Sebs' (Immigrant) first LISTEN to American Pie by Don McLean feat Ali, the Wife

This song as that long and complex and deep?!
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[@markalumbaugh2756]

Song is about the plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. The loss of popular music as a symbol for loss of innocence

[@duke2651]

@@leeyaferguson9019 His real name was Ricardo Valenzuela, anglicized to help shield him from the racism of the Jim Crow south.

[@BestofItMoviedoc]

@@leeyaferguson9019 And Buddy Holly was only 22, yet he influenced Rock in such a huge way, including the Beatles and Bob Dylan.

[@mildredalayon7095]

Also, the Rolling Stones who hired the motorcycle club, the "something" angels, as their security at an open air concert and those "angels" murdered a guy right there in front of everyone. Talk about loss of innocence.

[@billwalker7556]

Its much more about the song than that plane crash.

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

@@duke2651It’s also just common to do this to celebrities, they always alter their names to what they think sells better. Like how Katy Perry wanted to use her full name Catherine but they wouldn’t let her. They also tried to make Keanu use a different name but he refused. It happens all the time

[@garyrausch1184]

The jester is Bob Dylan, the king is Elvis, the marching band reference is the Beatle Sargent Peppers, the birds flying eight miles high reference the Byrds song of the same name. This is why us old folks get this song, we lived back then.

[@reedcoles1215]

also, byrds falling on grass near beatles, British invasion ??

[@ellefitzpatrick6339]

You forgot the Devil is Mick Jagger.

[@edevard9048]

The girl who sang the blues is Janis Joplin.

[@sarahirwin8912]

I was born in 81 but knew these references. I had parents with great taste in music!

[@cw-on-yt]

Don't forget that a miles-high cloud that's falling back on the ground is a mushroom cloud depositing radioactive fallout; hence the fallout shelter. The existential dread provoked by the Cuban Missile Crisis is an important undertone starting with that verse. Most of these symbols don't stand for only one thing, like an identifiable individual. There's often an individual personage which is broadly representative of a "vibe" or "thread" in the changing cultural zeitgeist. Consider Bob Dylan, the "Jester." What does a Jester do? Well, on the outside, he looks like light entertainment, even silliness. But he's the only one allowed to poke fun at the feudal lord and his court: He can carefully make witty points about their flaws and foibles, couching meaningful commentary and criticism within what looks like mere entertainment. The pop music of the late 50's and early 60's started off innocent and fairly shallow: There's little deep meaning in Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue." But Dylan is saying _serious things_ under the guise of entertainment. And Elvis, the "King," likewise wasn't specializing in trenchant analysis. But is Bob Dylan the only songwriter writing meaningful lyrics commenting on the social scene, under the guise of harmless entertainment? Far from it! So, "the Jester" is Dylan, but not just Dylan. "The Jester" is _all_ the folks doing that; he's a personification of _the doing of that,_ generally. Likewise, it's hard to say that the part of "Satan" is played only by a single individual. The lyrics of "Sympathy for the Devil" notwithstanding, Mick Jagger individually doesn't quite live up to _actually being Satan_ in his role and impact vis-a-vis American culture, the loss of innocence, and the dissolution of meaning. But it's fair to say that the _sacred_ and the _innocent_ was replaced with nihilism and reified perversity, leading to existential anxiety and suicidal despair, all within a single lifetime, for someone born just after the end of WWII. So Jagger is, at most, an example of the kind of thing personified by the "Satan" character; but he isn't the _whole_ of it. The lyrics of "Sympathy for the Devil" are saying something, but are they _glorifying_ evil? Are they _criticizing_ evil? It appears that they _don't really care_ whether you like or dislike the deeds of "Lucifer": They just boastfully describe them, threaten the listener a bit, and then ...no further meaning is provided. So that's why the generation of music which follows "the Jester" is no longer quite the same as "the Jester." "The Jester" said meaningful things hoping to achieve change for the good. But "Satan" boasts that there's no such thing as hope, no such thing as change for the good, no such thing as "good" that's distinguishable from "evil," nothing to be earnest or idealistic about. So the opposition to the Vietnam War was the last gasp of idealistic people trying to be "Jesters" to achieve a change for the good. The football team's "players" are the military might of the U.S., trying to "take the field" in Vietnam, but the militantly anti-war folk music and hippie culture are a "marching band" which was initially thought of as mere "half-time entertainment" until, to the players' surprise and shock, the marching band prevented the players from taking the field. That was achieved -- it was revealed -- but, then what? Did it fix everything? Was innocence restored? Was the music returned to a status of sacredness? Nope: By the start of 1970, you got self-anesthetizing and racial tensions and the shattered families. From hopeful teenaged crushes dancing "in the gym" we've arrived at the despair of infidelity and divorces: Love and family made into a hopeless pipe dream even on the second and third attempts. Who could trust in "music" saving their mortal souls any more, after _that?_ All of this is to say: Look broader than assigning each character in the song to an individual celebrity. It's not _wrong,_ but the full meaning is more than just one person.

[@jj.harvey4067]

Sebs & Ali, As a Boomer, who grew up in the 60’s/70’s…You guys can’t even image how big this song was when it came out in 1972…At that time there was Only AM radio, The Midnight Special TV music show on Fridays, and American Bandstand…There was no MYV,- with Music Videos, no cell phones, no computers and no internet…But most everyone alive during the 70’s under the age of 60…Could recite every single word of the Lyrics, and would break out singing every time it came on in the car….Good Luck Jjh

[@jodonnell64]

In the car? A few of us were at Five Guys waiting for our orders and the song came on over the sound system. Every single person in that place was singing along with it.

