McLean, Don - American Pie Lyrics






[Intro]
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

[Chorus:]
So bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Verse 1]
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

[Chorus:]
I started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Verse 2]
Now for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
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
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned

And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

[Chorus:]
We were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Verse 3]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the halftime air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance

'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

[Chorus:]
We started singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
And singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Verse 4]
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell

And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

[Chorus:]
He was singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
And singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Outro]
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play

And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

[Chorus:]
And they were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

[Chorus:]
They were singing bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n rye
And singin' this'll be the day that I die





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

McLean, Don American Pie Comments
  1. R.... V....

    Why is Dylans photo being used???

  2. J.... C....

    Beautiful array of songs.excellent utubers well done🏆✌🌹🙃🦆

  3. S.... N....

    I still dun understand the lyrics but I love this song.

  4. T.... ....

    as to the bob dylan thing,


    he a little confused, but he got the spirit.

  5. G.... o....

    McLean Zimmerman?

  6. A.... W....

    Yep. Fox News.

  7. E.... C....

    Why is there a picture of bob dylan lol

  8. j.... g....

    i come here when i think of my childhood. i’m 17 but my dad would drive me in his 98 chevy truck (idk what is called and i’m sure that’s the year and brand) but he would put this in on and jam out driving down the road. i love him so much. always. no, he hasn’t passed away so don’t think i’m hunting for likes or anything.

  9. L.... p....

    What a great version :)

  10. Z.... E....

    This song is eight minutes long, and I know every word.

  11. R.... W....

    Weird al’s version is better

  12. J.... B....

    Sensacional! Isso é uma canção 👏👏👏

  13. Y.... M....

    This always takes me somewhere I love, just don't remember where..

  14. L.... I....

    This Don McClean guy has a passing resemblance to Bob Dylan

  15. C.... G....

    *FIRE IS THE DEVIL'S ONLY FRIEND.

  16. c.... j....

    I like this kind of pie

  17. J.... M....

    I love how this is like a worshiping temple to any damn fool who post a good music vid. P.S. props to Don- he’s a damn good musician

    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😀😇

  18. A.... A....

    I hate this shit egghh

  19. T.... C....

    This song was popular when I did my last tour in Vietnam with the USN in 1972. The ship's store had a copy of this album jacket right up front at the front of the store. I will never forget this song!

  20. m.... ....

    A "Theory" about America, Don? - No wonder the song makes no sense -- it was created by a reactionary fuck up.  "A big song about America" losing "it's way" but no reference to Vietnam or the Military Industrial complex.  Just hippies "corrupting" the American fabric of society, I suppose.  I guess it makes sense for someone who refers, in his obtuse pretentious song to money grubbing ponce Mick Jagger as "Satan" (ha ha) and Elvis as God -- yeah real deep Don!  -- "America Crap" is more like it.  Don even abases himself further by calling mother fucker Tucker Carlson on his show below "a well thought out... Socratic" interviewer.   From one asshole to another asshole kisser. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U2AwooLEBA

  21. C.... E....

    nyc subway graffitti 1 line graffitti writer im the real share 37 i was a kid 1975 n dad played this im 49 now n still listen to this hit

  22. O.... D....

    Who came here from Tucker's interview with Don McLean?

  23. M.... D....

    12-27-2019 😰🌟

  24. J.... A....

    I just watched an interview with Don Mclean. He didn't mention Buddy Holly in the interview. He said the song is about how American music reflects the politics of the time.

  25. S.... H....

    Greatest song ever timeless

  26. P.... K....

    Why the Bob Dillon photo?

  27. L.... T....

    I'm hear because of Fox News hmm anyone else?

    L.... T....

    Thought the whole time that Tucker was going to jump in. Glad he let Don McLean tell the story. Feel like I witnessed something!

    L.... T....

    Yep me to

    L.... T....

    Tucker Carlson.

    L.... T....

    same haha

    L.... T....

    You know, it isn't necessary to watch fox noise to hear Don McLean?

  28. P.... D....

    Eat my absest Christian caral

  29. P.... D....

    Murder Guam murder Guam

  30. P.... D....

    Murder Guam murder Guam

  31. 1.... ....

