The Meaning of American Pie

[ShadeToSun]

"While the players tried to take the field the marching band refused to yield" I'm guessing this is a reference the the Kent State shootings? Not sure if the timing is right, if not, what is it a reference to?

[RogerHWerner]

Amerian Pie was released in 1972. Kent State was in 1969.

[ShadeToSun]

@RogerHWerner So, do you think the line is about the Kent State Shootings then?

[RogerHWerner]

It'shard to say. So much of this song concerns the 1960s so why not Kent State? It was certainly a seminal event from that decade, a decade that began with such promise and end so abysmally. I lived it so my sentiments are first hand but naturally an opinion.

[ShadeToSun]

@RogerHWerner Well, that being said, and metaphorically speaking, join me in a prayer that the 'Occupy' movement will end will less violence and better results.

[RogerHWerner]

I sincerely hope OWS movements remain nonviolent.I'd however note that this is almost entirely in the hand of authorities.From what I've seen, and I've seen dozens of live video, virtually all OWS violence has been initiated by authorities not the OWS movement.This situation is a repeat of the 1999 Battle of Seattle, when the mayor and his P.D. overreacted and caused a riot.Today, police in full riot gear and their use of intimidation tactics are more of a treat then protesters.

[xplore30]

Very nice job, and I had no problem understanding them.

[lta603]

does anyone else think that when theyre tlkin bout the marching bang and the players takin the feild marshall 1970 plane crash...? or is tht just me

[chuanist]

Well Done!

[Dan97LHS]

Preston and Peter, you gentlemen did a terrific job on this project. I have spent a long time myself thinking about what some of the lyrics meant in this epic song but you guys did fantastic. I hope you are both proud of the hard work you accomplished. You should be very proud.

[jlca320]

As a child of the 60s I just wanted say yall did a great job with this vid. The song is a great song about the times and I think you nailed the meaning as best as anyone except maybe Don himself.

[chivalryalive]

Very good, in depth, analysis of a great tune... and some very hard times for that generation. Well done!

[mrgpk]

It is about the Plane Crash in Iowa in 1959 that Killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Jiles J.P. Richardson. That Three Rock Legends were Lost and that Day Changed the Rock World for ever.

[brodeurheaton]

Very well done

[abcdcoop]

Wow I am a 45 year old silly girl lol. Most of the songs references I thought I got , but the one that obviously I did not link "... Lennon read a book on Marx". I ALWAYS thought it refered to the two russian dudes Lennon and Marx lol

[bradenBCCRFC]

@abcdcoop Karl Marx isnt Russian but Lenin is.

[waketheoblivious]

"As the King was looking down the Jester stole his thorny crown" and "as I saw him on the stage, my hands were clinched in fits of rage" also refers to Dylan. Falsely rumored a Prophet, Dylan's public disclosure is denied and ignored. Shelter from the Storm is a haunting metaphor, "if I could turn back the clock to the day when God and her were born, come in she said I'll give ya, shelter from the storm". Dylan, is falsely crucified for making amends with He who was crucified.

[albuorkka]

Thank you very much. I had troubles too understanding some parts

[mikenyork]

Congratulations on a well-made and informative video. Always had wondered about the lyrics, even as I loved listening to the song. Thank you for doing this

[naralaplap]

I think the true interpretation for this song is when the British pop artists came to invade the American pop and rock and roll most specially the Beatles.

Beatles did rhythm & blues = America Dig that rhythm & blues (Chuck berry, buddy hollies, elvis, raycharles, ect.)

"The coat barrowed from james dean" obviously beatles always have coats

The jester sang for the king and queen = obviously royal country "england"

=)

[vuwanl]

Please U forgot: The players tried to take the field But the Marching band refused to yield. DO YOU RECALL WHAT WAS REVEALED What was revealed......................­........................ The True state of the USA, the Marching band, natioan guards, shooting at PLAYERS, the students...... The music died and lost innocents at the end of the '60 s What was revealed....... ? The end of freedom for youth ?

