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Video & Multimedia

StClone

(11,869 posts)

19. Rorschach test

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Sat Mar 23, 2019, 11:52 PM

Mar 2019

McClean built the song around direct mention, and inferences, to music's historic reality along with symbolism, metaphors, generalized ideals in a catchy poetic riff.

I love McClean. But, in listening to American Pie over the decades its pretty apparent he could not have fit all the stuff attributed to American Pie accurately or appealingly in lyrical verse.

Bemoaning the loss of his 50's idealism may have been an after the fact response to queries of the songs meaning. I think it is just a great song (supposedly conjured out on a napkin) which is nothing more than portraying whatever you want it to be.

My fave Starry, Starry Night is more romanticizing too but at least easier to define.

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Highlight:

Don McLean - The meaning of American Pie [View all] Uncle Joe Mar 2019 OP

How would he know? Beakybird Mar 2019 #1

What do you mean? Croney Mar 2019 #2

I trust my gut more than his explanation 47 years later. Beakybird Mar 2019 #4

I like the video. I thought I read that he said recently Beakybird Mar 2019 #7

I think more than anything, it was about a shift in the American culture Quixote1818 Mar 2019 #8

Don McClean hated rock music, particularly the Beatles and the Stones, for replacing the Nitram Mar 2019 #15

That was not my experience when I saw him last year. Croney Mar 2019 #16

You know, Croney, you're right. thanks for setting me straight. Nitram Mar 2019 #20

Hmm, I'll have to go look that one up. 😁 Croney Mar 2019 #21

You don't need to look it up. He says it straight out in the lyrics of American Pie. No mystery. Nitram Mar 2019 #22

Nope, I still have to go look it up. Never heard of Jaime Brockett. Croney Mar 2019 #23

I loved that song. Bought the sheet music for it in 1971. no_hypocrisy Mar 2019 #3

I heard he said "It means I never have to work another day in my life" :-) USALiberal Mar 2019 #5

He opened up about the song a few years ago Quixote1818 Mar 2019 #6

Yeah, that's how I've always taken it, too William Seger Mar 2019 #12

I saw him live last year in a small venue. Croney Mar 2019 #9

I really think a lot of the words were there to keep the flow of the song. Srkdqltr Mar 2019 #11

I think you're right. Croney Mar 2019 #13

Yeah, and that line is the main "hook" in the song William Seger Mar 2019 #14

Washington Post story - Don McLean reveals meaning of American Pie. revmclaren Mar 2019 #10

Actually have no opinion about Don McLean, but--- classof56 Mar 2019 #17

Thanks, that was great SCantiGOP Mar 2019 #18

Rorschach test StClone Mar 2019 #19

Here you go StClone. Uncle Joe Mar 2019 #24