never really thought about it, thanks for the wrinkles.
kerry m gould
usa ,pennsylvania
Mindblowing-----------thanks
daryl <darylleo23@hotmail.com>
england
We re-discovered American Pie on a .50 tape played
on a Jeep Wrangler as we climbed shelf roads in the back country of
Crested Butte, Colorado. That led us to once again question what the
song really meant. I have downloaded your word document and while I
know I have heard slightly different interpretations, yours is excellent.
Thanks!
Linda Cook and Richard Smith <cook.l@ems-t.com>
USA
I always wondered what the meaningof Amrican Pie.
Thanks to your research, I finally know. This is a very symbolic, poetic,
and meaningful tune.
G W <mrinez@aol.com>
US
I really enjoyed your web site. I have listened to
Don's music all my life and now I am sharing it with my daughter
a bates
Texas, Usa
I really enjoyed your comments on American Pie. As
an aging Baby Boomer who lived through that period of time, I remember
that song very well and how it captured so much of what was happening.
Thanks for your site, it really brought back a lot of memories, both
good and bad, but that's life.
Peter Johnson <pjohnson@colchester-county.ns.ca>
Canada
Great Job! Thanks for taking the many hours of time
to try to explain what seems to be unexplainable.
I can't help but think Don McLean had no intention of writing such a
complex tune in it's making. It probably made perfect simple sense to
him while he was writing it. Little did he know he wrote "Rock-N-Rolls
Anthem"
Dan <Glove419@go.com>
U.S.A.
Very nice site. I think I can spruce up the writing
though. I write professionally and web content writing is part of what
I do. I also write business
letters and comedy
. Feel free to visit my website.
Freelance Writer
US
Hello my name is Cisco. English
language is my second language . I visit sites like yours
to learn new english vocabulary
words and improve my english
grammar . I hope to have effective
communication and business
communication for a new job in US. I learned a new word
of the day from your site. I plan to be public
speaking and business
writing better now from your site. Thank you.
Cisco
Colombia
cool
kimberley richardson <krichardson@ferrari.it>
italy
A very interesting interpretation, the vagueries of
the song allow for wide speculation but I agree with a lot of your insights.
Michael Kelly <mllkelly@cox.net>
USA
I found out about this through the about.com newsletter
of 9-3-2002. Very interesting.
Arlene Davis <arlenedavis@onewest.net>
USA
Enjoyed the analysis of the song. Very intriguing.
Margaret <mdalespa@mb.sympatico.ca>
Canada
I was 10 when the plane went down in a Iowa corn
field . We were all sad as I lived around Sioux Falls , South Dakota
. My friend , Myron Lee , the biggest Rock-In-Roll singer of the Midwest
from Sioux Falls , almost got to go that night . He still crys over
Budddy , Richie & the Big BeepBobber . We both do . We will both remember
"On the left stands Buddy holly , a shy grin on his face , in the middle
stands a stought man & on the right a young man just 17" "Gee , we,re
going to miss you everybody sends our love."
MiaGuitar <miaguitar@hotmail.com>
U.S.A.
I love the site. It's been a while since i've visited
as i cleared out my Bookmarks and well, lost the URL.
I love the song American Pie, and i'm so glad you have the Star wars
parody up...i heard it the other day in a shop and it was sounded so
cool (i've only ever read it before)
Rakel <meeow_@hotmail.com>
Great Britain
Thank you for all the work and reasonable interpretation
(without assuming Don M agrees). Since a kid, I always was inrigued
with what I interpreted as Don saying: "This is art, you interpret it;
don't ask the artist to explain. Everyone's interpretation is part of
the art." Good job.
Steve Spector <steve_spector@macerich.com>
USA
Thanks for the information about the song.
I am 43 years old and have just started to play the guitar.
I'm going through a stage of learning my favourite songs of which American
Pie is one. It really is a case of thinking youi know a song until you
really get close to it. The words were facinating to me prior but really
got me intrigued as I started to learn the song. I started to get the
fealing that it was all about the killing of JFK and was happy to find
that there were references in it from this page.
Thanks again
Stan
Stan Kaine <kaine@tecc.com.au>
Australia
I found your site extremely interesting. I often tried
to interpret "American Pie" and my ideas run fairly parallel with your
views. Great work!!!!Thank you.
Chris Atkinson
Auburn, Ontario, Canada
I have only recently become interested in the lyrics
to American Pie after my brother told me about how his English teacher
had expained them all to him. This is one of the best sites I have visited
s far. Keep up the good work!
Michael Baranowski <gangstabaz@hotmail.com>
UK
Thanks for this insight into the song's lyrics. I've
loved the song for many years, but never understood it - although some
references seemed almost too obvious. Your site has helped my understanding
it a great deal more. Thank You!!
Mike.
Mike <Mike@terra42.freesrve.co.uk>
UK
I was very interested to read this. I have loved this
song for so long but I never realized that there could have been hidden
meanings to the words. Thank you for enlightening me, it was a very
interesting read.