[waketheoblivious]

@vuwanl

You isolated the most important line in the entire song "do you recall what was revealed?" In 1963 "JFK's Famous Speech" he revealed a "Monolithic Global Conspiracy", literally begging the Media to help him expose it.

[CJNovello]

thank you for this boys :)

[hootavoota]

cfa.harvard.edu/~jdevor/links/­TheMeaningOfAmericanPie.htm

[Pavouk106]

You should write it down (in description). In some sections, it's not so understandable (and I would like to understand ;-) )

[ComputerGeek27]

This is truly one of the best songs ever produced and written! This is a great video! Thanks for posting!

[pufferat]

Really good job on my favorite song/ poem ever!

[Bondianwolf]

Garvin and Collum did an admirable job with their interpretation. Spot on. One thing they missed was the religious references at the beginning . . . "Does the bible tell you so?" . . . . "Can music save your mortal soul?" These are references to powerful religious icons of the time claiming that rock n roll was corrupting the youth of America . . . it's also a reference to "Little Richard" Penniman and his decision (at the height of his career) to become a Born Again Christian and Preacher.

[312007TheMotley]

dont listen to the jealous ones guys, its great. sasmanwayne is just mad cuz he didnt do it first.

[Liteninbug]

I think you did a great job! If I was your teacher I'd give you an A+++! Good work and research!

[muclesmarinara]

You missed one. "do you believe in rock n roll?" relates to the song "do you believe in magic? by The Lovin Spoonfull.

[sicamousman]

This is the most intelligent interpretation of Don McLean's lyrics. I applaud you on a job well done. Here is something not mentioned though. Miss American Pie was the name of the plane.

[Changer01]

pronounciation...

[lovemarch09]

The people who interpeted this video did it for themselves so if you do not like it don't watch it, and go be inmature jerks somewhere else.

[kizuame]

I think its important for people to know that in Don's early years, he was playing on a playground when a piece of a falling plane landed on and killed his friend. Due to this accident he was frightened of planes. During his touring with the legendary group he found out that Buddy Holly had a phobia of planes also. When the time that they had to ride on planes, they could only hold a maximum of 3. So Don McLean rode on one while the others rode on another.

[kizuame]

@kizuame When flying Buddy, The Big Bopper and Ritchie's plane crashed. (Then you covered the rest.)

[charlie44441]

@kizuame Ahhh....No. I highly doubt Don McLean was old enough to even know Buddy Holly at the time but regardless, he was never the one who didn't get on the plane. It is known who was supposed to get on the plane (though the name escapes me), but because he lost a coin flip with Ritchie Valens, he is still alive today....51 years later.

[312007TheMotley]

@charlie44441

i belive that was to be our famous willey nelson ^_^

[rockinredneck57]

@charlie44441 Waylon Jennings was supposed to be on the plane. Valens had a bad cold and the plane had a heater, the bus did not. Waylon too is now dead.

[RunWithTheShadows]

we watched this in mrs.sturms language arts class because we r doin our poetry unit and songs are a type of poetry in a way. this song waz her example to the class. we are goin behind sum poetry4 a deeper meanin than wat u may get at first and this is perfect 4 tht

[intamajong]

you re speaking to fast

[Andrewcv44]

Really interesting! Thanks Guys!!

Teacher how about doing your own work! You can then speak exactly as you require.

[TheGrifflish]

May i speculate that the kicking off of the shoes was actually sex? Loss of innocence? Too far? Maybe...

[cybershane]

Good interpretation, but you missed something. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost refers to Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, respectively... (the beat generation of the 50's and the psychodelic movement of the 60's)

[darklord2626]

@cybershane did you not hear him? it could be a lot of thing..i think the father son and the holy ghost refers to holly, vallens and the big bobber..cause the next line is...they caught the last train for the coast the day the music died..refering to there death...plus the whole song is dedicated to them..so this theory makes sense

[MetalHeadTyeDye]

this video leaves out so much and is wrong in some ways

[lonewolf71730]

OMG; Don McLean didn't know it (I hope) but he did this song about today's political disaster. If you remember that American "pie" is actually the American "dream" the song takes on a whole new meaning.

