TL;DR:
- Don McLean revealed that part of “American Pie” may refer to Buddy Holly.
- Holly’s brother jumped for joy when he heard the song.
- “American Pie” became a huge hit.
The lyrics by Don McLean Classic skirt song”american cake‘ were interpreted as a reference to Buddy Holly. McLean said part of the song could be about Holly. Additionally, he said the same lyrics could refer to something “almost unspeakable.”
Don McLean discussed possible inspirations behind his most famous song
The opening verses of “American Pie” mention a newsboy who becomes sad when he learns of someone’s death. He is particularly moved when he learns of the widow of the deceased. According to a 2020 article by The guardHer fans generally believe that these lines of the song are about Holly. McLean was asked if these lyrics could also refer to his father’s death.
“You hit the nail on the head,” McLean said. “I mean, that’s exactly right. That’s why I don’t like to talk about the lyrics, because I wanted to capture and say something almost unspeakable. It’s beyond words.” McLean called “American Pie” “a biographical song.”
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What Buddy Holly’s Brother Thought of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”
During a 2022 interview with gold mineMcLean explained that “American Pie” increased public interest in Holly. “I got a letter from John Goldrosen, I found him the other day,” he said. He said that when he wrote his book about Buddy Holly, nobody cared about a book about a dead rock star until the song came out, and that’s what got Buddy the status he deserved. He probably would have done it anyway because of Paul McCartney or something, but it happened because of American Pie.”
McLean also revealed how Holly’s brother reacted to “American Pie.” “Travis was at a thing we were doing in 1979 or 1980 and he said he wanted to shake my hand and told me he was driving in his truck and he heard ‘American Pie’ and he pulled over to the curb and jumped for joy “, he said.
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How ‘American Pie’ charted in the US and UK
Regardless of its subject matter, “American Pie” became McLean’s biggest hit by far. It surpassed that Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and became McLean’s only No. 1 single in the United States. The song stayed in the charts for 19 weeks. McLean released the tune on his album of the same name. american cake exceeded the poster 200 for seven of its 48 weeks on the chart.
“American Pie” was also popular in Britain. The Official Charts Company reports that it peaked at number 2 there and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks. american cake reached number 2 in the UK and stayed on the charts for 54 weeks.
“American Pie” was a smash hit, even impressing a rock star’s brother.
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https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/don-mclean-revealed-part-american-pie-may-buddy-holly.html/ Don McLean revealed part of ‘American Pie’ may be about Buddy Holly
