University of Virginia Library

Own Idea

I have my own idea:
Toward the beginning of
"American Pie", McLean asks,
"do you believe in rock and
roll? Can music save your
mortal soul?" I think that the
music of McLean's youth is
like a kind of religion to him.
It represents a life-style which
he understood, enjoyed, and
admired most. He says (it)
"caught the last train to the
coast." The west coast of the
United States-California, in
particular-is well known for
having been in the forefront
during the emergence of the
"drug scene," so-called "heavy
music," and a brand of
liberalized morality. That's
where McLean's religion-his
music-went the day Buddy
Holly died.

Don McLean, as a musician,
may understand and even
partially accept what has
happened to music since the
late 50's. But, in this song, I
believe that he-like most of
the rest of us at one time or
another-longs for the
happiness and security of those
sweet, simple days of his
youth.

'American Pie': What Has Happened To Music Since The 50's