| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Liked your interpretation; it's more literal than what's normally been posted. For what it's worth, see my interpretation on this site at "chrls1on November 26, 2013 ". By the way, someone flamed you stating "Don McLean's not a Christian". I personally don't know what Don McLean's position on religion and faith is, but I can tell yoiu that Daniel interpreted the prophetic writing on a wall given to a pagan King. It's not ours to limit whom God can and can't work through! | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| IMHO, this song has "religion" (or at least spirituality) all over it. Check out my interprestaton at " chrls1 on November 26, 2013 " on this site. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I like your interpretation, it's more literal than the loosely connecting Buddy Holly to the meanin of the whole song. For what it's worth, I went fully literal with my explanation at " chrls1on November 26, 2013 " that I concluded decades ago. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I liked your interpretation much more than the Buddy Holly one. Liked that it addressed the plain language of the song. For what it's worth, check out my explanation on this site at "chrls1on November 26, 2013". (Sort comments by date) You might like it. Though American Pie has some somber things to say, it is nonetheless one of the most joyous and hopeful songs ever written. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| There's definitely a nuclear holocaust reference in there. Check out my interpretation at "chrls1on November 26, 2013". Best to sort comments by date frist. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Like youir interpretation better than the usual "buddy holly" one. For what it's worth, you can check out my explanation on this site dated "chrls1on November 26, 2013", James Dean actually had a clean-cut lonely teenage rebel persona at the time. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I agree completely. For what it's worth, see my explanation on this site dated "chrls1on November 26, 2013". (Best to first sort comments by date order). The meaning first struck me when I was singing the tune to myself many years back. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I think your interpetation is much closer than the ubiquitous Buddy Holly explanation. Check out my lengthy screed on this song dated " chrls1on November 26, 2013 ". Best to first sort the comments by date. In a way, it is about the "success" of Satan - winning over some, but not over God in the overall scheme of things. Many were on the previous "trains for the cost" (nothing typified the American dream of the '60's more that Sunny California), and many will be on "the last train" with the three Men the writer admires most. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I agree with the music being faith in God. Check out my lengthy explanation on this site in a comment on the song dated " chrls1on November 26, 2013 ". Best, Charlie. | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| For what it's worth, see my lengthy explanation at this site dated "chrls1on November 26, 2013. Go to the comments section of this site, choose sort by date, and go to the date above. The verse you quoted is one of my favorites. Best, Charlie | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Music made you smile. Love it. | |
| Don McLean – American Pie Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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American Pie explained: The American Pie interpretation that ties the song to Buddy Holly's death is the most widespread, but it is too much of a reach for most of the song; it has to ignore or fudge a lot of lyrics to try to make the explanation fit. Totally missing from the "Buddy Holly" explanation is an explanation for the many spiritual references in the song: Bible, God, faith in God, saving your mortal soul, Satan, devil, devil's spell, angel born in hell, thorny crown, church bells, sacred store, and the very overt reference at the last chorus, "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" that the writer "admired most". Here's an explanation taken by simply using the song's very first as the interpretive key for the entire song. Consider the first four lines of the first sung verse (see lyrics below), NOT the spoken Intro, and NOT the slowly-sung intro Chorus before the first verse. (Per Tom Petty "Don't bore us, get to the Chorus!", nd the Chorus is definitely the “hook” in American Pie). Wouldn't it be clever songwriting to subtly present the key to the song's lyrics in the first verse, after a quiet intro, rather than placing the interpretive key obviously in the intro? This FIRST VERSE, I believe, provides the correlating key to understanding the song's lyrics, specifically the terms "Music" and "Dancing" throughout the song - 1st line: Did YOU write the Book of Love, 2nd line: and do YOU have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so? 3rd line: .....and do YOU believe in Rock & Roll, 4th line: .....Can Music save your mortal soul, and can you teach me how to dance real slow? What if....... The