Rebecca McMullen <bumblebeetunacool@yahoo.com.au>
Australia
Very Cool Site! Wishing every success with your web
site! Please visit mine. http://www.pandcwebmasters.com/bookstore/bookmain.html
Christine
Burset <cmaster@pandcwebmasters.com>
USA
Great site and good informations!
Cars, Autos, Gebrauchtwagen
its a great site packed full of info u need on the(in
my opiniom) greatest songwriter and singer of all times. i love his
song american pie coz it goes so in deep and makes u think and feel
how precious liofe really is.
kristy wilson <sexy_goddess_4_u@hotmail.com>
australia
One of my favorite songs! Was searching for the lyrics
and was doing a search under Mr. McClean's name but was misspelling
it so nothing was found. I was searching under McClain. So went to search
Buddy Holly and found a website with mention of the American Pie Song
by Don McClean! I really get upset when I catch the song on the radio
and they end up only playing the "short" version! I was born in 1965
and live in Ohio.
Paula Hall <phall89@hotmail.com>
USA
A friend and I were driving home from Steamboat Springs,
Colorado, and were listening to this CD. I loved it 30 years ago and
I loved it driving down the canyon in the mountains. I wanted to know
more about the lyrics as it had been years since we'd actually listened
and thought about the words. We were close on some of them...thanks
for the insight!
Barb <ba45bag@aol.com>
USA
Hi there, this is an amazing home page ... really!
I just heard American Pie this morning on the radio and I wanted to
see the interpretation of the lyrics. I searced for "American Pie" on
google.com and I found Don McLean's official homepage. There your interpretation
was mentioned in a link .. and I'm so glad I read your interpretation
- it's great!!
Thanx for all the energy you've put into this home page ... we need
more people like you out here!!
Best regards,
Vivian, Copenhagen/Denmark
Vivian <vic@ap.dk>
Denmark
Great website.
I've been trying to find something similar on Bob Dylan (Mr.Tambourine
Man)but just tons of websites with the lyrics.
maynie <mayniezaman@hotmail.com>
India
thanyou for the visit
gordon <glmtype2@yahoo.com>
uk
Hi,
I really enjoyed reading your inturpretation.
I think I tend to agree with most of what you have taken out of the
song.
Thanks again
Chelle :)
Rachelle <rachelle_1977@hotmail.com>
Australia
really appreciate your attention to detail...but hey,
I'm a Virgo
...wow, can't believe it took me 30 years to look it up...
take care & many thanks!
kat
katherine rose <felderhof@sympatico.ca>
canada
good lord, you really are great
this interpretation is absolutely brilliant. well done. my friend actually
did this for part of his assignment on rock music, and it really was
brilliant. i now cry everytime i here american pie. curse stupid madonna
for re-doing it.
anyway well done you really are very very cool
i praise you!!
go you!
you rock <yeahbabymoo@hotmail.com>
australia
I enjoyed reading your interpratation of American
Pie. That song hit's home to everyone in the U.S.A anyways. There isn't
a person I've met who doesn't like the song. Alot of us don't exactly
know what it's about, but like any other well written song, you can
always draw your own conclusion. What ever conclusion you draw, in the
end it's still a GREAT song. Well done. Sincerely, Todd Hosford
Todd Hosford <hootnei@msn.com>
U.S.A
Hi to you and your guests. My name is Jazz
(Mom liked jazz
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US
Brill and the lyrical interpretation is very thought
provoking and brill!
Titsylina Bumsk-wash <g-cardy@newbury-college.ac.uk>
England
GREAT website--THANKS! I heard BBAP on the radio yesterday
and decided to finally look into the lyrics, and your website came up
first when I searched Metacrawler. Thanks again!.
Paul Lowe
USA
This site is fantastic. I have always enjoyed listening
to "American Pie" and knew vaguely what some of the symbolism was about.
I always knew it went deeper, and today, for some reason, i just needed
to know what everything stood for. i think the interpretation is very
accurate, and i love that you have encompassed many different possibilities
instead of just writing what you think the song meant. hanks so much
for bringing me some clarity!
Jessica <LoserChick12@aol.com>
USA
Found your site through a Google search. Interesting
interpretation, among others! Thanks for your thoughts....
Cliff Hungerford <chunger108@yahoo.com>
USA
Hi,
I just moved to Ireland and felt homesick for Los Angeles where I grew
up so started listening to American Pie again. Strangely, the version
I know best is a cover by John Denver. Anyway, I could discern enough
amazing subtlety in the song to go looking for the full story and I
found it on your website. Thank you so much for enriching my experience
of the song!!
Sommer Gentry <sommerg@mit.edu>
U.S.A. and Ireland
For me as a Pole it's difficult to rate your job
but I've learnt a lot about the song and about
the American's music and artists.
From now on the song will not be only a pleasent
sequence of notes for me but will become a deeper experience.
Thank You
Mirek <mirekcho@kki.net.pl>
Poland
Very good I read about the references a number of
years ago and wished I'd cut it out so I was glad to find your website.
What a fantastic song both lyrically and musically.
