Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics

American Pie Lyrics Video Song on Youtube

American Pie Lyrics

Start of the Lyrics

[Intro]
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

[Chorus]
So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 1]
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock ‘n’ roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

[Chorus]
I started singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 2]
Now, for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone
But that’s not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennon read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

[Chorus]
We were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 3]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and fallin’ fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
‘Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

[Chorus]
We started singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 4]
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the Devil’s only friend
Oh, 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 spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

[Chorus]
He was singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die…”

[Bridge]
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

[Deleted Verse]
And there I stood alone and afraid
I dropped to my knees and there I prayed
And I promised Him everything I could give
If only He would make the music live
And He promised it would live once more
But this time one would equal four
And in five years four had come to mourn
And the music was reborn

[Chorus]
And they were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Outro]
They were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die”

American Pie Lyrics Credit Details

Song Title – “American Pie”
Film/Album – American Pie (1971)
Produced By – Ed Freeman
Written By – Don McLean
Label – United Artists Records
Bass – Robbie Rothstein
Guitar – David Spinozza
Drums – Roy Markowitz
Piano – Ray Colcord & Paul Griffin
Banjo – Don McLean
Release Date – May 26, 1971

Don McLean’s “American Pie” Is a Masterful Song That Reflects on the Death of the American Dream

Don McLean’s “American Pie” is one of the most iconic and beloved songs in American history. Released in 1971, the song is a sprawling epic that spans nearly eight minutes and tells the story of the death of the American Dream.

The song is full of cultural references, from Buddy Holly and the Beatles to the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. But it’s also a deeply personal song for McLean, who wrote it as a way to come to terms with the changes he was seeing in the world around him.

The song begins with the famous line, “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a lament for a time when America seemed more innocent and hopeful.

The song then goes on to recount a series of events that McLean sees as marking the death of the American Dream. These events include the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson in a plane crash, the rise of the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal.

The song ends with the line, “Bye, bye, Miss American Pie. Drowned in her own tears. Miss American Pie. Who could ever understand?” This line is a powerful reminder of the loss of innocence that McLean sees as having taken place in America.

“American Pie” is a complex and multilayered song that can be interpreted in many different ways. But at its core, it is a song about the death of the American Dream. It is a song about a time when America seemed to be on the verge of greatness, but then something went wrong. It is a song about a country that is still trying to find its way.

“American Pie” is a masterpiece of American songwriting. It is a song that is both timeless and timely. It is a song that will continue to be relevant for generations to come.

What makes “American Pie” so special?

There are many things that make “American Pie” so special. First, the song is incredibly well-written. The lyrics are clever and insightful, and they tell a powerful story. Second, the song is musically complex and interesting. The arrangement is full of interesting twists and turns, and the vocals are both passionate and soulful. Third, the song is full of cultural references that make it both timeless and timely.

Why is “American Pie” so popular?

“American Pie” is so popular for a number of reasons. First, the song is a classic coming-of-age story. It tells the story of a young man who comes of age in a time of great change, and it captures the sense of loss and confusion that can come with that experience. Second, the song is a meditation on the American Dream. It explores the idea of what it means to be American, and it asks the question of whether or not the American Dream is still alive. Third, the song is simply a great piece of music. It is catchy, it is moving, and it is full of memorable moments.

“American Pie” is a song that has stood the test of time. It is a song that continues to be relevant and meaningful to people of all ages. If you haven’t heard “American Pie,” I highly recommend checking it out. It is a truly special song that everyone should hear at least once.

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