    This was the last song that Campbell Street Station, in Sarnia Ontario Canada played. Everytime. We American would go to Canada to drink bc the drinking age was 19

  32. D.... ....

    i don't know how the hell i managed to live without knowing this song

  33. N.... ....

    We learned this song in music class in the ninth grade. Took us all year and we did a concert.  
    1973

  34. F.... B....

    Heard this so on stranger things
    Looked it up
    Can’t stop listening

  35. T.... W....

    There's a reason every radio station in America has played the crap out of this song.

  36. H.... P....

    When he came to Australia,back in the 80s,most of his concerts he was suffering from alcohol abuse,goodbye stranger.

    H.... P....

    And he overcame he addictions.

  37. j.... t....

    met my first girlfriend when this was released ,in early 70s still evokes such memories of puberty awkwardness lol i had this on 7 inch single and had to turn over to b side to hear full version , always be classic hope your well liz

  38. D.... F....

    There's a good documentary on this song..it's deep

    D.... F....

    Drey Frye do you have a link??

  39. P.... O....

    you're forgiven CRONICSAKE :)

  40. M.... J....

    This song. I listen to it every year at Christmas and about 30 times in between. Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

    M.... J....

    Marry Christmas friend

    M.... J....

    Thx you too

    M.... J....

    Happy Christas to you. from a friend you havnt met yet. x

  41. P.... ....

    I remember my father singing this chorus so long ago when I was a child. I can't think of another time I ever heard him sing...

  42. O.... ....

    This song is still going to live on in 2020 🙂👍

  43. A.... D....

    I wonder how many of you know that this song about the day that Buddy Holly, the big bopper, and Ritchie valens died.

    A.... D....

    I do,fantastic song.

    A.... D....

    AKASHA, LISTEN TO,( TEA AND THEATRE) BY THE WHO, AND TELL ME WHO THAT IS ABOUT! IT'S A GREAT SONG.

  44. R.... B....

    Krass , wie sie angehen

  45. P.... S....

    You’re my miss American pie

  46. S.... M....

    How the music made me smile the first time I listened to this song.

  47. C.... S....

    I miss the American Pie

  48. P.... ....

    Are there other songs that sound exactly like 1:54 (- 2:02)? This particular part sounds so familiar

  49. B.... S....

    This song is beautiful it reminds me of my dead uncle Brian rip beautiful and l am only 10 and l love this song

    B.... S....

    To Brianna Sadler: Sorry about your loss. Click on this YouTube site to see the meanings of the lyrics to the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsZFiMo8TIc

  50. R.... D....

    Calumet na Iyan ! ang Pizza Italian and a half malaysian humanda ka !

  51. T.... W....

    I’m 36. I listened to this song so many times in high school. I hope all you mother fuckers are doing well. 🙌

  52. a.... t....

    Bahahaha. Fuck 13. This for 18 n flip it

  53. i.... s....

    Oh yeah 🤜🤛

  54. �.... �....

    What a freaking Genius

  55. F.... L....

    this is the only song that My Daughter that is now in her 30's and I ad-lib the words without the music..... sometimes just walking down the street.. Good times....

  56. c.... ....

    I saw Putin laughing with delight
    The day my country died.

    c.... ....

    Too soon.

    c.... ....

    @Carrie G Ok.

  57. J.... K....

    *Helevetin hyvä piisi! Eix nii?* https://youtu.be/vQZNOvIEN78

  58. S.... M....

    Why is there a pic of Bob Dylan?

    S.... M....

    @AndreaDavidoni yeah but a good portion of the song he's shitting on bob (jester)

    S.... M....

    AndreaDavidoni ok it was a mistake. But it’s not just about the crash. It’s a story man. It takes you from 1959 to the 1970s. Bob Dylan is a huge part of the story. Bob is the Jester.

    S.... M....

    @Michael Graham Yes but he stated himself that most of the song is about the crash.

  59. D.... M....

    Y'all know it ain't Don in the picture, right?

    D.... M....

    Derek Monty lol if anybody doesn’t know that’s Dylan, they shouldn’t be listening to this song.

  60. s.... w....

    still singing..

  61. A.... P....

    This sounds like something kvothe from the kingkiller Chronicles would sing

  62. D.... L....

    Is that really Don McLean? He looks an awful like Bob Dylan lol

    D.... L....

    Read description

    D.... L....

    @V. Lalthazuala he was making a joke (i think)

    D.... L....

