A LOOK BACK AT A CLASSIC- "American Pie"
by Don McLean
On February 3rd, 1959, a plane crashed, killing music legend Buddy Holly and his band members. The day of the crash was known at the time as “The Day the Music Died,” a tragic time for fans everywhere. But the day also marks the beginning of another legend, the inspiration for Don McLean’s number-one hit “American Pie.” At the time, the folk-rock song raised the subject of curiosity and speculation. What many people don’t realize is that the classic was actually written in memory of the lost musician.
This song remains a timeless favorite simply because it is a catchy tune, but listening to it more closely you may realize that there is a double meaning behind each and every lyric. It is undeniable that the nearly nine-minute song is an interesting subject to analyze. Even though it was known that the song was dedicated to Buddy Holly and “The Crickets,” it is evident that only the first and last verses are actually about the tragic accident. Certain lyrics like the “quartet practiced in the parks” and the “girl who sang the blues” might catch your attention at a second listen and tell you that these lyrics refer to the Beatles and Janis Joplin.
There is no doubt that the song in itself is brilliantly written and extraordinarily inspiring. In analyzing the lyrics, you begin to understand the generation in which it was written. It isn’t hard to see the emotion that passed through the time period because the song mentions much more than just the rock and roll legends of the time. The lyrics also refer to the JFK shooting, the British takeover, significant droughts and the cars driven. Other mentions include the fear of Satan, fear of Communism and some other religious references. The lyrics are meant to make you think about the 60s-70s generation as a whole and the hardships that they went through, rather than just the tragic plane crash that the song was originally dedicated to.
“American Pie” peaked at number one in nine different countries and caused weeks of controversy all over the world at the time. Evidently, this song is significant in itself because it is an eight and half-minute dedication to(…). Writing songs is notably one of the most difficult undertakings, and thus to write such an extensive song that impacted an entire century is astounding. The song to this day remains in the top five “Songs of the Century.”
This song remains a timeless favorite simply because it is a catchy tune, but listening to it more closely you may realize that there is a double meaning behind each and every lyric. It is undeniable that the nearly nine-minute song is an interesting subject to analyze. Even though it was known that the song was dedicated to Buddy Holly and “The Crickets,” it is evident that only the first and last verses are actually about the tragic accident. Certain lyrics like the “quartet practiced in the parks” and the “girl who sang the blues” might catch your attention at a second listen and tell you that these lyrics refer to the Beatles and Janis Joplin.
There is no doubt that the song in itself is brilliantly written and extraordinarily inspiring. In analyzing the lyrics, you begin to understand the generation in which it was written. It isn’t hard to see the emotion that passed through the time period because the song mentions much more than just the rock and roll legends of the time. The lyrics also refer to the JFK shooting, the British takeover, significant droughts and the cars driven. Other mentions include the fear of Satan, fear of Communism and some other religious references. The lyrics are meant to make you think about the 60s-70s generation as a whole and the hardships that they went through, rather than just the tragic plane crash that the song was originally dedicated to.
“American Pie” peaked at number one in nine different countries and caused weeks of controversy all over the world at the time. Evidently, this song is significant in itself because it is an eight and half-minute dedication to(…). Writing songs is notably one of the most difficult undertakings, and thus to write such an extensive song that impacted an entire century is astounding. The song to this day remains in the top five “Songs of the Century.”
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 Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 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 dancing 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 ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 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 Rolling 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 In 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 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 ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... This'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die Healter Skealter in the 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 ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... This'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die 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 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 ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 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 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 lover's 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 Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 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 ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... This'll be the day that I die. |
February 3, 1959
Buddy Holly and two members of The Crickets die in a plane crash. Don McLean was a paperboy. Buddy Holly's wife of only six months was pregnant when the plane crashed. She misscarried shortly afterward. "American Pie"- Sparked speculation but was most often thought to refer to the advertising phrase "apple pie and Chevrolet." In the 1950's several rock songs refered to belief in the bible and faith in Jesus. Slow dancing was also a growing trend at big events. Rhythm and Blues was the popular genre derived from "race music" at the time. Referring to Marty Robbins' hit "Whit Sportcoat and a Pink Carnation" Pick up trucks were seen as a representation of freedom. The single released 10 years after the crash. The king= Elvis Fear of Communism, Lenin, Marxism and of course the Beatles. It was aslo said that Don McLean had been dating a Miss America Pageant contestant. "Eight Miles High" was The Byrds new album. Grass is referring to marijuana. The players are the people who take place in peace riots to end the war in Vietnam. Sergeants playing a marching tune most likely refers to The Beatles again with "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band." Sergeant Pepper again. It is also apparent Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets, may have inspired the name for The Beatles. This lyric most likely refers to Woodstock, the famous 1969 music festival that called for 3 days of peace and music. Jumpin' Jack Flash and Sympathy for the Devil. Hell's Angels '69- a popular 1969 action film. The "him" on the stage could be Mick Jagger, who told his fans to "cool it" at a concert in Livermore, California. Also could refer to a murder that took place at the Altamont Free Concert in 1969, where the Rolling Stones were the final performance. A girl who sang the Blues- Janis Joplin The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco= the Sacred Store. In 1968, the concerts were moved elsewhere by Bill Graham. 3 Men- could be a Biblical reference as well as a shout out to the 3 who died The plane that crashed only had room for three... Losing a coin toss, the fourth band member rode the bus and lived. Don McLean explains his purpose simply, saying it is a story about America. In 1973, Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" was written about Don McLean and his astounding lyrics to "American Pie." |