[freestylee19]

"You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me... sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence."

DON MCLEAN

[Mickjazzman]

@freestylee19

[furcollar]

@freestylee19 You are classic, no explanations needed, we just love the music. Thanks.

[MemphisRogue]

This is a very well thought out interpretation, and I don't believe that critiques should be on the quality of the voice overs on the posting, but on the content. We literally spent 2 weeks in Bible/theogy coving this song in the 80's so cut them some slack.

[hungarophile]

great job

[ShowmetheBlues]

my god bob dylan the byrds beatles and that helter skelter guy, woodstock the rolling stones no wonder i had such a big feeling that this song was brilliant thank you for posting this great video i shall now learn how to sing the song :)

[Dan97LHS]

I've always loved this song. And that Helter Skelter guy is Charles Manson, who remains in prison at the age of 75.

[tikizzia1981]

how come noone had posted the second part ,  is long and with nice lyrics too Where is it??

[strangenorm]

You guys should of refined the audio track and as Wicked previously stated you should have added some subtitles. Plus all your audio the song and the voice over becomes overmodulated several times over the course of the piece.

But, so I don't sound completely negative its good writing wise. You guys hit all the key metaphors in the song and delivered them entertainingly.

[WickeddekciW]

would be good to have subtitles, as I hardly can understand you speaking that fast.

[corruptsoul69]

Thank you for a very informative and thought provoking piece of not only rock 'n' roll history but American history as well. Up ntil now I was only familiar with th references to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. I never knew the lyrics also made reference to such rock iluminaries as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.

Thank you also for helping me to recall some rather fond memories of my beloved late mother. Kudos to you both !

[brotherskeeper7]

Thank you for posting this. Yes, the world that we live in today is a lot different, less innocent. The music, movies, even the TV shows on regular TV is not safe anymore, not for familys of kids.

This song is long and enjoyable, I remember istening to it in 1970 or 1971, as my daddy drove down Hwy 67 in Dallas, Texas. I understood the reference to Buddy Holly, but not the others, not until now. Thank you for this intrepretation, it has opened my eyes, helped me to remember.

[commonman80]

Wrong answer. sorry try again

[StrangeAttractor1]

I appreciate this video a lot, but sometime I can barely hear the commentator whispered and mumbled. Can you guys just articulate out next time?

[sasmanwayne]

This song was about the loss of innocence of America - - and reading abusive comments on here by Americans confirms that the innocence has long gone. Everyone is soooooo aggresive - calling each other dumb ass - the f word all over the place - egotistical twats who cant comment without being abusive and aggresive - and children - yes children - claiming to have insight into something that happened 25 years before they were born. The people who died for your freedom are turning in their graves.

[PantheraAtrox]

This was one of the best comment I ever read on you Tube.

You sumed it up perfectly.

People clearly lost the art of compassion.

[sasmanwayne]

Surely the Helter Skelter reference is about the murder of Sharon Tate by Charles Manson - he said he was'inspired' to do it by the Beatles song.

Someone wrote that Dylan wasnt known for comedy - the first time I heard any Dylan was in Change Alley in Singapore in 1965 on leave from Viet Nam. There was a song playing which was a very funny parody in the film Psycho - I've been a Dylan fan since then - when asked to define his singing style Dylan replied that he was just a song and dance man!

[sasmanwayne]

I'd love to use this in my class at school but cant. Why not? Because the commentary is gabbled through in a disinterested American accent. Of course I concede that an American iconic song SHOULD be explained by an American, and that by definition that means he/she WILL have an American accent - but there are over a billion people on the internet and only 300+ million of them are Americans so PLEASE, try to consider that not everyone can understand an American accent when it is just gabbled.

