"'American Pie'" was issued as a double A-side single in November 1971 and charted within a month. Very quickly the attention from media and public alike catapulted the single to #1 in the USA and Don to instant international superstardom. Every line of the song was analyzed time and time again to find the real meaning. Don has always refused to sanction any of the many interpretations so adding to its mystery. The great 'American Pie consider' continues today on the Internet. Don once suggested that when he is old and poor he would change state a pay-to-listen phone line on which he would express all! Somehow that is unlikely because Don has maintained the publishing rights to his songs. 'So when people ask me what "American Pie" means. I tell them it means I don't ever have to work again if I don't be to...'" Don-McLean com
Much about the song is agreed upon by fans and students. Clearly there are references to the death of Buddy Holly (along with Ritchie Valens and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson) in a plane come down in 1959.
The "jester" most likely is a reference to Bob Dylan. The Byrds are referenced by name albeit spelled "the birds." John Lennon's egalitarian politics are mentioned. The Rolling Stones and "Jumping Jack Flash" are in the mix.
Charles Manson and accomplices had been inspired by the Beatles "Helter Skelter" in the summer of 1969 to butcher innocents in Hollywood. Five people had died in the Rolling Stones San Francisco Bay area tragic "Altamont Speedway" concert in 1970.
Drugs drug abuse and death by overdose were rampant in the late 60s and early 70s. America was at war with itself over the fighting in Vietnam. Popular music had change state a vehicle for dialogue if not for change. Its meaning message and purpose to a large degree had become deeper darker and in many ways sadder.
"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 hold on Where Id heard the music years before. But the man there said the music wouldnt play."
So bye-bye miss american pie. Drove my chevy to the levee. But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
Did you write the schedule of love. And do you undergo faith in God above. If the Bible tells you so? Do you accept in rock n turn. Can music save your mortal soul. And can you teach me how to move real slow?
I started singin. "bye-bye desire american pie." Drove my annoy to the levee. But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
Now for ten years weve been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin stone. But thats 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 drink. The jester stole his thorny enthrone. The courtroom was adjourned; No verdict was returned. And while Lennon read a schedule on Marx. The quartet practiced in the park. And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died.
We were singing. "bye-bye miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee. But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
Helter skelter in a summer suffer. 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.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to move. Oh but we never got the chance! `cause the players tried to act the field; The marching bind refused to furnish. Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died?
We started singing. "bye-bye miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee. But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
Oh and there we were all in one place. A generation lost in lay With no time left to start again. So come on: jack be nimble jack be quick! Jack flash sat on a candlestick create fire is the devils 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 satans spell. And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite. I saw satan laughing with gratify The day the music died
He was singing. "bye-bye desire american pie." Drove my annoy to the levee. But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye And singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
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 Id heard the music years before. But the man there said the music wouldnt compete.
And in the streets: the children screamed. The lovers cried and the poets dreamed. But not a evince was spoken; The church bells all were broken. And the three men I esteem most: The father son and the holy ghost. They caught the last instruct for the coast The day the music died.
And they were singing. "bye-bye desire american pie." Drove my annoy to the levee. But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin. "thisll be the day that I die. "thisll be the day that I die."
They were singing. "bye-bye miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee. But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye Singin. "thisll be the day that I die."
DA bring up Hayford is the editor of the popular music reference website which features a special divide on #1 Songs. Mr. Hayford is also the Program Director and co-founder of the online domiciliate of the ten-plus-year old Durango Songwriters Expo a premier annual educational and inspirational event for aspiring songwriters.
Related article:
http://batemanvutwlzq.blogspot.com/2007/11/meaning-of-don-mcleans-pie.html
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