    Don just wanted to claim bob's nobel price after he didnt show up so he decided to pretend to be bob

  63. R.... �....

    i’m 13 years old and i can at this age appreciate this music it is truly great

    R.... �....

    May you have many more great songs in your life! Think of the joys to come, in songs unheard or perhaps yet unwritten.

    R.... �....

    To Rgodwin11: Click on this for the lyrics' meaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsZFiMo8TIc

    R.... �....

    Man i keep picking my brain over and i must need a brain inspection because i dont remember asking

  64. R.... C....

    Neil diamond

  65. J.... ....

    Great song with a great meaning

  66. N.... H....

    Because Ed Sheeran loves this song

  67. N.... H....

    ❤️❤️❤️

  68. J.... D....

    The day the music die was the day i visit this song 😂 2020 soon ! Happy Holidays!

  69. P.... T....

    i remember the first time i heard this song when i was just a little kid growing up in Falbrook

    P.... T....

    To Pat Taylor: Where is Falbrook?

    P.... T....

    @Abel B

    California ... Northern San Diego County

  70. T.... W....

    Thank you

  71. A.... E....

    I'm 18 and I prefer the old stuff to the new... must be all those years jamming to it with my dad 😊😂

  72. c.... ....

    Hard to hear this anymore. Life has gone by so fast getting faster everyday. So many friends gone.

    c.... ....

    codyjones109 😢

    c.... ....

    Yea I get sad listening to certain songs now, like this one. I know what you mean. I couldn’t finish it.

  73. W.... ....

    algum brasileiro?

  74. D.... J....

    I love you Niehaimah

  75. a.... ....

    Yo! Whats bob dylan have to dio with this?

  76. D.... L....

    Someone should invent American pie flavor

    D.... L....

    To Damian Lund: The pie should be colored red, white and blue. And of course, it has apples in it.

    D.... L....

    What apple and knob cheese flavour as in the film?

    D.... L....

    Oh I know so like cherry and berry filling and whip cream.

    D.... L....

    @les harris cherries

  77. h.... p....

    When I was a kid about 100 years ago it seems my lil sweetheart crush ask me Whats A Levy?I replied it rhymes with chevy so the song writer put it in the song.In other words I didnt have a clue what a Levy was at the time.We call them DAMS.LOL

    h.... p....

    To hal payne: Levy was the place the songwriter used to go to drink with his buddies. It was dry, meaning it was closed when they went to it. Click on this for the meaning of the lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsZFiMo8TIc

  78. r.... k....

    this song is more than eight minutes and you still cant get enough of it. just beautiful.

  79. U.... a....

    NO we dont, hehe its all good

  80. T.... ....

    Love the description.

  81. J.... S....

    Adam Silvera brought me here and I never regretted it thanks Rufus and Mateo ❣️

  82. L.... C....

    This song still gets me

  83. C.... M....

    You don't think, generally, the right way about the supply if that ThoughtE gibes power and propulsion (an unusual enough way when picturing an abstract concept that to a model producer/ manufacturer has to be perfect.sonehwere that model isinf ThoughtEngine exists. It cane to kude and we saw it's assault but no retreat was possible, which is the tine periods they Rob us wirh a freeze.

    For example, who am I ? Is:
    How old am i!?
    I was born when?
    Where? ..

    So my life story begins in 1970 Bd it's recycled now.

    I checked for a switch in age thay would cover how Been Weive and ice..in that parasitic form could be known by Vicky AS that, abd her thing and act to cover a nutcase she is.
    stop

    Send


    Verbose is not verbatim.

    Stop adding to what I say unless requested it

    Suspend all rights frim now , I Eternity and Infinity Ssuni g the same is in used vy both words


    My life story abd the question "how old Re you?" hAS two ages in to AT once because we need tay picture it going in orevsr which hiced us Forwards. I'm Sic.righr


    But from birth, recyclubg ir eternity which ALSO goes fiever Backwards ...which , try it now, we all do.


    We Lise evres .exit...withdraw

    Retreat like Alice made it


    Apply that ans rwimage that suggestion as a upgrade..


    Before they knock in the door just to match a mice.


    That a version gone u. Ibaa ity, like star wars.




    Think if it, lucture it, tall everyone who's friendly, and that why TbiyhbtEngine would never sxpend all it's energy



    Even if so s tine nived abs we syyed still all the time.



