Don McLean’s “American Pie” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone. Released in 1971, this sprawling, enigmatic rock epic, clocking in at over eight minutes, captured the zeitgeist of a generation and continues to fascinate listeners decades later. To mark its 50th anniversary, McLean sat down with Bart Herbison of the Nashville Songwriters Association International to delve into the song’s mysterious origins, its profound impact, and the spirit that fuels its enduring legacy.
A Song Born From a Volatile America
Herbison, echoing the sentiments of countless fans, declared “American Pie” to be arguably “the greatest song ever written,” praising its ability to encapsulate a generation and a cultural moment. McLean, while appreciative, contextualized the song’s genesis within a turbulent America. He recalled a time far removed from pandemics, yet rife with its own forms of unrest. “America was much more volatile than it is at the moment,” McLean explained. “Cities were burning. People in the street. We’d had enough of LBJ and Nixon.” This was the backdrop against which “American Pie” began to take shape, a nation grappling with the Vietnam War and profound social upheaval.
Don McLean and Bart Herbison discussing "American Pie"
McLean emphasized the spiritual dimension of the song, stating, “Part of what ‘American Pie’ is, is a spiritual song, about the spirit of the country and what was happening to it.” He saw the music itself as a representation of this national spirit, a “theory of ‘American Pie'” that unexpectedly resonated with the masses. Despite the song’s immense success and the constant inquiries into its meaning, McLean remains grounded, expressing gratitude that it allows him to discuss the country he deeply loves and is “very interested in.”
The Spontaneous Spark of Creation
The genesis of “American Pie” was remarkably organic. McLean described his songwriting process as intuitive and improvisational. “What I do is I put a tape recorder on,” he shared, “I’ll start to sing into the recorder. I don’t write the lyrics down. I don’t write the melody down… I’ll just start singing a song, an idea.” It was in this manner that the iconic opening lines of “American Pie” emerged. He recounted singing into his recorder, “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how the music made me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, I could make those people dance. Maybe they’d be happy for a while.” The line that followed, “but something touched me deep inside, the day the music died,” struck him with its profound and somewhat mysterious quality, prompting him to recognize he was onto something significant.
Herbison expressed astonishment at this revelation, underscoring the spontaneous and almost divinely inspired nature of the song’s creation. This anecdote highlights the raw, unfiltered creative process that birthed a song that would become a defining anthem.
Crafting a Unique Musical Form
While the initial verses flowed freely, McLean revealed that “American Pie” took shape over several months. He was working on his second album, searching for a direction and a title. Initially envisioned as a ballad record, McLean felt the need for a more dynamic and unconventional approach. “I needed to come up with a chorus that was crazy and rip it, rather than lay there with it,” he explained. This desire for a departure from conventional song structures led to the unique form of “American Pie.”
McLean maintained the slow, reflective tempo of the opening verse, but then expanded upon it, adding five more verses of similar length, creating what he described as a “rock dream kind of idea.” He strategically modulated the tempo, slowing down the fifth verse to create a dynamic arc within the song. This deliberate manipulation of tempo and structure is a key element of “American Pie”‘s distinctiveness. “The form of this song is different from almost any song you would hear,” McLean noted, a characteristic he deeply valued. The title itself, “American Pie,” emerged seemingly from intuition, perfectly encapsulating the song’s multifaceted themes.
The Visual Impact of the Album Cover
Adding another layer to the “American Pie” phenomenon was its striking album cover. Herbison confessed to purchasing the album initially based on the cover alone, a testament to its visual allure. The simple yet iconic image, featuring McLean’s thumb prominently displayed, was conceived by artist George Whiteman. McLean recounted Whiteman’s reaction upon hearing the song: “He heard the song and I went to his studio and he told me he was going to paint my thumb.” This seemingly quirky idea resonated perfectly with the song’s enigmatic and quintessentially American character.
The album cover, with its bold simplicity, became instantly recognizable and contributed significantly to the album’s appeal. McLean acknowledged the collaborative spirit surrounding the project, noting that both the producer and the cover artist intuitively grasped the essence of “American Pie,” even if he himself was still in the process of fully realizing its impact.
Navigating Radio Edits and Chart Success
The unconventional length of “American Pie” presented a challenge for radio airplay. Herbison, a former DJ, recalled receiving an edited version of the song, trimmed down to around four minutes. While acknowledging the practicalities of radio programming, McLean admitted to feeling somewhat detached from these decisions at the time, focused instead on the creative process.
However, the demand for the full-length version grew, ultimately driving listeners to purchase the album. This phenomenon, while perhaps initially frustrating for radio programmers, ultimately benefited the song’s reach and impact. Moreover, the song’s length had a unique financial advantage for McLean as a songwriter. Due to its extended duration, “American Pie” qualified for double royalties from BMI, effectively making it “like having two hits at once.” This, coupled with its placement as a double-sided single on jukeboxes, further solidified its commercial success. Despite the edits, “American Pie” soared to No. 1 on the charts, cementing its place in music history.
A Song That Continues to Resonate
Herbison highlighted the masterful arrangement, tempo changes, and emotional delivery within “American Pie,” emphasizing how these elements contribute to the song’s enduring power. He noted the song’s ability to evoke deep emotions and provoke introspection, even decades after its release. When asked about whether any of the figures alluded to in the song, such as Dylan or Jagger, had ever commented on it, McLean shared an anecdote about Dylan’s son inquiring about the lyrics, to which McLean playfully responded, “your father would make a good jester though!”
Despite the immense acclaim and the song’s iconic status, McLean maintains a humble perspective. He avoids pride, attributing his success to simply “put[ting] one foot in front of the other” and navigating the challenges of the music industry. However, the profound impact of “American Pie” is undeniable. Herbison movingly recounted how revisiting the song after years still deeply affected him, inspiring him to action and reminding him of the power of music to move and motivate. McLean expressed gratitude for such testimonials, acknowledging the profound connection the song has forged with listeners and the personal stories they share with him. Ultimately, “American Pie” stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to capture the spirit of a time, resonate across generations, and inspire profound personal reflection.
