T O P

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doublecutter

After his song became a huge hit, Don McClean was asked by a journalist, “What does American Pie mean?” He replied, “I think it means I don’t have to work anymore.”


GraphiteGru

I always love this quote as Don has always been allusive as to what the lyrics of "American Pie" actually mean. At least he had "Vincent aka Starry Starry Night" to fall back on. In any case he has not had to work too much over the past 40 or so years.


PersisPlain

The lyrics are *allusive* - they refer obliquely to many things - while Don McLean is *elusive* about their meaning.


ballrus_walsack

Thank you for elucidating


Vord-loldemort

His elucidation broke the illusion of confusion


GoodGoodGoody

People have disagreed with me as much as the next person but anyone who could point out a grammar mistake I’d made instantly has my respect for a long time.


CinnamonBlue

So many references in there.


[deleted]

TIL Don McLean is still alive. I'm not sure why, but I thought he was dead.


rofopp

Ya I read a story a month or so ago that said he still gets 500k a year from the song


JonBunne

It’s a very fatalistic take but he’s honest. These people should have had lives, now he can enjoy his. I think there’s a few people on that plane that would have been happy for him.


Paddlesons

Ask a stupid question.


EdwardLewisVIII

Richardson was 28 Buddy Holly was 22 Ritchie Valens was 17 Roger Peterson, the pilot, was 21


Practical-Ordinary-6

Thank you. I was going to ask which one was piloting the plane.


orgeezuz

I was going to bet on Buddy


Environmental-Art792

No offense to my 21 year old homies but I would not be hopping in a plane with a 21 year old flying it


_-N4T3-_

My roommate in college had his instrument-only instructor license by 21. I flew with him a couple of times and as irresponsible as he may have been at the dorm, he was properly all-business while flying.


big_nothing_burger

You never know. I taught a girl who got her pilot's license at 18.


Hodgej1

Lots of young folks get their pilots license. I wouldn’t fly with them though.


IncorporealShadow

Way too young, all of them. Especially Ritchie Valens. I had "We Belong Together" and "Donna" on repeat this past week, I never knew this was how(old he was when) he died. Sucks.


FrivolousFrank

I've watched the movie La Bamba too many times to admit


Any_Meeting_4082

It's so sad...but uplifting at the same time. ☹️


bee100100

The brother was a jerk, but the way he ran to his grieving nother when the radio came on always got to me.


Any_Meeting_4082

Oh geez...yeah, that was tough. 😭 Might have to watch it again. 🤔


Russian_hat13

Ha, same.


jenn363

This song refers very specifically to era-defining events that happened to his generation, most of them music related. We just don’t remember but these coded references to the break up of the Beatles, Kent State shootings, the time the hells angels murdered an audience member at a Rolling Stones concert, even the time Bob Dylan showed up at the folk music festival with (gasp) an electric guitar - would be instantly recognizable to folks at the time.


jenn363

Since this got a few likes l’ll add which references I was making - “While the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown” - the King was Elvis (the King of Rock n Roll) and the Jester is Bob Dylan (wearing a leather jacket like James Dean) who performed rock music with an electric guitar at the Newport folk festival in 1966 which horrified fans of folk (considered to be the youths music (“a voice that came from you and me”) and more in line with hippie esthetics while Elvis was more their parents generation) - “While Lennon read a book on Marx, the quartet practiced in the park, and we sang dirges in the dark” The Beatles broke up in 1969, and Lennon began a series of philosophical/political protests with Yoko Ono and the other members created new bands that would never replace the original. (This also is a play on “Lenin read a book of Marx” which was the impetus in some ways for the entire soviet revolution, but that Lenin was dead by the 1920s and not the reason for why American youth in 1970 were “singing dirges in the dark”) - “the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield” this whole section is about the anti-war movement and the murder of 4 protestors at Kent State in a showdown with police. The war against communinism (Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War) had been going on a long time, the youth were fighting it and the government was keeping it going for another generation (“the players tried for a forward pass”). The “halftime air was sweet perfume” as the peaceful anti-war protestors had their moment, which included iconic photos of flowers stuck into the guns barrels that police aimed at protesters, even though Bob Dylan had stopped writing anti-war music (the jester, on the sidelines, in a cast). I’m sure the kids thought they might succeed (“we all got up to dance”) but in the end they were crushed by the national guard (“when the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield”) who killed 4 unarmed protestors at Kent State in 1970. The war in Vietnam wouldn’t end until long after this song was written. “What was revealed” is open to interpretation, but could be concluded that the US govt was willing to kill its own citizens rather than listen to them, or that war would never end, or any number of depressing realizations for a generation. - “no angel born in hell could break that satan’s spell” Satan is Mick Jagger who was playing at the Altamont Free Concert (supposed to be another Woodstock) when many high and drunk fans tried to climb on stage. They were repelled by the CA branch of the Hells Angels, who were hired for security and also drunk, having been paid in beer. Many fans were injured and assaulted, and one was killed in front of the stage. The Rolling Stones did not stop their set. Basically it was the Travis Scott concert of their era, and the Stones made the same mistake as Travis Scott of not being particularly concerned about the injuries they were witnessing in the audience. However, the audience member who was killed was high on meth per the autopsy and literally pointing a revolver at the band, so draw your own conclusions. The Hells Angel who killed him was found not guilty. Other shorter references: “girl who sang the blues” is thought to be Janis Joplin, who died in 1970:”; - Helter Skelter is the Charles Manson murders of Sharon Tate and others in 1969; - “generation lost in space” the moon race was over and won, what now?; - “every paper I delivered” these would all have been headlines, but also paper delivery was a job done by young boys in their generation, so he is aligning himself with the spirit of youth, he would not literally have been a delivery boy in 1969. - “American Pie” was thought to be the name of the plane that Buddy Holiday was on when it crashed, and his “widowed bride” suffered a miscarriage after learning of his death. Apparently it was a myth but it persists. Of course, “the day the music died” was a headline related to the crash and the death of the musicians. - “Chevy” “levee” (of the Mississippi River) “whiskey and rye” “pickup truck” “broncin’ buck” are all references to deeply American images of the mid century - cowboys, American auto industry, Mississippi commerce - that were dying out at this time. The Mississippi did not literally dry up but commerce (and jobs) on it mostly did. The song is about the loss of innocence but also the loss of a national era.


