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).
Maybe Baby
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me
It's funny honey, you don't care
You never listen to my prayer
Maybe baby, you will love me someday
Well, you are the one that makes me glad
And you are the one that makes me sad
And when some day you want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see
[Chorus]
Well, you are the one that makes me glad
And you are the one that makes me sad
And when some day you want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see
[Chorus]
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me
Don McLean's "Maybe Baby" is a love song that speaks of the hope and desire for a relationship with someone who doesn't seem to reciprocate the same feelings. The "maybe" in the chorus denotes the uncertainty and the possibility that the singer's longing for the other person might one day come true. The lyrics express both the frustration and the optimism that come with unrequited love.
The first stanza sets up the possibility of a romantic relationship between the singer and the other person. However, the next lines reveal that the other person doesn't care about the singer's feelings and doesn't listen to their prayers. Despite this, the chorus remains hopeful, with the singer expressing their wish that the other person will one day love them back. The second stanza repeats the same sentiments as the first, highlighting the contrast between how the other person makes the singer feel both happy and sad.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe baby, I'll have you
Perhaps, my dear, I will be able to claim your affection and love.
Maybe baby, you'll be true
There is a possibility that you will be sincere and loyal to me.
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me
I might be fortunate enough to have your love and attention for myself.
It's funny honey, you don't care
It's peculiar, my darling, that you are unmoved by my emotions.
You never listen to my prayer
You never pay heed to my earnest entreaties.
Maybe baby, you will love me someday
Perhaps in the future, my love, you will develop affection for me.
Well, you are the one that makes me glad
You are the one, my love, who fills me with joy and contentment.
And you are the one that makes me sad
Similarly, you are the one, my dear, who causes me grief and sorrow.
And when some day you want me
And on the occasion that you eventually desire my companionship,
Well, I'll be there, wait and see
I will be available, eager to be with you, just give me a chance.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Charles Hardin, Norman Petty
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