Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died[Chorus]
So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And 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 2]
Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock ‘n’ roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
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”
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
And 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
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
And 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
And 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”
American Pie by Don McLean
“American Pie” is a seminal song by Don McLean, released in 1971 on the album “Favorites and Rarities.” This iconic track is renowned for its intricate lyrics and rich tapestry of cultural references, encapsulating the evolution of rock and roll and the societal changes of the 1960s.
Quick summary
The song reflects on the loss of innocence in American culture, particularly in music, following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. It contrasts nostalgic memories of joy and unity in music with a sense of disillusionment and chaos in later years.
In-depth lyrics analysis
The lyrics of “American Pie” are a complex narrative that weaves together personal and cultural history, beginning with the tragic event of the 1959 plane crash, referred to as “the day the music died.” This phrase encapsulates the loss of a golden era in music, symbolizing a broader cultural shift. The opening verses evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscing about a time when music was a source of joy and connection. McLean’s references to various figures and events from the 1960s serve as a timeline of the evolution of rock and roll, highlighting the rise and fall of iconic artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles, as well as the societal upheaval of the decade.
As the song progresses, McLean introduces a sense of disillusionment, reflecting on the chaos and fragmentation of the era. The repeated refrain, “bye-bye, Miss American Pie,” serves as a poignant farewell to an idealized past, suggesting that the innocence and unity once found in music have been lost. The imagery of the jester and other cultural symbols throughout the song further emphasizes the themes of love, faith, and societal change, painting a picture of a world in transition.
The melancholic tone of the song resonates with listeners, capturing a longing for the simplicity and joy of earlier times while acknowledging the complexities of modern life. McLean’s lyrics invite interpretation, allowing listeners to find personal meaning in the reflections on loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Ultimately, “American Pie” stands as a poetic tribute to the enduring impact of music on American culture, even as it grapples with the inevitable changes that come with it.