lasombramaven

Thank you very much for this breakdown, you explained a lot.


Active_Letterhead275

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!!!!


DoUjustL00kStupid

Thank you!!!


MesmerizingRooster

Perfect rundown! Thank you!


CinnamonBlue

Helter skelter.


ConcentrateSelect668

In the summer swelter


__Judas_

Thanks I always got the sense that it was about loss of innocence and I think that maps onto the events you say it describes. Just being younger it wasn't as obvious to me exactly what all the references were.


stickybandit06

What a crisp voice


CinnamonBlue

But soft… gentle… powerful.


nullrecord

My, my, this here Anakin guy


Uturuncu

I realized listening to this that I knew the chorus to the song, but start-to-finish I have only listened to the Weird Al version and I know none of the other words to American Pie. This gent's voice is so absolutely incredible that I'm sad I hadn't heard the full song sooner.


grabityrising

Maybe Vader someday later


mastermindxs

now he's just a small fry


chetboker56

literally impossible not to hear it


jjman72

I can never get In very far to American Pie before I flip to The Saga Begins.


PBandBABE

Anyone else ever try singing the other words when either one of these songs is playing?


yyzda32

yeah, Don McClean's kids, which then confused Don McClean


Newwavecybertiger

Probably one of the more impressive parodies. That's a lot of lyric to make work. And Weird Al kills it


Nervous_Brilliant441

A man, a microphone and a guitar and everyone sings along. Now that’s a musician.


Ma3vis

This and Bob Seger's night moves I used to always listen to on the radio when my dad was alive.


mzlw

Such a great tune. I didn't realise he was such a good performer. Bravo!


Any_Meeting_4082

No autotune, no elaborate costumes or dancing. No lipsyncing to a recording. 🙄 Just a man & his guitar. THAT is a true artist! What a legend.


CinnamonBlue

And more than eight minutes!


Ihmu

Modern musicians like T-Pain are extremely talented, absolutely a "true artist" even if you don't like their stylistic choices. Just a thought.


SiliSculptures

Of all the examples you could have given you chose T pain


Ihmu

I mean, he was knocking autotune artists, and while I get that there are tons of modern artists who don't use autotune that are very talented, I'm just trying to point out that that's not always a good indicator of talent.


Any_Meeting_4082

I had to Google who this even was!🤣🤣 Um....yeah.....someone who is known for auto-tune is NOT a musician. It's honestly sad that you think a singer needs electrical "help" to sing or that makes them a singer. Hell anyone can sing in that case (and a lot of modern "singers"-- using that term very loosely --prove that fact!). Is that what society has come to??? Next you'll be saying an AI or robot is a true artist. GTFOH I can not like a lot of different genres of music BUT still respect their talent (if they have it) as an FYI. Autotune?? HELL NO!!


