Don McLean
Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, … Read Full Bio ↴Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie", an 8.5-minute folk rock "cultural touchstone" about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation (US #1 for four weeks in 1972 and UK #2).
McLean's grandfather and father, both also named Donald McLean, had roots originating in Scotland. The Buccis, the family of McLean's mother, Elizabeth, came from Abruzzo in central Italy. They left Italy and settled in Port Chester, New York at the end of the 19th century. He has other extended family in Los Angeles and Boston. Though some of his early musical influences included Frank Sinatra and Buddy Holly, as a teenager, McLean became interested in folk music, particularly the Weavers' 1955 recording At Carnegie Hall. He often missed long periods of school because of childhood asthma, particularly music lessons, and although McLean slipped back in his studies, his love of music was allowed to flourish. By age 16, he had bought his first guitar and began making contacts in the music business, becoming friends with the folk singers Erik Darling and Fred Hellerman of the Weavers.
McLean recorded Tapestry in 1969 in Berkeley, California during the student riots. After being rejected 72 times by labels, the album was released by Mediarts, a label that had not existed when he first started to look for a label. He worked on the album for a couple of years before putting it out. It attracted good reviews but little notice outside the folk community, though on the Easy Listening chart "Castles in the Air" was a success, and in 1973 "And I Love You So" became a number 1 Adult Contemporary hit for Perry Como.
McLean's major break came when Mediarts was taken over by United Artists Records, thus securing the promotion of a major label for his second album, American Pie. The album launched two number one hits in the title song and "Vincent". American Pie's success made McLean an international star and piqued interest in his first album, which charted more than two years after its initial release.
In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In January 2018, BMI certified that "American Pie" and "Vincent" had reached five million and three million airplays respectively.
His composition "And I Love You So" has been sung by Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell, and others, and in 2000, Madonna had a hit with a rendition of "American Pie". His other hit singles include "Vincent" (US #12, UK #1 in 1972), "Dreidel" (US #21 in 1972), a rendition of Roy Orbison's "Crying" (US #5, UK #1 in 1980), a rendition of the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" (US #23 in 1980), and "Wonderful Baby" (US AC #1 in 1975).
McLean's grandfather and father, both also named Donald McLean, had roots originating in Scotland. The Buccis, the family of McLean's mother, Elizabeth, came from Abruzzo in central Italy. They left Italy and settled in Port Chester, New York at the end of the 19th century. He has other extended family in Los Angeles and Boston. Though some of his early musical influences included Frank Sinatra and Buddy Holly, as a teenager, McLean became interested in folk music, particularly the Weavers' 1955 recording At Carnegie Hall. He often missed long periods of school because of childhood asthma, particularly music lessons, and although McLean slipped back in his studies, his love of music was allowed to flourish. By age 16, he had bought his first guitar and began making contacts in the music business, becoming friends with the folk singers Erik Darling and Fred Hellerman of the Weavers.
McLean recorded Tapestry in 1969 in Berkeley, California during the student riots. After being rejected 72 times by labels, the album was released by Mediarts, a label that had not existed when he first started to look for a label. He worked on the album for a couple of years before putting it out. It attracted good reviews but little notice outside the folk community, though on the Easy Listening chart "Castles in the Air" was a success, and in 1973 "And I Love You So" became a number 1 Adult Contemporary hit for Perry Como.
McLean's major break came when Mediarts was taken over by United Artists Records, thus securing the promotion of a major label for his second album, American Pie. The album launched two number one hits in the title song and "Vincent". American Pie's success made McLean an international star and piqued interest in his first album, which charted more than two years after its initial release.
In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In January 2018, BMI certified that "American Pie" and "Vincent" had reached five million and three million airplays respectively.
His composition "And I Love You So" has been sung by Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell, and others, and in 2000, Madonna had a hit with a rendition of "American Pie". His other hit singles include "Vincent" (US #12, UK #1 in 1972), "Dreidel" (US #21 in 1972), a rendition of Roy Orbison's "Crying" (US #5, UK #1 in 1980), a rendition of the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" (US #23 in 1980), and "Wonderful Baby" (US AC #1 in 1975).