[@reneerocha1796]

Yes..still can. 😅

[@Lesliesez]

My friend in high school ((1973?) did an entire presentation about everything the song means 👍

[@TheJohnnywbred]

Well said! 👍

[@cindyrwagner6930]

and no autotune!

[@SparkyLu60]

I don't think todays music lovers realize how important Buddy Holly was to rock-n-roll music. in less than 3 yrs of recording he change they way music was presented . He wrote, performed and produced his own music. unheard of at that time. He was one of the first if not the first to have a 4 member band, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, Bass and drums. without Buddy Holly we might would never had groups like the Beatles or The Rolling Stone, I was 9yrs old "The day the music died" I will never forget!

[@theshadowfax239]

Buddy Holly really was an exceptional artist and one of the all time greats.

[@kathylaiblin6386]

Are you 77 now?

[@SparkyLu60]

I'm 74, born 1950, the plane crashed in 1959​@kathylaiblin6386

[@natecloe8535]

Then he married his niece. Oh! No! My bad, that was Jerry Lewis. I will leave this here so others may learn from my mistake.

[@leisastalnaker3790]

He was the influence of a generation of musicians. The Beatles, The Stones and even musicians to this day. I’m not kidding. Performers of to this day are influenced by Buddy Holly. An icon in f early rock!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@RuthieForster]

There is a documentary on Prime video where Don McLean explains, in detail, the meaning of every line in this song. It's a recent one and very interesting to watch. He explains exactly why he wrote what he did in this song and what event/time in his life inspired it. It's called "The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's American Pie"

[@terrygiven9801]

Thank-you for the info!

[@windywalter1020]

It was a very informative documentary.

[@lifeofduran]

That is awesome, we will watch it!

[@Me-wk3ix]

Thank you! Can't wait to check it out!

[@user-tf9jb1in3k]

Worth checking out Sebs.

[@ralpholson7616]

Rock-'n'-roll lost its innocence and became much darker. We went from "Hello Peggy Sue" to "Sympathy for the Devil".

[@thomastimlin1724]

Hello Mary Lou

[@reanimated]

One might say music got less shallow. Perhaps ironically, this is an example of music getting less shallow and manufactured.

[@DeltaElites]

Yes, the "No Angels born in hell" verse was a reference to the Hell's Angels security who stabbed an 18 year old at The Rolling Stones concert during the song Sympathy for the Devil.

[@daleb1279]

For the 50th anniversary of the song, Don asked Home Free to join him and they did an acapella version with Don of the song, also well worth watching.

[@jmercaldo]

Thanks, I'm gonna check that out!

[@Laura_Martin42]

They just released Vincent, too!

[@Code9]

And the last thing Buddy said jokingly to Waylon was something like, "I hope you freeze on that bus." To which Waylon replied (jokingly), "I hope your plane crashes." That haunted Waylon for many years afterward.

[@misterg547]

Loved that collaboration.

[@heatherb5348]

@@Laura_Martin42 thank you for mentioning this! Vincent is such a hauntingly beautiful song. I'll have to go look for it!

[@chrino21]

Buddy Holly's huge hit, "That'll be the Day", included the lyrics "that'll be the day-ay-ay when I die". Lots of references that are getting lost in time - a few are The Hell's Angels and Mick Jagger at the horrific Altamont festival, The Byrds and their hit "Eight Miles High", the Manson "Helter Skelter" murders during the summer of '69, The King and The Jester (Elvis and Bob Dylan), the girl who sang the Blues (Janis Joplin), the space race (and TV show "Lost in Space"), and much more...

[@roxannekabotsky2997]

Aren't there actual school classes based on American Pie break downs??

[@allenwhitmer8192]

I've heard the pink carnation was a reference to Marty Robbins and proms

[@garyr8739]

You did not mention that Helter Skelter was also the name of a Beatles song as well as what the Manson "family" wrote on the walls of their victims home - crazy sick bastards - sorry, no other way to describe them. Manson that is, not the Beatles.

[@richdiddens4059]

Also, John Lennon reading a book an Karl Marx and becoming politicized. Sergeants played a marching tune could be the Beatles promoting new age philosophy.The good old boys drinking whisky and rye may be a reference to an incident during the civil rights protests. The "kicked off their shoes" refers to high school dances in the gym where they wanted you to dance in you stocking feet to avoid hard soled shoes damaging the finish of the hardwood floors, the sock hops.

[@thomasjones4570]

The gpd damn lyrics have nothing to do with Elvis or Dylan. That is bullshit made up by fans. The god damn line says "Stole his thorny crown"....its a fucking line reference Jesus. McLean is on record stating this shit many times.

[@mikek4922]

Another great song by Don McLean is “Vincent”. Another brilliant, haunting song with obscure fantastic lyrics. Almost a tear jerker. Another masterpiece

[@jodonnell64]

Agreed on it being a masterpiece, but it's nowhere near as obscure as American Pie. If you know anything about Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, it's pretty obvious. In fact, the first line of the song refers to one of his most well-known paintings - Starry Night.

[@terri2494]

They should watch the lyrics video that shows his paintings.

[@Azztek1]

Agree, Vincent makes you think and fills you with melancholy.