Book of Love (the Bible) was "written" by God's Holy Spirit, as the Bible says of itself ("tells you so")? This would be the same Holy Spirit that God puts into His people at rebirth/baptism/confirmation by faith, also as "the Bible tells you so". Thus, "Did YOU write the Book of Love?", and "Do YOU have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so" makes perfect sense, spiritually speaking. No other interpretation even attempts to make sense of these first two lines, preferring instead to dismiss them as irrelevant babble or poetic license. Lines 1 & 2 are unavoidable. What if....... Lines 1&2, combined with lines 3&4 provide the interpretive key to the whole song, correlating "Book of Love" (the Word) and "faith" in lines 1&2 to "believe in Rock & Roll", "music", "save(ing) your mortal soul", and "dancing" in lines 3&4? Dancing is clearly acting to the music. "Faith" is defined as "acting as though the Word is true". Thus "Can music (faith, the Book of Love, the Word) save your mortal soul?" also makes perfect sense. The answer, of course, rests with the individual. Try applying key to the whole song, and see if it doesn't make complete sense of EVERY line. Notice how the word "and" correlates the first two lines to the second two lines? I think most people resonate "American Pie" as the American Dream - true happiness. .... and the word "Miss"? You decide. A great lyricist, I think! Bye-bye, Miss American Pie.... the day the music died. Now go back to the Intro and the Chorus (see below). They now make complete sense, using the key from the first verse. Some of the verses DO require some basic bible knowledge. In the Intro, for instance, the writer "can't remember if he cried when he read about His widowed Bride". The Bible regularly refers to the Church (His saved people) as the "Bride of Christ". In one beautiful and short phrase, the lyricist paraphrased Christ's human death. His leaving behind His widowed Bride, and: In poetic fashion, the writer, who can't remember if he cried, leaves open the question of whether reading about Christ's death (there's that darn Bible again) was a reason for sadness, or was a cause for rejoicing in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection for the salvation of all men. Or was it both sadness and joy?! --- cool. Finally, if you accept the music analogy, the Bible refers to an end-time when the "Music" dies, this earthly experiment is closed, the choices will have been made, and there will be no more chances to hear the "Music" or to “Dance”. Thus, while the writer "can't remember if he cried when he read about His widowed Bride", he immediately goes on to unequivocally remember that "but something touched me deep inside.... the day the music died". Particularly poignant to me is the last line of the last verse of the song - "and the The Three Men I admire most, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, they caught the LAST train for the coast..... the day the music died". Kind of hard to dismiss. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The lyrics of American Pie are below in sequentially numbered lines; my comments, if any, are in parentheses. INTRO (spoken) 1) A long, long time ago... (The entire Intro refers to a time before this song is written. Also, the mystery in this prologue isn't made clear until the writer reveals the key to understanding it in the 1st verse) 2) I can still remember 3) How that music used to make me smile. (Music, the Word, is the good news of hope for the true American dream.) 4) And I knew if I had my chance 5) That I could make those people dance ("Dancing" to "Music" is as "Faith in Action" is to the "Word" in verse 1 below. A vernacular definition of "faith" is "a belief so firm that you act upon it"). 6) And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while. (hearing the Word and acting upon it makes people happy, which is the American Dream) 7) But February made me shiver (This, and the next three lines, offer a wonderfully poetic description of the fallen world we live in) 8) With every paper, I’d deliver.... 9) Bad news on the doorstep; 10) I couldn’t take one more step. (Notice what he turned to read next, after he couldn't take one more step, in the next two lines). 11) I can't remember if I cried (the writer's emotional reaction, upon understanding Christ's sacrifice in the next line, remains a mystery.) 12) When I read about his widowed bride, (the Bible regularly refers to Church people as the "Bride of Christ", and Christ, as a man, died and "widowed" His Bride) 13) But something touched me deep inside (the writer's emotions at understanding Christ's death and resurrection may remain a mystery, but he certainly had a deep reaction “the day the music died”; the day the music was no longer available; when the three Men he admired most caught the last train for the coast.) 14) The day the music died. (the day the Music was no longer an available choice for people. Judgment day. When "The three Men I admire most.. caught the last train for he coast.....) CHORUS 1 (slowly-sung) 1) So bye-bye, miss American pie. (Goodbye to the missed American Dream of Hope and Happiness. The choices will all have been made, and the "music" will no longer play. Also, notice in this and subsequent choruses, a different person sings the chorus, each with a different perspective. This first chorus is sung by the One who drives His Chevy to the levee in search of water.) 