American Pie is an examination of America from its idealistic 1950s through to the more dispiriting 1960s, along with music’s development during those decades.
McLean uses different strum patterns and tempos to keep his song from becoming monotonous over the eight-minute span of verses and choruses. To ensure an engaging experience for listeners, McLean employs various strum patterns and tempos throughout.
Intro
Don McLean’s American Pie is a beloved folk classic sure to get everyone singing along at your next gathering. While its unique chord progression and strumming pattern may prove challenging at first, with practice it can quickly become second nature!
This song is composed in G Major and thus makes it easier for listeners to learn than songs written in major or minor keys. McLean uses long strums in his verses while for the chorus he employs an eighth note-based strum pattern.
Verse 1
American Pie by Don McLean, released in 1975, was one of the earliest rock songs to explore the end of sixties optimism. Over its eight-and-a-half minute running time it narrates a tale spanning Buddy Holly’s death through Altamont, Candlestick Park and beyond.
Fans have attempted to interpret several events surrounding “the day the music died”, yet no definitive conclusion can be drawn from their interpretation. Some speculate it might refer to JFK, Martin Luther King Jr. or Charles Manson – none can be sure.
Verse 2
American Pie is one of the world’s best-known songs. Its mysterious yet thought-provoking lyrics have long enchanted people of all ages.
The second verse of McLean’s song references Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and JP Richardson who perished in a plane crash on February 3rd 1959; an event known as “the day the music died”. Additionally, McLean likely referenced Mick Jagger and The Beatles when writing it at 13. He began penning it at his gatehouse in Cold Spring New York.
Verse 3
This verse features multiple chords. At first it may seem challenging, but with some practice you will quickly learn it!
McLean uses this song as a vehicle for personal reflection on America from its idyllic 1950s through to the bleaker 1960s, as well as on the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J P Richardson (The Big Bopper) in a plane crash.
The final line evokes three assassinated civil rights leaders – Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks – slain during their civil rights activism.
Verse 4
American Pie can have many interpretations. Some suggest it evokes memories of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J P Richardson’s plane crash on February 3rd 1959 – known as The Day the Music Died.
Others argue it is a form of protest against the Vietnam war, social revolution and Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.
No matter what its original intent was, this classic party song never goes out of fashion! Easy to play and ideal for getting everyone singing along together.
Verse 5
This song contains many layers to unpack. From its namesake “Jester”, which refers to Bob Dylan, to its reference to Satan (referring to Hells Angels), there are numerous interpretations available in regards to its interpretations.
McLean was an avid admirer of rock and roll music from the 50s, so this tribute to this genre served to honor their legacy while paying a nod to those lost due to plane accidents; particularly Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. “The Big Bopper”.
This song spans eight minutes and features an intricate strumming pattern, but with practice you’ll soon become adept at playing this timeless party song!
Verse 6
Don McLean may be alluding to something specific with this verse of his song. Some have speculated it is related to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J P Richardson (hence the Father, Son and Holy Ghost references); others might see an allusion to Mick Jagger being attacked by Hell’s Angel bodyguards at Altamont concert.
This verse gives a glimpse of American life during the early seventies – Watergate, Vietnam War, and an overall feeling that nothing seemed to be working right.
Chorus
The chorus is often considered the cornerstone of any song. Ideally, its energy should surpass all other sections and include an engaging melody.
McLean does this effectively in American Pie by switching up his strumming pattern and even the tempo from verse to chorus; for example, using long, slow strums in verse one and increasing to an eighth note count during chorus two.
The post-chorus is the song section that comes after the chorus and typically features a melodic hook or serves as a dynamic bridge between verses and chorus.