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).
Jerusalem
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show, show the way, to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
The walls will keep you in, the walls will keep you out.
The gates are calling those, who know what it's about.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show (you will show), show the way (show the way), to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
Jerusalem is old, Jerusalem is new,
Jerusalem can hold, Moslem, Christian, Jew.
In Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show (you will show), show the way (show the way), to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
(Bridge)
The markets and the alleys, the temples and the tombs.
A place for all believers, it has so many rooms.
In Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show (you will show), show the way (show the way), to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
Yes, we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
Don McLean's "Jerusalem" is a song that emphasizes the significance and uniqueness of the Holy City of Jerusalem. The song begins with the declaration of how all roads lead to Jerusalem, the "center of the world." Also, it highlights the importance of the city's light, which shines through every individual, showing the path to peace in the city.
The lyrics then describe the medieval walls surrounding the city, including the gates that lead outsiders and Jerusalem's residents to the city. The gates call out to anyone who knows the incredible importance of the city. The song goes on to talk about how Jerusalem is a blend of the old and the new, a city where all religions dwell in harmony. The verses convey the idea that every corner of Jerusalem is a sacred place that people of various faiths cherish.
The singer mentions the markets and the alleys, the temples and the tombs, and countless rooms for all people of faiths. The song portrays Jerusalem as a city of unity, peace, and spirituality. It concludes with the belief that it is possible to settle and live in peace in Jerusalem today.
Line by Line Meaning
Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem is a city that has significance in many religions and cultures. It is a place that is important to people from all over the world.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shining through.
Jerusalem is a beacon of hope and inspiration to many people who are drawn to its spiritual power and significance.
And you will show, show the way, to all who see it shine,
Jerusalem has the power to guide and inspire people from all over the world who are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
Jerusalem has a special role to play in bringing about peace and understanding between different cultures, religions, and nations.
The walls will keep you in, the walls will keep you out.
The walls of Jerusalem, a symbol of its ancient history and significance, have the power to both protect and exclude those who seek to enter the city.
The gates are calling those, who know what it's about.
Jerusalem is a place that calls out to people who understand its deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Jerusalem is old, Jerusalem is new,
Jerusalem has a rich history that spans thousands of years, and its significance is both ancient and ever-present.
Jerusalem can hold, Moslem, Christian, Jew.
Jerusalem is a city that is sacred to many different religions and has the power to bring people from diverse backgrounds together in a spirit of peace and understanding.
The markets and the alleys, the temples and the tombs.
Jerusalem is a city that is full of life, with bustling markets and twisting alleys that lead to ancient temples and tombs that hold the memories of generations past.
A place for all believers, it has so many rooms.
Jerusalem is a city that has the power to welcome people of all faiths and cultures, and has room for everyone who seeks to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Yes, we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.
Jerusalem has the power to bring about a new era of peace and understanding between different cultures, religions, and nations, and we have the power to make it a reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON MCLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@avishagi100
I was born in Jerusalem, the most beautiful city in the world, and I live in Jerusalem until now. I love Jerusalem, I love Don Mclean, and I love this song!!! wonderful words, wonderful melody and a wonderful voice. thank you Don for this song.
@pbeapbea5206
I was sitting on the couch right now, and all of a sudden this song popped into my mind. I haven't heard it in years! I'm listening to it now. This is a powerful song!!!!! Thank you, Don Mclean. When I listen, I'm right there walking down the streets of the old city, I can feel the night air on my face, and breathe in the excitment and essence of it, while I'm sitting here on the couch! All roads lead to you! Tears ... yes they do!
@catholicrugbyfan1635
AMEN!!! beautiful. Thank you.
@billmanley3646
The most beautiful voice l have ever heard
@TheShotzie
What a wonderful collectfion of Don McLean music you where so kind to have shared with all of us.Thank you so much, I loved it all! G-d bless
@Snowdancer100000
This is one of my favorite songs by Don Mclean
@joanneaustin1780
Love this song. beautifully done.
@honkytonk2010
Awesome!.song wish we could all get along in this world...god bess
@richardandretti2680
Wow... first time hearing this song. I wanted to go to the next song, but couldn't do it. Had to listen to the entire song. Beautiful...
@smokey3201
Beautiful song