[@ContrarianCorner]

I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam back in the mid 70s as a teenager. They were playing this song over the speakers. I already knew the song very well but it was so powerful hearing it while actually looking at Van Gogh's work up close. The whole "American Pie" album is just incredible from start to finish. I don't think there's a weak song on it and it's one of my favorites to this day.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

My brother discovered Don Mclean after watching a BBC documentary back in the 70s about Vincent Van Gogh. The documentary featured this song. He then bought the album and became a fan of both Van Gogh and Don Mclean. We played Vincent at his funeral.

[@billboyd9028]

The central storyline of this is about the death of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, but every line of the song is a metaphor for something that occurred in the 60's. Don McLean never divulged all of the translations of the metaphors, but he did reveal some. There are some interpretations that you can find on line and some are better than others. Every line has its own meaning and refers to something true...

[@delanabosworth4972]

The part with the angel born in hell referred to the Rolling Stones concert they used the Hell's Angels for security. The "he" on stage was Mick Jagger.

[@r2streu]

That whole verse seems to be about the Stones going into their Jumpin' Jack Flash" / Sympathy for the Devil era and the chaos surrounding them (like the Hell's Angels incident)

[@girl_overthinx]

Altamont.

[@Doug_M]

The 1959 plane crash...when Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died. Waylon Jennings was also on that tour and gave up his seat on the plane.

[@djgrant8761]

Waylon Jennings gave up his seat to the Big Bopper who had the flu. Tommy Allsup lost a coin toss losing his seat to Ritchie Valens. When Buddy Holly learned that Waylon Jennings wasn’t going to fly he said jokingly to Jennings. “Well, I hope your damned bus freezes up.” Jennings quipped back saying, “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes.” This conversation would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life.

[@davidburchfield2720]

Waylon was buddy's Base player ​@@djgrant8761

[@troygaunt6773]

Wow..I actually didn't know that about Waylon Jennings. Sorta like the Stevie Ray Vaughn crash where by apparently Eric Clapton was supposed to be on the helicopter but for some reason wasn't.

[@markalumbaugh2756]

Indeed, Jennings was supposed to be on that plane

[@kelleewolfe2834]

And that was the day the Music Died. Don McClain also sang Vincent about Vincent Van Gogh. Awesome song!

[@sharonstark1014]

I remember I was in high school when this song came out in 1971. All of us teenagers were trying to decipher what the lyrics meant. It's such a beautiful song. Check out another song by Don called "Vincent."

[@thomastimlin1724]

including me, a generation who was inquisitive, of everything as we were constantly lied to...."we're winning in Vietnam" [no, we're not], "I am not crook" [oh yes you are], etc etc

[@mikemiller3069]

One of the most frequently repeated lyrics in the song is "this will be the day that I die" which is a reference to one of Buddy Holly's biggest hits, "That'll Be The Day" in which the chorus finishes the sentence "that'll be the day that I die".

[@terri2494]

I can just see people listening to that song on the radio or a jukebox or just spontaneously singing it. When they get to the last line they realize that “that” day has tragically become “this” day.

[@ravenwind1062]

A few of the Lyrical references: ‘With Every Paper I'd Deliver / Bad News On The Doorstep / I Couldn't Take One More Step’ McLean apparently worked as a newspaper delivery boy. And on February 3, 1959, the "bad news" was Buddy Holly's demise, on the cover of every paper (the afternoon version) that McLean distributed. ‘When I Read About His Widowed Bride’ Buddy Holly was married to his young wife, Maria Elena Santiago-Holly, for only six months when he perished. His widowed, pregnant new bride was so traumatized by the news of his demise that she had a miscarriage. ‘With A Pink Carnation And A Pickup Truck’ In 1957, Marty Robbins released the heartbreak song "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)" about a young man "all dressed up for the dance" and "all alone in romance." ‘And Moss Grows Fat On A Rolling Stone’ A year after Bob Dylan released "Like a Rolling Stone" in 1965, he was involved in a strange motorcycle incident that made him lie low for a year or two at the height of his career. He'd just transformed himself from a folk singer to an electric guitar-playing rock musician, which caused a lot of controversy within the American music scene.

[@hockemeyer1]

There are many references to historical events during the 60s and early 70s. There references to Bob Dylan, JFK, Elvis, Mick Jagger, the 1969 trial of the Chicago 8, The Byrds song 8 Miles high, a nod to the death of Janis Joplin and an over all lament of the change in music that began with the British invasion. I remember the plane crash as I was 10 years old when it happened. Buddy Holly had been married 6 months when he died. His wife was pregnant at the time of the crash which upset her so much that she miscarried. Also originally Waylon Jennings was supposed to be on that flight as he was Holly's bassist but J.P. Richardson. the Big Bopper had the flu so Jennings gave his seat on the plane to him.

[@jmercaldo]

I came here to say some of this. Everyone loves the song, but if you understand all the references, you'll get it and appreciate it so much more.

[@hockemeyer1]

@@jmercaldo I don't think anyone gets all the references because several references could point to multiple events or people. The king at one point in the song could be JFK and it could be Elvis in another. Don McClean prefers to leave the puzzle for us to solve. Truly as you stated the enjoyment of the song increases with knowledge.

JP Richardson wrote "White Lightning" for his friend George Jones.

[@lisarhae9692]

Heater Sketler in a summer swelter... Charlie Manson.

