This is amazing; the meaning of the song is now clear and the way Mclean wrote the lyrics to fit the events is incredible... always loved this song and I'm 13
A little known fact is that the plane carrying Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson A.K.A. The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, was actually named American Pie.
@kleppy12: And Candlestick Park was the final public concert for The Beatles as well -- Aug. 29, 1966 (other than the Rooftops sessions of Jan. 31, 1969).
I think it should be another picture at 7:07 he says something about children crying in the streets and there's a picture of vietnamies children crying in the streets! but it's still a great video and i f-in love it!!
the picture of the children crying in the streets, is a reference to the massacre at kent state university in ohio, where 4 protesters where killed by military called in by president nixon
i read this one thing that the levee was a bar near where McLean grew up and by it being "dry"meaning it had no liquor and that i also heard two meanings for singing this will be the day that i day one being that buddy hollys song thatll be the day and that was the day and the other was that singing and you have to sing to have music and singing this will be the day that i die and is trying to be ironic trying to mean that music is singing saying that it was dying
I learned about some of the meaning behind this in music class a few years ago(about the plane crash namely). Thanks for this; it made me cry. :')
To those that may want to call some of these wrong, it is all based on interpretation which is never wrong; Don Mclean didn't say what he was inspired by for each part and left it to our interpretation so that we could get the most meaning out of it for our individual lives.
Thank you, that must have taken you quite a while. I didn't know ANY of that I just had to look up this song and learn how to play it for guitar class.
uhh you completely left out the kent state massacre part "the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield.." how could you leave that out?
As far as I understood, and I may be wrong, the reference "the players tried to take the field" had nothing to do with the Kent State incident but rather the British Invasion where bands from Europe were dominating the radio at the time.
"The Marching Band Refused To Yeild" was a reference to Sgt. Pepper from that album.
Another great note to this song,....I watched an interview on the Tonight Show, or maybe Letterman, where the host asked Don Mclean what this song meant.
Maybe t greatest reply, and without hesitation, Don Mclean replied, "It' means I never have to work another day in my life".
I thought i knew alot of the meaning of that song. Turns out I didn't know half of it. People will always debate about what Mclean was writing about but in the end, it doesn't matter. Its what we get from it.
I believe that he means the day the music died was the change over from the older music of the 40s n' 50s, to more rock n roll music. more heavier dirtier music. people from this era wher much different and the way america has changed... is just plain sad. as far as loss of censorship, wellbeing, and MAINLY respect. with those boys deaths a piece of america died. the music. (this is coming from a 22 year old metal guitarist) but we american musicians must never forget our roots. RIP
What DonMacLean is saying is that everything sort of went downhill (music especially) when Buddy Holly died. Dylan, Joplin, The Beatles etc.. all did there thing but never measured up to Holly. MacLean was a big Buddy Holly fan
I thought Miss American Pie was the plane that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were aboard that crashed. I cannot remember where I got that info but if you listen to the first lyric of the chorus I could believe that. Still its a great song anyway
It was a Lennon's suden glance of Beat + Beetles... more due to BEAT... and not to the 'beetles'."
You're close but not quite there. The Beatles name comes from "The Wild One." Stu suggested Beetles from the film it was the rival motorcycle gangs name. John changed it to Beatles for beat as in beat group. This comes from George and Derek Taylor.
miss american pie is when the wife would stay at home, and one parent could support a family. and now the country is going to war completely. Goodbye to the american dream you could say.
one of, if not THE, most powerful song ever. the song is about many things and events.and it is up to the listener to decide for themselves what each reference means.
