Don McLean’s “American Pie” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Decades after it soared to the top of the Billboard charts, this epic track continues to captivate listeners of all ages. Covered by music icons like Garth Brooks, Madonna, and Jon Bon Jovi, and even reimagined in a new version featuring McLean himself with Home Free, its enduring popularity is undeniable. Yet, for all its fame, “American Pie” remains shrouded in mystery. The intricate lyrics have sparked countless debates and interpretations: Who is the enigmatic Court Jester? Does “the King” refer to Elvis Presley? And what is the true meaning behind the title “American Pie” itself?
The documentary, “The Day the Music Died,” now available for streaming on Paramount+, finally sheds light on these long-standing questions. This film delves into the rich history behind “American Pie,” offering answers and celebrating its status as a musical masterpiece. It also candidly portrays the hurdles McLean faced in bringing this iconic song to life.
“American Pie” was born from McLean’s reflections on a pivotal era in American history, the 1960s. He witnessed the assassinations of prominent figures like the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr., and the nation was deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War. However, the genesis of the song, for McLean, traces back to an earlier tragedy: “the day the music died.” This was the devastating 1959 plane crash that claimed the lives of rock and roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, marking, in McLean’s view, the abrupt end of the optimistic 1950s.
McLean himself has described “American Pie” as a “kaleidoscopic, dreamlike song about America.” Interestingly, he had long maintained a silence regarding the specific meanings embedded within his lyrics. Until now, explanations were scarce.
“It was too hard in an interview to explain the subtlety of what I was trying to say,” McLean reveals. “So, I would say, ‘Look I really don’t talk about the lyrics.’ And that’s all I would say. Because it would require a set-up such as this movie makes, for me to then come in and talk about how I lived through this.” “The Day the Music Died” provides precisely this necessary setup. Directed by Mark Moormann, the film explores McLean’s life journey, starting from his childhood in New Rochelle, New York, where he began working as a newspaper delivery boy. It was through a newspaper headline that young McLean learned of the Buddy Holly plane crash, an event that profoundly impacted him.
The documentary masterfully interweaves the historical context of the era with personal narratives and the phenomenal rise of “American Pie.” It features insights from prominent musicians like Garth Brooks and Brian Wilson, among others, adding layers of appreciation for the song’s impact. Garth Brooks, who hails “American Pie” as “quite possibly the greatest song in music history,” has been performing it since the early days of his career. A highlight was in 1997 when, during his record-breaking Central Park concert broadcast on HBO, Brooks invited Don McLean to share the stage and perform “American Pie” together.
Despite its current iconic status, McLean faced considerable obstacles in getting “American Pie” recorded. Watching the completed documentary brought this reality into sharp focus for him. “I realized how everything was against me and I didn’t allow it to defeat me. The record producer didn’t think I had any talent, he didn’t really care about my songs.” Even after getting into the studio, achieving the desired sound proved challenging until pianist Paul Griffin joined the project and added a crucial element to the song’s arrangement. Further complicating matters was the song’s unconventional length – a sprawling eight and a half minutes, far exceeding typical radio play formats. Negative reviews from Rolling Stone Magazine added to the initial headwinds.
Against all odds, “American Pie” reached No. 1 in early 1972 and has remained a beloved American classic ever since. In a landmark moment within “The Day the Music Died,” McLean, for the first time, offers a verse-by-verse analysis of the song, unveiling the personal meanings behind his poetic lyrics. While the opening verse undeniably reflects his grief over Buddy Holly’s death, many other lines are rooted in McLean’s personal experiences and observations of the world around him. Some references are deeply intimate. The lines, “Well, I know that you’re in love with him, I saw you dancing in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes, Man I dig those rhythm and blues,” capture a young, lonely McLean observing the happiness of others from the outside. The poignant line, “For 10 years we’ve been on our own, Moss grows fat on a rolling stone,” speaks to McLean and his mother’s life after the passing of his father in 1960.
Addressing some of the most debated lyrics, McLean clarifies the lines: “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.” Despite widespread speculation that the Jester is Bob Dylan and the King is Elvis, McLean dismisses these interpretations. “I said James Dean in the song. If I meant Elvis or Bob Dylan I would have said their names.” He further explains that the “thorny crown” reference is a deliberate clue, stating, “If you want to think the King is Elvis you can, but the King in my song has a thorny crown. That’s Jesus Christ.”
However, McLean confirms that his “Lenin” reference does indeed relate to John Lennon, albeit with a layer of double meaning. “If you look at where I talk about John Lennon, I say ‘Lenin read a book on Marx.’ Well, Lenin read Marx, and then there was Marxist Leninism, and John Lennon certainly read Marx because he wanted socialism. So, it’s both.” Throughout the documentary, McLean continues to unravel the imagery woven throughout “American Pie,” including later verses that express his disillusionment with the Vietnam War.
Regarding the song’s enigmatic title, “American Pie,” McLean reveals its origin earlier in the film. It stems from the quintessential American phrase “American as apple pie,” but with a crucial omission. The “apple” is gone, suggesting a loss of innocence or a change in the American ideal.
Watching “The Day the Music Died” and gaining access to the backstory of “American Pie,” coupled with McLean’s unprecedented lyrical explanations, offers a truly illuminating experience after so many years of speculation. It enriches our understanding and deepens our appreciation for this enduring American classic, which, even half a century later, continues to resonate powerfully.
