helplessly Hoping and Mayday are at the top of my list.

[@patriciawoyczik1657]

Great reaction to an iconic masterpiece ....this is just pure perfection!

[@annemayseyfried8907]

It's EPIC!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Don's 50th anniversary of his song-Awesome storytelling voice +lyrics re:the day 3 1950's rock 'n roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper died in a plane crash: the "day the music died"..HF's amazing solo voices, richest harmonies, Tim's deep rolling super-bass + Adam riding that 🔥beat + the sepia pics /vids memories shasowbox=🔥🔥

[@kevinhall2839]

You should check out the original. A lot of the things you attributed to Home Free are in the original: the changes of mood/cadence, Rob bending (I think slur or gliss is more appropriate here) the heck out of that one note, etc. I still think they did an AMAZING job. It's hard to take on an iconic movie/song/performance and not fall far short, but Home Free seems to be one of the few entities out there that I'm beginning to think could take on just about any project they'd want to and do it the proper justice it deserves. OOPS - that's what I get for not reading all the comments below. A number of your other followers pointed out the same stuff below. Anyway, keep on keepin' on. I'd love to hear you critique some of Adam's work on some of their other pieces where he stretches his legs.

[@allybandy3047]

This one hits home for me because ...yeah, I was there the day the music died. If you don't know the meaning I recommend kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH2ohp-sh85ro5o . Don was a paperboy leaving the news on the door steps when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. Like cancel culture now, back then they were trying to shut down rock and roll.

[@davepasnthru]

I love the reference of birds fly away and then eight miles high. VERY specific reference to THE BYRDS Eight Miles High.

[@spideydew20]

Isn't this incredible?! Such an amazing and spot-on tribute to the classic, especially with Don McLean involved. To answer your Question Of The Day, my favorite Home Free song is "Do You Hear What I Hear?" It showcases everyone's vocals (including a few notes from Tim that he summoned from the mines of Moria), Adam's insane percussion and song arrangement, and was filmed in front of the Winter Carnival Ice Castle here in Minnesota. By the way, I'm a fellow drummer, and a new subscriber!

[@nicowest3249]

I had to comment... When you said "played at weddings...I was like, "what?!" We had singing time when I was in grade school. In 6th grade, when this song was new, we sang it in class (Mr. Belli was a great teacher). He took the song line by line and explained the meaning. This was a very deep song about the state of the world and politics at the time. Some think it is about just Buddy Holly and the plane crash...It went way beyond that. Sometimes...it is just amazing what people get from music. I really liked the sound, the harmonies etc. These Guys are Awesome!

[@OwenAlec]

Yeah... the English are weird 🤣

[@bethcoussou]

It’s hard to be unbiased with these guys because they are so good at what they do! I really feel that they did a phenomenal version with Don! The harmonies were sweet and full! That bass was very tasteful, the beatboxing was absolutely perfect! Don sang his part well, even though he talked some of his parts (somewhat, which is a folk song thing anyway). He sounds pretty good for being 75! Then the guys each had a lead verse, but I think Chance shone the most! They were all amazing, though! I love it! I also enjoyed your input and reaction! You definitely should take another listen to the original, though! It’s an American Classic, and Home Free with Don McLean made an awesomely refreshing reboot!

[@cheryljohnson733]

What a wonderful collaboration. thx for the reaction.

[@kristindunstan172]

They recorded this for the 50th anniversary of the song.

[@hilarymol6607]

Oh my god. I hadn't even seen the Home Free original video before I saw your reaction. What a GREAT cover. Don McLean is an American treasure and this is one of the best songs ever written. Rest in peace to Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valenz, all these years later. And holy crap, every time I think I've heard all of Tim Foust's range, there's more. His solo at the top of his range was incredible.

[@alwaysjeffsbabygirl]

The chartered plane transporting musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper goes down in an Iowa snowstorm, killing all four occupants on board. The tragedy is later termed "The Day the Music Died," popularized in Don McLean's song, "American Pie

[@georgeadeh8859]

I like your commentary and analysis of "American Pie' - quite informative and interesting!

[@teresaluthye1153]

I enjoyed your reaction and breakdown of the song. Thank you.

