Don McLean's "American Pie" Explained

[Njord Noatun]

I thought this video about the meaning of "American Pie" was interesting and made sense, so I wanted to share.

Enjoy - one of the best songs ever.

 

[Wolverine]

Nothing new there but I never tire of that song and the video does a great job putting images with the lyrics. I am never quite sure what McLean's attitude towards Dylan is since he is the Jester mentioned several times in the song and calling someone a Jester is not usually a compliment.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

I wonder if it was a jab at Dylan from the folkies point of view. Many resented him going "electric". (Maybe they felt abandonded.) I say "from the folkies point of view" since McLean obviously loves rock 'n' roll.

 

[Doctordirt]

Thanks for sharing, Njord. The end of innocence for RnR, and in many ways, for America as well

 

[sfox52]

I have heard that DJ's used to play that one when nature called & they needed that long break!

 

[Sandy G]

He had several other songs I like-"Vincent", "Castles in the Air', & "Wonderful Baby".

 

[mhardy6647]

I thought that the Jester was s'posed to be Mick Jagger, and the apocalyptic parallel to Buddy Holly's death was Altamont.

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Thanks for the info Njord.

 

[spaceman]

Pretty cool, thanx for posting it. :thmbsp:

 

[Tiver]

Pretty good song through and through. Very pleasant to listen to indeed

 

[WhiteSE]

me myself...and me...cant stand that song..

 

[onepixel]

I've seen the video awhile back. Good to see it again. Thanks!

Don McClean is one of my favorites when it comes to a song writer/poet/musician. It's amazing how he manages to poignantly and poetically condenses the landmark events of that era into one song.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

I thought that the Jester was s'posed to be Mick Jagger, and the apocalyptic parallel to Buddy Holly's death was Altamont.

Thinking back on it, that's what I remember being decided back when it came out and The Beatles "Sgt.'s" reference stood out as well.

 

[DaWoofer]

I had seen a short film (edited at that) that claims the sixties era ended with the deaths of Morrison, Joplin and Hendrix. Crazy times for sure.

 

[chuckworkb]

me myself...and me...cant stand that song..

What he said

I never liked the song. I had friends who would play it over and over and over.

Maybe that's why.

 

[terapin]

...I am never quite sure what McLean's attitude towards Dylan is since he is the Jester mentioned several times in the song and calling someone a Jester is not usually a compliment.

But didn't Dylan sometimes perform in mime's white face, and dress in a manner that evoked a jester look? I think I saw some photos of him live, just after he went electric, where he wasn't actually dressed as a jester, but it had that feeling. Maybe I'm remembering wrong; does this ring a bell for anyone? :scratch2:

 

[day67]

Funny this comes up. I just got the LP (used and not in goog shape, disappointing) and hadn't heard it in decades. It's some of the other songs that grabbed me. Crossroad and Grave come to mind. Dated but nonetheless moving. I poked around his website or someone's and found the commentary mentioned above. Anyone know if this LP was ever reproduced like in a 180 gm LP, Classic records??

 

[Wolverine]

I thought that the Jester was s'posed to be Mick Jagger, and the apocalyptic parallel to Buddy Holly's death was Altamont.

No the Jester is Dylan. Remeber the line that says something about the Jester on the sideline in a cast. If memory serves me Dylan had a motorcycle accident in which he broke his leg. Jagger is referenced with the line about Jumpin Jack flash......

 

[VinylHanger]

Odd and silly as it is, that song is one of the reasons I drive Chevys. American Pie is one of those songs that just sticks in your psyche.

 

[NYListens]

Odd and silly as it is, that song is one of the reasons I drive Chevys. American Pie is one of those songs that just sticks in your psyche.

How often do you drive to the levee?