In fact he does, he calls jester to Bob Dylan, but let's remember the jester was the one announcing the arriving of the King And Queen, refering perhaps to The Beatles
In other words, nobody knows what 90% of the lyrics refers to. DM has said repeatedly that he won't divulge that. Yes, on the deaths of the trio, but the rest? Nobody knows...
the accurtle story behind amercain pie is the oast things in his life about the newspaper run that was his first job and most bits are about other famous people he new i know caz my dad went to every one of his concerts and he knows every thinf about don McLean
Wow! Thank you so much for making this beautiful & touching video. It explained so much. I have always loved this song growing up & didn't know that it was about Buddy Holly until today's 50th anniversary. It's amazing how influential Buddy Holly is even to this day from the Beatles to this song & so much more beyond his own hit songs. Both Buddy's & Don's are great examples of true talents who wrote from their hearts & in the process touched every heart that listens to their songs.
I actually cried at the very end of the song, not just because I knew the ending of the song but because of the reason Don McLean to write the song in the first place. Well done - I am truly impressed!
50 years since the "Day the Music died" yet the music still lives on. Buddy Holly inspired a whole new generation of Rock and Roll and we will never foget him. American Pie is one of those songs that whenever you here it you have visions of that great music from the late 50s & 60s. RIP Buddy, Richie and Bopper,
"When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean replied, "It means I never have to work again. Later, he more seriously stated "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."
he was big in the music industry and personally knowing the people on plane so when he says it was the name of the plane I assumed he was right. But then again just because it wasnt written in fancy fonts on the side of the plane doesnt mean the pilot didnt have a name for his plane.
knowing Buddy doesn't mean he knew the plane or the pilot. Angel was right...the plane had no name, only the Tail ID. Play well for Him, you 3 immortal troubadors...
It's great to see this version re-posted here. I assume there is some copyright issue with WMG that caused the Lonestar version (original) to be removed. What a shame as this is a classic rendition that offers an accurate commentary on Don McLean and the meaning of American Pie. Thanks to you and Lonestar for allowing us to remember and relive the glory days of music. February 3rd is just approaching and I'm sure the three amigos are looking down on all of us....RIP my friends....Thanks....Kal
I played this video and song for someone on my social website and they just could not believe the TALENT of these three great men! They wrote me back and said QUOTE: "I never realized the story behind this was TRUE and about REAL PEOPLE!" Makes the older generation feel justified huh? LOL...TY for a great video presentation! I treasure it...JJ
Yeah, this is my video that WMG had taken down. Thanks for reposting it. I've had 3 million views of the other versions and a ton of comments from people once this was taken down.
Guess WMG doesn't share the Grateful Dead's view of music, eh?
Good job on the video! I'm a huge Buddy Holly fan and his songs were the first I learned to play on electric guitar. Even today, when I need to think of an idea for a song, I ask myself, "What would Buddy Holly do?" and a good idea usually presents itself. Even though I wasn't around back then, I feel I know him through his music and it hurts to think of his untimely death.
Just so you know, last night I learned to play "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" on my old Silvertone archtop.
good, wmg has not got a hold of this one yet.. don't know any more if the original donator is still holding control or if this or if it is another one's duplicate already . But I love the poetic idea of this interpretation.. it has done good to a whole web generation already... world music!
Great video and interpretation of the lyrics to this classic tune.
1957robertjohnson 2 weeks ago
This is amazing; the meaning of the song is now clear and the way Mclean wrote the lyrics to fit the events is incredible... always loved this song and I'm 13
IndigoMoon13 2 weeks ago
made me cry. the song itself never did :'(
purdyn13 10 months ago
what a cool video
cbiz16 10 months ago
Excellent job.
jflinn210 1 year ago
No, the plane was not called "American Pie". That's a rumor.
LGVic 1 year ago
Pretty good interpretation, unfortunately we will never know if you were correct or not.......
heavenscloud001 1 year ago
A little known fact is that the plane carrying Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson A.K.A. The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, was actually named American Pie.
hellbillyrodeostar1 1 year ago
this is really touching
peaceabeatle447 3 years ago
Excellent visual depiction of the song , not only informative but nostalgic as well . Hats off, great job .
speedy4091 3 years ago
They don't make songs like this anymore.