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Don McLean Lyrics
(It Was) A Very Good Year When I was seventeen It was a very good year It was…
-American Pie A long long time ago I can still remember how That music…
02 General Store Mornin', Mrs. Campbell Lovely day today I heard about the fi…
06 Sister Fatima The spirit of Fatima still rules the Earth She knows your…
07 Three Flights Up On the first floor' On the first floor On the first…
09 Wonderful baby Wonderful baby livin' on love The sandman says maybe he'll t…
10 La la i love you If you wanna make me happy Here's all you gotta do Just…
13 And i Love you so And I love you so The people ask me how How I've…
1967 In Nineteen Sixty Seven the draft caught up with me, Me…
A Total Eclipse of the Sun There she was behind the counter When I saw her she…
A Very Good Year When I was seventeen It was a very good year It was…
Addicted To Black I'm addicted to black addicted to black Addicted to wearin'b…
Aftermath Windows in a silent room, sunlight burns the walls to…
Ain't She a Honey Ain't she a honey gonna spend all the money I got,…
American Pie A long, long time ago I can still remember how that…
American Pie (Complete Origina A long, long time ago I can still remember how that…
American Pie (original) A long, long time ago I can still remember How that music…
American pie - A long long time ago I can still remember how That music…
American Pie Part I A long long time ago I can still remember how That music…
American Pie Parts I and II A long, long time ago I can still remember how…
Among My Souvenirs There's nothing left for me Of days that used to be I…
Ancient History Just walk on out the door, it's all over Forgivin' you…
And I Love You So And I love you so The people ask me how How I've…
Angry Words I don't know why I did it, I guess I…
Babylon By the waters, the waters of Babylon We lay down and…
Bad Girl 'Round and 'round, the years go 'round and 'round And…
Believers I got no money, got no job, I'm just another…
Birthday Song If I could say the things I feel, it wouldn't…
Black Sheep Boy Here I am back home again And I′m here to rest All…
Blue Christmas I'll have a blue Christmas without you I'll be so blue…
Boots & Saddles Take me back to my boots and saddle Wooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-oo…
Botanical Gardens I leave the noise and the dark city canyons And walk…
Bronco Bill's Lament I coulda been most anything I put my mind to…
Building My Body I'm building my body I'm happy when I'm building my body I'm…
Burgundian Carol The winter season of the year, When to this world our…
But Beautiful Love is funny or it's sad, Or it's quiet or…
But She Loves Me She′d like to travel to parts unknown And see the wonders…
Can the Can Well, I got crazy yesterday and I called her to say Please…
Casteles in the Air And if she asks you why you can tell her…
Castles in the Air/Three Flights Up On the first floor On the first floor On the first…
Chain Lightning Sometimes when I'm thinkin' that love's not around My heart …
Change Partners Must you dance every dance with the same fortunate man? You…
Circus Song Cotton candy, two for a quarter See if the fat man…
Color TV Blues I got a color TV for a limited time. and you…
Count Your Blessings When I'm worried and I can't sleep I count my blessings…
Crazy Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely I'm crazy, crazy for…
Crazy Eyes I could have loved her, but she would change her…
Crossroads I've got nothing on my mind Nothing to remember Nothing to f…
Crying I was all right for a while, I could smile…
Crying In The Chapel You saw me crying in the chapel. The tears I shed…
Devil Woman I told Mary about us I told her about our…
Did You Know Did you know that love can grow any place where…
Don't Don't worry 'bout me, it's all over now Though I may…
Don't Burn the Bridge I am a man who traveled everywhere Holding mirages made of…
Don't Worry 'Bout Me Don't worry 'bout me, it's all over now Though I may…
Dont Burn the Bridge I am a man who travelled everywhere Holding mirages made of…
Dream Lover Every night I hope and pray A dream lover will come…
Dreidel I feel like a spinning top for a dreidel The spinning…
El Paso Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell…
