right after the bit about Janis the music wouldn't play refers to the fact large amounts of people preferred to purchase albums by simon and garfunkle and Chicago rock band instead of Janis and Jimi and of course all the fifties rock and rollers and so it did not pay for record companies to make their records anymore lennon reading a (one) book about Karl Marx shows what a dilantant or lightweight he really was.
There are sooooooooo many interpretations of this song around. I'm 65 and we we're trying to figure this song out 40 years ago! I wonder if McLean has his secret stored in a vault marked "Open at my death"? We'll just have to wait and see...
Whoever put this together... as an editor I can appreciate all the research and cuts that went into the production. Thanks!
I grew up with all sorts of music, records all over the house of almost every genre you could imagine, and out of all of them, I have to say this is the saddest song ever written.
It's one of those songs you have to sit down and LISTEN, and you'll feel it's impact.
@rebelrose2013 Insightful. For me, it's sad ... but only to a point. I prefer to get lost in the fond memory that the music holds. This song is certainly personal. And I'm glad that you both found it and took the time to let it resonate in your mind.
I agree that the words of the song are indeed sad. What makes it so extraordinary is that ti takes lyrics that are sad and combines it with a melody and tempo that is incredibly upbeat. I think it is this combination that makes the song so compelling.
I was reading Waylons bio just recently and he said that the Big bopper had a flu and asked him for his seat. He said ok. And that Ricky Valence lost the coin toss. That was the only discrepancy I saw. But what do I know. Great vid
it seems like your really stretching for some of these references...i think its as simple as the time period which all surrounds the day music died...late 50's ya dig
good video, I think the reference to the quartet practising in the park could be the quartet of the rolling stones who played in hyde park london , which I attended, only 3 days after losing brian jones. the implication being they were unconsciously preparing for altamont 6 months later which is central to the focus of the song. also I think maybe the dirges in the dark may be the dirge like paint it black, which was a precursor to sympathy for the devil.
I love this song. It has so much meaning, and for McLean to not reveal what it really means, i think the song means more and it adds mystery and more thought. because if the meaning was obvious then everyone would know and not care about it, but since he didn't tell, you definitly have to listen to it and think about it. Who knows who the jester refers to, and who knows who satan refers to. Only him. That probably was his goal. To make people think.
@ThePhoenixfire94 Yes, many think that Jagger is the Jester. To support your theory look at these lyrics ... "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's spell/ And as the flames climbed high into the night ..." Certainly sounds like it could be the Stones at Altamont.
The fact is, McLean never divulges what he mean's, which is of the reasons the song is so great. Dylan or Jagger ... its up to us. It's personal.
@TLeemail The part you quoted is about The Stones at Altamont, but the jester is Bob Dylan, who became king America's king of rock while Elvis was in the military.
@TLeemail The Jester must be Bob Dylan because he "sang in a voice that came from you and me"(Bob Dylan was called the voice of a generation)
The jester ended up "on the sidelines in a cast" (Bob Dylan had a bad motorcycle crash and didn't tour or make appearances for quite some time after.)
"As I watched him on the stage/my hands were clenched in fists of rage" could be a reference to Bob Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival and abandoning the Folk/protest scene.
@spot4life14 I'm impressed by how many people who weren't even alive when this was recorded have not only found it, but have enjoyed it and ponder it's meaning. It's one thing to disagree and to debate, but rude, adolescent remarks such as yours won't be tolerated here. And to think that you're actually older than most of these viewers who have bothered to comment speaks volumes. I'll still hold out hope for you.
That being said, my personal take on it is that "Satan" is indeed "Jagger".
Look I'm sorry. But after listening to my aunt's and grandfather's strong opinions on these meanings, I get very heated when I hear/see and opinion I think is wrong(just like my aunt and grandfather.)
@spot4life14 No ignorance on your part. You expressed an opinion about the song & how you interpret it. Your thoughts are welcome. I just take offense to the name calling. On 1/14/72 Life Magazine ran a story on the song & interviewed McLean who was quoted as saying, "I can't necessarily interpret American Pie any better than you can." If he's OK with various interpretations of it, we should be too. Glad you enjoy the song, & that your Aunt & Grandfather perhaps sparked that appreciation.
Thanks TL!! This was one of my favorite vids and was sad when it was gone.
As for the song: this is the greates song of the 20th century. That doesn't mean it is my favorite, tho it is def in my top 5 or 10. No, it is the geatest because it defines America so well. Truly, every junior high student should watch this as part of their US History lessons.
"and while the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown, the court room was adjourned, no verdict was returned, and while Lennon read a b ook on (Groucho) Marx....How come nobody has ever figured out this is a reference to John Lennon's "more popular than Christ" statement?
Pretty good interpretation of the song. But I always thought the jester changes during the song. Starts out as Dylan, then the Beatles, Byrds, Stones, Joplin, etc. take the stage....
