But Don, you put these moments in the song that stand alone, yet in aggregate, they paint a picture of those times and I don’t think any song has ever done it more brilliantly than that one. It’s about the culture, how important music was, socio-historically to our culture and you weave it brilliantly.Įveryone wants to know about 'The Joker' or 'Jack Flash' but I think we can all understand who they are and who we want them to be. Everyone says, “What’s it about?” I know what it’s about - absolutely, definitively know what it’s aboutĭon McLean: That’s good. In honor of the song's 50th anniversary, McLean talked about its mysterious inspiration and legacy with Bart Herbison of Nashville Songwriters Association International.īart Herbison: 'American Pie.' I could argue that it’s the greatest song ever written, and I would love to have that argument. It's now been 50 years since 'American Pie' - all eight and a half cryptic minutes of it- took hold of the airwaves in 1971, and it's safe to say there's never been another song like it. 'A long, long time ago,' Don McLean began writing a rock epic with those words.
Watch Video: Story Behind the Song: 'American Pie'