Words To Song American Pie By Don Mclean
Introduction
"American Pie" is a song by American singer-songwriter Don McLean. It was released in 1971 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. The song is known for its cryptic lyrics that have been the subject of much interpretation and debate over the years. In this article, we will explore the words to this iconic song and try to shed some light on their meaning.
The First Verse
The song begins with the famous line "A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile." This line sets the nostalgic tone for the song, as McLean reminisces about the music of his youth. He then goes on to describe a specific moment in time when he heard a song that changed his life. The line "But February made me shiver, with every paper I'd deliver" refers to the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper in a plane crash on February 3, 1959.
The Chorus
The chorus of "American Pie" is one of the most recognizable in all of music. It goes, "Bye, bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry, and them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing this'll be the day that I die." The chorus is a reference to the end of an era, as the innocence of the 1950s gave way to the turbulence of the 1960s.
The Second Verse
The second verse of "American Pie" continues the theme of the changing times. McLean references Bob Dylan with the line "And while Lenin read a book on Marx, the quartet practiced in the park." The quartet in question is The Beatles, who were known to practice in public parks. The line "And we sang dirges in the dark, the day the music died" refers again to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.
The Third Verse
The third verse of "American Pie" is one of the most cryptic in the song. McLean sings, "Helter skelter in a summer swelter, the birds flew off with a fallout shelter, eight miles high and falling fast." The line "Helter skelter" is a reference to the Beatles song of the same name, which was inspired by Charles Manson. The line "eight miles high" is a reference to the Byrds song of the same name.
The Fourth Verse
The fourth verse of "American Pie" is another cryptic one. McLean sings, "I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news, but she just smiled and turned away." The girl in question is likely Janis Joplin, who was known for her bluesy style. The line "the jester on the sidelines in a cast" refers to Bob Dylan, who had recently been in a motorcycle accident.
The Fifth Verse
The fifth verse of "American Pie" is perhaps the most controversial of them all. McLean sings, "Do you recall what was revealed, the day the music died?" Many interpretations of the song suggest that this line is a reference to the JFK assassination, which occurred in 1963, around the same time as the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.
The Sixth Verse
The sixth verse of "American Pie" is a return to the theme of nostalgia. McLean sings, "Oh, and there we were all in one place, a generation lost in space, with no time left to start again." This line refers to the Woodstock music festival, which took place in 1969 and was seen as a defining moment for the counterculture of the time.
The Seventh Verse
The seventh verse of "American Pie" is a callback to the chorus. McLean sings, "So bye-bye, Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry, them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing this'll be the day that I die." The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the finality of the end of an era.
The Eighth Verse
The eighth verse of "American Pie" is a reference to the Rolling Stones concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969, which was marred by violence and the death of a spectator. McLean sings, "Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so?" The line "the day the music died" is repeated once again.
The Ninth Verse
The ninth verse of "American Pie" is a reference to the Beatles' breakup. McLean sings, "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." The "rolling stone" in question is likely Mick Jagger, who was the subject of a famous Rolling Stones song.
The Tenth Verse
The tenth verse of "American Pie" is a reference to the end of the Vietnam War. McLean sings, "While the sergeants played a marching tune, we all got up to dance, but we never got the chance." The line "the music died" is repeated once again, emphasizing the end of an era.
The Eleventh Verse
The eleventh verse of "American Pie" is a reference to the rise of the counterculture. McLean sings, "Oh, and there we were all in one place, a generation lost in space, with no time left to start again." The line "the day the music died" is repeated for the final time, bringing the song to a close.
Conclusion
"American Pie" is a song that has captivated audiences for decades. Its cryptic lyrics have been the subject of much interpretation and debate over the years. In this article, we have explored the words to this iconic song and tried to shed some light on their meaning. Whether you believe the song is about the end of an era, the JFK assassination, or something else entirely, there is no denying the impact that "American Pie" has had on popular culture.