Empty Chair I feel the trembling tingle of a sleepless night Creep…
Eventually Eventually, You will return and bring your love to me, Deep …
Evereybody Loves Me Baby One, two, three, four! Fortune has me well in hand, armies…
Every Day Every day, it's a getting closer. Going faster than a roller…
Everybody Loves Me One, two, three, four! Fortune has me well in hand, armies…
Everyday Everyday, it's a gettin' closer, Goin' faster than a roller…
Falling Through Time I can't answer the questions you ask me, I don't know…
Fashion Victim [Chorus:] I hate fashion, I hate it with a passion are you…
Fool's Paradise You took me up to Heaven When you took me in…
Fools Paradise You took me up to Heaven When you took me in…
From a Beautiful Star Looking down from a beautiful star On a world that's driftin…
General Store Mornin', Mrs. Campbell Lovely day today I heard about the fi…
Genesis In the beginning there was nothingness and God but waved…
Go Tell It On the Mountain Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go…
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember…
Going for the Gold I chased a lot of rainbows Down a lot of roads Thinking…
Good Old Wagon Hey, lookey here pretty mama Please get out of my sight I′m…
Gotta Make You Mine Tdbjdhdbx b xbcb b x Gotta make yjsndndnnx . Ncnx x jjc.dmmx…
Great Big Man Rust on your fingers, you got trouble at your feet. Keep…
Grief and Hope Grief and hope, they walk together Live side by side but…
Happy Trails Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to…
Have You Seen Me Have you seen me I just might be your little…
He's Got You I've got your picture that you gave to me And it's…
Headroom I need headroom, Got to have headroom, Some place to rest my…
Hit Parade Of Love From what I have been hearing, dear You've really got it…
Homeless Brother I was walking by the graveyard, late last Friday night, I…
I Can't Help It Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols…
I'm an Old Cowhand I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande But my legs…
I'm Blue I'm Lonesome The lonesome sound of a train going by Makes me wanna…
I've Cried All the Tears That I Have I've cried all the tears tha I have I don't wanna…
If We Try When I see you on the street, I lose my…
If You Can Dream Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
If You Could Read My Mind If you could read my mind, love, What a tale my…
Infinity Standin' on a trap door, there's a hole in the…
Isn't It Strange [Chorus] Isn't it strange how a man hides his feelings? Some…
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear It came upon a midnight clear that glorious song of…
It Doesn t Matter Anymore I don't have plans and schemes and I don't have…
It Had To Be You Why do I do just as you say? Why must I…
It Was A Very Good Year When I was seventeen It was a very good year It was…
It's A Beautiful Life I wish my brain would operate instead of standing still. It'…
It's Just The Sun It's just the sun that's shinin' in your eyes. It's just…
It's Just the Sun (Live) It's just the sun that's shinin'in your eyes. It's just the…
Its Just The Sun It's just the sun that's shinin' in your eyes. It's just…
Jerusalem Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you. Jerusalem, Jerus…
Jump [Chorus] Well you better jump, jump, jump, If you want to' l…
JÛMP [Chorus] Well you better Jump, Jump, Jump, If you wanna' liv…
Kaw Liga Kaw-liga was a wooden Indian standing by the door. He fell…
La La I Love You If you wanna make me happy Here's all you gotta do Just…
La La Love You If you wanna make me happy Here's all you gotta…
Lady in Waiting Lady in waiting Lady in pain Lady in tatters Lady insane Lo…
Last Night When We Were Young Last night when we were young Love was a star, a…
Left For Dead On The Road Of Love [Chorus] Well I've been left for dead on the road of…
Let It Snow Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is…
Little Child Little child, little savoir Little child from above All the …
Little Cowboy I was a cowboy, ridin' the range I got a little…
Living With the Blues I'm not ashamed ain't that news I've been living with the…
Lotta lovin Well I wanna-wanna lotta-lotta lovin' Well I wanna-wanna lot…
Love Hurts Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and mars Any heart not…
