About the song

“American Pie” by Don McLean is a landmark piece of American music, embodying a rich tapestry of cultural and historical references that have captivated listeners for decades. Released in 1971 on the album of the same name, the song swiftly captured the public’s imagination and became a defining hit of the early 1970s. Its original release was marked by an impressive run at the top of the charts, where it held the number one spot in the US for four weeks starting January 15, 1972. The song also achieved significant success internationally, topping the charts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and reaching number 2 in the UK. Despite its length—8 minutes and 42 seconds—it was a chart-topping phenomenon, a feat that was unprecedented at the time and held the record for the longest song to reach number one until Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” in 2021.

“American Pie” is renowned not only for its length but also for its evocative lyrics that weave a narrative of profound nostalgia and social commentary. The phrase “the day the music died” poignantly refers to the tragic plane crash in 1959 that took the lives of rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. This event is a central symbol in the song, marking the end of an era in McLean’s eyes. Beyond this, the song reflects the cultural upheavals and disillusionment of the 1960s and 70s, capturing the essence of a generation grappling with rapid changes.

The song’s lyrics have sparked extensive debate over the years, with McLean himself remaining largely reticent about their precise meanings. The song’s cryptic references touch on various events and figures from the era, including political figures, cultural icons, and social changes, making it a rich subject for analysis. Despite numerous interpretations and speculations, McLean has emphasized that the lyrics are meant to be impressionistic and poetic rather than strictly literal.

“American Pie” was initially released as a two-sided single due to its length, with the song being split between the A-side and B-side of a 45 RPM record. This unconventional release format was necessary to accommodate the full version of the track. The song’s success was not only a commercial triumph but also a significant cultural moment, resonating with audiences across different demographics and countries.

In addition to its original acclaim, “American Pie” has seen various covers and adaptations, including a notable rendition by Madonna in 2000, which also achieved substantial international success. The song has also been recognized for its cultural impact, being inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2017 as a work of “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” music.

Don McLean’s “American Pie” continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest songs of the 20th century, and its influence extends beyond music into various facets of popular culture. Whether through its nostalgic reflections, its lyrical ambiguity, or its sheer musical achievement, “American Pie” remains a powerful and enduring piece of American musical history.

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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
But 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 ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die

Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and 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 broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

I started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die

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 Lennin read a book 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 ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die

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

Now the halftime air was sweet perfume
While the 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?

We started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die

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’s 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

He was singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll 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 I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play

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

And they were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll 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 ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye
And singin’ this’ll be the day that I die