Don McLean has never said that he was referring to Bob Dylan, but most people believe that he is. Dylan referred to "jesters, clowns and jokers" in a number of his songs. "Wedding Song" is one example.
Love this song, and loved the video when i first saw it. I came to look at it again, but somethings seem a little different, has anything been changed from the original?
I saw "the original" about 3 yrs ago. Then a year or so ago I saw it again, and the creator said in his notes that he had "updated" it. I remember at the time not really catching where it had been changed, but that there was something about it that didn't quite flow as well as the original. This is the only version that I could find anywhere, and I'm thinking that it's the updated one. Still a great piece.
I'm glad you're all enjoying this, and thank you for the kind comments. I was fortunate to have seen Don McLean sing this live at the Roxy in Hollywood in the late 70's. I really wish that I could give credit to the creator of this video. Hopefully they're ok with me re-posting it.
right after the bit about Janis the music wouldn't play refers to the fact large amounts of people preferred to purchase albums by simon and garfunkle and Chicago rock band instead of Janis and Jimi and of course all the fifties rock and rollers and so it did not pay for record companies to make their records anymore lennon reading a (one) book about Karl Marx shows what a dilantant or lightweight he really was.
atfatw 1 month ago
I think that American Pie refers to the lost innocence of America...bye bye American Pie
jammin6816 2 months ago
There are sooooooooo many interpretations of this song around. I'm 65 and we we're trying to figure this song out 40 years ago! I wonder if McLean has his secret stored in a vault marked "Open at my death"? We'll just have to wait and see...
Whoever put this together... as an editor I can appreciate all the research and cuts that went into the production. Thanks!
cnmatl7 4 months ago
Thank you for re-posting, this video is a work of historical and poetic genius...perhaps anyone who says otherwise cannot appreciate simple beauty.
lorenzo2u 4 months ago
1 person hates buddy holly :c
Anarchist866 6 months ago
I grew up with all sorts of music, records all over the house of almost every genre you could imagine, and out of all of them, I have to say this is the saddest song ever written.
It's one of those songs you have to sit down and LISTEN, and you'll feel it's impact.
rebelrose2013 8 months ago 2
@rebelrose2013 Insightful. For me, it's sad ... but only to a point. I prefer to get lost in the fond memory that the music holds. This song is certainly personal. And I'm glad that you both found it and took the time to let it resonate in your mind.
TLeemail 8 months ago
I agree that the words of the song are indeed sad. What makes it so extraordinary is that ti takes lyrics that are sad and combines it with a melody and tempo that is incredibly upbeat. I think it is this combination that makes the song so compelling.
RogerHWerner 3 months ago
I was reading Waylons bio just recently and he said that the Big bopper had a flu and asked him for his seat. He said ok. And that Ricky Valence lost the coin toss. That was the only discrepancy I saw. But what do I know. Great vid
edie1791 8 months ago
it seems like your really stretching for some of these references...i think its as simple as the time period which all surrounds the day music died...late 50's ya dig
88bigev 9 months ago
good video, I think the reference to the quartet practising in the park could be the quartet of the rolling stones who played in hyde park london , which I attended, only 3 days after losing brian jones. the implication being they were unconsciously preparing for altamont 6 months later which is central to the focus of the song. also I think maybe the dirges in the dark may be the dirge like paint it black, which was a precursor to sympathy for the devil.
puddypuss 1 year ago
nice to see this back online. I made it several years ago
lonestarsound 1 year ago
@lonestarsound For real? You're they guy that made this? When?
TheFoxGroup 1 year ago
I love this song. It has so much meaning, and for McLean to not reveal what it really means, i think the song means more and it adds mystery and more thought. because if the meaning was obvious then everyone would know and not care about it, but since he didn't tell, you definitly have to listen to it and think about it. Who knows who the jester refers to, and who knows who satan refers to. Only him. That probably was his goal. To make people think.
slh0997 1 year ago 2
@slh0997 Wow. Just saw this after you posting it a year ago. Great points, and I couldn't agree more.
TLeemail 8 months ago
Evidently, John Lennon must have been reading a book on Marx while he was also practicing with his band - the Beatles.
Who ever said you cant do two things at once?
iskandar1111 1 year ago
How could Lenin read a book on Marx WHILE the Beatles were practicing in the park at the same time. By the 1960s, Lenin was long dead.
So he couldn't have meant Lenin, because Lenin was dead by the time the Beatles were practicing in the park. He must have meant John Lennon.
iskandar1111 1 year ago
I just want to inform u the jester does not refer to bob dylan it is talking about mick jagger
ThePhoenixfire94 2 years ago
@ThePhoenixfire94 Yes, many think that Jagger is the Jester. To support your theory look at these lyrics ... "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's spell/ And as the flames climbed high into the night ..." Certainly sounds like it could be the Stones at Altamont.
The fact is, McLean never divulges what he mean's, which is of the reasons the song is so great. Dylan or Jagger ... its up to us. It's personal.