Sasukereturns 3 years ago
This is really great, everyone should watch this! thank you for this beautiful video.
mauricebrosseau 3 years ago 3
Where's the shot at 5:38?
boringVandorsla 3 years ago
candle stick park in San Fran
kleppy12 3 years ago
@kleppy12: And Candlestick Park was the final public concert for The Beatles as well -- Aug. 29, 1966 (other than the Rooftops sessions of Jan. 31, 1969).
jflinn210 1 year ago
imagine the music today if buddy was still alive
mailtape44 3 years ago 7
@mailtape44 if buddy was alive the music would still be alive
zombiekiller6973 1 month ago
Awesome.
Sasukereturns 3 years ago 7
Really enjoyed this video. Thanks
guillemt10 3 years ago 2
i cryed at the beginig
taylorswift525 3 years ago
very interesting i enjoyed it XD
yakky025 3 years ago
I think it should be another picture at 7:07 he says something about children crying in the streets and there's a picture of vietnamies children crying in the streets! but it's still a great video and i f-in love it!!
godday2u 3 years ago
@godday2u
the picture of the children crying in the streets, is a reference to the massacre at kent state university in ohio, where 4 protesters where killed by military called in by president nixon
hellbillyrodeostar1 1 year ago
Very entertaining, well done. Which ever way you look at it, its all about an Americal Legend so, enjoy.
BradBrassman 3 years ago 2
there talking about another lennon, not john lennon
peaceabeatle447 3 years ago
Thanks !
13Matthieu13 3 years ago
Camp Towanda thats all i have to say haha
ssa8184 3 years ago
You should listen to the 4chan version of this song, it's fucking hilarious!!!
GirlsHateMeVeryMuch 3 years ago
cty.. good times :)
daC00Ldude 3 years ago
i read this one thing that the levee was a bar near where McLean grew up and by it being "dry"meaning it had no liquor and that i also heard two meanings for singing this will be the day that i day one being that buddy hollys song thatll be the day and that was the day and the other was that singing and you have to sing to have music and singing this will be the day that i die and is trying to be ironic trying to mean that music is singing saying that it was dying
Loganwashere22 3 years ago
Awesome Vid.
pagalidis 3 years ago
I learned about some of the meaning behind this in music class a few years ago(about the plane crash namely). Thanks for this; it made me cry. :')
To those that may want to call some of these wrong, it is all based on interpretation which is never wrong; Don Mclean didn't say what he was inspired by for each part and left it to our interpretation so that we could get the most meaning out of it for our individual lives.
AnimeFascination 3 years ago 2
thanks so much for this vid. i think it was very well done and explained a lot for me
puppyluv07 3 years ago
Thank you, that must have taken you quite a while. I didn't know ANY of that I just had to look up this song and learn how to play it for guitar class.
WTHdumbass 3 years ago
Rock and Roll has been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died.
TheCustomer99 3 years ago
uhh you completely left out the kent state massacre part "the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield.." how could you leave that out?
Nelsonhojax15 3 years ago
true.
swissdragon15 3 years ago
As far as I understood, and I may be wrong, the reference "the players tried to take the field" had nothing to do with the Kent State incident but rather the British Invasion where bands from Europe were dominating the radio at the time.
"The Marching Band Refused To Yeild" was a reference to Sgt. Pepper from that album.
For what it's worth.
Whatsleft1956 3 years ago
Another great note to this song,....I watched an interview on the Tonight Show, or maybe Letterman, where the host asked Don Mclean what this song meant.
Maybe t greatest reply, and without hesitation, Don Mclean replied, "It' means I never have to work another day in my life".
Perfect huh?
Whatsleft1956 3 years ago
Miss American Pie was nickname of the plane that crashed, i think
Drisily 3 years ago
for anyone who didnt know american pie was the name of the plane they crashed in and they crashed shortly after takeoff in clearwater iowa
Felsko91 3 years ago
ooooh... that makes much more sense... thank you sir.
brucedylanpearson 3 years ago
The line moss grows fat on a Rolling Stone is not mentioning The Rolling Stones (As you say here) but Dylan's song Like a Rolling Stone.
