Don McLean - Bye Bye Miss American Pie

Don Mclean ^ | 1971 | Don Mclean

[DallasBiff]

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

[dfwgator]

"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.

[Alberta's Child]

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

[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.

[dfwgator]

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!

[lee martell]

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.

[Revel]

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”.

[Zuriel]

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.

[unclebankster]

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.

[Gary from Dayton]

, “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.

[aspasia]

Repost

[Gary from Dayton]

“ 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.

[blackberry1]

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

can you name it?

[Dr. Sivana]

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".

[caver]

“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.

[dfwgator]

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

[Fungi]

Inagodadavida. spelled wrong I know.

[BobL]

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.

[dfwgator]

Thick As A Brick?

[gitmo]

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