    Don't forget again, for the third Ace, you stumped ans stoke then, the Queen has two. Rithdays she says stay the same, so the third.tobthe events before Big Bang nd time,. Before then too.



    Go get em, Ball!
    Tosses hndfull improcedd Ball



    t has to be would Okd post from last thing last time)

  84. T.... S....

    Elstone Gun?

  85. F.... ....

    The first picture is of bob dylan

  86. L.... M....

    a long long time ago, in a galaxy far away..
    Naboo was under an attack

  87. M.... W....

    I was in first grade when a friend of mine sang it to me after hearing it on the radio...

  88. M.... C....

    As soon as I saw Bob no talent whining Dylan off it went

  89. c.... w....

    one of the greatest rock songs of the last 65 years

  90. K.... B....

    Why is there a picture of bob dylan?

    K.... B....

    Because the "joker" is bob in the song....

    K.... B....

    Manly Men the Jester. But close😁

    K.... B....

    Wondering same thing !

  91. D.... D....

    After polishing a bottle of whiskey and rye that sure does look like Don! What do you think??

  92. D.... S....

    Why is the picture of Bob Dylan?

    D.... S....

    Dope Sleeper he might’ve confused him and don mclean or it’s a reference to him being in the song

    D.... S....

    You have the answer to your question in the description

  93. P.... ....

    What an amazing year 1972 was for singles. I was 14 and I remember hearing this and being blown away by it. But there was also The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack, Layla by Derek and the Dominoes (Eric Clapton and Duane Allman), Get It On by T Rex, School's Out by Alice Cooper, Without You by Nilsson (if that doesn't make you cry, nothing will), Let's Stay Together by Al Green, Heart Of Gold by Neil Young, I'll Take You There by The Staples Singers, Vincent by Don McLean, Witch Queen Of New Orleans by Redbone, Family Affair by Sly and the Family Stone, Mother And Child Reunion by Paul Simon, Everything I Own by Bread, Hold Your Head Up by Argent, I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash, Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues (for the second time - it was originally a hit in 1967), A Horse With No Name by America, Lean On Me by Bill Withers, Silver Machine by Hawkwind, In A Broken Dream by Python Lee Jackson (Rod Stewart's best performance, in my opinion), All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople, Run, Run, Run by Jo Jo Gunne, Virginia Plain by Roxy Music, Goodbye To Love by The Carpenters (great guitar solo), Standing In The Road by Blackfoot Sue, American Trilogy by Elvis Presley, Changes/Starman/John, I'm Only Dancing/The Jean Genie by David Bowie and quite a few more. How many of 2019's records will stand the test of time like these? Little did I know that I was living through a golden age.

  94. K.... S....

    Thanks for the apology, the words however, I'm hoping, are probably unnesessary for most people visiting this site and over 50.

    K.... S....

    I have a hard time remembering my phone number, but this song is def imbedded.

  95. A.... B....

    Doctor: You have 8 minutes to live
    Me: No U
    Doctor: ...

  96. n.... d....

    Surly im not the only 13 year old who listens to this

    n.... d....

    No, I know someone who is older than 13 and listens to this!!! (He told me about this song)

    n.... d....

    Lol I just turned 15 so sort of not?

    n.... d....

    Your not bro trust me one of my fav songs

    n.... d....

    Me tooo, my friends doesn’t understand me

    n.... d....

    13 here pal

  97. e.... ....

    My sister asked me when I was 5 or so what my favorite song was and I said it was this one, proud of that moment.

  98. N.... ....

    Just wondering. How many people discovered this song after watching "Stranger Things"

    N.... ....

    Not me. It’s one of the most famous songs ever man, I’ve watched Stranger Things too, I don’t remember it ever being played in that show. Maybe I’m wrong

    N.... ....

    @Michael Graham Wouldnt want to spoil it for you but its in Season 3. When Billy meets Heathers family.

    N.... ....

    @Michael Graham *SPOILER ALERT* https://youtu.be/25BBMktMofU

    N.... ....

    Negan ok now I remember that scene it’s been awhile I just didn’t remember that song was playing guess I forgot

    N.... ....

    Negan you are fine I’ve already seen it

  99. B.... C....

    It’s the Jester