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Don McLean - Bye Bye Miss American Pie
Don Mclean ^ | 1971 | Don Mclean

Posted on 12/01/2023 1:30:07 PM PST by DallasBiff

"American Pie" is a song by American folk rock singer and songwriter Don McLean. Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number-one US hit for four weeks in 1972. In the UK, the single reached No. 2

(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; History; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: 8minutesongs
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A local radio show. had the greatest 8 minute songs, to be popular songs, "Funeral for a Friend" made by Elton John, is the greatest long song popular hit.

Flame away

1 posted on 12/01/2023 1:30:07 PM PST by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
"Funeral for a Friend" made by Elton John, is the greatest long song popular hit.

I make the case, that Elton John's band at that time, was the best band on the planet.

2 posted on 12/01/2023 1:31:51 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff

I put “American Pie” in the same category as “Freebird” … iconic songs that were ruined from being overplayed on FM radio.


3 posted on 12/01/2023 1:32:57 PM PST by Alberta's Child (If something in government doesn’t make sense, you can be sure it makes dollars.)
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To: DallasBiff

There is no better 8+ minute rock song out there than Grand Funk Railroad’s “Closer To Home (I’m Your Captain).” Change my mind. LOL.


4 posted on 12/01/2023 1:37:06 PM PST by Alberta's Child (If something in government doesn’t make sense, you can be sure it makes dollars.)
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To: Alberta's Child
There is no better 8+ minute rock song out there than Grand Funk Railroad’s “Closer To Home (I’m Your Captain).” Change my mind. LOL.

Genesis Supper's Ready - 23 Minutes!

5 posted on 12/01/2023 1:38:20 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff

Funeral for a friend was a complex, original and very interesting piece by Elton.
It shows his mastery of many popular forms of music, from the stately reserve of classical dirges in the intro, to light, melodious confections with seriously worded lyrics; i.e. Love Lies Bleeding In My Hand at the end.

Somewhat similar in approach (a sweet confection with serious lyrics) to Paul McCartrney’s “Maxwell Silverhammer”.
Tap your toes to the player piano music, but don’t let yourself think too much about the lyrics.


6 posted on 12/01/2023 1:40:03 PM PST by lee martell
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To: DallasBiff

This song is more spot on today then it was yesterday. Everything has been infiltrated. And I mean everything. The writing is on the wall now, and it very accurate to say “Bye Bye Miss American pie”.


7 posted on 12/01/2023 1:41:27 PM PST by Revel
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To: Alberta's Child

Yep, early 72, senior yr in haw scewl, driving around in my 69 falcon, the am radio played A-P to death. I remember flipping channels once and the other pop/rock station I could get clearly, was playing it as well.


8 posted on 12/01/2023 1:43:02 PM PST by Zuriel (Acts 2:38,39....Do you believe it?)
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To: Alberta's Child

I put “American Pie” in the same category as “Freebird” … iconic songs that were ruined from being overplayed on FM radio.

*******************

Lol

I remember American Pie in my 20’s, as a late night bar song that meant I was getting laid.


9 posted on 12/01/2023 1:46:29 PM PST by unclebankster ( Globalism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.)
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To: DallasBiff

, “Funeral for a Friend” made by Elton John, is the greatest long song popular hit.”

Yes. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is still my favorite album ever. Mostly for that opening track.


10 posted on 12/01/2023 1:48:04 PM PST by Gary from Dayton (Scary unvaccinated American )
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To: DallasBiff
Repost
11 posted on 12/01/2023 1:49:02 PM PST by aspasia
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To: dfwgator

“ I make the case, that Elton John’s band at that time, was the best band on the planet. ”

Yes. The same band he had on his last tour, minus Dee Murray on bass because he died. They were the best backing musicians ever assembled.


12 posted on 12/01/2023 1:51:15 PM PST by Gary from Dayton (Scary unvaccinated American )
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To: Alberta's Child

The first monster marathon song was from Iron Butterfly...17 minutes long.

can you name it?


13 posted on 12/01/2023 2:06:01 PM PST by blackberry1
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To: DallasBiff
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is over 11 minutes long.

I wouldn't compare that with American Pie. Funeral is largely about the music. the words kick in late, and aren't brilliant. People don't sing along to it.

"American Pie" is sing-songy, it tells an opaque story, and certainly conjures up images.

(BTW, I love Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, and got to see it performed live in the '70s. I have NO idea why he started opening concerts with "Tiny Dancer" later on, when FFaF/LLB is MUCH better for setting the mood for an Elton John concert.

On the other hand, Weird Al made a fantastic tribute to American Pie

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

You may get some partisans for Rick Wakeman (Journey to the Center of the Earth), Kraftwerk (Autobahn), Robert Fripp (Under Heavy Manners), and the 7:55 Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven".
14 posted on 12/01/2023 2:08:25 PM PST by Dr. Sivana ("If you can’t say something nice . . . say the Rosary." [Red Badger])
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To: Alberta's Child

“I put “American Pie” in the same category as “Freebird” … iconic songs that were ruined from being overplayed on FM radio.”

I would put American Pie in an overplayed category all by itself.


15 posted on 12/01/2023 2:08:38 PM PST by caver
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To: Gary from Dayton

I’d say Billy Joel’s band was pretty close as well, especially Liberty DeVitto.


16 posted on 12/01/2023 2:12:16 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: blackberry1

Inagodadavida. spelled wrong I know.


17 posted on 12/01/2023 2:19:26 PM PST by Fungi
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To: DallasBiff

No flame, but it did take COURAGE back then to run songs longer than 4 minutes, much less 8 minutes, as the radio stations wanted nothing to do with long songs, which meant that The Labels (record companies, for those of you in Rio Linda) would not let most Artists (bands, for those of you in Rio Linda) produce long songs.


18 posted on 12/01/2023 2:35:02 PM PST by BobL (Trump gets my vote, even if I have to write him in; Millions of others will do the same)
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To: Alberta's Child

Thick As A Brick?


19 posted on 12/01/2023 2:35:50 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: BobL; DallasBiff

I played that song on the air and the long version of Hey Jude when I had to go to the bathroom.


20 posted on 12/01/2023 2:37:25 PM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn't match your biography, what good is it?)
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