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Don McLean, born in New Rochelle, New York on October 2nd, 1945 is a name synonymous with classic American Rock and Roll. His most popular song, American Pie broke traditions lasting more than 8 minutes. Don McLean is a living legend in the folk-rock community an official member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. DoYouRemember? has had the honor of interviewing many talented bands and musicians. Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and other legends blessed us with once in a lifetime opportunities to ask questions we've been dying to know. McLean's interview will always stand out as it was one of our first major interviews. American Pie A song by American folk-rock singer and songwriter Don McLean. Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was the 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 (Recording Industry Association Of America) project Songs of the Century. The song was covered by Madonna in 2000 and reached No. 1 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. (Cont.) "American Pie" 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 whileBut February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more stepI can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside The day the music died So bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye Singin' this'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die 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 and 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 bluesI 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 I started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye Singin' this'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die 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 meOh, and while the king was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown The courtroom was adjourned No verdict was returnedAnd while Lenin read a book on Marx The quartet practiced in the park And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died We were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye Singin' this'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die Helter skelter in a summer swelter The birds flew off with a fallout shelter Eight miles high and falling fast It landed foul on the grass The players tried for a forward pass With the jester on the sidelines in a castNow the halftime air was sweet perfume While the 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? We started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n 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 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's 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 He was singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n 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 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 And they were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n 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 ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye And singin' this'll be the day that I die (Source: AZ Lyrics) The repeatedly mentioned "day the music died" refers to the 1959 plane crash which killed early rock and roll performers Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. (The crash was not known by that name until after McLean's song became a hit.) The Day the Music Died, and Took With It Big Bopper, Buddy Holly And Ritchie Valens The meaning of the other lyrics has long been debated, and for decades, McLean declined to explain the symbolism behind the many characters and events mentioned. However, the overall theme of the song is the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation as symbolized by the plane crash which claimed the lives of three of its heroes. In 2017, McLean's original recording was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant". "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" Starry, starry night Paint your palette blue and gray Look out on a summer's day With eyes that know the darkness in my soulShadows on the hills Sketch the trees and the daffodils Catch the breeze and the winter chills In colors on the snowy linen landNow I understand What you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity And how you tried to set them freeThey would not listen, they did not know how Perhaps they'll listen nowStarry, starry night Flaming flowers that brightly blaze Swirling clouds in violet haze Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blueColors changing hue Morning fields of amber grain Weathered faces lined in pain Are soothed beneath the artist's loving handNow I understand What you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity And how you tried to set them freeThey would not listen, they did not know how Perhaps they'll listen nowFor they could not love you But still your love was true And when no hope was left in sight On that starry, starry nightYou took your life, as lovers often do But I could've told you Vincent This world was never meant for One as beautiful as youStarry, starry night Portraits hung in empty halls Frame-less heads on nameless walls With eyes that watch the world and can't forgetLike the strangers that you've met The ragged men in ragged clothes The silver thorn of bloody rose Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snowNow I think I know What you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity And how you tried to set them free They would not listen, they're not listening still Perhaps they never will (Source: AZ Lyrics) "Castles In The Air" And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got a dream I want the world to share an' castle walls Just leave me to despairHills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky A dream come true, I'll live there 'til I die I'm asking you, to say my last goodbye The love we knew, ain't worth another trySave me from all the trouble and the pain I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again Tell her the reasons why I can't remain Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plainOh, but how can words express the feel of sunlight In the morning in the hills away from city strife I need a country woman for my wife I'm city born but I love the country lifeFor I will not be part of her Cocktail-Generation Partner's Waltz, Devoid of all romance The music plays and everyone must dance I'm bowing out, I need a second chanceSave me from all the trouble and the pain I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again Tell her the reasons why I can't remain Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plainAnd if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got a dream I want the world to share an' castle walls Just lead me to despair "Crying" I was alright for a while I could smile for a while But when I saw you last night You held my hand so tight When you stopped to say 'hello' And though you wished to me well you couldn't tellThat I'd been Crying, over you Crying, over youThen you said so long Left me standing all alone Alone and crying. Crying Crying CryingIt's hard to understand That the touch of your hand Can start me cryingI thought that I, was over you But it's true, so true I love you even more, than I did before But, darling, what can I doWhile you don't love me And I'll always be Crying, over you Crying, over youYes, now you're gone And from this moment on I'll be crying (crying) Crying (crying) Crying (crying) Crying over you Over you Over you RELATED STORIES: Billboard’s Top Songs From The 70s Roberta Flack: "Killing Me Softly" THE BEATLES ROLLING STONES ELVIS PRESLEY Elvis Presley: “Kiss Me Quick “ Elvis Presley: "Are You Lonesome Tonight" The Rolling Stones: "Miss You" (Souces: DoYouRemember.com & Wikipedia & AZ Lyrics)