American Pie
by Don McLean
What is “American Pie” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “American Pie” by Don McLean is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
American Pie' by Don McLean captures a nostalgic and melancholic look at the changes in American culture, particularly in music, symbolizing the loss of innocence and idealism of the 1950s and 1960s.
So… what’s this song really about?
Don McLean’s 'American Pie' serves as a poignant ode to the dramatic shifts in American societal and cultural landscapes over the decades, particularly focusing on the music scene. The song’s narrative weaves through various historic and cultural references, mourning the 'day the music died,' a metaphor widely interpreted as the loss of the simpler, more innocent times in America, especially following the deaths of influential figures like Buddy Holly. The lyrics explore themes of disillusionment and change, painting a vivid picture of a generation witnessing the erosion of their cultural icons and the values associated with them. This transformation is portrayed through symbolic imagery—an empty levee, silent bells, and broken promises of cultural continuity—reflecting a community's sense of abandonment and the search for new identity in a rapidly evolving world.
Moreover, the song interacts with the broader sociopolitical issues of its time, using music as a lens to discuss deeper disturbances in the American social fabric. The nostalgic tone underscores a deep sense of loss for what was perceived as a golden era of American music and, by extension, America itself. 'American Pie' encapsulates the yearning for a return to a simpler past and the harsh acceptance of a changed present, making it resonant with audiences who felt disconnected from the evolving cultural norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'The Day the Music Died' refer to in 'American Pie'?
It refers to the tragic plane crash on February 3, 1959, that killed early rock icons Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.
Q: What is the significance of the 'Chevy to the levee' line in the song?
The line 'Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry' symbolizes a loss of purpose and direction, reflecting the broader themes of disillusionment and cultural change in the song.
Lyrics to “American Pie”
261 ContributorsTranslations
[Chorus]
I started singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
[Verse 3]
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 Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
[Chorus]
We were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
[Verse 4]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and fallin' 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 halftime air was sweet perfume
While 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?
[Chorus]
We started singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
[Verse 5]
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 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
[Chorus]
He was singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
[Bridge]
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
[Deleted Verse]
And there I stood alone and afraid
I dropped to my knees and there I prayed
And I promised Him everything I could give
If only He would make the music live
And He promised it would live once more
But this time one would equal four
And in five years four had come to mourn
And the music was reborn
[Chorus]
And they were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
[Outro]
They were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die"