[@tonyherrera9329]

This song is timeless but it reflects events from a different time. He was a paperboy delivering the paper that told of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. Life goes on and there are many new iterations of "the music." "For ten years we've been on our own and moss grows fat on a rolling stone" This would be picking up in 1969 and he tells his impressions of what's happened after the Day the Music Died. Is Bob Dylan "the Jester sand for he King and Queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean?" He could be. "Eight miles high and falling fast" is a reference to the first manned space flight and when Astronaut Alan Shepard returned to earth from that first flight. "I met a girl who sang the blues. I asked her for some happy news. But she just smiled and turned away." is a reference to Janis Joplin. "the players tried for a forward pass with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast" is a reference to Joe Namath, Pro Football player, who couldn't play because of a broken leg. So now we have two Jesters referenced? Hmmm....This song makes you think, ponder the references and conjecture as to what you believe them to be. I am 70 years old and lived these times so it's easy for me to remember what these references are. It's fun to watch young people wonder what it all means.

[@mrsnookdeb]

The marching band (The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonley Hearts Club Band) refused to yield

[@tomwilliams5137]

And there we were all in one place, a generation lost on space is a ref to Woodstock.

[@mollieking7432]

I thought the Jester was still Bob Dylan, who was badly injured in a motorcycle accident, then he came back with an electric guitar and transitioning to rock that angered a lot of his fans. ?

[@Teresia12]

67 here and you are spit on.

[@FreeSpeak]

Eight Miles High is a reference to the Byrds song of the same name.

[@CarolLee-mq8er]

It’s a history song of what was going on in the times.

[@lorrainemiller688]

Lots of things were "ending"-- and he was right, the American core changed forever coming out of that era. And, yes, America was religious up until that era.

[@frankbolger3969]

One of the best songs ever written. DonMcLean is and was a great singer and lyricist

[@Treasacello]

First, I'm glad you found the full version. Back in the 70's when this song first came out, the bean counters at the radio stations were convinced that any song more than 2 minutes and 51 seconds was too long and would lose their listening audience. Clearly not true, but a lot of record labels would not release singles longer than that because of that belief, so this song, when it was released to the radio stations, came on a 45 with part 1 on the A side and part 2 on the B side. Most radio stations only played the A side. I have one of those and you can hear the needle fry on side A, where Side B is clean. Second, about the lyrics. There are College level courses that try to examine all the social references in the song. They're still debating whether they've found them all, so no, you guys are not the only ones!

[@teresamerkel7161]

Allie's insight about traditional values, something being lost is definitely how it felt back then and how the song describes it perfectly. Thanks you two.

[@theshadowfax239]

Traditional values or Christian values?

[@karenmandeville7116]

i had read that the 'father, son and holy ghost' referred to JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King Jr. the 'good old boys' were 18 year olds who had been drafted to Vietnam and were singing Buddy Holly's song That'll Be The Day (that i die)

[@theshadowfax239]

Or Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valenz, and the Big Bopper.

[@annepryor9169]

Sorry, but they were in WW2. JFK was President during Viet Nam.

[@mjackson780]

I love that Don asked Home Free to do this song with him not too awful long ago. They did an awesome job on the song!!

[@georgekininmonth2070]

McLean noted that the classic lyric, "the day the music died," was referring to the plane crash involving Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Jiles P. Richardson back in 1959. McLean was just 13 years old when he learned that his idol Holly passed away. Here's the official synopsis for the film: "The story of America - our past and our future. More than just a song or a man, this film is about a cultural moment in America's history that has followed us from the 1970s. Featuring a new generation of artists, inspired by the same values & ideas that inspired Don McLean in writing American Pie -- one of the great musical touchstones of pop music and culture." Although there are many interpretations for the lyrics, McLean cleared the air about one, in particular. In the documentary, McLean notes that his lyrics, "when the jester sang for the king and queen" is not about Elvis Presley or Bob Dylan. Some fans believe that "the jester" referred to Dylan, while "the king" to Presley, but McLean assured that's not the case. (Others will be able to go into more detail as my time is limited.

[@julieholbrook5302]

It is EXACTLY about losing your innocence as each monumental event happens around you. Nostalgia ever-present for a simpler time. I was 7 when it came out. I remember my dad explaining many of the references. It was more a tale of my parents' (born in 1940) generation. It was on the radio constantly during my childhood.

[@rkotera]

Ali and Sebs, please do a follow up reaction to this song! I’d love to see you read up some on the events in American Pie and react again. It’s such a powerful song and has implications for us even today, IMO.

[@mikefetterman6782]

On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together. This was our first rock and roll tragedy.

[@aaroncoffman88]

Weird Al did a song about Star Wars Episode 1 to the music of American Pie. Don has admitted to having to be careful and not sing Weird Al's lyrics instead of his own. Also Home Free did a great cover of this song with Don at his request

[@karenmandeville7116]

Al's The Saga Begins is also a great song/parody

[@aaroncoffman88]

@karenmandeville7116 It told the story that took more than 2 hours on screen in one song

[@GeekyGirl80]

That parady was the best thing about episode 1.

[@bloodybutunbowed291]

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

[@bloodybutunbowed291]

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

[@girl_overthinx]

I agree with most of your breakdown. Just to add a couple. When he asks, "Can music save your mortal soul?" The church bells all are broken. It is about pop culture replacing God. Jack Flash sat on a candlestick.. candlestick park, which is near Altamont. For myself, "Them good ol' boys drinking Whiskey and Rye, singing this will be the day that I die" a reference to Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" but, for me, young men getting their number called for Nam. I was little, but my brother and his friends used to give drunken send-offs when one of their numbers got called. I am guessing that might have happened a lot elsewhere, too. It was fitting that it would be in the Chorus since it was a common thread and threat running through the 60's and early 70's.

