Billy Cassidy Bye Bye Miss American Pie Lyrics
Introduction
Billy Cassidy's version of "Bye Bye Miss American Pie" is a cover of the classic song by Don McLean. This article will explore the lyrics of this popular song and provide some insights into its meaning.
Verse 1
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
The opening verse of "Bye Bye Miss American Pie" sets the stage for the rest of the song. The speaker is reminiscing about a time in the past when music had a powerful impact on people's lives. He longs to bring that joy to others once again.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
The chorus of the song is perhaps the most famous part. It describes a scene where the speaker and some friends go to a place called "the levee," but find it dry. They encounter some other people drinking whiskey and singing a song that contains the prophetic line "This'll be the day that I die."
Verse 2
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
The second verse of the song is a series of questions directed at the listener. The speaker is asking whether they believe in love, God, and the power of music to save their soul.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Verse 3
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
And a voice that came from you and me
In the third verse, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and how things have changed. He mentions a "rolling stone" and a "jester" who used to entertain royalty. These are likely references to the band The Rolling Stones and the singer Bob Dylan, respectively.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Verse 4
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennon read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The fourth verse continues the theme of change and rebellion against authority. The "king" and "jester" are likely references to the government and the counterculture, respectively. The mention of John Lennon reading about Marx is a nod to his political activism.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Verse 5
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with the 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
The fifth verse is a series of surreal images that paint a picture of chaos and destruction. The reference to "eight miles high" is likely a nod to the song by The Byrds of the same name. The "jester" being sidelined in a cast could be a reference to Bob Dylan's motorcycle accident in 1966.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Verse 6
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?
The sixth verse describes a football game where the halftime show is a metaphor for the changing social and political landscape. The "sergeants" playing a marching tune could be a reference to military intervention in Vietnam. The "day the music died" is a reference to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper in 1959.
Chorus
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Conclusion
"Bye Bye Miss American Pie" is a song that has resonated with generations of music lovers. Its lyrics are rich with imagery and meaning, and its message of change and rebellion has stood the test of time. Billy Cassidy's cover version is a testament to the enduring popularity of this classic song.