“The Big Bopper” Richardson had been tragically killed in an airplane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa. McLean was a paperboy when, on February 3, 1959, he saw that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. There is no real way to categorize McLean’s “American Pie” for its hybrid of modern poetry and folk ballad, beerhall chant and high-art rock. All sorts of historical cross currents play off each other in this timeless song, brilliantly gilded with the unforgettable chorus, which starts as “Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie”. It’s hard to believe that his phenomenal 8 and ½-minute allegory, which millions of Americans know by heart, is 44 years old. I would say to young songwriters who are starting out to immerse yourself in beautiful music and beautiful lyrics and think about every word you say in a song.'Ī long, long, time ago…” Those five words, when uttered or sung, make Baby Boomers immediately think of Don McLean’s pop masterpiece “American Pie”. It was an indescribable photograph of America that I tried to capture in words and music and then was fortunate enough through the help of others to make a successful recording. I thought it would be interesting as I reach age 70 to release this work product on the song American Pie so that anyone who might be interested will learn that this song was not a parlor game. I love the English language as much as anything in life and words really do mean something. My primary interests in life have been America, singing, songwriting, and the English language. 'For more than 40 years I have rambled around every state of the union and many, many countries of the world. Together 18 pages of manuscript on 17 sheets, all 4to. The complete working manuscript for the song “American Pie”, with numerous revisions and unpublished deleted sections.Ĭomprising: 4 pages manuscript in pencil on four sheets of blue paper stock, 11 pages manuscript on 10 sheets in pencil and ink on ruled spiral paper (including one a half sheet), 2 pages manuscript in pencil on two sheets of yellow paper stock, and one page typed manuscript on blue paper (with four lines holograph notes on verso in purple ink and pencil).

Don mclean american pie songs