When I decided to write this call for content, I was faced with a terrible dilemma. Writing about the meaning of my "favorite" song? That would be pretty difficult to narrow down. I'm not exactly a spring chicken, and
there are so many "favorites" that I can barely choose just one. However, I would say that my all-time favorite song would be "American Pie" by Don McLean.
I was but a sixteen year old when the song was first released in 1972, and it struck a chord with me and all my friends. I still remember singing it (as a friendly gang) while walking down the street at night. And I was so enamored of it, I wrote an article on the song in my school newspaper.
Being the consummate songwriter/storyteller, Don McLean wove parts of his own life into the song. Mentions of "every paper I'd deliver" were because he was a paperboy back in February 1959 when the plane went down in Iowa, killing Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. Supposedly he was dating a Miss America contestant, so the reference to "Miss American Pie." There are also many references to songs, including:
McLean's line "This'll be the day that I die." to Buddy Holly's line "That'll be the day that I die."
McLean's line "Did you write the book of love" to the Monotones line "Who wrote the book of love."
I was but a sixteen year old when the song was first released in 1972, and it struck a chord with me and all my friends. I still remember singing it (as a friendly gang) while walking down the street at night. And I was so enamored of it, I wrote an article on the song in my school newspaper.
Being the consummate songwriter/storyteller, Don McLean wove parts of his own life into the song. Mentions of "every paper I'd deliver" were because he was a paperboy back in February 1959 when the plane went down in Iowa, killing Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. Supposedly he was dating a Miss America contestant, so the reference to "Miss American Pie." There are also many references to songs, including:
McLean's line "This'll be the day that I die." to Buddy Holly's line "That'll be the day that I die."
McLean's line "Did you write the book of love" to the Monotones line "Who wrote the book of love."
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Joanna Lopez
02/03/2010
Great article,
I love this song. I love the references. My favorite line is "Three miles high and and falling fast." (I think that is in the end?). Your interpretation of the song must be right b/c I always what you thought. However, I did hear someone saying that the song is about a young man thinking back on his childhood or teenagehood on his way to Vietnam. Great writing. Bye
Kathleen McDade
02/17/2008
I really like this song, too.
DrDevience
02/14/2008
I pimped you here: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/the-70s/
DrDevience
02/14/2008
(My hands ache so please pardon smilie faces...) - ;>
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