2) Drove my Chevy to the levee, (A levee contains water. The Bible often says "I will fill you with Living Water", referring to true spiritual baptism.) 3) But the levee was dry, (Alas, there was no living water to be found; the levy was dry) 4) and them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye (No matter who sings each Chorus, it's always the good ol' boys who sing "this'll be the day I die") 5) Singin’, 'This’ll be the day that I die', (On the day the "Music" dies, hearing the "Music" and “Dancing” are longer options, and........ 6) 'This will be the day that I die.' VERSE 1 1) Did you write the book of love?, (Here begins the key to interpreting the song. The Book of Love – The Bible, the Truth, Word of God - was "written" by God's Holy Spirit, the same Spirit God puts into His people at confirmation/baptism/salvation. Did "you" write the Book of Love?) 2) And do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so? (Did you act out your faith in God, the faith of Abraham, and by God's grace, gain righteousness?) 3) And do you believe in rock ’n roll, (correlation: Do you believe in the Word, the Book of Life? > Do you believe in the Music?) 4) Can music save your mortal soul, and can you teach me how to dance real slow? (Can music - the Word - save your mortal soul? and can you teach me to "dance" to the "music"? Slowly, intimately, acting to the Music with your Partner!) 5) Well, I know that you’re in love with Him (the Him would be Christ) 6) 'cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym. (The writer knew you were in love with Him, because you "danced" to the "music" with "Him") 7) You both kicked off your shoes. (It was real and joyful dancing if you kicked off your shoes, ......and Christ kicked off His shoes, too! Another very poetic and joyful description of the very real and intimate walk with God.) 8) Man, I dig those rhythm and blues. (If you're smiling right now, the lyricist made you happy for a while.) 9) I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck (and for the rebellious among us...) 10) With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, (who have the world on a string...) 11) But I knew I was out of luck 12) The day the music died. CHORUS 2 1) I started singin’, (The writer is singing Chorus 2) 2) "bye-bye, miss American pie." 3) Drove my chevy to the levee, 4) But the levee was dry. 5) Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye 6) And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die. 7) "this’ll be the day that I die." VERSE 2 1) Now for ten years we’ve been on our own (Considering this is "not how it used to be", below, we weren't always separated from Maker. Christ on earth? Eden?) 2) And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone, (We generally roll along oblivious to God, yet gather moss doing so.) 3) But that’s not how it used to be. 4) When the jester sang for the king and queen, (Jester is a common reference for Satan; possibly singing for the King (God) and his Queen (Bride) 5) In a coat he borrowed from james dean (Appearing as a good guy, telling lies and half-truths) 6) And a voice that came from you and me, (The jester used the voice of 'reason', from our human nature and understanding of things, not God's.) 7) Oh, and while the King was looking down, 8) The jester stole his thorny crown. (The jester "succeeded" in his "Thorny crown" plan for Christ, but God's plan remained intact.) 9) The courtroom was adjourned; (Mankind's judgment was adjourned to a later time.) 10) No verdict was returned. (each man's verdict remained outstanding: "Guilty" or "covered by the sacrifice") 11) And while Lenin read a book of Marx, (Lenin read Marx. Communism requires full allegiance, as did Caesar in Christ's day, as will AntiChrist in his time. No God.) The quartet practiced in the park, (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation prepared.) And we sang dirges in the dark (We sang dirges - death songs..... ) The day the music died. ( ..... the day the music died) We were singing, (WE .... were signing. Notice the different people who are singing this Chorsus throughout the song. Even Satan sings it.) "bye-bye, miss American pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye (No matter who is singing the Chorus, it is always them good ol' boys who sing "this'll be the day that I die.) And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die. "this’ll be the day that I die." Helter skelter in a summer swelter. (Revelation and other end-time predictions in the Bible say that Christ's second coming averts our annihilation of ourselves in war.) The birds flew off with a fallout shell, (Planes airborn with serious payload.) Eight miles high and falling fast. (meant to convey how close we will come to self-annihilation at "Armageddon" before God steps in.) It landed foul on the grass. (Christ's second coming averts our self-destruction.) The players tried for a forward pass, (Bible says a 