[@johnmccarthy7158]

Don McLean grew up in New Rochelle, N.Y., just north of the Bronx. He was a paper boy and he delivered papers and remembered the headlines of the "Day the music died". "A Chevy to the Levee " refers to a bar in Rye N.Y. called the Levee. "Them good Ole boys were drinking whiskey IN Rye" Not whiskey AND Rye.

[@danielsimpson162]

Don McLean’s American Pie album is an absolute classic. “Empty Chairs” is incredible, “Vincent” is another big hit. Really tremendous songwriting and singing by an u believable artist.

[@burstcity3832]

The piano in this is so good, makes me smile every time.

[@hermitfrodo7730]

Every line is a cryptic/poetic reference to some historical event in the history of Rock and Roll.

[@jrepka01]

The crash was on February 3rd 1959, which became known as "The Day the Music Died." One of Buddy Holly's big hits was "That'll Be the Day (When I Die)" thus the Good Ol' Boys are singing "This'll be the day that I die." He then reminisces about the next ten years of popular music, and how it evolved through the tumultuous 1960s, with specific references to artists (Elvis, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Byrds, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin) and historical events (Vietnam war protests, the Kent State shootings, Woodstock, the Altamont concert, the Manson murders, the Kennedy and King assassinations, etc.). It is totally a song about the loss of the innocence of youth...

[@roncypert8255]

I loved you guys’ take on the lyrics. McClean’s lyrics were pure poetry. American Pie and Vincent are two of my favorite songs ever…

[@neilsimon467]

The "Quartet practicing in the Park" references The Beatles, the King is Elvis and The Jester is Bob Dylan

[@ellenstrack6274]

At time of the crash it was the first many teenagers had anyone they knew and admired die.. the loss of innocence.

[@bevalexander5897]

This has been on my top 10 favorite songs list ever since I was old enough to have a list. Don McLean is a genius and wrote a song for the wild, rocky times of the 60’s, which is when my story started.

[@edwardgibson4466]

This song spoke to my generation which witnessed and mourned the end of American innocence. We saw political assassinations of the young leaders who inspired us, we were the first generation to get to watch war from a far off land in living color on our television screens every night -a war in which there was no clear "right" side and no clear "wrong" side. We watched police dogs and firehoses unleashed on other people our age who were simply standing up for equality and freedom. This was an anthem that captured our angst and disillusionment.

[@joerichards2658]

Another major event mentioned in the song is the Rolling Stones’ concert at the Altamont Festival in 1969, where there was a murder in the audience right in front of Mick Jagger. “No Angel born in Hell could break that Satan’s spell…”. The Hell’s Angels chapter was hired to work security at the event. “Jack Flash sat on a candlestick…”. Jumpin’ Jack Flash “ is a Stones’ song. Listen to that entire verse again

[@leighdf]

At about 12 minutes in, she NAILS it. Impressive! And that's the impressive thing about this iconic, impressionistic song. You know what it's ABOUT, even if you don't know what it MEANS. Hundreds of years from now, classical artists will include Beethoven, Bach... and Don McLean.

[@bigsteve6200]

Now that you've tackled this song. Try Don McLean, Vincent. That will tear your heart out.

[@jennifermorris6848]

The turn at the end when everyone starts singing together again brings back hope . . . They can all sing this song and it bring back the music . . . Faith in each other.

[@johnnyringo925]

Guys I’m 65 and I detest how society has evolved.You two are a shining hope for the future.But imagine,if you can,no internet no cellphone no cable tv no FB or twitter?We had real friends that we got together with.I know you guys probably go out with friends but I bet you have more media contact with them than face to face.We didn’t have that so we were together a lot.😎🇺🇸God bless you and your family and watch over you.

[@jonathansmith3742]

As classic a song as a song can be. 50 yrs later we all still know all the lyrics and can sing along with ease.

[@marlenelawson6407]

The song is about the death of Buddy Holly. It was the day the music died.

[@billwalker7556]

The Levee (Levy)he sings about is the name/reference of a bar in his home town of New Rochelle, NY. He went in after last call, did not get a drink because the Levy was dry .

[@annme7638]

It’s also drinking whiskey “in” Rye, as in Rye,NY., not “and” rye.

[@billwalker7556]

@@annme7638 not according to the lyrics he wrote. Has nothing to do with Rye, NY. The lyrics say "whiskey AND rye". Look them up

[@annme7638]

@@billwalker7556 There are many songs that the original printed lyrics differ from how the song ended up being actually sung. Also rye is whiskey.

[@billwalker7556]

@@annme7638 not this one he sang it exactly like he wrote it.

[@billwalker7556]

@@annme7638 wrong

[@karenmandeville7116]

the Altamont concert, where the Rolling Stones had the Hells Angels as security and one person was stabbed and killed and a lot of people got hurt-'no angel born in helll' and jack flash (Mick Jagger) is the reference. the jester was Bob Dylan, the king was Elvis, etc.

