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).
JUMP
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well you better jump, jump, jump,
If you want to' live at all.
Yes you better jump, jump, jump,
Even though you're bound to fall
Cause' they're gonna' make you sorry gonna' make you cry
If you don't jump, jump, jump, into the seat by and by.
You jump when things go right.
You jump when you're asleep
And you hear a strange voice in the night.
Sometimes we get to use to things, they don't mean what they did.
I know that what make my floor, make another fellows lid.
(Chorus)
Well, I'm always on the lookout,
For somethin' fresh and new.
Like bein' on a cookout with a crazy Kangaroo.
Just when I think I've found a place where I'm sure I want to' stop.
My body won't quit cookin' and my mind begins to hop.
(Chorus)
Well, I'm thinkin' about a thousand things,
I'm a losin' lots of sleep.
I'm glidin' on my inner wings, I'm gettin' set to leap.
I'm ridin' on my pony, I'm lettin' out my rope.
I'm lookin' for an idea that a big bar of soap.
(Chorus)
(Instrumental Break)
(Chorus)
Well, one man was cold and hungry,
One man was rich and well.
One man stood at the window, as the crowd began to yell.
While the poor man prayed to Jesus and the rich man made a deal.
One man was standing naked yellin' do what you feel.
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
The song "Jump" by Don McLean is a lively and upbeat tune about taking risks in life. The chorus repeatedly urges the listener to "jump" if they want to live at all, even if it means falling and facing consequences. The song encourages listeners to jump for joy when things go right, to jump when they hear a strange voice in the night, and to not take things for granted because what might make someone else happy could be meaningless to another.
The verses of the song showcase the singer's mentality towards always being on the lookout for something new, whether it's finding a place to settle down or discovering a new idea. The bridge of the song takes a turn as it introduces a scenario of two men, one wealthy and one poor, and how they each react to a volatile situation. The poor man prays to Jesus while the rich man makes a deal, but the last phrase of the bridge emphasizes the idea of being true to oneself and doing what feels right, even if it means standing naked.
Overall, "Jump" is a fun and uplifting song that encourages listeners to take risks and enjoy life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you better jump, jump, jump,
If you want to' live at all.
It's important to take risks and make leaps in life or else you won't truly live.
Yes you better jump, jump, jump,
Even though you're bound to fall
Cause' they're gonna' make you sorry gonna' make you cry
If you don't jump, jump, jump, into the seat by and by.
Even though jumping and taking risks can be scary, it's better than not trying at all because otherwise you'll regret it.
Well, you jump for joy and happiness,
You jump when things go right.
You jump when you're asleep
And you hear a strange voice in the night.
Jumping can represent many different emotions and experiences, including happiness, success, and fear.
Sometimes we get to use to things, they don't mean what they did.
I know that what make my floor, make another fellows lid.
Things can have different meanings and interpretations for different people and in different contexts.
Well, I'm always on the lookout,
For somethin' fresh and new.
Like bein' on a cookout with a crazy Kangaroo.
Just when I think I've found a place where I'm sure I want to' stop.
My body won't quit cookin' and my mind begins to hop.
The artist is always looking for new experiences and adventures, even when it seems like they've found a good thing. They can't stay still for too long.
Well, I'm thinkin' about a thousand things,
I'm a losin' lots of sleep.
I'm glidin' on my inner wings, I'm gettin' set to leap.
I'm ridin' on my pony, I'm lettin' out my rope.
I'm lookin' for an idea that a big bar of soap.
The singer is restless and constantly searching for inspiration and ideas. They are ready to take action and make a leap, but need to find the right direction.
Well one man was cold and hungry,
One man was rich and well.
One man stood at the window, as the crowd began to yell.
While the poor man prayed to Jesus and the rich man made a deal.
One man was standing naked yellin' do what you feel.
People in different situations and with different levels of success and happiness all face important choices and decisions, and ultimately have to choose what is right for them.
Well you better jump, jump, jump,
If you want to' live at all.
Yes you better jump, jump, jump,
Even though you're bound to fall
Cause' they're gonna' make you sorry gonna' make you cry.
If you don't jump, jump, jump, into the seat by and by.
The chorus repeats the message that taking a leap and embracing risk is crucial in order to truly live a fulfilling life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEXIS EBERT, CHERYL EBERT, KIM MCLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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