'American Pie' singer Don McLean says music no longer exists because of 'nihilistic society'

Fox News ^ | 04/11/2020 | Melissa Roberto

[Olog-hai]

Don McLean, the 74-year-old singer best known for his 1971 hit “American Pie,” says he is not impressed with the music of today.

The singer-songwriter believes times have certainly changed since his early days in the music industry, and he’s claiming there is no longer music of substance when he turns on the radio.

The folk-rock singer sat down with Tom Cridland for his YouTube series “The Greatest Music of All Time” to reflect on his musical career highlights. During the candid conversation, McLean partially discusses his political views, claiming that politics no longer “really mean anything,” and he likened it to drastic shift he’s noticed in music.

“The music doesn’t mean anything. The music reflects the spiritual nature of the society. We have a kind of a nihilistic society now,” McLean told the host. “No one believes in anything, no one likes anything, no one has any respect for anything much. The music shows that.” […]

The singer-songwriter added that today’s catchy songs involving notes and choruses “repeated over and over again” end up becoming “drummed into your head or makes you want to hang yourself.”

“It’s not a hook,” he said. …

[KevinB]

Of course, the folk-rock legend said that he does still have faith in musicians such as Paul Simon and Paul McCartney who are likely "still writing melodies."

He obviously hasn't been paying much attention to Paul McCartney's output for the last several decades. Absolute dreck.

[Fungi]

Fleetwood mac is one of my favorite groups. However, have no respect for Stevie Nicks after naming the song “Sarah” after her abortion, after a murdered unborn child. Her licentious sex left no room for an unborn life, she had to hide her guilt in the song. ‘Tango in the Night’ is one of their best with “Face of a Pretty Girl’ a classic. Hate them for excluding Bob Welch who later committed suicide after leaving,
That is all, for now.....

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Don McLean, the 74-year-old singer best known for his 1971 hit “American Pie,” says he is not impressed with the music of today.

74 year olds didn't like "American Pie" when it came out because it wasn't meant for them. Today's pop music isn't meant for Don McLean or other people his age.

[TChad]

Everyone has their own music preferences.

That's not my style of music at all, but they are very good together. I'm especially impressed with her.

[KevinB]

Hate them for excluding Bob Welch who later committed suicide after leaving,

Welch voluntarily left the band in '73/'74. After a successful solo career, he shot himself in 2012 after back surgery and being told by his doctor he was likely going to be an invalid. There is nothing to suggest that his suicide had anything to do with how he was treated by Fleetwood Mac.

Bob Welch Suicide

Now firing Lindsay Buckingham was inexcusable. To think that Fleetwood Mac can exist in his absence is laughable. Stevie Nicks was certainly a hottie back in the day, but she is a world-class bitch.

[Fungi]

I read it was because of his exclusion due to not being included with the band's induction into the R and R hall of fame. That was in the times, but I could be wrong. Wikipedia is not a reliable source. Love his a cappella version of sentimental lady.

[lee martell]

“OK, Boomer!”

[higgmeister]

Here is how he said the same thing in 1972:

The More You Pay (The More It's Worth)

The auctioneer said, I'm not through yet,
Here's a horse the likes of which you've never seen,
And the straw hats in the sun, with a face beneath each one,
Shown doubtful and the auctioneer got mean.
Do you think that you can find a horse like this every day?
I don't think there's any better on this earth,
And the more you pay, the more it's worth.

Then out she came, a snow-white mare,
Prancin' and a dancin' in the silver sun,
They watched her from behind, as she did her bump and grind,
Walkin' naked, sad and graceful for their fun.
Oh how I wished I could afford that lady painted white,
A queen with high nobility of birth,
But the more you pay, the more it's worth.

My pockets hung with empty blues,
Silent heels were standin' on my growin' pains,
My bid was not too bad, two bits was all I had,
And the stable boy just handed me the reins.
Well the gallery went wild, and the auctioneer half smiled,
What we don't sell we shoot or give away,
'Cause the more you pay, the more it's worth.

And where was the boy, who rode on her back,
With his arms holding tight round her neck?
How tightly he clung,
When they both were young,
And fate had not let this poor girl be so
Disgraced.

[higgmeister]

It sounded formulaic and contrived.   The heart was missing.   Maybe it needed some clicks and pops.

[Nifster]

Your opinion

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

The first time I heard the American Pie album I told my buddy that I liked Vincent more than American Pie.

[higgmeister]

I thought this was good.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Cover) - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Foxes and Fossils

[Golden Eagle]

The center of popular music innovation and depth for the past 50 years - the UK - has dried up, for whatever reason. Take a look at the most popular electronic downloads in the UK over the last 10 or so years, and hardly a native band to be found.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-downloaded_songs_in_the_United_Kingdom

[CrimsonTidegirl]

I love “Empty Chairs”.

[TexasGator]

40 gold and platinum albums
Hall of fame
Concerts too many to track
$50 million net worth

[CrimsonTidegirl]

It’s because of YouTube that I discovered European Metal music.

“Nightwish”, “Epica”, “Sabaton”, “Within Temptation”, “Iced Earth” and “Sonata Arctica” are great.

IMO, the main vocalist of “Nightwish”, Floor Jansen, is the best female vocalist in music today.

With a few exceptions, I cannot tolerate the modern garbage played on contemporary radio stations.

[Oneanddone]

https://www.mic.com/articles/107896/scientists-finally-prove-why-pop-music-all-sounds-the-same

....maybe a case of dumb down music for dumb down masses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVME_l4IwII

...the “Millennial whoop”. (4:30)

[TexasGator]

Due to the virus

[nickcarraway]

I thought his best song was his version of Crying.

[HarleyD]

The singer-songwriter added that today’s catchy songs involving notes and choruses “repeated over and over again”

One of my pet peeves at church. We call them 7-11 songs. Seven words sung eleven times.