All the best
Ian <i.buchanan@ucl.ac.uk>
Scotland
Greetings to you and your guests. Love what you’ve
done with your site. As an educator I can say you have great communication
skills.teeth
whitening
Catherine
US
Thanks for sharing your hard work. The site worked
well and was very interesting to view.
L <L.Bovis@verizon.net>
USA
Great site, very interesting. Thank you.
Tom Cole <Jackbean3@yahoo.com>
Wow! You’ve found yourself a great franchise
opportunity. Good luck! And great site by the way!
Cynthia
US
Thanks heaps for the fantastic website that explains
SO much!
I really love the song, ‘American Pie’ and I had always wondered what
it meant.
And we had to study some kind of song lyrics for an English assignment
and I decided to study American Pie as it is one of my favourite songs.
Your website helped me to understand the song much better and as a result
I got a really good mark on the assignment.
Keep up the good work and well done!
Rebecca
Rebecca Eden <ddaisy_85@hotmail.com>
New Zealand
I am 17 and i had figured out a lot of it like: The
Jester and Bob Dylan, The Sergants and the Beatles and many other things.
This is my favorite song of all times and i like it even more now that
i understand more about it. Thank you
Andrew Page
USA
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USA
Nice!
Thank´s
/MR
Mats Rekonius <mats.rekonius@skanska.se>
Sweden
Thank you for your interpretation of 'American Pie'.
I would have to agree with each verse as you see it. And it offers explanations
to the song.
Michael Jones <mjshark9928@aol.com>
U.S.A.
On June 28, 2002 we attended a concert by Don McLean
at Chautauqua, N.Y, during which he played and sang all the verses of
American Pie. The audience responded with such enthusiasm that people
were singing and dancing in the aisles. I was so intrigued that I used
the Ask Jeeves search machine (www.ask.com) to find out more. I remembered
the song, of course, but I wanted to learn more. Thank you for this
fine site.
Lee Ross <Lee3961@aol.com>
USA
You have a fairly accurate interpretation of McLean's
song. What you have here coincides pretty well with what I've read in
the past about the song. There are some insights I'd like to offer though.
First, the verse that says, "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick" may be a
reference to President Kennedy. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, it
was Kennedy's quick diplomacy that averted nuclear war. In this context,
the line that says "fire is the devil's only friend" could be interpreted
as mocking the belligerence of the Communists. I think one of the most
cryptic lines is the one about "The Father, Son, and The Holy Ghost."
Aside from the obvious Christian symbolism, it seems most likely that
it refers to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper. The theories
that place Grossman as "The Father" or Malcolm X as "The Holy Ghost"
seem unlikely and untenable. Great site!
Asad <Asad123@aol.com>
U.S.
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USA
The song has always inspired me. It was very interesting
to read your thoughts and information.
Michelle <michellemartin23@hotmail.com>
United States
Have always loved the song and although I knew about
the Buddy Holly plane crash connection, have always been intrigued to
understand the whole meaning of the song.
Thanks very much.
Amanda Ciccone
ENGLAND
Ahh, I've been studying English and your very lucky
or I would sent this in Russian, I enjoyed American Pie very much, will
the sequel be called Russian Pie? It is very good and I am willing to
give the recipie at anytime.lol. Veicreibak steyabh jiok naneta!(very
good site, keep it up)(it is hard to write Russian in English letters,took
me 5 mins)
Romanov <jokaman87@hotmail.com>
Russia
Your songs are awesome, even though they are impressions
and crtisization songs, I love to listen to The Night that Santa went
crazy, The saga Begins, Who let the cows out etc. your songs are awesome
and I hope you impersonate more.i have downloaded very many of your
songs and would like to try to find more. Thank you
Matthius the great <jokaman87@hotmail.com>
Canada
I always wondered about the meaning of the song, having
heard so many interpretations. I can't give a reinterpretation of it
myself (too young?) so I was happy to read yours. Thanks!
Jade <janusface@msn.com>
canada
nice ibanez site
fod
Enjoyed your website on American Pie. Thanks!
Cheryl Mango <Puzzlr1@aol.com>
USA
American Pie is probably the best song I've ever listen!!!
Boong <boong_2001@hotmail.com>
Thailand
Just f'n around the net & found your site very interesting.
I LIKE!!!!
Kim <w8ing422@aol.com>
USA
i found your site through msn. I'm a real fan of don
mcclean and always speculated myself on what americam pie was indeed
sung for. Great insights here, Thanks.
don anura
malaysia
may the force be with you (great)
skyler <pokemon5964@hotmail>
usa
Dear Mr. Don Mc Lean
I think AMERICAN PIE can compete with Simon + Garfunkel's BRIDGE OVER
TROUBLED WATER + THE BOXER, for the title of the most American song.
Antony
Antony Demetriade LL.M. A.C.I.I. <Antony@LSEalumni.com>
Cyprus
Brilliant Interpretation, I can now see the song in
a whole new light.
Michael Smith <boffy@yahoo.com>
England
I enjoyed reading your thoughts and ideas. Very insightful.