[@joshmarsh1]

A BREAKDOWN OF AMERICAN PIE LYRICS A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music Used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride Something touched me deep inside The day the music died So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin', "This'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die" A LONGING FOR THE NOSTALGIA OF THE 50s, THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED IS A REFERENCE TO RITCHIE VALENS AND BUDDY HOLLY'S DEATH IN A PLANE CRASH. CHEVYS, MISS AMERICA/ PIE, RYE WHISKEY, ALL REFERENCES TO NOSTALGIC AMERICANA. Did you write the book of love And do you have faith in God above If the Bible tells you so? And do you have faith in God above If the Bible tells you so? Now, do you believe in rock 'n' roll Can music save your mortal soul And can you teach me how to dance real slow? Well, I know that you're in love with him 'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym You both kicked off your shoes Man, I dig those rhythm and blues I was a lonely teenage bronckin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie BOOK OF LOVE AND PINK CARNATION ARE SONG REFERENCES, ALONG WITH REFERENCES TO SOCK HOPS ( DANCING IN THE GYM WITHOUT SHOES) Now, for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone But that's not how it used to be When the jester sang for the king and queen In a coat he borrowed from James Dean And a voice that came from you and me Oh, and while the king was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown The courtroom was adjourned No verdict was returned And while Lenin read a book on Marx A quartet practiced in the park And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died ROLLING STONE COULD BE A REFERENCE TO THE BAND OR THE SONG BY BOB DYLAN. THE JESTER IS BOB DYLAN HIMSELF, WHO WORE A LEATHER JAMES DEAN-LIKE JACKET ON ONE OF HIS EARLY ALBUM COVERS AND "SANG WITH A VOICE THAT CAME FROM YOU AND ME" -THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, MARGINALIZED AND DISAFFECTED YOUTH. THE KING IS ELVIS, WHOSE POPULARITY WAS SHRINKING AS DYLAN'S WAS GROWING. LENIN IS JOHN LENNON, AND MARX IS REFERENCE TO HIS STRONG LEFT WING VIEWS. Helter skelter in a summer swelter The birds flew off with a fallout shelter Eight miles high and falling fast It landed foul on the grass The players tried for a forward pass With the jester on the sidelines in a cast HELTER SKELTER HAS A DOUBLE MEANING, REFERENCING CHARLES MANSON AND ALSO THE BEATLES. THE JESTER SIDELINED IN A CAST REFERS TO DYLAN'S HIATUS FOLLOWING A CAR ACCIDENT Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume While sergeants played a marching tune We all got up to dance Oh, but we never got the chance 'Cause the players tried to take the field The marching band refused to yield Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died? SARGEANTS ALSO HAS A DOUBLE MEANING REFERENCING THE BEATLES SGT.PEPPERS ALBUM AS WELL AS MILITARY, (THE WAR IN VIETNAM.) THE MARCHING BAND IS LIKEWISE A MILITARY REFERENCE, THE "PLAYERS" WERE DISAFFECTED YOUTH WHO WERE HAVING THEIR LIVES INTERFERED WITH BY THE VIETNAM WAR/ MILITARY. Oh, and there we were all in one place A generation lost in space With no time left to start again So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick Jack Flash sat on a candlestick 'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage No angel born in Hell Could break that Satan spell And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite I saw Satan laughing with delight The day the music died JACK FLASH AND THE DEVIL ARE REFERENCES TO ROLLING STONES SONGS AND ALTAMONT, WHICH, ALONG WITH THE MANSON MURDERS BROGHT A DARK AND VIOLENT END TO THE HIPPIE GENERATIONS PROMISE OF PEACE AND LOVE, AND MADE SATAN HAPPY I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news But she just smiled and turned away I went down to the sacred store Where I'd heard the music years before But the man there said the music wouldn't play "A GIRL WHO SANG THE BLUES" IS A REFERENCE TO JANIS JOPLIN. THE SACRED MUSIC STORE IS AGAIN A NOSTALGIC LONGING FOR THE PERCIEVED INNOCENCE OF THE 50s( RECORD STORE.) And in the streets the children screamed The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed But not a word was spoken The church bells all were broken And the three men I admire most The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST COULD BE REFERENCES TO THE ASSASSINATIONS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THE KENNEDYS. There are other opinions on the symbolic. Lyrics of the sing, but this is the one that makes the most sense to me personally.

[@rodneymacomber6337]

Good job, how old are you?

[@lindathompson7707]

Very well said!! Thank you.

[@blakebufford6239]

👍👍👍🙏

[@diverdown631]

It whiskey in rye. A reference to the town of Rye New York just a couple of towns away from Mclean's hometown of New Rochelle NY.

[@graciezundt4201]

Just watched a KZbin video by the Professor of Rock about this song. He even interviews Don McLean. You should check it out.

[@neilmceachren7112]

I’m so glad you will now be able to appreciate this when you hear it because it definitely is a long song to listen to

[@riskyseeds423]

lot's of musical references "eight miles High" the Who. Starts with the plane crash and goes forward to highlight other musicians and events

[@BRIDINC1972]

Pub culture here in Ireland has many small 1 or 2 man bands for entertainment, most encourage people to join them and sing. This has been 1 of my favourite to perform and when I do I sing the entire song. In recent years alot of people don't even realise it's so long, they've only heard the radio version which is cut to bits. 😍😍😍

[@Uncle-Charlie]

Can't wait to see him react to "Annie's Song" by John Denver!

[@eirrenia]

There is so much music history in this song, but it’s addictive even without understanding it all.

