American Pie (song)

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"American Pie"
File:Don McLean - American Pie.jpg
Single by Don McLean
from the album American Pie
B-side "Empty Chairs" (promo)
"American Pie part 2" (first release)
Released November 1971 (original)
November 1991 (re-release)
Format Vinyl record (original)
CD, cassette, vinyl (reissue)
Recorded May 26, 1971
Genre Folk rock
Length 8:33 (LP)
4:11 (Single Part 1)
4:31 (Single Part 2)
Label United Artists
Writer(s) Don McLean
Producer(s) Ed Freeman for The Rainbow Collection, Ltd.
Don McLean singles chronology
"American Pie"
(1971)		 "Vincent"
(1972)
Audio sample
file info · help

"American Pie" is a song by American folk rock singer and songwriter Don McLean. Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number-one US hit for four weeks in 1972. In the UK, the single reached No. 2 on its original 1972 release and a reissue in 1991 reached No. 12. The song was listed as the No. 5 song on the RIAA project Songs of the Century.

Background

Don McLean wrote the song in Cold Spring, New York[1] and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2][3] The song made its debut in Philadelphia at Temple University[4] when he opened for Laura Nyro on March 14, 1971.[2]

Interpretations

Except to acknowledge that he first learned about Buddy Holly's February 3, 1959 death when he was folding newspapers for his paper route on the morning of February 4, 1959 (the line "February made me shiver/with every paper I'd deliver"), McLean has generally avoided responding to direct questions about the song lyrics, such as saying, "They're beyond analysis. They're poetry."[5] He also stated in an editorial published in 2009 on the 50th anniversary of the crash that killed Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, that writing the first verse of the song exorcised his long-running grief over Holly's death and that he considers the song to be "a big song (…) that summed up the world known as America."[6] McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Holly.

When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean jokingly replied, "It means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to."[7] Later, he 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."[8]

In February 2015, McLean announced he would reveal the meaning of the lyrics to the song when the original manuscript goes for auction in New York City in April 2015.[9] The lyrics and notes were auctioned on April 7, and sold for $1.2m.[10] In the sale catalogue notes McLean revealed the meaning in the song's lyrics "Basically in American Pie things are heading in the wrong direction. ... It [life] is becoming less idyllic. I don't know whether you consider that wrong or right but it is a morality song in a sense."[11] The catalog did confirm some of the better known references in the song's lyrics, including mentions of Elvis Presley (referred to in the lyrics as "the king,"), Bob Dylan (the jester), and the death of Meredith Hunter at the Altamont Free Concert (most of the fifth verse).[11]

Mike Mills of R.E.M. reflected that "American Pie just made perfect sense to me as a song and that’s what impressed me the most. I could say to people this is how to write songs. When you’ve written at least three songs that can be considered classic that is a very high batting average and if one of those songs happens to be something that a great many people think is one of the greatest songs ever written you’ve not only hit the top of the mountain but you’ve stayed high on the mountain for a long time.”[12]

Charts

Chart (1971) Peak
Position
Australian Kent Music Report 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles 1
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 1
Dutch Singles Chart 10
New Zealand Singles Chart 1
Norwegian Singles Chart[13] 9
UK Singles Chart 2
US Billboard Hot 100 1
US Billboard Easy Listening 1

Parodies, revisions, and uses

In 1999, "Weird Al" Yankovic did a Star Wars–inspired parody of "American Pie". Titled "The Saga Begins", the song recounts the plot of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace from Obi-Wan Kenobi's point of view. While McLean gave permission for the parody, he did not make a cameo appearance in its video, despite popular rumor. McLean himself praised the parody, even admitting to almost singing Yankovic's lyrics during his own live performances because his children played the song so often.[14][15]

The City of Grand Rapids, Michigan created a lip dub video to "American Pie" in response to a Newsweek article that stated the city was "dying".[16] The video was hailed by many as a fantastic performance including Roger Ebert, who said it was "the greatest music video ever made."[17]

On March 21, 2013, Harmonix announced that "American Pie" would be the final downloadable track made available for the Rock Band series of music video games.[18]

On March 14, 2015, the National Museum of Mathematics announced that one of two winners of its songwriting contest was "American Pi" by mathematics education professor Dr. Lawrence M. Lesser.[19] The contest was in honor of "Pi Day of the Century" because "3/14/15" would be the only day in the 21st-century showing the first five digits of π (pi).

Madonna version

"American Pie"
Single by Madonna
from the album The Next Best Thing
Released March 3, 2000
Format CD single
Recorded September 1999
(New York City, New York)[20]
Genre Dance-pop
Length 4:33
Label
Writer(s) Don McLean
Producer(s)
Madonna singles chronology
"Beautiful Stranger"
(1999)		 "American Pie"
(2000)		 "Music"
(2000)

Background

American pop singer Madonna released a cover version of the song in March 2000 to promote the soundtrack to her film The Next Best Thing (2000), with the song being serviced to radio on February 2.[21] Her cover is much shorter than the original (it contains only the beginning of the first verse and all of the second and sixth verses) and was recorded as a dance-pop song. It was co-produced by Madonna and William Orbit, after Rupert Everett (Madonna's co-star in The Next Best Thing) had convinced her to cover the song for the film's soundtrack.[22] Madonna was slated to premiere the song on January 30, 2000 at the Super Bowl XXXIV pregame ceremonies as part of a tribute to "Great American Music of the 20th Century" along with other artists[23] but she canceled her participation at the last minute because of conflicts with her recording schedule at the time.[24] She explained in a 2001 interview on BBC Radio 1 with Jo Whiley, the reason that the song was omitted from her 2001 greatest hits compilation GHV2: "It was something a certain record company executive twisted my arm into doing, but it didn't belong on the (Music) album so now it's being punished."[25]

Reception

Released in March 2000, the song was a worldwide hit, reaching No. 1 in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany (her first since "La Isla Bonita", in 1987), Switzerland, Austria, and Finland. The song was the 19th best selling of 2000 in the UK and the 9th best selling of 2000 in Italy. The single was not released commercially in the United States, but it reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 due to strong radio airplay.