[@OwenAlec]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@babyfry4775]

This is so good. I agree with Kevin Clements down below. It gives Don respect and he still sounds great but Home Free’s harmonies and solos added some energy and were spot on. Adam was great as usual. Loved your reaction. Just a great rendition.

[@mjackson780]

I hope you check out their latest "Sea Shanty Melodys". Adam is outstanding in it!!

[@OwenAlec]

Just posted 😉

[@intern0077]

Perfect.

[@demo77ef]

Great review!! Thorough and honest. You have an ear for music!

[@OwenAlec]

Thanks very much 😀

[@rogerwest603]

Excellent Reaction and Feedback! Great Job! I too really thought that Starting with Chance was Awesome, then when Austin came in with his patented high Tenor Voice in that one section was great! Rob was definitely Awesome with the Slide and the next part where he put his spin on it! You are right Tim was Great, steady might be the word too! Consistent voice throughout. One thing that you didn't mention was when Chance, during Austin's and Rob's Leads did that "do do dooo" at a high note! Also you gave Chance credit for his Bass during the extended note with Tim in the slower part of the song as well as while Tim was singing his Lead! Not too many Reactor's give him enough credit period but in this case most of them missed that and his higher note during his Lead! It's a Shame! I thought that it was great that you credited him with a Great Voice! Adam was completely Awesome throughout including him joining in on the harmonys, melody and such! Excellent Recap by you! Keep it up! 😜👍😎 Cheers Roger

[@kristindunstan172]

I don't see Adam Rupp's drum solo in your drum covers playlist. There are two or three of them out there on KZbin. You might also want to consider making a Home Free playlist so we Home Fries can find then easily whenever we find you.

[@stanrock2225]

I heard Adam almost passed out with all the drums and the pace of the song. Seems right

[@helenlambert2908]

The first guy singing is Don McLean the original singer learn the story behind the song

[@minneyruth]

❤❤

[@ronfuqua2117]

the star in this one was Adam for me anyway 7 minutws of straight fire and a bow at the end much respect

[@susanhorn4325]

I loved Adam’s bow at the end....it’s like the tempo slowed and the beat bowed out

[@vesbim]

Cool 👍

[@angelodicamilo8372]

There are a couple of videos with Don Mclean's live performances of American Pie as well as Vincent which is Don's tribute to Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. Please check them out and many Thanks for reacting to this video.

[@davepasnthru]

Don has publicly said that the song was NOT about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Richie Valens and that he just came up with the idea "organically". I'm not sure I believe him because there are so many references in the song to other obvious events/people/things. For example at one point the song says the birds flew away and in the next line it says eight miles high which is one of The Byrds hits. Was he telling the truth?

[@exoticrythm8744]

nice one

[@shercahn]

The Weird Al parody is called The Saga Begins. Glad you loved it :)

[@Chrisfragger1]

Funny story, I heard about an interview where Don claimed that he sometimes sings Weird Al's lyrics instead of his own, because his grand kids loved the song so much.

[@marlahudgins7038]

This has mae a lot of people very ☺

[@Raptor-ew6to]

Hello Mr. HermitCraft fan! Lol noticed your shirt

[@OwenAlec]

Oh yes! Absolutely love it! Currently playing on a HermitCraft style server 😊

[@kadeclaiborne]

Love your content. (: new subscriber!

[@OwenAlec]

Thank you so much 😊

[@barrywood7322]

Definitely Don’s song and pension pot😁

[@ruthietigergirl1980]

Nothing “upbeat” about “American Pie”. Always makes me sad and nostalgic.

[@anaco764]

Please react to Dimash Kudaibergen’s Olympico

[@hellefur6631]

You forgot to wright anything 😂😂😂

[@hellefur6631]

By the way, it starts and end, like Don original sang it.

[@OwenAlec]

I just get too into Home Free!

[@piahooks8348]

Can you still call it a cover if the original artist is in the song?

[@OwenAlec]

...semi-cover? 🥴 haha

[@corryjookit7818]

I realise you're quite young. Why don't you do a bit of preparation for each video. I find it irritating that no one does even a modicum of research to go with each video. It's embarrassing they don't know it is the original song. Plenty of clues before it begins. Need to keep coming over as a wee bit knowledgeable.

[@OwenAlec]

Yeah I definitely dropped the ball on this one, I try to go into these reactions completely independently and have them as genuine as possible.