Becca <ralvarado4@mail.esc4.com>
USA
I have heard it said that the Jester is Joe Namath.
Don McLean hated Joe, and part way through the season the song was written
he broke his leg so he was "on the side line in a cast" You may have
already heard this but just in case you haven't there you go.
Nate Degn <ngdegn@juno.com>
U.S.A.
The jester is most definitely bob dylan...
"when jester sang for the king and queen"
..bob dylan in 1962 went to englnad to star in a bbc programme
as a rebel of some sort...
and during his visit..in london he
sang in a few clubs..doing gigs...
and on of them is called..."The King and Queen"
...so..literally Bob Dylan did sing for The king and queen...
..and bob in his early years was know as a comic singer...because he
wrote..light funny comocal materials...
...there..
coseo <aheggersonthereyouare@yahoo.co.uk>
spain
Wow - what a great site! Found my way here by accident-was
looking to see who recorded Vincent - (Starry Starry Night) and one
thing led to another and here I am. Thanks for creating such a neat
place!
Cherie <cheshe77@aol.com>
USA
I like your site,
keep up the good work.
AL
Very good webpage you have here, and best greetings
to all your visitors.
You Are also --> WELCOME <-- To Visit My Webpage as well
Have BIG fun...
27 IDX 106 - Odinn
Akranes - ICELAND
My name is Edmund Marco and it's a pleasure to sign
your guest book. I work for an advertising
agency in London. Our agency
represents direct
marketing companies that are involved in the marketing
of products as
seen on TV in England. Most of the infomercial
products come from the U.S. but then again we export our
talents as well. My brother has appeared in infomercials
in the U.S. advertising
various products. I think it's hilarious that English people respond
so well to American products while Americans tend to respond well to
sales people who have an English
accent!
Edmund
England
I work at a theatre that just finished showing "Buddy:
The Buddy Holly Story." I got to see the show, and became curious about
Buddy Holly. While looking at the official Buddy Holly website, I noticed
the phrase "The Day The Music Died." I had never heard that the song
was a reference in any way to Buddy Holly, but I immediately recognized
the connection. I then searched on Google for a website with an interpretation
of the lyrics, and ended up here. American Pie is a really fascinating
song, and you do an excellent job of analyzing its symbolism. Thanks
for a fabulous site!
Roo <kimbyrle@yahoo.com>
USA
i think the real winner in this is don mcleans haircut......damn
that guy goes off.. i wanna have sexual relations with this man...he
is so hot and so are his songs...i love this site and all the people
in the world..lets hear it for cricket...
Angus Mcgee
boganville
...yeah man,,,right on...
all songs should be like this dude...
..mtv ruined it all...
death to mtv...
eggerson <aheggersonthereyouare@yahoo.co.uk>
ukraine
I was wondering what the meaning of the song was.
You helped clear up some answers, but brought some more on. Thanks!
Cecile Bolek <cec13@excite.com>
USA
I really enjoyed this website. It had a wealth of
pictures and quotes from the period that inspired the song.
I used the site to find the lyics to American Pie so I can perform it
live in a Cafe in London, and I could never remember all six verses!
(Especially not with Madonna and Antonio flying round in my pop head).
Nice one.
John Weston <longjohnweston@yahoo.fr>
UK
I really like your interpretation, and I'm going to
use it in my english classes I hope you hear from my students. If you
wanna know Chile is in South America. See u.
Moira Joui <moirajoui@yahoo.com>
Chile
Nice interpretation. For years I wondered if Jagger
was Satan...Now i know. :) thanks for the cool trip. Makes me really
appreciate Don's Music and his meanings. Later
M. Marsh <mattforyounow@hotmail.com>
USA
I'd like to thank you for the work you did on "American
Pie" song - I have lived in US for 10 years and I kept wondering about
the meaning of this song. First it catches a listener by its mellodic
sound and a smooth rhyme, but I could feel there is much more to this
song that meets the eye at first.
And it is obviouse that without a very detailed and unique knowledge
of American history and the history of the Rock'n'roll it is almost
impossible to fully appreciate this song (all the references to historical
events, drugs, names, common phrases, and etc.).
So I am very glad I found your interpretation. And although I perfectly
am aware that this is just a one-person (or maybe several people's)
interpretation, and by no means the official meaning (I do not believe
any poetry can ever have a finite "official meaning" and even when I
write my own poems and let people read it, I do not usually explain
what I was trying to say, but rather hear their interpretation to see
how did they relate to what I wrote) - this was definitely very insightful
and helpful article!
Sincerely,
Edward
Edward <edwardshtrulis@yahoo.com>
US
Your interpretations are interesting and you have
obviously researched the song. Thank you for the site
Kim <lilypily@yahoo.com>
Australia
Hi,
I really like your American Pie stuff. I'm a college professor, and
I'm teaching a course on the Cold War in American film and music this
summer. May I use your materials on American Pie for my course? I might
print it out, or I may just refer all my students to it.
Good work,
russ reising
Russ Reising <russedelic@buckeye-express.com>
USA
Hi (Hello!) Thank you for your Hospitality. Checking
out 50,60's music and songs for our youngest daughter's wedding reception.