Love in My Heart Well there's food on the table and love in the…
Love Letters Love letters straight from your heart Keep us so near while…
Love Me [Chorus] Love me, oh love me Love me like nobody else can…
Love Me Tender Love me tender, love me sweet Never let me go You have…
Love o Love Show the world and all it's people All the wonders love…
Lovers Love the Spring I saw a lover and his lass With a hey, and…
Lovesick Blues I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love with a girl, That's…
Magdalene Lane The angels are lost in the city of stars Wise men…
Masters Of War Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You…
Maybe Baby [Chorus] Maybe baby, I'll have you Maybe baby, you'll be tru…
Mother Nature I want her so bad Mother Nature has a hold on…
Mountains O'Mourne Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight With people here …
My Love Was True Please don't forget me No matter what the future brings Plea…
Narcisissma Narcisissma, Narcisissma is the pride of Pomona, Pomona, Po…
No Reason For Your Dreams There's no need to find a reason for your dreams for…
Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out Once I lived the life of a millionaire Spending my money,…
O Little Town of Bethlehem Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee…
Oh My What a Shame They were married in the old Church yard And they promised…
On the Amazon There's a danger zone, not a stranger zone Than the little…
One in a Row A step in the right direction, a stitch in time…
Orphans Of Wealth There is no time to discuss or debate What is right,…
Over the Mountains I'm always light hearted and easy Not a care in this…
Pal O' Mine In the night, while you lay sleeping Dreaming of your amber…
Paso Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell…
Pretty Paper Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Wrap your presents to y…
Prime Time Well this is life, this is Prime time This is livin'…
Primetime Well this is life, this is Prime time This is livin'…
Raining in My Heart The sun is up, the sky is blue Thee's not a…
Respectable Ah, it ain't so easy is it? You almost lost…
Ribbon of Darkness Ribbon of darkness over me Since my true love walked out…
Ridin' Down the Canyon When evening chores are over at the ranch house on…
River of Love The river of love is risin' at my doorstep, it…
Rock and Roll Your Baby She has a way of walking That says she knows it…
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose. And…
Run Diana Run London calling Run, Diana, run Run, Diana run Think they′re…
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
Sea Cruise Old man rhythm is in my shoes No use t'sittin' and…
Sea Man I walked down to the sea And I saw this crazy…
Siamese Twins I find you in my arms, this is how it…
Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yo…
Since I Don't Have You I don't have plans and schemes and I don't have…
Sister Fatima The spirit of Fatima still rules the Earth She knows your…
Sittin' In The Balcony Just a-sittin' in the balcony Just a-watchin' a movie Or may…
Sitting on Top of the World Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Sitting' In The Balcony Just a-sittin' in the balcony Just a-watchin' a movie Or may…
Somebody Loves Me [Chorus] Love me, oh love me Love me like nobody else can…
Someone To Watch Over Me There's a saying old says that love is blind Still were…
South Of The Border South of the border, down Mexico way That's where I fell…
Stardust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the…
Starry Starry Night Starry Starry night Paint your palette blue and grey Lo…
Story of My Life The story of my life is very plain to read It…
Sunshine Life For Me It's a sunshine life for me If I could get away…
Superman's Ghost Chorus I don't want to be like old George Reeves Stuck in…
Tangled She loves me like no one can She has me right…
Tapestry Every thread of creation is held in position By still other…
That's All Right Well now, that's all right, now mama That's all right for…
The Birthday Song If I could say the things I feel, it wouldn't…
The Carnival Is Ended Ggyjy g f h ysbbdb ddhdjbfbd D Nnxndbdhdjdj x mcjejbd b hnsh…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping on…
The Christmas Waltz Frosted window panes Candles gleaming inside Painted candy c…