TheCzar17 3 years ago
i think that makes sense..........seeing the band Rolling Stones were going pretty strong at that time......
Adityagaiki 3 years ago
interesting! good job!
drdaylan 3 years ago
I thought i knew alot of the meaning of that song. Turns out I didn't know half of it. People will always debate about what Mclean was writing about but in the end, it doesn't matter. Its what we get from it.
lBStrokin 3 years ago 2
That was totally awesome man. Great video!
clevelandbruno 3 years ago
This was great! Thank you so much!
MaraAviada 3 years ago
I believe that he means the day the music died was the change over from the older music of the 40s n' 50s, to more rock n roll music. more heavier dirtier music. people from this era wher much different and the way america has changed... is just plain sad. as far as loss of censorship, wellbeing, and MAINLY respect. with those boys deaths a piece of america died. the music. (this is coming from a 22 year old metal guitarist) but we american musicians must never forget our roots. RIP
guitarhero42087 3 years ago
I am confused as to why I kept seeing advertisements for drugs...
THE MUSIC WILL NEVER DIE
UzumakiUchihaNaruto 3 years ago
Those weren't advertisements -.- If you listened to the lyrics, you'd understand....
lmag929 3 years ago
He actually wrote this backstage at Cafe Lena, and performed it for the first time there. It's pretty cool.
Par6band 3 years ago
What DonMacLean is saying is that everything sort of went downhill (music especially) when Buddy Holly died. Dylan, Joplin, The Beatles etc.. all did there thing but never measured up to Holly. MacLean was a big Buddy Holly fan
bdienstag 3 years ago
I thought Miss American Pie was the plane that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were aboard that crashed. I cannot remember where I got that info but if you listen to the first lyric of the chorus I could believe that. Still its a great song anyway
sstory76 3 years ago
Beautifully put together mate.
jayaybe 3 years ago
Good video.
But "The Beatles" did not come from "insects"...
It was a Lennon's suden glance of Beat + Beetles... more due to BEAT... and not to the 'beetles'.
This is Lennon's explanation for "The BeaTles...
Good days those ones...
Anyway.... 5 stars !!!
It's Good !!!!!
Doc
DocLottaLove 3 years ago
"But "The Beatles" did not come from "insects"...
It was a Lennon's suden glance of Beat + Beetles... more due to BEAT... and not to the 'beetles'."
You're close but not quite there. The Beatles name comes from "The Wild One." Stu suggested Beetles from the film it was the rival motorcycle gangs name. John changed it to Beatles for beat as in beat group. This comes from George and Derek Taylor.
gettyman1 3 years ago 2
OK. Open Mind ! "Knowing and Growing".
Thanks for the reply, dear Friend !
Doc
DocLottaLove 3 years ago
Good music never dies . Loved the movie pure USA . Well captured !
9773165 3 years ago
thank you, I loved the video (always loved the song, but didn't know its meaning)
victorms 3 years ago
love this song!!
littlelabellax3 3 years ago
miss american pie is when the wife would stay at home, and one parent could support a family. and now the country is going to war completely. Goodbye to the american dream you could say.
coolex25 3 years ago
American Pie could be referred to as many different things, most people know it as the 50s, 60s and 70s
Maggs0001 3 years ago
i thought american pie was rock and roll itself
coltonblight 3 years ago
i didnt know this was the whole song iv only heard like the first 4 mins great song tho used to be my ringtone =]
nutpaz 3 years ago
amazing song!
natepo7 3 years ago
"The Jester on the sidelines in a cast" = Dylan's disappearance from the music scene following his motorcycle accident
themidlifecrunch 3 years ago
Drove my chevy to the levy .The Levy was a bar in Rockland Co. NY 25min from New Roc
zappadead13 3 years ago
i think its : "buy buy me some 'merican pie" not miss america
Guitarfreak456 3 years ago
its American Pie
BlairThomas23 3 years ago
Kool, my teacher showed this to use... It was boring! ...But kinda cool, I learned something!