TLeemail 2 years ago
@TLeemail The part you quoted is about The Stones at Altamont, but the jester is Bob Dylan, who became king America's king of rock while Elvis was in the military.
TheGreenAstro 1 year ago
@TLeemail The Jester must be Bob Dylan because he "sang in a voice that came from you and me"(Bob Dylan was called the voice of a generation)
The jester ended up "on the sidelines in a cast" (Bob Dylan had a bad motorcycle crash and didn't tour or make appearances for quite some time after.)
"As I watched him on the stage/my hands were clenched in fists of rage" could be a reference to Bob Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival and abandoning the Folk/protest scene.
muclesmarinara 8 months ago
the jester is bob dylan jackass. mick jagger is satan dipshit
spot4life14 2 years ago
@spot4life14 I'm impressed by how many people who weren't even alive when this was recorded have not only found it, but have enjoyed it and ponder it's meaning. It's one thing to disagree and to debate, but rude, adolescent remarks such as yours won't be tolerated here. And to think that you're actually older than most of these viewers who have bothered to comment speaks volumes. I'll still hold out hope for you.
That being said, my personal take on it is that "Satan" is indeed "Jagger".
TLeemail 2 years ago 3
Look I'm sorry. But after listening to my aunt's and grandfather's strong opinions on these meanings, I get very heated when I hear/see and opinion I think is wrong(just like my aunt and grandfather.)
Please forgive my ignorance
spot4life14 1 year ago
@spot4life14 No ignorance on your part. You expressed an opinion about the song & how you interpret it. Your thoughts are welcome. I just take offense to the name calling. On 1/14/72 Life Magazine ran a story on the song & interviewed McLean who was quoted as saying, "I can't necessarily interpret American Pie any better than you can." If he's OK with various interpretations of it, we should be too. Glad you enjoy the song, & that your Aunt & Grandfather perhaps sparked that appreciation.
TLeemail 1 year ago 2
Please always repost this somehow I love it. I'd buy it from you on dvd if you'd let me.
baddteeth 2 years ago
thanks for the repost!!!!!!! Much appreciated!
mtaj1981 2 years ago
thanks for uploading it. can i download it for personal archive?
ODONBARRERAASPIRAS 2 years ago
best ube video ever. deccccent
5batmankam 2 years ago
"Jester on the sidelines in a cast: likely refers to Bob Dylan's motorcycle accident in 1966.
guinness13 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
spot4life14 2 years ago
Thanks TL!! This was one of my favorite vids and was sad when it was gone.
As for the song: this is the greates song of the 20th century. That doesn't mean it is my favorite, tho it is def in my top 5 or 10. No, it is the geatest because it defines America so well. Truly, every junior high student should watch this as part of their US History lessons.
Thanks again for reviving it!
80sVidLover 2 years ago
great interpretation.
ChanneltoSubscribe 2 years ago
"with the jester on the sidelines in a cast", could this be a reference to joe Namath? McClean was NY afterall.
keithespin 2 years ago
"and while the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown, the court room was adjourned, no verdict was returned, and while Lennon read a b ook on (Groucho) Marx....How come nobody has ever figured out this is a reference to John Lennon's "more popular than Christ" statement?
keithespin 2 years ago
Pretty good interpretation of the song. But I always thought the jester changes during the song. Starts out as Dylan, then the Beatles, Byrds, Stones, Joplin, etc. take the stage....
keithespin 2 years ago
Why is bob dylan refered to as the jester?
polishgrl87 2 years ago
Don McLean has never said that he was referring to Bob Dylan, but most people believe that he is. Dylan referred to "jesters, clowns and jokers" in a number of his songs. "Wedding Song" is one example.
TLeemail 2 years ago
oh, okay thanks!
polishgrl87 2 years ago
i can't believe this only has 804 views. this is probably one of the top videos you can find on youtube.
jrass820thebagboy 2 years ago
Love this song, and loved the video when i first saw it. I came to look at it again, but somethings seem a little different, has anything been changed from the original?
noahah93 2 years ago
I saw "the original" about 3 yrs ago. Then a year or so ago I saw it again, and the creator said in his notes that he had "updated" it. I remember at the time not really catching where it had been changed, but that there was something about it that didn't quite flow as well as the original. This is the only version that I could find anywhere, and I'm thinking that it's the updated one. Still a great piece.
TLeemail 2 years ago
I'm glad you're all enjoying this, and thank you for the kind comments. I was fortunate to have seen Don McLean sing this live at the Roxy in Hollywood in the late 70's. I really wish that I could give credit to the creator of this video. Hopefully they're ok with me re-posting it.
TLeemail 2 years ago
thx for reposting, that;s really great video...
koper2211 2 years ago
Thanks for re-posting.... Very appropriate to share this today - 51 years after The Music Died...
ShelKuna 2 years ago
Thanks, I was wondering where this went. 5/5 obviously
Kurzickmushroom 2 years ago