[@carla68]

There are also references to many other news stories of the time. You can spend hours going down the rabbit hole.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

The chorus is in reference to Buddy Holly’s 1957 song “That’ll Be The Day”: “Well, that'll be the day When you say goodbye Yes, that'll be the day When you make me cry You say you're gonna leave You know it's a lie 'Cause that'll be the day… When I die

[@sylvanaire]

I’d like to see them react to this song in particular, but also as many of the references in the song as they can decipher. It would keep their channel going for quite a while, lol!

[@alhampton1211]

Song still plays 400,000 times every day, worldwide…..

[@FavoriteMovieDate]

I remember EVERYONE singing this together on the school bus when it came out. We didn’t understand all the references but it was so catchy we didn’t care! We were all driving our chevy’s to the levee!

[@karenj3611]

The history of rock and roll music in 8 1/2 minutes. A definite classic!

[@OZAHS1959]

Don McClean is brilliant. His lyrics are genius and melodies are gorgeous. Please listen to "Vincent" from the same album. It's a level of songwriting and performing that is just lost on the current generation.

[@mar10rod38]

Lots of references to musicians and historical events of the time, some of them intermingled with each other, with double meaning throughout. For example, Lennin is actually Lennon (John). Quite profound and very cleverly written lyrics.

[@bwilliams463]

When I was very young, I thought it was Lenin reading from the book of Marks in the Bible. It took me years to understand the song.

[@mar10rod38]

@@bwilliams463 lots of ways to misinterpret these lyrics, especially if you're young.

[@southernbella6535]

Miss American Pie was the innocence of a generation in the 50's and 60's. So many historic references here mixed with the different rock and roll bands. Deep dive it and TY for doing this great song.

[@zmbiaccountant2812]

There is this one video of him performing this song - he was very young looking in it, and it was in black and white - you can see he is actually crying while he sings. You can’t hear it in his voice but tears on his cheeks. Also that song - Killing me Softly, was about Don McLean

[@Serai3]

The song is actually about two days when the music died. The first was the day the Big Three died in the plane crash, and the second was the day of the Altamont Music Festival, when the innocent hippie dream of love and peace was shattered with the murder of Meredith Hunter by the Hell's Angels who were hired as security, while Mick Jagger dance and sang above the crowd. (Satan in the song symoblizes that awful night.) Everything got dark and cynical after that; we were never able to return to that state of grace again.

[@user-pg5xv9ls3j]

Elvis was the King and while he was looking down the Court Jester was Bob Dyland stealing his crown.

[@sandmanlogan5ran149]

You guys did a fabulous job intuiting the meaning without any of the context going in.

[@michaelway7936]

He was 12 or 13 when that tragedy happened and I'm sure it affected him deeply just like millions of others and 12 years later he came up with this classic filled with cryptic references and that famous line "The Day the Music Died "

[@marleneguillory6512]

This song gives me chills knowing what it is about.

[@JJLovesMusic87]

I read an article somewhere that don McLean sold these lyrics at an auction for a few million dollars.

[@scott3744]

When I was little, I used to play this song over and over on my plastic suitcase record player. 45rpm single, and I had to flip it over to hear the second half of the song 👍😁

[@frankparrish7887]

One of our local radio stations had a contest in early 1972 that you tried to explain what American Pie was about. My 11 yr. old self had no clue. Heck, it wasn't obvious to adults what the song was about, so you can imagine how far off it was for me as a pre teen. I had not the first clue!

[@Theutus2]

Now do Vincent

[@mollieking7432]

It's the history of rock and roll in 8 minutes, from the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper (the day the music died), through the folk wave and the transition from dance music to thoughtful songs with meaningful lyrics that are meant to be listened to. The influences of philosophy and politics on the Beatles (Lennon read a book on Marx), the Rolling Stones hiring the Hells Angels as security for a music festival with tragic consequences, the girl who sang the blues (Janis Joplin). There are song titles and plays on titles throughout. What Ally said - the loss of innocence - exactly.

[@johnjolley8361]

a big chunk of 60s history all at once.Dylan, Kent Stat, Altamonte, The space race, The beatles and the Stones.

[@garygoodrich7495]

Pure genius! The epitome of writing in a stream-of-consciousness style as well as metaphorically that used to be very common

[@dianaspears571]

The three men I admired most, the father son and the holy Ghost, references the 1971 Supreme Court Case that set a precedent for separation of church and state.

[@blueboy4244]

I always figured he was saying JFK, MLK and RFK

[@randyhanson9441]

You know you're now required to listen to the Weird Al parody "The Saga Begins", complete with a Star Wars theme

[@jealousjelly1]

You two are extremely insightful. Normally when someone hears this song for the first time, they just throw up their hands and say something akin to "I just don't get it." So I was impressed by the fact that you listened and were able to come to some conclusions that made a lot of sense, even if not always accurate. This song was truly the song of a generation. We studied the lyrics in literature class. The Recording Industry of America named it one of the top five songs of the 20th century and the Library of Congress registered it, deeming it "culturally, historically and aesthetically significant." And it won Don McLean a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

[@barbarabisson2551]

Bingo, Sebs! When you lose hope, you lose your song, your life's expression of joy.

[@timothymcfall8973]

Don McClean makes Bob Dylan sound like a dying frog

[@jacklewis5452]

exactly......one is velvety smooth, the other not.