Good Luck, R & P. Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.
Bride's Mum <pelsdon@yahoo.com>
Canada
Just passing through, looking for the lyrics for American
Pie. Nice site, though.
Per
Sweden
hey,
i found this one by searching with google as i was thinking of stuff
we can use for english classes. see i love american pie, this is, imho,
one of the best songs ever made and don is a genius. NOTHING and NOBODY
ELSE can reach him.
well, i have thought bout the lyrics too but i had problems with interprating
some passages likely as i dont know much bout buddy holly and dylan's
hystory. but youre text is just great. reading this i got "gosse skin"
(aik, i don't know the english expression so i translated from german
its when your hairs raise... think you got it ;) ). its very fascinating
to discover all the thought don must have had writing this fabulous
song.
if you're working on other interpretations, well good luck and a lot
of fun. do well
alex <asmh9000@gmx.net>
germany
Hi to all my friends
Carl C.
Grüsse aus Deutschland
Dirk
I am doing a research paper for a college writing
class and I chose to evaluate "American Pie". I have not read all of
your interpretation because I want my interpretation to be figured out
on my own. So far I have done the first two verses and the chorus. So
far I agree with what you have said. I am having a lot of fun with this
paper. Thank you for the info.
tanya <noalee@msn.com>
USA
cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
Blake Burbank <bonl@QuixNet.net>
US
I wanted to know the interpretation of the song and
I went to askjeeves.com. That's where I found your informative, enjoyable
website.
Eva Cochran
USA
Thought I would sign! Like the colors!
Refinance
USA
Wow. I found this site looking for the lyrics, as
I wanted to parody them for a pantomime I'm writing... and I was absolutely
staggered by everything I found. I've been a huge fan of Bob Dylan for
ages - your interpretations of the references to him nearly made me
cry. As did the rest of it. Having been a lonely teenage bronkin' buck
never having any luck for seven years now, it certainly strikes a chord....
Michael S. Repton
Michael S. Repton
England
Got here looking for Buddy Holly lyrics in Google.
Great data!
Victor Navarrete <vhuet@umich.edu>
Mexico
teed2@poczta.onet.pl
teed <teed2@poczta.onet.pl>
I've always loved this song, it has been my all time
favourite. So it was great to be able to see the interpretation that
has been put on it.
Karen Wood <kazwood@hotmail.com>
Australia
really good piece of interpretive work mate, makes
you stop and think about what he was trying to say in the song. Nice
one!
Mick Griffin <mick.griffin@marconi.com>
England
I appreciate the time you spent, it gave me an insight
to the going's on of seemingly non-important pub/kareoke songs.
John <n/a>
England
this is about the 10th time i've read your interpretation
and i'm still transfixed everytime. very interesting to read
john
england
GOOD
ENISE <HTTP/WWW.FENISE.KOM>
WHITBY CANADA KANADA ONTARIO
LAST WEEK I WAS AT MY LOCAL VILLAGE PUB WHEN AN ELDERLEY
MAN STARTED TALKING TO ME AT THE BAR.HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW ANYTHING
ABOUT MUSIC I REPLIED YES A LOT.THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT AMERICAN PIE.WHAT
WAS IT ABOUT.ISAID ABOUT AMERICA.HE TOLD ME IT WAS AN AEROPLANE THAT
BUDDY HOLLY,BIG BOPPER,RICHIE VALANCE ALL DIED ON,ON THAT FATAL NIGHT.A
DJ HAD TOLD HIM THIS MANY YEARS AGO.SO I VISITED YOUR WEBSITE TO FIND
OUT MORE. WE WILL NEVER KNOW ONLY DON MCLEAN KNOWS.THANX 4 THE INFO
GREAT SITE KEEP UP THEGOOD WORK
TIM GAMLIN <GAMLINTIM@MSN.COMCO.UK>
WALES GREAT BRITAIN
I never knew there was so much debate about the meaning
of the song. I guess somewhat naively, I believed the "American Pie
Explained" by Kasey Kasem (?) was somehow done with Don McLean's help/permission/cooperation.
Gosh...now I'll have to tell my friend to jump into the search herself--if
she cares! Very interesting.
Pam <PamCreel@msn.com>
USA
I have been meaning to do research into elements underlying
the lyrics that struck such a cord within me...you see these elements
were my life...Among my first "45 RPM" purchases was "That'll be the
day"...race riots, Dylan, Joplin, Vietnam, White Rabbit...starting with
record hops...the oldies...and the rest is fairly well recorded in your
interpretations...Thanks so much!
Ron Russell <ronrussell@snip.net>
USA
Great website! Very insightful and informative.
The VIDEO BEAT!
