[Former Proud Canadian]

Maybe levee was the best word he could find to rhyme with Chevy?

[PGalt]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

http://www.lyrics007.com/Don%20Mclean%20Lyrics/American%20Pie%20Lyrics.html

[count-your-change]

I think an “explanation” came out many years ago, too many to recall, so let’s hear it again.

[RC one]

"It means I never have to work again"

Don McLean

[melsec]

Excellent - thanks for that - it helped tie together the bits I didn’t understand about the song

Mel

[glennaro]

Bob Dearborn of WCFL in Chicago did a fine analysis of the lyrics. I'm sure the original recording is on many places on the web to listen to, and the text of the explanation is available at:

http://understandingamericanpie.com/

[stonehouse01]

I always thought that song was about atheism taking over and destroying America. Atheism is a euphism for the anti-Christ because atheism/unbelief is anti belief = the anti Christian attitude.

In other words it is about the anti-Christ take over of America - in ideology at this point vs. the actual person of satan.

The song always creeped me out because I found it prophetic - or should I say anti prophetic because prophets interpret God/ anti-prophets interpret the anti-God.

[Shery]

It was a depressing song back then and still is.

[equaviator]

If I could hear this song played with the lyrics sung in a language I am not fluent in, would I still like it?

[PGalt]

...Eight miles high and falling fast...(McLean)

The Byrds...Eight Miles High...

Eight miles high and when you touch down
You’ll find that it’s stranger than known
Signs in the street that say where you’re going
Are somewhere just being their own

Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain gray town known for it’s sound
In places small faces unbound

Round the squares huddled in storms
Some laughing some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes and black limousines
Some living some standing alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9naHt2oo

[Joe 6-pack]

Don McLean was once asked in an interview what the "American Pie" meant.

His answer was, "It means I'll never have to work again."

:-)

[NavyCanDo]

Buddy Holly being the inspiration for it has been the long standing and most popular explanation. But I have also heard that the death and violence at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, the infamous rock concert held in the summer of 1969 was the writers inspiration. If one event in the world of Rock signals the end of innocence, and the beginning of Helter Skelter, that concert was it.

[SouthTexas]

Saw a short piece on Lennon a while back and he said sometimes the words don’t mean anything.

[TomGuy]

The Grand Rapids LipDub set a new world record — lipdub to American Pie.

I found it an interesting video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZPjjZCO67WI

[Le Chien Rouge]

“American Pie” absolutely bored the hell out of me.

Iggy Pop and the Stooges was my taste at the time...

JMO..

[blueunicorn6]

A great songwriter.

[Huskrrrr]

Great...now how about the lyrrics to “incense and peppermint.”

[Huskrrrr]

Great...now how about the lyrics to “incense and peppermint.”

[martin_fierro]

[rellimpank]

—bflr-