The Meaning of Don McLean's "American Pie"

Don McLean's classic "American Pie" was released in November of 1971. By mid-January of '72, it had reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

"American Pie" may be the most analyzed pop song in history. (One of the most parodied as well.)

Like Dylan, McLean throughout his career has remained reticent to talk about what his songs "really mean."

The Meaning of Don McLean's "American Pie"

"'American Pie'" was issued as a double A-side single in November 1971 and charted within a month. Very quickly, the attention from media and public alike catapulted the single to #1 in the USA and Don to instant international superstardom. Every line of the song was analyzed time and time again to find the real meaning. Don has always refused to sanction any of the many interpretations, so adding to its mystery. The great 'American Pie debate' continues today on the Internet. Don once suggested that when he is old and poor he would open a pay-to-listen phone line on which he would tell all! Somehow, that is unlikely because Don has maintained the publishing rights to his songs. 'So when people ask me what "American Pie" means, I tell them it means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to...'" --Don-McLean.com

Much about the song is agreed upon by fans and students. Clearly there are references to the death of Buddy Holly (along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson) in a plane crash in 1959.

The "jester" most likely is a reference to Bob Dylan. The Byrds are referenced by name albeit spelled "the birds." John Lennon's egalitarian politics are mentioned. The Rolling Stones and "Jumping Jack Flash" are in the mix.

The song is LONG (almost 8 and 1/2 minutes) and filled with enough cryptic language and imagery to have warranted a Joseph Campbell weigh-in.

The ONE message that does sound loud and clear, however, is that the song, and the times during which it was written, reflects the loss of innocence in American music.

Charles Manson and accomplices had been inspired by the Beatles "Helter Skelter" in the summer of 1969 to butcher innocents in Hollywood. Five people had died in the Rolling Stones San Francisco Bay area tragic "Altamont Speedway" concert in 1970.

Drugs, drug abuse and death by overdose were rampant in the late 60s and early 70s. America was at war with itself over the fighting in Vietnam. Popular music had become a vehicle for dialogue, if not for change. Its meaning, message and purpose, to a large degree, had become deeper, darker and in many ways, sadder.

"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."

Bye-bye Miss American Pie.

American Pie Lyrics

(Words and Music by Don McLean)

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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and 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?

Do you believe in rock 'n 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 singin',

"bye-bye, miss american pie."

Drove my chevy to the levee,

But the levee was dry.

Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

And 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 Lennon 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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

And 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 half-time 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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and 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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and 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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and 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 old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin', "this'll be the day that I die."

The Meaning of Don McLean's "American Pie"

DA Jack Hayford is the editor of the popular music reference website, Events-in-Music.com, which features a special section on #1 Songs. Mr. Hayford is also the Program Director and co-founder of DurangoSong.com, the online home of the ten-plus-year old Durango Songwriters Expo, a premier annual educational and inspirational event for aspiring songwriters.