Rare 1950s & 1960s Rock n Roll on Video!
www.thevideobeat.com
The VIDEO BEAT! <info@thevideobeat.com>
USA
thanks
Nutie <lllllllllll@hotmail.com>
USA
I found your site while searching for an interpretation
of "Stairway to Heaven" for a grade ten poetry class I'm teaching. I
thoroughly enjoyed your site and as a result decided to use "American
Pie" for my class on lyric analysis. My students loved the song and
it was a terrific springboard for discussions on history, music, religion,
politics and coming of age. The time just flew by, the bell caught us
by surprise and the students streamed out the door singing American
Pie. Thank you for producing such a useful, informative and accurate
website.
Christine O'Gallagher <Christine_O'Gallagher@csrs.qc.ca>
Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
nice!
Architektur
Good, Interesting variation on lyrics, best and most
convincing I have read well researched and presented
Jonny
England
Thank you for putting this together. A/ Pies words
have interested me for some time and I did hear an interperatton some
years ago on Casey Cassin Top 40. ( 1974??).
I found it facinatationg but only in recent years have I really wanted
to know about it again.
Regards
Steve R
Steve Robinson <wabill@iinet.net.au>
Australia
Very Interesting
Terry Restall <trestall@hotmail.com>
England
Found your site via a search on Google after people
at the office started commenting on the song's meaning while it was
on the radio. Very interesting--thanks for doing this!
Stephen Cohen <tuscohens@mindspring.com>
USA
Great interpretation--I am considering using this
song in one of my freshman compositions classes. Thanks
Carol Daniels <jgfan24@nwol.net>
US
This is the best song of all time.
DC in Florida
DC <MRMONKEYRULZ@AOL.COM>
U.S.A.
Your site is interesting!!
jay <jay675@hotmail.com>
uk
I enjoyed the analysis. Thanks for posting it.
Jim Lewis <drjim@gate.net>
USA
Great site, thanks. I found a link off a Salon article
about the Stones.
One comment: I've always thought that the Train mentioned in the last
verse is from "The City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman.
http://www.arlo.net/lyrics/new-orleans.shtml
Note the lines:
"Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea.
And all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news.
The conductor sings his song again,
The passengers will please refrain
This train's got the disappearing railroad blues.
Good night, America, how are you?
Don't you know me I'm your native son,
I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans"
It came out a year before American Pie and has the same sad tone.
Mike
Mike Kane <mrmikekane@attbroadband.com>
USA
This was a most interesting article on the meaning
of "American Pie". But I couldn't help noticing that you omitted your
interpretation of why McLean's hands were 'clenched in fists of rage'.
Was that one of the symptoms of heroin useage? Or was it a reference
to the Stones' "Street Fighting Man"?
And I figured that when a "forward pass" was attempted, it mean that
the players were trying to move forward and "progress" musically. But
the "marching band" were the old school band who refused to conform.
And the girl that just "smiled and turned away" might have been Janis
Joplin, but I was thinking that McLean was referring Chris Chubbock,
a roving reporter who shot herself to death on the air in 1970. Just
a thought.
Jonathan <naughty9@earthlink.net>
United States
I am a musician and I play in a brass orchestra.
Next week we are doing a concert with a special theme: filmmusic.
We are playing the music and some parts of the movies are show on
white screen, just with a videoplayer and a beamer.
We are also going to play the Madonna's song "american pie".
I got the movie "american pie" and while looking at it I thought there
might be something wrong. In the first place the titlesong of Madonna
is not in the movie. I know that Madonna covered the song from Don
McClean, but he must have had another story in his mind then the movie
that I've got at this moment. So I started to search the internet
to find out more about "American Pie", the song and the movie.
That's how I got to this site.
Maybe, you can help me.
I would be very pleased.
Greatings,
Jan
Jan van der Veen <jan025@zonnet.nl>
The Netherlands
Jan,
Don didn't have a movie in mind when he made the
song. It was made a long time before the film American Pie which Don
granted the use of the name for. Madonna covered the song for the
movie "The Next Big Thing".
Hope this is helpful, feel free to ask more questions!
Good luck with the concert,
Saul
A BIG fan of Don McLean, American Pie, and Starry
Starry Night (Vincent)
Annie <allabrie@mcn.net>
USA
I am a 50 year old man and I was driving home with
my wife and son. The song brought back memories from when we were in
high school in the early seventies.
Peter Zimler <hpzimler@optonline.net>
United States
Searching for the real story on American Pie. We saw
McClean sing a free street concert in South Dakota the summer of 2000.
His voice has held up pretty well and he's obviously very talented.
Steve Brown <stevesmiles@hotmail.com>
USA
I really enjoyed your site. I was just surfing the
web and i saw this site that looked interesting--and it was. I enjoyed
the interpretation b/c it really made me think about the deeper meanings
beyond the song. anyways, good job with the site! thanks.
Maria <bushgirl7@hotmail.com>
Canada
I love your site. I am doing a project on music of
the 60s for a college seminar on the history of the 1960s. I thought
the analysis was great and also came up with a few of my own ideas on
what things meant. I wish there were more sites dedicated to preserving
some of these awesome songs.