[nuclearclaymation]

well this was done for my history class, not necessarily for the billions of people on the internet. sorry if we werent articulate enough

[LILYBELL1959]

@nuclearclaymation - who's the ignorant fool called "sasmanwayne"? no matter what accent used, if you take the time to listen, you will hear!. your excuse that the American accent stops you from doing this is just pitiful!...& by wanting to use the brilliant & hard work done by another, in "your class at school" confirms the problem may actually be your own lack of talent & initiative, combined with laziness! you are lucky the voice-over was not one of us Aussies we'd really have you bitchin'!

[emike1211]

@nuclearclaymation nicely done, and what the heck does "gabbled" mean?

[grizzam87]

your a duech bag.

[elynocente]

@sasmanwayne Its obvious that the kids werent making the video for the dorks who wouldnt understand their accents. Did you think they were commissioned by pbs? For a teacher, you seem pretty vacant. Good job boys on the interpretation.

[elynocente]

@sasmanwayne I dont know who began teaching our kids that they need to worry so much about what the queer-bait Europeans think of us, and who gives a flying ____ about the Arabs. Yahooo!!!!!

[lovemarch09]

@sasmanwayne Did these guys commentate the video for you? No, so should they post a video in a billon different languages just so everyone can understand it?If you want a different voice look for a different video and stop complaining that every video is not in your language or accent.

[mattfreaknparker]

@sasmanwayne damn youre a dick. i bet everyone hates you.

[codemonkeybrains]

@sasmanwayne I know this is a year later, but I'm American and I can't understand half of what their saying either. They sound like stoners who slur their speech. Otherwise, interesting video.

[indaz1]

@sasmanwayne well the what 700 + million better step it up and learn americanese

[ginlin2171]

@sasmanwayne First of all you need to look up the definition of gabble. It means to utter meaningless sounds or talk unintelligibly. This is most definitely NOT what these boys are doing. They are very knowledgeable about this subject. They should not change the way the talk, or their American accent, just because you can't understand it. How about make your own video for class instead of stealing others then complaining about it.

[surfin02081]

@exc123 ,

Say you dumb Fuck ... I Dont want to shatter your revisionist history but ... I WILL!  There's a documentary out called 'GIMME SHELTER", OR YOU CAN YOU TUBE IT .. IT'S GOT THE KILLING RIGHT ON FILM ,AND YOU SEE THE BONEHEAD GOING AFTER JAGGER WITH A GUN.. and the Angel Stabs him.. That's why they are head of security at most of the ROLLING STONES CONCERTS TO THIS DAY.. I love calling fools out with the facts

[MsStaciejm]

@surfin02081

You're right on the money...I've watched that documentary waaaay too many times in the dead of night lol! It's pretty freaky watching the Angels take that guy down...and then seeing the Stones realizing what has gone down.

[sasmanwayne]

WHY????????

Is that how your small mind gets its kicks. 'calling fools out'

You could try to educate without destroying or abusing.

NO DARK SARCASM IN THE CLASSROOM or are you just someone who has an immature need to be 'right'?

In the Sixties people sat around and discussed things - sensibly most of the time! These days you're not happy unless your abusing someone - usually in bad English - you've created a generation that wants to live in a world without consequences or manners.

[noahah93]

@ sasmanwayne , I love you. ha

[the1musiclad]

sasmanwayne - you're complaining about people being abusive but you're no better.

"Everyone is soooooo aggresive - calling each other dumb ass - the f word all over the place - EGOTISTICAL TWATS who cant comment without being abusive and aggressive"

this is easily the most hypocritical sentence i've ever heard. (or do you not consider "egotistical twats" abusive or aggressive?)

you do this more than once too but i have a character limit here.

bye bye hypocrite.

[AppleStiks]

It's called life dear. It changes, it sucks. Move on... What are you doing by saying how great it was back then? You can't worry about the past anymore, instead of whining, actually do something about it, otherwise, please shut your mouth.