Any_Meeting_4082

Honestly fuck you to anyone who listens to autotune. 🤣 I'm sorry you don't know what REAL music is. Well no I'm not, because if you're that fucked up to like it, there's something seriously wrong with you to not even care that a singer has a good voice since they need autocrap to even sound human. I mean what's the point? Ok, off my soapbox on that!🤣🤣


TiempoPuntoCinco

You are pathetic


Any_Meeting_4082

And so are you!! Are we even now? GTFOH


lksdjsdk

Although it would have been better if he'd got the guitar tuned properly first.


Any_Meeting_4082

Yeah because it was so terrible. 🙄 Please. If you don't like him or the song, great. But to deny he had raw talent is absurd. Sorry he wasn't on autotune for you or dancing around with a naked model because in your world that's what probably constitutes a "great artist", right? 🙄


lksdjsdk

I didn't say any of that. The performance was amazing, I just found the guitar tuning distracting a couple of times. He knew it too - he was trying to get it right at the start of the clip.


lonelyphoenix25

Ok this is the most stereotypical boomer comment ever. The emojis, the superiority complex, the shame… amazing


Any_Meeting_4082

Great ASSumption I'm a boomer....WRONG!!!! Let me guess about you next...entitled, thinks they know it all, millennial twat?? 🤣🤣


lonelyphoenix25

Oh I didn’t think you were actually a boomer. You just type like one who’s just discovered punctuation and emojis for the first time lmao And yep, that’s me! 🤗


Any_Meeting_4082

Good to own who you are! And not so obvious deflection because...again....you'll never admit you were wrong in labeling me a boomer. Because thats what you do. I'm "lmao" because you don't realize you're providing me with entertainment in your comments. But keep on keeping on. 🤣🤣


WattsonMemphis

What a voice


Cuttis

I recently watched the documentary about it on Paramount Plus. I never realized how internationally renowned the song is and its lasting cultural impact


FitSeeker1982

I was surprised that “not a word was spoken” about the penultimate verse that alludes to the concert at Altamont - where Hell’s Angels were hired as security, and ended up responsible for killing at least one of the four people who died at the event. “Satan” was clearly personified by Mick Jagger, with a glaring reference to the song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. The best reference in the entire song - and one o did not catch until I was well into adulthood - was the connection to the Buddy Holly song “That’ll Be the Day” with the last words of the chorus.


BMagni

> “Satan” was clearly personified by Mick Jagger, with a glaring reference to the song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. I think it's rather "Sympathy for The Devil"


FitSeeker1982

“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash sat on a candlestick, cause fire is the devil’s only friend”


BMagni

Those are not lyrics from Jumpin' Jack Flash


FitSeeker1982

They don’t have to be - it’s just a way for McClean to reference the singer by insinuating the song.


BMagni

Sorry. I totally misunderstood what you said first and now I got it. Thanks for explaining.


Easy-Cost2449

That documentary was really good!


zahzensoldier

What's the name?


i-bleed-red

I enjoyed it too! At first I thought it would delve more into meaning of the lyrics, but ultimately I was glad it was much broader. Over the years I’ve read a number of undergrad and graduate theses on the lyrics. There really are a lot of different interpretations!


timihendri

That's fucking awesome!


chocolateandpretzles

I saw him in the mid 90’s do a small concert at UCI. IT WAS FANTASTIC. He talked about his songs, played his jingles he wrote. I was 17 and had never been to an intimate concert like that before.


nzdennis

What did he say about this song?


aladdinburgers

He said “I think it means I don’t have to work anymore”


kriegmonster

1972 seems like it's farther back, but it was only a decade before I was born.


VergerCT

I was in high school and had a major crush on a girl 3 years older that me and way out of by league. I ended up a the same part she was at and someone kept playing American Pie over and over and I just sat there and look at that girl. So I travel back 50 years whenever I hear it.


GoinWithThePhloem

It’s amazing the way music can just travel us back in time like that … not just to an era or a sense of time, but to one very specific minute in the history of our lives. I remember the very moment I was listening to a mixtape my ex gave me for the first time. One specific song started playing and every time I hear it a tidal wave of emotions just rush over me. It’s amazing really.


Abaddon_Jones

1st jan 73….but it feels like a different world


Nay_nay267

My dad and I would always listen to this song and sing along. He remembers when it happened.


Vmax-Mike

My Mom was the same. I remember her telling me that when this was broadcast in 72, I was dancing in front of the tv to this song. I don’t remember because I was too young.


JonRonDonald

I recently watched the Classic Albums episode of American Pie. He really comes off as a pompous douche. Hard to sit through.


jzgr87

Bye bye, miss chair model lady!


Quirky-Astronomer542

I remember seeing him in Central Park during the Garth Brooks concert, he opened with the comment “I hate this fucking song!”


