Musician Don McLean performing, American Pie May 31st 1972

About the song

Don McLean’s “American Pie” is a timeless masterpiece that has captivated audiences for decades. Released in 1971, the song is a sprawling ballad that chronicles the cultural and social changes of the 1950s and 1960s, culminating in the tragic deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson in a plane crash in 1959.

The song’s evocative lyrics and haunting melody have made it a beloved classic, inspiring countless interpretations and analyses. McLean uses the metaphor of a pie to represent the American dream, a vision of prosperity and opportunity that was shattered by the events of the era. The song’s opening lines, “The day the music died,” immediately set the tone for the narrative, evoking a sense of loss and longing.

As the song progresses, McLean weaves a tapestry of references to iconic figures and cultural events of the time. He mentions the rise of rock and roll, the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam War, painting a vivid picture of a society in flux. The song’s chorus, “And the music is still alive,” serves as a reminder of the enduring power of music to transcend hardship and unite people.

One of the most striking aspects of “American Pie” is its ambiguity. While the song clearly references the deaths of Holly, Valens, and Richardson, it also alludes to broader themes of loss, disillusionment, and the passage of time. McLean’s poetic language and cryptic imagery leave much to interpretation, inviting listeners to connect the song to their own experiences and memories.

Over the years, “American Pie” has become a cultural touchstone, appearing in films, television shows, and countless other media. It has been covered by artists from a wide range of genres, each adding their own unique interpretation to the song. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages.

In conclusion, Don McLean’s “American Pie” is a masterpiece of songwriting that continues to captivate and inspire. Its evocative lyrics, haunting melody, and timeless themes have made it a beloved classic that will be cherished for generations to come.

Video

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