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).
Love In My Heart
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a real good woman and a couple of kids
And a dog that thinks I'm smart
I got a big old mortgage on a little old house
And car that'll sometimes start
But there's food on the table and love in the heart
Oh, the roof is leaking but I care notGather those buckets pans and pots
Carry 'em throw 'em in the sink a lot
I turn the heat up higher
I don't have much that didn't come free
Bills eat up my salary
But I can still hang goodies on a Christmas tree
And sing by crackling fire
And there's food on the table and love in the heart
And a real good woman and a couple of kids
And a dog that thinks I'm smart
I got a big old mortgage on a little old house
And car that'll sometimes start
But there's food on the table and love in the heart
Well I don't have money but I sure ain't poor
Many a rich man still wants more
Sooner or later he buys the store
And he still ain't satisfied
It never took much to make me smile
A new pair of jeans to keep in style
And a little bit of loving every once in a while
To stroke my foolish pride
And a real good woman to call me honey
And to hold me in the dark
Oh, the winds may howl and the roof cave in
And the world may fall apart
But there's food on the table and love in the heart
Food on the table and love in the heart
And a real good woman and a couple of kids
And a dog that thinks I'm smart
I got a big old mortgage on a little old house
And car that'll sometimes start
But there's food on the table and love in the heart
Food on the table and love in the heart
The song, "Love in My Heart," by Don McLean, is a simplistic ode to finding happiness in the little things in life, even if one does not have material wealth or abundance. The lyrics are very straightforward and tell the story of a man who appreciates what he has in life, despite its imperfections. The first stanza talks about having food on the table and a loving family, even if the car and the house are not perfect. The second stanza shows the man's resilience and resourcefulness in the face of a leaking roof, which he does not let damper his spirits. He raises the heat and finds other ways to cope. The third stanza highlights the fact that the man may not have a lot of money, but he has what he needs, including a good woman by his side. The chorus repeats that it is the simple things in life that matter most, such as having food on the table and love in the heart.
The song's message is clear and relatable, as it expresses the idea that happiness is not solely dependent on material possessions or financial success, but rather, it is found in the people and relationships in our lives. The lyrics suggest that happiness is not something that can be bought; it is a state of mind that can be achieved by appreciating and finding joy in the little things in life. This perspective is refreshing in a world where materialism is often glorified.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's food on the table and love in the heart
I am grateful for the basic necessities of life, such as food and love, which brings joy and fulfillment.
And a real good woman and a couple of kids
I have a loving family that provides me with support, companionship, and a sense of belonging.
And a dog that thinks I'm smart
Even a dog in my life acknowledges my value and makes me feel appreciated.
I got a big old mortgage on a little old house
I may have a financial burden, a mortgage, but it is manageable, and I still have a roof over my head.
And car that'll sometimes start
I have a car that may not be perfect, but it serves its purpose and gets me places when needed.
Oh, the roof is leaking but I care not
Despite minor issues like a leaky roof, it cannot rob me of my contentment and happiness.
Gather those buckets pans and pots
I resort to using unconventional ways to deal with problems that arise in my life, showing my resilience and adaptability.
Carry 'em throw 'em in the sink a lot
I face challenges head-on, without worrying about making a mess or failing at first, as I know I can always pick up the pieces and move forward.
I turn the heat up higher
I respond to tough times by not backing down but rather by facing them head-on with even greater determination and resilience.
I don't have much that didn't come free
I acknowledge that I do not possess much that did not come without some form of cost, whether monetary or non-monetary.
Bills eat up my salary
I struggle to cope with the financial demands put on me by bills, which eat up most of my earnings.
But I can still hang goodies on a Christmas tree
Despite my financial difficulties, I can still find joy in the small things, such as hanging decorations on a Christmas tree.
And sing by crackling fire
I can still find comfort and warmth by the fire, surrounded by loved ones, even in tough times.
Well, I don't have money but I sure ain't poor
I might not be wealthy, but I acknowledge the value of the things I do have in my life, and I am not defined by material possessions.
Many a rich man still wants more
I recognize that even wealthy people, with all their material riches, may never be satisfied and always desire more.
Sooner or later he buys the store
Some people who accumulate wealth end up owning large businesses, yet they might still lack contentment and happiness.
And he still ain't satisfied
Despite the material riches, some may never find true satisfaction or contentment, as true happiness comes from the heart.
It never took much to make me smile
I find joy in the simple things, and my happiness is not dependent on material possessions or wealth.
A new pair of jeans to keep in style
I can find happiness in even small things, such as new clothes or keeping up with current fashion trends.
And a little bit of loving every once in a while
I find happiness in love and affection, and small gestures of kindness can go a long way in brightening up my day.
To stroke my foolish pride
Acts of kindness, love, and affection make me feel good and validated, and a sense of pride that comes from these experiences helps me feel good about my life.
And some food on the table and love in the heart
Having the basic necessities of life, including food and love, gives me a sense of fulfillment and happiness, which are far more valuable than material possessions.
And a real good woman to call me honey
Having a loving partner who values me is a source of joy and fulfillment, as it provides companionship and emotional support.
And to hold me in the dark
Having someone in my life with whom I can share my deepest and darkest thoughts, fears, and emotions brings me comfort and security, even in challenging times.
Oh, the winds may howl and the roof cave in
Even in the face of adversity and challenges, I recognize that I have the strength and resilience to overcome them and find contentment and happiness.
And the world may fall apart
Despite the many challenges and struggles in the world, I remain confident and hopeful that I can persevere and find happiness in life.
But there's food on the table and love in the heart
The basic needs in my life bring happiness and fulfillment, which provide a strong foundation for facing any challenge or setback that comes my way.
Food on the table and love in the heart
Having the basic necessities of life, including food and love, gives me a sense of fulfillment and happiness, which are far more valuable than material possessions.
Writer(s): MICHAEL BREWER
Contributed by Olivia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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