[jako023]

k dumbass the song was not written by the crickets because it's about buddy holly's death

and it was by don mclean

fuck get your facts straight

btw stop stopping the song to eplain and just put fucking footnotes

[surfin02081]

The narrators wrong , about altama, the man the Angels stabbed was trying to kill Mick Jagger with a gun and the Angels stabbed the man to death.. the song playing at the time was Under My Thumb and not Sympathy For The Devil ..get your fact right .

[exc123]

Big Freakin Deal hireing the Angels waa still stupid and FU!@ the Hells Angels they are A-holes and the Fucked up here Fu!@# them all. Who care what song they were playing they killed a guy and McJagger's life was NOT in jeopardy

[angelflyn2low]

You talk too friggin fast!

[rock6399]

R.I.P. Buddy Holly, 2/3/59, the day the music died.. Thanks for this.. well done.

[Helikid2244]

I thought "and moss grows fat on a rolling stone" refers to the Rolling Stones just in it for the green aka money.

[ringodingo]

And the line: ,,,the Jedi I admire most met up with Darth Maul and now he's toast. I'm still here and he's a ghost.  I guess I'll train this boy.

The singer, a young Obi Wan Kenobi, is relating how Kwi Gon Jin was going to take the boy, Anaican, who would later become Darth Vader, and train him in the ways of the Jedi. When Jin was defeated by Darth Maul, Kenobi decided to train this boy. There's a line that says, "his midichlorians were off the scale." I don't know what that means. ; )

[futurebabe8001]

This was really good. Thanks for sharing this. I was listening to this song, trying to put all the pieces together. You said much I didn't think of.

one comment I didn't see out there: a levee is a place that holds rain water or keeps water from flooding over, and since in the song, it was dry, that speaks of the loss and the thirst of love having been taken away..

Thanks.

[grumpytosnowwhite]

Don McLean refused to say what all the lyrics mean. I think I heard somewhere that he might say what he meant before he dies. but it's my belief that this song could be interpreted many ways. It's obvious that "Them good ol' boys" are Holly, Valens and Richardson, though.

I think something that might have made this video better would be to superimpose your interpretations on the screen while the song plays. It would flow much better that way.

[Pangael]

@Rightfully Reticent,

McLean was pretty reticent himself about exactly what the song meant. And there are a lot of alternate possibilities for the images and symbols in the song.

EdYaekle above says it's about the end of the age of innocence, and I'd agree with that. It's also about the loss of American Rock & Roll to the 'British Invasion' and several other things.

This kind of ambiguity is actually the mark of good poetry, where each listener finds his own meanings.

[EdYaekle]

Very nice, lot's of insight and research.

I believe that all of these things mentioned can be distilled into the essence of one idea: For Mr. McClean, the "Day the Music Died" was the beginning of the end of an age of innocence.

Post war, apple pie America was bound to fall and for Don (and many of us) this was the time and place of it. All of the subsequent events mentioned were also likely to be turning points in the lives of many others (as a culture does not change so readily/easily).

[geebeeman1]

Good analysis! A few more (possible) explanations to add: Miss American Pie--a combination of "Miss America" and "Mom's Apple Pie"..."Drove my Chevy etc." I believe, was in a song from the 1950s. The "players etc.marching band"--the Chicago riots at the Democratic convention in 1968..."In the streets the children screamed" -- the Vietnam War and the famous photo that showed children running in the street, screaming, after their village was accidentally napalmed...???

[Pangael]

Nice job, guys.

I used to assign this to my English classes. We'd listen to it and I'd say, 'Okay, explain this song to me. And remember, I lived through everything mentioned in this song.'

Most of the good ones hit everything you covered. I'd have given this one 100.

[LeBuckeye]

Very nice. I did something like this for AP US History junior year of high school.

Although the Stones were actually playing Under My Thumb when Meredith Hunter was stabbed.

