what is the meaning of the song american pie

It's not prose, you know, it's meant to be taken in metaphorical terms. 'And so, you know, if the music dies, the spirit dies,' he added.ĭissecting the iconic classic hit, the musician said every verse of the song has different layers interpreting the day music died. Regarding the iconic line, 'the day music died,' McLean explained that it's a metaphor for death, not actual death, but rather the death of spirit because music is the equivalent of spiritual life.

The singer said the country legend had a very personal connection to the song since he was a little kid because he felt like the track resonated with his career and life in music.

He first noted the compliment he got from Garth Brooks as the song also impacted his life heavily. Speaking to Fox News Digital to promote the upcoming documentary 'The Day the Music Died: The Story of don McLean's 'American Pie,'' the singer said it's one of the greatest songs in music history. Today, singer Don McLean is ready to reveal the true meaning behind the iconic song. Long before I decided how I would use music or what kind of artist I would be, Buddy was there.'įans have pulled apart and analyzed the rest of the 'American Pie' lyrics and references through context clues, research, and finding historical parallels to the decades that inspired the creation of McLean's ballad.Over the past 50 years, the song 'American Pie' has become a household favorite as it's constantly being played on radio stations and music streaming services. McLean officially verified only one reference in the song: that Buddy Holly was a key influence in his life. As McLean put it, 'I can say that Buddy was a huge part of my childhood dream. The lyrics had to do with the state of society at the time.' 'I wanted to make a whole series of complex statements.

'People ask me if I left the lyrics open to ambiguity. McLean's ambiguous writing style lends itself to all types of interpretation, and that is how he wanted it. Vietnam,' McLean said in Alan Howard's book The Don McLean Story, hinting at the song's larger meaning: the disintegration of the American ideal McLean romanticized in his youth. 'I saw the implication of America going bye-bye, since by 1971 we were a horribly divided country with tremendous anger being directed at the government over. The classic folk-rock anthem, known for its expansive lyrics, is filled with cultural references related to American life in the 1950s and 1960s. 'That song didn't just happen,' McLean said of his 1971 hit, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and named a Song of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. Eight minutes long, starting with 'A long, long time ago,' Don McLean's 'American Pie' is a slice of cultural history. Since the song's release, fans have been obsessed with answering one question: what is 'American Pie' about?

What is the meaning of the song american pie