Don McLean is an amazing folk singer who created the unforgettable song “American Pie” in 1971.

He’s a talented musician from New York who started playing guitar as a teenager.

Even at 79, he’s still passionate about music and continues to share his gift with fans worldwide.

About the Song ‘American Pie’

“American Pie” is one of the best-known songs in music history.

It tells the story of the day music changed forever: February 3, 1959, when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash.

McLean wrote this 8-minute song to capture this tragic event and the cultural shifts in America during the 1960s.

The song became a cultural touchstone and topped charts worldwide.

Lyrics Of ‘American Pie’ By Don McLean

Verse 1

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

Chorus

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Verse 2

Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock ‘n’ roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

Chorus

I started singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Verse 3

Now, for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone
But that’s not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

Chorus

We were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Verse 4

Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and fallin’ fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
‘Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

Chorus

We started singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Verse 5

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the Devil’s only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

Chorus

He was singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Bridge

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

Deleted Verse

And there I stood alone and afraid
I dropped to my knees and there I prayed
And I promised Him everything I could give
If only He would make the music live
And He promised it would live once more
But this time one would equal four
And in five years four had come to mourn
And the music was reborn

Chorus

And they were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

Outro

They were singin’, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die”

Live Performances Of The Song ‘American Pie’ By Don McLean

Similar songs Like ‘American Pie’ By Don McLean

Here are similar songs by Don McLean that share thematic elements or emotional depth with “American Pie”:

Vincent – A touching tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh, this song shows McLean’s skill at storytelling through music. Like “American Pie,” it reflects on the life and death of an artist but focuses on Van Gogh’s struggles and talent.

Empty Chairs – A personal and moving song that captures feelings of loss and loneliness. Like “American Pie,” it uses vivid imagery to tell its story. This song inspired Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.”

Castles in the Air—Like the nostalgic tone of “American Pie,” this song examines dreams and ideals. It shares the same folk-rock style and thoughtful lyrics about life changes and personal growth.

And I Love You So – While not as complex as “American Pie,” this song shows McLean’s talent for writing lasting melodies. It deals with themes of love and hope and became so popular that Elvis Presley later recorded it.

Babylon—Based on Psalm 137, this song shares American Pie’s focus on loss and remembrance. Like McLean’s more famous hit, it conveys its message through historical references and storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Pie Still The Longest Song?

No.

In 2021, Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” broke American Pie’s record.

McLean’s song held the record for being the longest #1 hit for nearly 50 years.

Who Wrote “American Pie” By Don McLean?

In 1971, Don McLean wrote the song in Cold Spring and Philadelphia.

He created the lyrics and melody without any co-writers.

What Did Don McLean Say About “American Pie”?

McLean described it as a complicated parable about life becoming less idyllic.

He said the song represents a shift from the innocent 1950s to the darker 1960s.

Why Is It Called American Pie?

The title refers to apple pie, symbolizing American culture and values.

McLean used this imagery to represent traditional American ideals and innocence he felt were being lost.

Did American Pie Win A Grammy?

While “American Pie” never won a Grammy Award.

It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.