A long long time ago
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile
And i knew that if i had one chance
I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for awhile

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
And can music save your mortal soul
And can it teach me how to dance real slow
Well i know that your in love with him
Cause i saw you dancing in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
And i did Gods rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage brock of luck
With a great carnation and a pick up truck
But i knew that i was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singing

[Chorus]
Bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
singing
This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

I met a girl who sang the blues
And i asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
Well i went down to the sachet store
Where i heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
Well now in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all broken
And the three men i admire the most,
The father, son, and the holy ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
I started singing

Bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
singing
This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

Bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
singing
This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

we started singing
we started singing
we started singing
we started singing



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 04:34

"American Pie" as written by Don Mclean

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


American Pie song meanings
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48 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:OMG all of you don't belong hear even who like this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

    The true meaning:
    A long long time ago = Well like in the 60's and 70's
    I can still remember
    How that music used to make me smile= Madonna's favriote music was in the 60's and 70's.
    And i knew that if i had one chance =Well she got one!
    I could make those people dance = her dream came true.
    And maybe they'd be happy for awhile

    Did you write the book of love = A song
    And do you have faith in God above = She was a christan around the time
    If the bible tells you so = A gospel song
    Now do you believe in rock n roll = This song is mostly about God, so...
    And can music save your mortal soul = Again, about God!
    And can it teach me how to dance real slow = That was how they used to dance.
    Well i know that your in love with him = Well let me explain. It's about Holly, she died in the crash.
    Cause i saw you dancing in the gym = That's where you can dance, right?
    You both kicked off your shoes
    Man, I dig those rhythm and blues! = You listen to it if oyou are sad. Holly/lover cheated on Don/Madonna
    I was a lonely teenage brock of luck
    With a great carnation and a pick up truck =Those were symbols of the plane.
    But i knew that i was out of luck
    The day the music died = The plane crash killed 3 rock n roll singers, the main stuff, because Elvis was sick at the time.
    I started singing

    [Chorus]
    Bye bye miss. american pie = The plane's name was American Pie.
    Drove my chevy to the levy
    But the levy was dry
    And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye = popular at the time
    singing
    This will be the day that i die
    This will be the day that i die


    Flag madge809on June 16, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Alright, here's the deal. I don't like this song. It's not something I want to listen to, it's just something I stumbled upon and had an opinion about.

    Let me just say that as far as the lyrics go, it's almost okay. The original song was about Don McLean's experiences with rock and roll, and I feel like this is more of Madonna's experiences. Which is totally fine. She's taken out most of the sad parts and left us with a song she can shake her tits to (see music video); she's just made it more her style, and I don't really have a problem with that. Still, I'm kind of pissed that her version is so happy, when the original is a song primarily about the plane crash that killed three rock and roll legends (i.e., the day the music died). I think that the meaning of the lyrics has been lost on this one, that her cover is a meaningless pop song designed to make her money. But that may be just my opinion.

    What I'm saying is, the two songs are vastly different. After you've understood the true meaning of the original, this one feels like a bit of a rip-off. But if you value catchy pop tunes more than meaningful music, then I don't care whether you think this is a good cover or not.
    Flag forestfireson July 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:as much as i have respect for the originals, and as much as i despise pop, i love this cover. too bad she omits the verses, that sucks, but i feel its well done. as for the meaning, we know!
    Flag suede67on September 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A classic american folk song torn to shreds and brutalized by a stupid american @#%%#. I'm ashamed to call myself a Detroiter after Madonna did this. For god's sake, she didn't even do the full song! And, how can you remake this song, anyways? The lyrics are very personal to Don McLean, as he's stated many times in interviews when asked who or what the song is specifically about. It'd be like remaking Fire and Rain my James Taylor, it just can't have the same emotional impact because it's specifically about one persons feelings.
    Flag BloggerETon June 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:well I guess DON MCLEAN says better than anyone here

    ""Madonna is a colossus in the music industry and she is going to be considered an important historical figure as well. She is a fine singer, a fine songwriter and record producer, and she has the power to guarantee success with any song she chooses to record. It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie.' I have heard her version and I think it is sensual and mystical. I also feel that she's chosen autobiographical verses that reflect her career and personal history. I hope it will cause people to ask what's happening to music in America. I have received many gifts from God but this is the first time I have ever received a gift from a goddess."


    GODDESS MADONNA!! GET THIS ALL HATERS!!
    Flag annazoffon May 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:she didn't "ruin" the original!
    if its bad then its bad!
    but that does nothing to the original.
    why the fuck do you care?
    just go listen to the Don McLean version if you don't like this.
    Flag dustybreezeon April 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The day the music died, was the day Madonna made this cover.
    Flag BBrockon June 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well, i think this song REALLY REALLY REALLY sucks. i didnt hate madonna until i heard this. now i do. she raped that beautiful masterpiece of music by don mclean.
    Flag myironlungon May 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this version bites the big one
    Flag vadgeon February 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really didn't think this song was that bad. I actually quite liked it. That was until I heard the original. Don Mclean has a much better voice and although the original is 10 minutes long it has so much more meaning and is by fair the better song!
    Flag Ankhnuneferon January 25, 2007   Link

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