sKclanDIGET 3 years ago
Great I learned some things about the song and the past that I didn't know before.
ringelw 3 years ago
one of, if not THE, most powerful song ever. the song is about many things and events.and it is up to the listener to decide for themselves what each reference means.
howiefbr 3 years ago 2
it kicks ass but some of the pics suck but it still kicks ass
kelloge74 3 years ago
Great Song
BlairThomas23 3 years ago
Anyone ever consider a reference to Abraham, Martin, and John? A song by Dion.
rcfanatic 3 years ago
So Don Mclean didnt like Jagger?
jimmybones1989 3 years ago
he didn't like that he was using a bike gang has sercurity guards
guitarman0478 3 years ago
Wow...Very Powerful
WonderFul
Very Good Job
DonMcLean
torilicious1davis 3 years ago
i love this song
awkbird 3 years ago
I love the descriptions of the song. They bring a different light to the meaning.
ariigere 3 years ago
was he calling Bob Dylan a Jester
aleclse 3 years ago
In fact he does, he calls jester to Bob Dylan, but let's remember the jester was the one announcing the arriving of the King And Queen, refering perhaps to The Beatles
Bolasiebendrei 3 years ago
that's the quartet and the marching band
aleclse 3 years ago
Fabuloso... I alwais feel me fascinated by this song... but now, a bit more.
SrQuaid 3 years ago
At Darrens wedding unlce jody had a fight with his girlfriend and someone was spedding and he got hit
GroveyGal 3 years ago
That was fuckin' great!!! Thanx!!!!!
Bastian667 3 years ago 2
In other words, nobody knows what 90% of the lyrics refers to. DM has said repeatedly that he won't divulge that. Yes, on the deaths of the trio, but the rest? Nobody knows...
proffromgview 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Yup, nobody knows...
pirjohelena 3 years ago
fuck you!
livinginhell2 3 years ago
for 50 years we've been on our own
freeskier36 3 years ago
quick question does the three men I admire most refer to the Kennedys and martin luther King or buddy holly richie valens and the big bopper?
MCASEY92 3 years ago
Uhh, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, aka God
itstristanyo 3 years ago
Well not in this song... JFK, MLK and Boddy, because they were all killed
foxycuts 3 years ago
thats the father son and holy ghoast...
Cheeseking45 3 years ago
nobody knoes...
pirjohelena 3 years ago
the accurtle story behind amercain pie is the oast things in his life about the newspaper run that was his first job and most bits are about other famous people he new i know caz my dad went to every one of his concerts and he knows every thinf about don McLean
GroveyGal 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
your dad was a liar
halwil03 3 years ago
how was he a liar??
GroveyGal 3 years ago
We PLayed this song at my uncles funrul when he was 23 and he got hit buy a car and when he died he was at my other uncles wedding :(
R>I>P uncle jody
GroveyGal 3 years ago
he got hit by a car at a wedding? how the hell did that happen? I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm jw
redsox8108 3 years ago
Wow! Thank you so much for making this beautiful & touching video. It explained so much. I have always loved this song growing up & didn't know that it was about Buddy Holly until today's 50th anniversary. It's amazing how influential Buddy Holly is even to this day from the Beatles to this song & so much more beyond his own hit songs. Both Buddy's & Don's are great examples of true talents who wrote from their hearts & in the process touched every heart that listens to their songs.
607yt 3 years ago
50 years
RIP Buddy Holly,Richie Valens,and the Big Bopper
.
appleshampoo00 3 years ago
i didnt know gods could die =..(
hurleyrox2012 3 years ago
Now for 50 years we have been on our own
UtubeFreshman 3 years ago
no, theotiscampbell..
you suck..
eduardoamayo 3 years ago
Comment removed
eduardoamayo 3 years ago
fuck u theotiscampbell he is great musician u fag
wiiitt 3 years ago
I actually cried at the very end of the song, not just because I knew the ending of the song but because of the reason Don McLean to write the song in the first place. Well done - I am truly impressed!
dooge83 3 years ago 3
i lold hard at this song.