1000-year reign of Christ ensues. These players play for the "good" team.) With the jester on the sidelines in a cast. (Bible states that during Christ's 1000-year reign, Satan is temporarily bound.) Now the half-time air was sweet perfume (This 1000-year reign is a "half-time" of peace, a break or time-out in the "game" between the good and bad players.) While the sergeants played a marching tune. ("Music" was playing.) We all got up to dance, Oh, but we never got the chance! ("dancing" to the "music" was not to be, because...... ) `cause the players tried to take the field; (Bible says at the end of the 1000-year reign, some bad people will revolt, and then the final "Judgment" occurs.) The marching band refused to yield. (The music-makers wouldn't yield) Do you recall what was revealed (Eventually, the truth about our purpose on earth will be known to all.) The day the music died? (On that day, everyone will agree it's bye-bye Miss American Pie. I, We, Satan, and Father, Son & Holy Ghost were singin.....) We started singing, (WE .....were singing) "bye-bye, miss American pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die. "this’ll be the day that I die." Oh, and there we were all in one place, (All nations, and all mankind will be in the same situation the day the music dies.) A generation lost in space (A generation will be lost in space when the music can no longer be heard.) With no time left to start again. (when the music dies, there's no more chances to start again) So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick! (Jack Flash was a British (and the Rolling Stones') reference to Satan.) Jack flash sat on a candlestick Cause fire is the devil's only friend. (Another overt spiritual reference. The reference here is clearly to Satan) Oh, and as I watched him on the stage (The day the music died, Satan takes center stage in his world.) My hands were clenched in fists of rage. (The writer, who admires the Father, Son & Holy Ghost, is enraged to watch Satan on his stage.) No angel born in hell (No devil could break Satan's control; his "spell".) Could break that Satan's spell. (Multiple references to Satan and the devil) And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite, (Satan is to be thrown into "the lake of fire" at the final judgment.) I saw satan laughing with delight (Satan is happy the music died and people will be judged to join him) The day the music died He was singing, (SATAN...... was singing this time. Even so, not one other word of the Chorus changes.) "bye-bye, miss American pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, (It is poignant that Satan would be singing the same truth as the Father, Son & Holy Ghost, below.) But the levee was dry. (Satan drove his Chevy to the levee, and saw it was dry.) Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die. "this’ll be the day that I die." I met a girl who sang the blues (The song's tempo slows measurably in this section. It becomes quiet, sad and contemplative.) And I asked her for some happy news, (Looking for "good news".) But she just smiled and turned away. (No "good news" to be had.) I went down to the sacred store (A "sacred store"! And it is where he heard the "music"! I like to think the "Sacred store" was a church hall.) Where I’d heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldn’t play. (Alas, even the sacred store plays no music. The sacred store no longer has life.) And in the streets: the children screamed, (This part of the song continues the slow, quiet, sad and contemplative pace of the previous verse.) The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken; (An undisguised reference to "the Word", followed by the "church bells" being broken in next line.) The church bells all were broken. (Sacred store....church bells....... all, not working. Again, lots of spiritual references, here followed by the Three Men.) And the three Men I admire most: (This line is an overt reference to the writer's spirituality, and direct reinforcement for the song's spiritual meaning.) The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Besides being an overt refrence to God, and the writer's spiritual position, God is the end-of-song focus.) They caught the last train for the coast (there will be no more trains leaving for the coast.) The day the music died. And they were singing, (cool.. The FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST now sing the final Chorus. Yet the Chorus remains unchanged.) "bye-bye, miss American pie." (In performing the original song, Don McLean paused for emphasis after "They.... were singing") Drove my Chevy to the levee, (This final Chorus continues the slow, quiet, sad and contemplative pace of the previous verse.) But the levee was dry. (Ultimately, and in the end, it is the Father, Son & Holy Ghost who find the levee dry.) And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die. "this’ll be the day that I die." They were singing, "bye-bye, miss American pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die." (To emphasize the finality of what the good ol' boys were singing, the writer changed the notes for this final phrase.) |
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