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Gloomy Don McLean Reveals Meaning of ‘American Pie’ — and Sells Lyrics for $1.2 Million
Washington Post ^ | April 8 | Justin Wm. Moyer

Posted on 04/09/2015 4:35:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway

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1 posted on 04/09/2015 4:35:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I saw him live many years ago. He was interesting. Very good storyteller. Said that an old 50’s musician told him never to give up the rights to his songs. Because of that piece of advice he said he never had to work again because of American Pie. But I guess an extra million in the bank for some old pieces of paper doesn’t hurt!


2 posted on 04/09/2015 4:41:24 PM PDT by Hildy
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To: nickcarraway
As usual, Wapo embellishes. Search FR for another perspective.

If it really was about Holly's death, I'd have to disagree that music died that day.

And I haven't heard anyone (in nearly 100 posts between this and the other thread) even comment on the obvious references to Altamont.

3 posted on 04/09/2015 4:43:09 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
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To: nickcarraway
Always liked that song - I had read before that it was about Buddy Holly (and a lot of other things). I liked what McLean said:

“There is no poetry and very little romance in anything anymore, so it is really like the last phase of ‘American Pie.’"

He was sure right on that one.

4 posted on 04/09/2015 4:43:34 PM PDT by livius
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To: nickcarraway

The first time I heard “American Pie” on the radio, in 1971, it was a version in which all of the lyrics were explained by a narrator.


5 posted on 04/09/2015 4:43:44 PM PDT by 1raider1
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To: Hildy

Saw him in Tampa in the early eighties. Great show. He’s a solid performer and has a creditable repertoire of original compositions. I guess that’s understating it a bit. A little cheeky at times. The review of that show was titled, “I’m OK, you’re so-so”.


6 posted on 04/09/2015 4:44:49 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
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To: nickcarraway
Rock and roll would never be the same.

More then just a little bit of hyperbole in that statement. Rock and Roll has survived a great many tragic deaths.

7 posted on 04/09/2015 4:47:01 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (It takes a gun to feed a village (and an AK 47 to defend it).)
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To: 1raider1

Burl Ives?


8 posted on 04/09/2015 4:49:04 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I had a coworker who owned his own airplane and we were talking about the concept of bad weather and general aviation. With a smile on his face he said everytime he punched in with his Lancair he would start singing “Peggy Sue.”


9 posted on 04/09/2015 4:49:08 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Michael.SF.

Has it survived?


10 posted on 04/09/2015 4:49:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: Michael.SF.
More then just a little bit of hyperbole

They gots to move product!

11 posted on 04/09/2015 4:50:59 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
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To: nickcarraway

The lesson would be that you don’t let some guy named the Big Bopper get on your small plane.


12 posted on 04/09/2015 4:51:49 PM PDT by Oliviaforever
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To: nickcarraway
Has it survived?

I think it died after "Let's Dance" or "Eminence Front".

Due for another resurrection, though.

13 posted on 04/09/2015 4:51:59 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
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To: nickcarraway

Never liked the song even though I thought it was interestingly based on that famous plane crash.

On the other hand, I liked the movie, The Buddy Holly Story”, starring a relatively skinny Gary Busey.


14 posted on 04/09/2015 4:52:24 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: nickcarraway

I was never a huge fan of “hidden meaning” songs.


15 posted on 04/09/2015 4:52:53 PM PDT by equaviator (There's nothing like the universe to bring you down to earth.)
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To: nickcarraway

Buddy Holly and company was flying to Hector Airport in Fargo, ND. They were scheduled to play at the National Guard Armory, in Moorhead, MN. After the accident, another singer and group filled in Bobby Vee and the Crickets.

In 1967, I went to a college dance at the Armory. The building has since been torn down.


16 posted on 04/09/2015 4:57:50 PM PDT by Maine Mariner
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To: equaviator

The lyrics may be slightly cryptic, but not all that difficult to decipher.

Buddy Holly, Manson, Joplin, Beatles, Dylan, Vietnam, JFK.

It’s nothing but a liberal ode to failure of liberal policies masked in a tribute to Buddy Holly.


17 posted on 04/09/2015 4:58:14 PM PDT by Oliviaforever
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To: nickcarraway

Great song, great memorial.


18 posted on 04/09/2015 4:59:46 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: 9thLife; All
Here is one of my all time favorite songs. It's called EMPTY CHAIRS by Don McLean. Enjoy:

EMPTY CHAIRS

19 posted on 04/09/2015 5:00:39 PM PDT by Hildy
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To: nickcarraway

Love the song, one of the few secular/pop songs on my tablet. Don’t care if there are hidden meanings or not, doesn’t matter.


20 posted on 04/09/2015 5:01:42 PM PDT by madison10
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