One of the Most Significant Folk Rock Songs - What's it About?
In the past flve decades, there has been an influx of pop culture and many important songs became classics. While some of these had easy themes to recognize such as school or politics, there is one rather ambiguous folk rock songs from the early 70s that for many years was (and to some extent still is) a mystery.
Released as a single in late 1971, Don McLean's American Pie has become a significant part of pop culture. The single came out on top in US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while in the UK, it made it to number 2.
Don McLean, who's he?
Born in upstate New York on October 2, 1945, McLean's father and paternal grandfather, both named Donald, was of Scotish decent, while his mother was of Italian decent. Growing up early, he became a fan of the likes of Elvis and Buddy Holly and the Crickets, but in his mid-teens, he got into folk rock, particularly the Weavers' 1965 LP At Camiege Hall. Despite his poor academics, his love of music was allowed to take center stage.
So what is American Pie about?
In a nutshell, the song is partiallly about the plane crash in February of 1959 that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (hence "The day the music died)." Apart from that, it is really a lament to the loss of innocense in the world of rock'n'roll. McLean came up with this as he was in his teens doing a paper route before school, and that was evident in the line "But February made me shiver/with every paper I delivered.
McLean himself has stated that the majority of the lyrics are literally poetry. The song DOES make a reference to James Dean - an actor in the early-mid 50s who is rememberd as a figure of disillusionment for the day's teenagers.
It's looooooooooooong
Believe it or not, this was ranked the longest rock song at the time of release (nope, it wasn't Stairway to Heaven as many thought). As was the case with long ones at the time, a single release was issued halving the song, and making it more radio-appropriate.
Re-issues and covers
The song just missed the top 10, twenty years after its original issue. It was also covered by Madonna, albeit in an abbreviated form - ommitting half the first verse, and leaving only the second and final verses intact.
It's in the Library of Congress!
In 2017, the song was listed in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."
It's also worth noting that after the success of American Pie, McLean's career did not really last very long. Form the same album, he had a hit with Vincent (#12 in 1972), and in 1980, a minor hit with Crying.
Released as a single in late 1971, Don McLean's American Pie has become a significant part of pop culture. The single came out on top in US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while in the UK, it made it to number 2.
Don McLean, who's he?
Born in upstate New York on October 2, 1945, McLean's father and paternal grandfather, both named Donald, was of Scotish decent, while his mother was of Italian decent. Growing up early, he became a fan of the likes of Elvis and Buddy Holly and the Crickets, but in his mid-teens, he got into folk rock, particularly the Weavers' 1965 LP At Camiege Hall. Despite his poor academics, his love of music was allowed to take center stage.
So what is American Pie about?
In a nutshell, the song is partiallly about the plane crash in February of 1959 that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (hence "The day the music died)." Apart from that, it is really a lament to the loss of innocense in the world of rock'n'roll. McLean came up with this as he was in his teens doing a paper route before school, and that was evident in the line "But February made me shiver/with every paper I delivered.
McLean himself has stated that the majority of the lyrics are literally poetry. The song DOES make a reference to James Dean - an actor in the early-mid 50s who is rememberd as a figure of disillusionment for the day's teenagers.
It's looooooooooooong
Believe it or not, this was ranked the longest rock song at the time of release (nope, it wasn't Stairway to Heaven as many thought). As was the case with long ones at the time, a single release was issued halving the song, and making it more radio-appropriate.
Re-issues and covers
The song just missed the top 10, twenty years after its original issue. It was also covered by Madonna, albeit in an abbreviated form - ommitting half the first verse, and leaving only the second and final verses intact.
It's in the Library of Congress!
In 2017, the song was listed in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."
It's also worth noting that after the success of American Pie, McLean's career did not really last very long. Form the same album, he had a hit with Vincent (#12 in 1972), and in 1980, a minor hit with Crying.
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