AntiqueLover69 3 years ago
RIP Buddy
worldchamps05sox 3 years ago 3
50 years since the "Day the Music died" yet the music still lives on. Buddy Holly inspired a whole new generation of Rock and Roll and we will never foget him. American Pie is one of those songs that whenever you here it you have visions of that great music from the late 50s & 60s. RIP Buddy, Richie and Bopper,
60zkid 3 years ago 2
Good job!
FrozenRaccoon05 3 years ago
50 years ago we lost 3 great artist but they will live and rock on. Go Buddy.
antiqueoutboarder 3 years ago 2
Rok on, Buddy, where-ever you are.
skylon 3 years ago 2
The day the music died (50th anniversary). February 3, 1959
CB9YT 3 years ago 3
"When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean replied, "It means I never have to work again. Later, he more seriously stated "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."
FreddanAxgren 3 years ago 2
feb 3.. how can a sad thing happen on that day. My birthday =(
azer1551 3 years ago
he was big in the music industry and personally knowing the people on plane so when he says it was the name of the plane I assumed he was right. But then again just because it wasnt written in fancy fonts on the side of the plane doesnt mean the pilot didnt have a name for his plane.
gbagg2222 3 years ago
Miss American Pie was the name of the plane they were in.
gbagg2222 3 years ago
wrong!
the plane didnt have a name,only a serial number
angelofsarcasm13 3 years ago
red robinson said it was the name of the plane and he knew Buddy Holly himself
gbagg2222 3 years ago
knowing Buddy doesn't mean he knew the plane or the pilot. Angel was right...the plane had no name, only the Tail ID. Play well for Him, you 3 immortal troubadors...
SJdood 3 years ago
The was NOT called Aerican Pir @~ rather, like the movie, American Pie represents a loss of innocence, it's a metaphor.
tynebar 3 years ago
It's great to see this version re-posted here. I assume there is some copyright issue with WMG that caused the Lonestar version (original) to be removed. What a shame as this is a classic rendition that offers an accurate commentary on Don McLean and the meaning of American Pie. Thanks to you and Lonestar for allowing us to remember and relive the glory days of music. February 3rd is just approaching and I'm sure the three amigos are looking down on all of us....RIP my friends....Thanks....Kal
kaltobias 3 years ago
I played this video and song for someone on my social website and they just could not believe the TALENT of these three great men! They wrote me back and said QUOTE: "I never realized the story behind this was TRUE and about REAL PEOPLE!" Makes the older generation feel justified huh? LOL...TY for a great video presentation! I treasure it...JJ
vintageldy 3 years ago
Yeah, this is my video that WMG had taken down. Thanks for reposting it. I've had 3 million views of the other versions and a ton of comments from people once this was taken down.
Guess WMG doesn't share the Grateful Dead's view of music, eh?
lonestarsound 3 years ago 2
I love this video and am always looking for it. Great job and wtf is WMG problem. Jerks!!!
patrickpjfan 3 years ago
Good job on the video! I'm a huge Buddy Holly fan and his songs were the first I learned to play on electric guitar. Even today, when I need to think of an idea for a song, I ask myself, "What would Buddy Holly do?" and a good idea usually presents itself. Even though I wasn't around back then, I feel I know him through his music and it hurts to think of his untimely death.
Just so you know, last night I learned to play "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" on my old Silvertone archtop.
GizGunnar 3 years ago
i luv that idea:
wwbhd?
what would buddy holly do?
xnerg 3 years ago
i never get tired of this song and i never will
jamiespagnola 3 years ago
thanks for putting this up
marcelo1489 3 years ago
good, wmg has not got a hold of this one yet.. don't know any more if the original donator is still holding control or if this or if it is another one's duplicate already . But I love the poetic idea of this interpretation.. it has done good to a whole web generation already... world music!
katkatlov 3 years ago
duplicate
nittzzu 3 years ago
pure class even better when u see the story behind it class
fcukwrk 3 years ago