NME gave it a negative review, saying that it was "sub-karaoke fluff" and that "it's a blessing she didn't bother recording the whole thing."[26] Chuck Taylor from Billboard, on the other hand, was impressed by the recording and commented, "Applause to Madonna for not pandering to today's temporary trends and for challenging programmers to broaden their playlists. [...] In all, a fine preview of the forthcoming soundtrack to The Next Best Thing."[27] Don McLean himself praised the cover, saying it was "a gift from a goddess", and that her version is "mystical and sensual."[28] According to The Official Charts Company, the song has sold 385,000 copies in the United Kingdom and is her 16th best selling single to date in the UK.[29]

Music video

File:Madonna-american-pie-video-cap-0013.jpg
Madonna in the "American Pie" music video. In the scene Madonna, who is wearing a tiara, is standing while an American flag can be seen behind her.

The music video, filmed in the Southern USA and in London[30] and directed by Philipp Stölzl, depicts a diverse array of ordinary Americans, including scenes showing same-sex couples kissing. Throughout the music video Madonna, who is wearing a tiara on her head, dances and sings in front of a large American flag.

Two official versions of the video were produced, the first of which now appears on Madonna's greatest-hits DVD compilation, Celebration, and was released as the official video worldwide. The second version was issued along with the "Humpty Remix", a more upbeat and dance-friendly version of the song. This video was aired on MTV's dance channel in the United States to promote the film The Next Best Thing, starring Madonna and Rupert Everett; it contains totally different footage and new outtakes of the original and omits the lesbian kiss. Everett, who provides backing vocals in the song, is also featured in the video.

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from American Pie single liner notes.[31]

Charts and certifications

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Tin & Lint, a bar on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs, New York claims the song was written there, and a plaque marks the table.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ "American Pie". Don McLean.com.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ "It was something a certain record company executive twisted my arm into doing, but it didn't belong on the (Music) album so now it's being punished." — Madonna, in an interview with Jo Whitley, broadcast by BBC Radio 1 on November 21, 2001.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Ciccone, Christopher (2008) Life with my Sister Madonna, Simon & Schuster: New York, p.278.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ 32.00 32.01 32.02 32.03 32.04 32.05 32.06 32.07 32.08 32.09 32.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ "Archive Chart: March 5, 2000". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 Billboard chart peaks Billboard.com. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further reading

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. An interpretation of the lyrics based on a supposed interview of McLean by DJ Casey Kasem. McLean later confirmed the Buddy Holly reference in a letter to Adams but denied ever speaking to Kasem.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. This article correlates McLean's biography with the historic events in the song. McLean pointed to WCFL (Chicago, Illinois) radio disc jockey Bob Dearborn as the partial basis for most mainstream interpretations of "American Pie". Dearborn's analysis, mailed to listeners on request, bears the date January 7, 1972. Roteman's reprinting added photos but replaced the date January 7, 1972, by an audio link bearing the date February 28, 1972, the date Dearborn aired his interpretation on WCFL (http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/bobpie.ram (Bob Dearborn's American Pie Analysis original broadcast February 28, 1972))
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Historically oriented interpretation of "American Pie". The interpretation was specifically noted on in an archived version of McLean's website page on "American Pie". The material, dated November 2002, includes a recording of Dinah Shore singing "See The USA In Your Chevrolet" and a photograph of Mick Jagger in costume at the Altamont Free Concert with a Hells Angel member in the background.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. FAQ maintained by Rich Kulawiec, started in 1992 and essentially completed in 1997.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Preceded by US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (Don McLean version)
January 15, 1972 (four weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
Preceded by Billboard Easy Listening Singles number-one single (Don McLean version)
January 15, 1972 (three weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Hurting Each Other" by The Carpenters
Preceded by Australian Kent Music Report number-one single (Don McLean version)
March 6, 1972 (five weeks)		 Succeeded by
"Without You" by Nilsson
Preceded by UK Singles Chart number-one single (Madonna version)
March 5, 2000 – March 11, 2000 (one week)		 Succeeded by
"Don't Give Up" by Chicane featuring Bryan Adams
Preceded by German Singles Chart number-one single (Madonna version)
March 10, 2000 (one week)		 Succeeded by
"Maria Maria" by Santana featuring The Product G&B
Preceded by Swedish Singles Chart number-one single (Madonna version)
March 23, 2000 (one week)		 Succeeded by
"Never Be the Same Again" by Melanie C featuring Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
Preceded by Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single (Madonna version)
April 1, 2000 (one week)		 Succeeded by
"Think It Over" by Jennifer Holliday
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