[ootinirox59]

Vladimir Lenin read a book on Karl marx. Jon Lennon was mot a marxist.

[yesdedhed]

I may be wrong but was not Kent state Ohio part of this song natl. guard 3 people killed marching bands the protest at the time ONLY ONLY talking about the part about the maching bands so on so on cause he went through history

[Toydude1984]

Somehow I think that the meaning is going to forever remain a mystery....

[9reasy5am]

Cool theory. There are few things that I can't help but call out. 1.) Is it possible that "Helter Skelter" also refers to the beatles song? 2.) What source did you find that says that John Lennon was Marxist? 3.) In the 60s, wasn't there a tv show called "Lost In Space?"

Other than those 3, great job.

[EdYaekle]

"1.) Is it possible that "Helter Skelter" also refers to the beatles song?"

Helter Skelter was one of several White Album (Beatles) compositions interpreted by Charles Manson as coded prophecies of a war to arise from racial tensions between blacks and whites.

Therefore, while it is a Beatles song the social impact (and likely McCleans interpretation and usage) do actually fall in sync with the Manson theory.

[9reasy5am]

ok, I';ll give you creditfor that. but what about the other stuff I said?

[EdYaekle]

As for the Lenin/Marx thing, I do not know. I would be inclined to believe it is a cold war/space race (temporally and socially relevant) comment about the "big bad Russian bear" more than anything to do with John Lennon.

[EdYaekle]

Your third point: "3.) In the 60s, wasn't there a tv show called "Lost In Space?""

The simple answer is yes. It is a little deeper than just a yes, though. It says "A generation Lost in Space".

Again it speaks to an end of innocence. Being "Lost in Space" is a common term that defines a state of unawareness, walking in the dark or befuddlement; Not knowing what is about to happen. There is a lot more to this verse. Poster Pangael said it's good poetry because of it's open to interpretation.

[Flyniecom]

well done

in relation to the comment below. ya hardly think that don thought dylan was above christ .

excellent interpratation ya left out ginsberg

[LeBronistheKIng]

This is a pretty good breakdown interpretation. However it all but ignores the religious overtones present in the song. For instance the line about while the king was looking down the jester stole his thorny crown Jesus had a crown of thorns not Elvis.

[mmimic34]

no he just needed to fill 2 bars so the pentameter wouldnt be broken.... Lebron is the king hahaha the fuk kinda name is Lebron anyways? dude has enough money i would change my name if i were him

[DawnGinNH]

Very well done...One of my favorite songs.

[irishgeal1]

a fair and logical interpretation

[Pyro5139]

i thought the Hells Angels stabbed a woman, not a man

[hardcoraul]

thank you for posting this

[jayef53]

Also, while Bob Dylan is certainly the Jester, he was never known as a comic singer. He is the Jester because he can play any musical roll. Dylan has played many styles of music. His is "the voice that came from you and me" because he put into song what we were all thinking but could not find the right words for.

The line "While Lennon read a book on Marx" is a pun on the similar names Lennon and Lenin and refers to John Lennon's interest in socialism.

Excellent job. I hope you got an A.

[jayef53]

The idea that "The halftime air was sweet perfume" is about drugs is a valid thought, but I think it means more than that. At the 1968 Democratic Nat'l Convention, Chicago police fired tear gas at protesters. The tear gas is the sweet perfume. The players (who "tried to take the field") are the protesters, and the sergents and the marching band are the police.

[KMocker]

another interpertation is The players are "the monkees" the marching band "Beatles" is "Sergent Pepper" regaining there chart dominence with the realease of that album,

[nuclearclaymation]

@jayef53 I may be wrong but i think the marching band refers to the beatles and the players trying to take the field are other musicians trying to make it through the beatles commotion

[DrCKyle]

@nuclearclaymation It refers to Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart Band

[retrocaz]

well done

[TylerCreasman]

great job guys

[Pathdrc]

Well done.

