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Don McLean – American Pie (4:11)

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About This Track

“American Pie” is a folk rock song by singer-songwriter Don McLean.

Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number-one U.S. hit for four weeks in 1972. A re-release in 1991 did not chart in the U.S., but reached number 12 in the UK. The song is an abstract story surrounding “The Day the Music Died” — the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (Giles Perry Richardson, Jr.). The importance of “American Pie” to America’s musical and cultural heritage was recognized by the Songs of the Century education project which listed the song as the number five song of the twentieth century. Some Top 40 stations initially played only side two of the single, but the song’s popularity eventually forced stations to play the entire piece.

Background and interpretation: The song’s lyrics are the subject of much curiosity. Although McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Buddy Holly, none of the musicians in the plane crash are identified by name in the song itself. When asked what “American Pie” meant, McLean replied, “It means I never have to work again Later, he more seriously stated “You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me… sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence.”[2] McLean has generally avoided responding to direct questions about the song lyrics (“They’re beyond analysis.
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  • FannyBrawne

    i cannot believe people do not know who buddy holly is. [2]

    8 hours ago

  • lovehonkytonk

    Good thing that songs are now digital. We can listen to this song over and over, and it will never wear out. Thank God. ""Do You Have Faith in Heaven Above"" ??

    15 days ago

  • DeathNoteAddict

    thank god for last fm,i can listen to good music instead of the shit now days [2] :D There is some good modern music though, just all the popular mainsream stuff sucks :P

    23 days ago

  • DeathNoteAddict

    Well... I'm only 16... ._.

    23 days ago

  • spangles96

    cannot believe people do not know who BUDDY HOLLY is. Just put his name in the search box and listen and enjoy

    25 days ago

  • pkbuzzy

    thank god for last fm,i can listen to good music instead of the shit now days

    last month

  • DeathNoteAddict

    \/ Well, maybe that too, but it's definately about the plane crash.... That played a part in "the death of american culture" in a way didn't it...?

    last month

  • cabodude

    actually this song was about the death of American culture and everything that made America great and the path towards progressivism

    last month

  • CityGirl245

    A classic song and a great way to pay tribute to those great singers that died that day.

    last month

  • DeathNoteAddict

    @mikeysrob I do know what it's about... A plane crash that killed "Buddy Holly" (Although not sure who this is...) and some other musicians... It is sad... "The day, the music, died..." <3

    last month

  • andulas48

    jfk...sad but a great song ...epic

    last month

  • mikeysrob

    @deathnoteaddict agreed, althought this song is quite sad, if you actually know what its about

    March 2012

  • jbbassomatic

    Such a great classic!!!!!

    March 2012

  • psykotronik

    ♥

    March 2012

  • DeathNoteAddict

    @niqart...are you serious?Madonna?....sheesh..,this song had such personal meaning for a lot of people back in the day when it came out...you denegrate it and insult it by even mentioning Madonna! [2] I haven't even heard her version, but I'm sure it sucks, especially compared to the orginal.

    March 2012

  • DeathNoteAddict

    A classic. Great song. 'Nuff said. \m/ "Do you have faith in god above?" (No. No I do not... :P) "Do you believe in rock and roll?" (Yes I do <3) "Can music save your mortal soul?" (Yes. Yes it can. :D)

    March 2012

  • Nattalien

    did you write the book of love and do you have faith in god above? do you believe in rock 'n' roll? I LOVE THIS SONG

    March 2012

  • Chocolate_Donut

    Any chance a better recording to be put up for this? Preferred the version I have...

    February 2012

  • DonkeyKongJr13

    your mom's face is overrated

    February 2012

  • weegee64

    this is the most overrated song of all time... but somehow it never gets old.

    February 2012
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