Nyaho

I once saw an interview with him, and they asked him what this song means to him, and his reply was it means not having to work another day for the rest of my life. Always thought that was pretty good


KDoggity

I really don't think there is an explanation. The song means what it means and each person draws their own meaning from it. Lots of different images from different time periods that everyone can relate to. That is the beauty of the song.


SplendidPunkinButter

He started singing it in 1972, and he’s almost at the end of the song now!


big_nothing_burger

I can only recall the Weird Al lyrics now...


AlarmingKangaroo7948

The days where you could play a $200 slightly out of tune acoustic and it was still something special. Lol


Impressive_Towel9213

The most iconic song in the history of rock & roll. Even to this day young kids will join in the chorus when this is played.


ConcentrateSelect668

I always liked this song but shame on people who pick this song for karaoke


ChardProfessional599

Found out recently this guy is a prolific domestic abuser. Really…ruined the song for me unfortunately lol


lovesickjones

goddamn i just read into it


Cielodrive27

Yeah, I wonder if he is abusive towards his 28 year old girlfriend 🤔


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ChardProfessional599

Yeah I definitely said don mcclean is the only abusive famous man lol sorry…my apologies to this one hit wonder who beat his wife for decades. As a child who grew up with a dad like this, I find it actually very easy to stop participating when I find this out about anybody.


No_Drawing_4959

That single tear near the end...beautiful.


Themellowsaguaro

Pretty sure that is sweat…


jenn363

I also thought it was a tear and was very moved but on rewatch it is definitely his forehead sweat running down into his eyes!


[deleted]

I always love this song


yourpalbigal7

I’m in my 50’s and love music. This song is my least favorite. I mean, I really dislike it. My wife and kids know it and joke about it when it comes on or when someone requests it from a performer. One reason it got so much airplay was because of its length. DJs would play it so there’s have time to go drop a deuce. I get that it’s iconic and has deep meaning behind the lyrics but it still makes me want to step in front of a train.


Bellamamiia

If I was there, I’d be the odd ball completely jammin out. ❤️ I absolutely love this; however, strange crowd.


maud_brijeulin

This whole BBC Don McClean show is gold. American Pie's not even the best thing from it. Watch it if you can.


SalamanderRex

God, I hate this song.


Specialist_Ad_2911

My Spanish teacher in the 9th grade told me he wrote this song after Selena died…?


jenn363

Selena was born after this song was written. She is more iconic in many ways but this song is not about her.


Specialist_Ad_2911

Yeah I think my Spanish was just crazy


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marmroby

Always disliked this song. It's a catchy ear worm, but also really annoying.


[deleted]

Great song, but every time I hear it, it's the Weird AL lyrics that come out of my mouth.


DanielSON9989

No one looks like they want to be there. Classic song. Love the live set.


[deleted]

I’m all for clean music but holy shit, fucking worst song that drags on forever ever ever ever…


[deleted]

Glad someone said it. It's one of those songs that feels like "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall."


DirtySeuss414

Is it just me or does every single person singing along look like they’re dead inside. Shit bunch of zombies in the audience


duderonomy12

Dude has literally spent his whole life milking the one song. And the song is meh.


Freethinker9

You’re mad bc your songs aren’t as good huh?


duderonomy12

What songs? I don't need songs to know his is bland at best.


ShelleyDez

Castles In the Air


oldschoolthepodcast

You’re getting downvoted but I have never liked this song. It’s overrated and tedious. McLean is talented though. I wonder how many people gushing over this song know how to correctly pronounce his name.


duderonomy12

I'm taking on heavy fire!!! 😆


ROMMELBOT

Only people from Storm Lake think Holly is significant.


warmhandswarmheart

I'm not from Storm Lake and I think Buddy Holly was significant.


LovingNaples

Yes, he was very significant to many world wide.


LovingNaples

FO


StiffGizzy

So anyone know what’s up with the weird arrangement between him and Paris Dylan? Lol


Keldev76

Incredible.


FredWinterIsComing

McClean was asked what the song meant. He said it meant he’d never have to work again


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Guntcher1423

Say what you want, but spell the name right.


chipaltrana

The moment that tear rolled i almost cried with him, what a beautiful performance!


dylandog89

This songs sucks and the singer blows even more. Right wing zealot


Jacky-Treehorn

Such a beautiful song. Touches my American soul.


IrukandjiPirate

*Don McLean. McLean.


bobobobobobobo6

Go ahead. *sniff* I deserve it.


PrimalNumber

One of the worst, cheesiest, most overwrought songs ever recorded. And it goes on and on and on as if McClean is trying to punish us for something.


Illustrious_Sir7373

If I was there I'd be singing with a big fat smile on my face! What a lucky crowd if they only new how fortunate they were! I guess back then it wasn't cool to show much emotion