The Flights Up On the first floor' On the first floor On the first…
The Grave The grave that they dug him had flowers Gathered from the…
The King of Fools She was so good she was so kind She made my…
The Legend There was a mummy at the fair All crumpled in a…
The Legend of Andrew McCrew There was a mummy at the fair, all crumpled in…
The Lucky Guy And I'm the lucky one i'm a lucky guy When it…
The More You Pay The auctioneer said, I'm not through yet, Here's a horse the…
The Pattern Is Broken McLean The pattern is broken, the pieces don't fit. Pull th…
The Pride Parade It started out quite simply, as complex things can do; A…
The River Of Love The river of love is risin' at my doorstep, it…
The Story Of My Life The story of my life is very plain to read It…
The Very Thought Of You The very thought of you and I forget to do The…
The Waving Man I get in my car and I drive away There sit's…
The Wrong Thing to Do I'm walkin' away, and leavin' you standin'I've nothing to sa…
This Little Girl Take a look at this little girl. Prettiest in this…
Three Flights Up On the first floor' On the first floor On the first…
Till Tomorrow What can this be? Can you tell me? Would you like…
Timber Trail Timber, timber, timber, Timber, timber, timber. Oh, the mou…
Time Goes By Time goes by and I still love you Place no one…
To Have and to Hold As the seasons go circlin', and the years spin away And…
Toyland Toyland, toyland little girl and boy land when you dwell wit…
Travelin' Man I'm a travelin' man I've made a lot of stops all…
Turkey In The Straw As I was a-gwine down the road, With a tired team…
Vincent Starry, starry night Paint your palette blue and grey Look o…
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) Starry, starry night. Paint your palette blue and gray, Look…
Vincent Starry night Starry Starry night Paint your palette blue and grey Lo…
Vincent_ Starry, starry night Paint your palette blue and grey Look o…
What A Wonderful World I see trees of green, red roses too I see them…
What Will the World Be Like What will the world be like when you're on your…
When A Good Thing Goes Bad When a good thing goes bad, it's not the end…
When July Comes When July comes the summer won't be long When July comes…
When Love Begins In someone's hand there is a land, where I must…
Where Were You Baby Where Were You Baby? - (Josh White) As recorded by Donmclean…
Where Were You Baby? I looked through every barroom And I searched from coast to…
White Christmas I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones…
Winter Has Me In Its Grip Winter has me in it's grip Think I'll take a summer…
Winter Wonderland Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow…
Winter wood No-one can take your place with me, And time has…
Winterwood No-one can take your place with me, And time has…
Wonderful Baby Wonderful baby livin' on love The sandman says maybe he'll t…
Wonderful Baby (Live) Wonderful baby livin' on love the sandman says maybe he'll t…
Wonderful Night It's a wonderful night and the music is right Will you…
Wonderful World I see trees of green, red roses too I see them…
Words And Music You make me Think I'm listenin' to a symphony, You make me H…
You Can't Blame The Train Well, I got crazy yesterday and I called her to…
You Gave Me A Mountain Born in the heat of the desert My mother died giving…
You Have Lived You have lived such a gentle life upon this earth that…
You Who Love the Truth Black crows in the summer sky. Wheat fields turned to…
You're All I Ever Had You're all I ever had You're all I'll ever need it's…
You're My Little Darlin' You're my little darlin' You'll always do me right You're my…
You've Got Such Beautiful Eyes You've got such beautiful eyes Tell me what you see You've g…
Your Cheatin' Heart Your cheatin' heart will make you weep You'll try and try…
Your Cheating Heart Your cheatin' heart will make you weep You'll cry and cry…
The Goddess
on The More You Pay
No. As The Auctioneer explains "what we don't sell we shoot or give away - cuz the more you pay, the more it's worth" so the horse is given to the persona/narrator rather than shooting it to death. The Gallery goes wild in celebration that the horse will go to someone instead of being killed.
Joe Boxer
on Vincent
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWFYtG8RFM