American Pie

[knzn]

The other thread on here about "the day the music died" got me to wondering what the song "American Pie" is all about? You know the one, "Drove my Chevy to the levy" etc.

Just heard it on an oldies station last night and it is still fresh on my mind.

 

[ahgar]

i seem to remember it is a reference to the plane crash that killed buddy holly, the big bopper, and ritchie valenz. could be wrong but i think that's it.
later,ahgar

 

[Cougar Allen]

It's about Buddy Holly's death but it's also about a lot of other things ... it's a poetic history of rock and roll. It's easier to understand reading it than listening....

 

[Lanza]

Ahgar and CA have it exactly right.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Read AND listen.

If you do an internet search for "the day the music died" you will get lots of hits on the story and the song. Here's an annotated version of "American Pie".

3 February 1959: Buddy Holly killed in air crash

 

[knzn]

Thanks guys.

I guess I am kind of funny when it comes to music. I can hear a song for years and years and never actually hear the lyrics. Then one day, for no good reason, they pop in my head.

 

[JohnG]

Thanks guys.

I guess I am kind of funny when it comes to music. I can hear a song for years and years and never actually hear the lyrics. Then one day, for no good reason, they pop in my head.

I had the happen with the CSNY version of "Woodstock". Heard it maybe a hundred times before I understood the "billion year old carbon" and "butterflies" lines.

 

[L6steel]

I heard and couldn't stand Jimmy Hendrix's version of the National Anthem for years and then one day I heard it on the radio and it clicked. Now I love it and it all makes sense. Before it just sounded like someone stomping on a guitar. Music is amazing!

 

[zenheretic]

Thanks guys.

I guess I am kind of funny when it comes to music. I can hear a song for years and years and never actually hear the lyrics. Then one day, for no good reason, they pop in my head.

I do the same thing...usually ruins the song once I hear what they are really saying....Oh that is why it is called death metal.