Lauren Barrett <ljaye@earthlink.net>
USA
I was a teenage boy when this song came out driving
a 1970 Chevelle 396 Super Sport. I was sure this song was written for
me to drive around in my very fast Chevy
Bill Shaw <bill@opusa.com>
Good Ole USA
this was an incredible, and informative site about
american pie. i'm a 20 year old college student and i've found that
most of my classmates know the chorus and like the song but that is
all they think of it as. just a song. i've always of it as more than
that and i've been trying to learn as much as i can about the history
and meaning of this song. i knew most of the basic stuff with bob dylan
and the crash but a lot of it helped put more of the puzzle pieces together.
one question though, i don't know if you respond to this or not but,
does american pie give reference to marilyn monroe. that has always
be what i thought to be true after her death and the amount of fame
she had? well, just wanted to say it was a great site and i enjoyed
it. thanks a lot.
Tanner Shaw <tlshaw22@hotmail.com>
USA
good site. very imformative. im hoping to give a speech
on how people interpret this song. could you by any chance tell me where
you found that quote by Don McLean you have in the conclusion? i would
really appreciate it
mary <lilgreenskittle@hotmail.com>
USA
This is very interesting. I have been curious about
this song for a while , and couldn't find the meaning. My friend gave
me the site address. Thank you!
Shira
Israel
nice site!
benno <degred@gmx.net>
Austria
Hello luxury
cruises Keep up the good work :)
con
Australia
I really like the way you put out the information.
I was really wondering about that song.
spencerdawg2000
usa
I had never heard (or read) such an explanation you've
written
Actually, this is the first time I know about an American Pie's interpretation.
Whatever, I congratulate you for your research and I apreciate your
information, 'cause in may country there's no many places or radio stations
where you can find comments about folk rock music.
I wonder if you have some others comments about songs like "Babylon",
"Vincent" or "Magdalane Lane".
Thanks.
P.D.
Please, forgive my misspeling.
Héctor Méndez <jammeswood@hotmail.com>
México
Cool Site. "Keep on Keeping on." (Cheech & Chong.)
Catherine Lake
USA
Listening to music has always been a major part of
my life. I've sang along to "American Pie" for years and never really
thought about what it all might mean. After reading all of your site,
I think you're right on target. I loved the site, excellent job! You're
a tribute to Don McClean as much as he is to music. Thank you for that!
Frank <jr_stressed@hotmail.com>
U.S.A.
GREAT site!!!
Traci LaRose <tntlarose@aol.com>
USA
Very illuminating and helped me understand much loved
phrases for long not understood. One point - surely it's sacrificial
rite, not sacrificial right. Thanks for a great public service, JD
John Dougill <dougill@mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp>
British in Japan
I always liked that song and wanted to know what the
lyrics mean...thanks for your site!
Ron Faber
Germany
Loved reading your writting on "Miss Amer. Pie."
It was not long enough! You missed the whole thing of Eddie from Eddie
and the Cruisers driving his new Chevy off of a levee and dying (body
never found). Then again McLean's manager had a name like Levee and
could not promote a single hit rock star (The Levee was dry). Thanks!
SC
Scott Colcord <sc23@whoever.com>
Thanks! I've often wondered about many of the lyrics.
Excellent job on the interpretations. Cheers from California.
Steve <Smickel950@aol.com>
USA
Great website! Yeah! Keep it up!
The VIDEO BEAT!
USA
Great info on the song. I really enjoy the way you
provided the visual images along with the text. My daughter is five
and this is one of her favorite songs. As my first name is Marks she
thinks "the book on Marx" refers to me.
Marks Alexander <marksalexander@earthlink.net>
Atlanta, GA USA
Out of all of the websites i've visited on this subject
yours is most def. the best one. you give reason's for your thinking
which most people don't. thankyou for your hardwork
gabe betts
Gabe Betts <betts_11@hotmail.com>
USA
Thanks for your insight. Certain verses were always
a mystery to me; this site has helped explain some of the ambiguities.
Kathleen Morton <kmorton@hawaii.edu>
USA!
Thanks for a really enjoyable half hour reading your
interpretation of this great song. I've been singing it and strumming
it for 20 years now without so much as a single thought as to what all
that imagery was about. Your page is very thought-provoking, very visual
and, I think, very accurate.
BTW, I'd always sung "Do you recall what was *the feel*" instead of
"revealed" (makes sense, actually)
"my" lyrics :
As the players tried to take the field,
The marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was the feel
The day the music died? We started singin :
Whatever, thanks again, I'll be back :)
Mike <mjc2002@hotmail.com>
Spain
All I have to say is that I like this site...I was
looking for the lyrics of the famous song....and I found them here at
this site....so thanks..!
Gabriela Anna Konradi <kya_taz@yahoo.com>
Romania
This was a very insiteful website and helpped me alot
with an english class on pop culture that i am taking
Cris Asquith
USA
great site! this song has such rich history and meaning,
McLean is a genius.
mike
I never thought about "American Pie" having such a
complex meaning,
and I've always just taken it for face value. (i.e. talking about the
devil and I thought he really meant the devil, not a singer!)
I never really liked the song before, even though I've always
admired it, but now I like it! Thank You!
Stacie
usa
Very informative.