[@Gloren50]

There is an element of Christian allegory in the song, but the important thing to remember is it is just allegory. He references this when he asks the question do you believe in God or do you believe in Rock and Roll, which he maintains will save your immortal soul. And then, those three, the father, son and holy ghost left for 'the coast', meaning West Coast where so many of the 1960s rock legends died young. He's describing his reaction to the deaths of three of his musical 'heroes' and the resulting change in music culture that followed, allowing artists like the Beatles (the Quartet), Janis Joplin (the Queen), Elvis (the King), Bob Dylan (the Jester), the Rolling Stones (Jack be nimble--from their hit Jumping Jack Flash), etc. etc, to fill the void---a change he didn't fully appreciate or like. Especially, because as the 60s came to an end, most references to Buddy Holly, et al, were gone from pop music culture. No one was listening to that anymore and the good ol' boys (like himself) were left drinking whiskey and rye at an empty levee. It really is his view of the development of rock music during the 1960s, something he was critical of, because so many musicians in the 60s used musical inventions that originated with Buddy Holly and there was seldom credit given. I once took a college course in the History of Rock Music and this is how the song was explained. Fascinating, for sure. I'm old enough to remember the plane crash as the three were headed for a concert in Fargo, N.D. I was living in N.D. at the time, and it was a major headline. Replacing Holly, Valens and the Big Bopper on stage at the concert was a local Fargo garage band, headed by a teenager, Bobby Vee. His performance rocketed him to stardom in pop music between 1959 and the early 1970s. Side note: I met and had dinner with Bobby Vee in 1975 in Bismarck ND and he told me his story of how and why it all happened for him the way it did.

When you got your draft letter during the 60's you went out in the country had some shots with your buddies. The bronking buck with a pink carnation and pickup truck was a reference to the great Marty Robbins "A White Sport Coat".

[@joedirt688]

A lot of references in the song from that entire generation. (No Angel Born in Hell , talking about the Hells Angels doing security for the Rolling Stones At Altamont and killing a fan).

[@user-mq7ih5yf7x]

Good to see you both and I am delighted with your channel and your journey in building your channels🎉🎉🎉❤❤

[@steveker5084]

For me, it's simply a cryptic summation of the crazy goings-on during the 1960's decade. Really interesting, crazy times. McLean uses music as the thread that takes you through it. Fun song to interpret. Simple as it is, it means so many different things to different people, with Buddy Holly's death as the continual backdrop. McLean is a GREAT songwriter, and singer in his own right. Thanks for the play.

[@karensilvera6694]

There's a 2022 documentary, The Day The Music Died/American Pie that's available on a number of Video channels (Amazon, Paramount+, etc) that explains everything. Don McLean finally reviews everything.

[@timerickson5306]

Great takes have loved this for a long time and you made me think about it in new ways

[@iamanovercomer3253]

First time I heard American Pie was in 1969 in 6th grade class, Mr Nichole's class. Every week he brings in an album or 45 and play it and we would analyze it

[@bobjeaniejoey]

Having always loved this song, but not "getting it", for decades, I think that, as I'm 66 years old, I was just young enough to easily be baffled by its meaning. Having the plane crash story being related to me back in the day as its source of inspiration, I still remained much "in the dark" as to the meaning of its content. I finally began to catch additional bits of its meaning in recent years, with this viewing bringing my understanding much farther along. My admiration of Don McLean as a singer/songwriter has grown so much in the last few years as a result of....., , who knows. Has my head finally been pulled out of my keester, maybe? It seems that I'm often late to the party, but I sure do have a good time when I eventually get there. Thanks for the video, guys.

[@tonydelapa1911]

First time on your channel. Terrific job with one of the most enduring songs of the last 75 years. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@jennkellie7341]

My favourite fact about this song is that Don McLean's son was a huge fan of Weird Al and would listen to the Anakin Guy parody so much that he accidentally started singing the Weird Al version at a concert once.

[@swallman]

I'm 64 and grew up singing that song, it take me back to my teens when America was a better place. A time before the Internet and cell phones where life was all about being with your friends or family and doing things outdoors.

[@mrcryptozoic817]

There was a variety show (the "Dinah Shore Show") and which was sponsored by Chevrolet and the jingle was "See the USA in your Chevrolet... ...drive your Chevy to the levy" and that phrase was predominant in "American Pie" calling out something lost.

[@mahiah]

I never have commented on these before. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy you, the both of you. Also, I love the breakdown you gave on your thoughts. It made me consider this song even more.

[@user-yq4sp5ij6u]

I was 10 years old the day the music dies and still remembering hearing the announcement on the radio, and this was in England.

[@russ8297]

On 3rd Feb 1959, 22-year-old Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Clear Lake, Iowa. The pilot of the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was also killed. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tour bus. This is what the song is about.

[@michellebenincasa6872]

The whole song is chock full of allegory and allusions. It is layered in such a way that you could decode the whole thing on one level using just music references, on another using pop culture references, another using politics and social philosophy. And so on. I bet even the writer would say all our guesses are both right and wrong. This song is like a modern fable.

[@peggyhill8539]

I was named after the Buddy Holly song “Peggy Sue” so I’ve always loved his music. I was born in 1964 and Buddy was already gone. He was 22. Richie Valens “La Bamba” was only 17. Everyone knew The Big Bopper for “Chantilly Lace”. I’ve always felt very connected to American Pie because of Buddy. He was already a pioneering artist when he died. Truly the day the music died.😢

[@rkotera]

I used to listen to this song on an 8-track tape over and over when I was 7. Killed a truck battery several times because I’d turn the ignition to Accessory, but never actually started the engine! Dad got so mad! But I’d be out there again another day.