Holly's recent bride was pregnant when the crash took place she had a miscarriage shortly afterward.īut something touched me deep inside, The day the music died. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride McLean recalls his desire to become a musician playing that sort of music.īuddy Holly died on Februin a plane crash in Iowa during a snowstorm.ĭon McLean's only job before becoming a full-time singer-songwriter was being a paperboy.īad news on the doorstep. One of early rock and roll's functions was to provide dance music for various social events. And I knew if I had my chance, That I could make those people dance, And maybe they'd be happy for a while.

I can still remember how That music used to make me smile. in 1972 the album containing it was released in 1971. McLean is lamenting the lack of 'danceable' good time party music in rock and roll and (in part) attributing that lack to the absence of Buddy Holly et. The entire song is a tribute to Buddy Holly and a commentary on how rock and roll music changed in the years since his death. They were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie He was singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pieīut the man there said the music wouldn't playĪnd in the streets, the children screamedĪnd they were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pieĭrove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quickĪnd as the flames climbed high into the night We started singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie

'Cause the players tried to take the field While the sergeants played a marching tune With the jester on the sidelines in a cast The birds flew off with a fallout shelter We were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie When the jester sang for the king and queen

Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and ryeĪnd singin', 'This'll be the day that I die I started singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie Well, I know that you're in love with him Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dryĪnd them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and ryeĪnd can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Who was the song american pie about