American Pie
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“American Pie” by Don McLean, is a very interesting song. After listening to the lyrics and the song itself, there is a meaning to this song. Each line of the lyrics has a special meaning to what Don McLean wanted to say, but in his own special way.
If one was to look at each lyrics one by one, they will be able to find out the big picture of the whole song. It tells a story of Mcleans favorite performers, Buddy HOlly. American Pie was rumoured to be the name of the plane that BUddy Holly died in.
In the beginning
of the song, he starts out saying, “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music made me smile. ANd i knew if I had a chance, that i could make those people dance, and maybe theyd be happy for a while.” THis line is talking about how when he was a child he listened to great performers of his time and how he could do the same and make other teenagers happy with his song and make them want to dance and be merry.
“But February made me shiver, with every paper Id deliver, bad news on the doorstep. I couldnt take one more step, I can remember if I cried when i read about his widowed bride. But something touched me deep inside, the day the music died.” This line is the day back in February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. As a child, McLean was a paper boy and the news papers that were being passed that day was spreading “bad” news to everyones doorstep and Buddy Hollys wife was pregnent when he died and later she had a miscarage. That date, was also referred
to the “day music died.”
“Bye bye Miss American Pie, I drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry. Them good ol boys were drinkin whiskey and rye, SIgning Thisll be the day that i die. THisll be the day that i die.” This is the chorus line. Miss American Pie was someone McLean had dated as a teenager. It was rumoured he was dating a Miss American candidate at the time. It is also referring
to saying good by to the plane that had all three performers. The levee refers to a Movie called MIssissippi Burning, which was about three college students registering to vote as black voters, but were killded and dragged to a levee. Them good ol boys refers to Holly, Valens, and Bopper. Holly had a song called “Thatll be the day” that had the lyrics, “THatll be the day that I die.”
Looking through the other lyrics, McLean talks about everything going on during