[jillcorr]

Excellent!

[giraffeeater]

amazing work guys. i thoroughly enjoyed this analysis!

[Alisterwolf66]

Nicely done!

[puckpasser]

i still love the older rock & roll ... this was good but anyone born before the 60's knew a lot of the connotations to the lyrics. still excellent.

thumbs up !

[shabonbon07]

thanks for making this! very well done. :)

[bfsnumber1fanwoop]

"lennon read a book on marx" refers to john lennon looking like groucho marx

[dslugger6]

i can see were you get that but the spelling is lennin spelled like the russian leader

[bfsnumber1fanwoop]

hmm didnt notice that, well interpreted i thought of john lennon cos its about music

[Imdill3]

Good Job Guys.

[yfm192]

great analysis but the rolling stones were NOT playing sympathy for the devil when meredith hunter died but Under my Thumb. Nonetheless, a great analysis of the song.

[runnybabbit12]

all the stuff about players and marching band is about the college riot where 4 college students died right?

[KLRabstracts]

thank you for being more thorough than others with your research. there have been some previous youtube vids studying the song. However, what you've posted shows that what Don McLean was a documentary. Thank you again. I have suscribed. ;)

[denniskussinich08]

while it may be true that the Stones played at Candle Stick quite a bit, the real reason that line about the stadium was put in was because Jagger had originally planned to have the "altimont" concert at Candlestick Park.

[Jaredneslo]

wow i didnt relize there was so much behind one of my fav songs

[guanaquil]

hella goood song

[pepsiman456]

you missed alot of stuff i noticed.. no offence but im pretty sure the old lonestar video explains it more in depth about some other things.. what i get outa this song is its a story of like all of the 60's but hey what do i know..

[nuclearclaymation]

yeah i know. a major one i didnt include was the marching band referring to the beatles in the sgt. peppers lonely hearts club band. im sure i missed more than that but theres tons of different ways you can interpret some of his lyrics. keep in mind that my friend and i were in 8th grade when we did this project so im sure theres lot's of mistakes

[phoamsw0rd13]

it could be tons of guys, but who was it who read markz

[yungceezy10]

r u sure he wasnt refering to Vladimir Lenin? lenin was heavily infulenced by Das KApital

[nuclearclaymation]

it could have been but the song was mainly about rock and roll so i didnt see why they would put lenin read a book on marx. it made more sense to me when i found out that lennon was interested in some marxist ideas.

[ARShadduck]

I think both interpretations are valid and most likely double entendre used to evoke both meanings. It was true that Lennon was later investigated for so called Communist involvement.

So much of this song is laced with layers of meaning that apply simultaneously .

The Trinity reference, I believe, is correct when applied to JFK (father), Bobby (son), and King (holy ghost). The "Train" is a metaphor for the funeral processions.

[metalliclark]

so is all this information confirmed, did you get it from other websites?

[QustionAuthority1506]

Lennon studied Marx, but he wasn't a Marxist.

[chazza950]

actually he was he thought that equallity would mean no one thought anyone was different thus no more wars

[yungceezy10]

u cant say he wasnt infuenced. that would be ludacris

[nuclearclaymation]

yeah he didnt support marxism as much as he was just interested in some of the ideas of it, wrong choice of words on our part

[selenio999]

GREAT WORK

[donalniger]

absolutely fantastic

[jim1088]

I loved that song the first time I heard it. Thank you for your contribution.

[meltab27]

Whoa amazing! Thanks so much!

[korleonis]

Very good. thank you for the hard work.

[patrickpjfan]

I hope this one stays up. Seems they are pulling these down. Great job on this video.

[jfq722]

Good job! Definitely an A+

[IvarForkbeard]

Very well done guys!

[TheLeprichaun]

This was your history day project, wich got an a+!

[jasamislife18]

this is my favorite interpretation so far! i really enjoyed it, thanks! :)

[harshbargers]

Nice Job Guy's