Tony <teleport895@msn.com>
United States of America
Hello,
does anyone know of or has a four voice arrangement of American Pie
for choir? Please let me know, thank you
Baudolino <Baudolino15@aol.com>
Germany
Good webpage you have here, and best greetings to
you all
And You Are --> WELCOME <-- To Visit My Webpage as well -->
27 IDX 106 - Odinn
ICELAND
I use American Pie, and Vincent in my 6th grade classroom
to teach poetry. Thank you very much.
mary baker <malicia13@aol.com>
usa
I was lucky enough to witness Don Mclean in concert
in the small Midwestern college town of Whitewater, Wisconsin USA. 10/23/99.
'American Pie' was, of course, the highlight of the evening. I'll always
remember it & enjoy the song more than ever because of that small venue.
Tim Piat <tpiatt@hotmail.com>
U.S.A
After reading your explanations, now I can really
enjoy one may favourite songs. I had blindly liked it for years, and
now it takes a full and wonderful sense.
Alfredo Bautista <albapa16@hotmail.com>
Spain
great site !
Georg <gr@tplus.at>
Austria/Europe
Found a link to your site from an article at salon.com
(http://www.salon.com/ent/masterpiece/2002/01/14/sympathy/index.html).
Very interesting, thanks.
David L.
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Thank you
Jennifer <dangerssis@msn.com>
USA
Entertaining site,well done.I don't know if you're
correct but neither do you!
I came across the site looking for info on Buddy Holly
one of my favourite singers.I was born in 1947 which
was too late for Buddy but just right for Bob Dylan,
Beatles and the Stones they all appeared in the city
where I still live, Birmingham ,it is the second largest
city in the UK.
God Bless America!
David Marsh <marshdandj@blueyonder.co.uk>
England
awesome site, ill write more
jason <vcisjb@mail.com>
us of a
It would be better with the words to the song
m
It's great that you can find websites like yours:
I just recently listened again to Miss American Pye and wondered what
the meaning was. I was hoping to find the lyrics of the song with Google
amd I arrived at your site; I enjoyed reading it all.
I think you did a very good work, and your interpretation is probably
mostly correct.Thank you
Stefano Schacherl <stefano.s@mclink.it>
Italy
I think this song is about the evolution of rock
and roll.
For better, worse, and best. I give absolute credence to the statement
by the (unremembered) DJ who (in approximately 1988)pointed out that
the song begins being recorded in mono, advances to hi-fi, and culminates
(in the last reprise) in stereo -- just as the technology progressed!
I consider this to be THE masterpiece of modern music and the work of
a true genius. He could have chronicled the history of R&R in his lyrics
and just left it there -- rather easy to do. But to combine it with
the advents of technology as well makes it utterly unique! I realize
your emphasis is on the lyrics, but you should give consideration to
the technical side of the recording as well.
bill warren hudnall <maxima1959
@ aol.com>
baton rouge, la, usa
Great site!!!!
allways loved this song and after seeing this website I will love it
even more. Thanks
PS: looking for a 45 for my juke box, HELP!!!
ron alexander <ronpat@zlink.net>
USA
Nice job putting all this information together.
Michael Lipkin <msl@trackdata.com>
USA
Your site is great! Have a good one!
Asian Avenue <lisbethg_g@canada.com>
Miscellaneous,
Your site is great! Have a good one!
Asian Avenue <lisbethg_g@canada.com>
Miscellaneous,
Your site is great! Have a good one!
Asian Avenue <lisbethg_g@canada.com>
Miscellaneous,
Hi, I've always wanted an interpretation of this song.
I had forgot about it until I switched to an Oldies radio station and
hear the song twice in one day and decided to search the web for an
interpretation and found yours. I think that it is great. How long did
it take you to do the research and interpretation?
Thanks,
Keith Lindley
Keith Lindley <KLin361032@aol.com>
Memphis, Tn,. USA
You have settled a small disagreement. Thanks
Phoenix Lavin
New Zealand
I did a search on Google. Your site answered a lot
of questions I had. I love the tune and the poetry, but almost all the
references made no sense to me since I was born in 1969. Thanks for
a clear, consise explanation.
laurie corriveau <laurie_corriveau@hotmail.com>
Canada
Interesting! Thanks.
E. Thomas
USA
NICE PAGE ! GOOD JOB ON ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER
PERFORMED !
P.Cramer <villekantee@web.de>
germany
I've listened to this song since I was a young kid
and never realy had a clue about what the hell it realy ment. I just
realy liked the song for what it was, and that was fun. It wasn't until
recently when I started dateing this girl that listened to this song
over and over again did I start to realy wounder the real meaning of
it. Thanks for the info. it was great.
Pat Sanders
Pat
Sanders <sanderspat21@yahoo.com>
USA
Great! It seems that Mclean's words expressed much
more than 10 big books about American cultures.
Toni <verandah@access.inet.co.th>
Thailand
Thank you for this interesting place.
Jaime Garzon <Jaime.garzon@ibsco.com.co>
Colombia
good song... but put in an mp3 wth WORDS
mark <ripmer