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).
Primetime
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
I was ridin' on the subway in the afternoon
I saw some kids 'a beatin' out a funky tune
The lady right in front of me was old and brown The kids began to push her, they knocked her down
I tried to help her out but there was just no way
A life ain't worth a damn on the street today
I passed the ambulance and the camera crews
I saw the instant replay on the evening news
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
Well will you take the car, or will you take the trip?
Remove annoying hair from your upper lip
What's it really worth? Does she really care?
What's the best shampoo that I can use on my hair?
Hey what's the real future of democracy?
How're we gonna streamline the bureaucracy?
Hey, hey, the cost of life has gone sky-high
Does the deodorant I'm using really keep me dry?
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
Well spin the magic wheel and try to break the bank
Here's a game that's real if you wanna try
One spot on the wheel that says you must die
American roulette is the game we play
But no-one wants to have to be the one to pay
You get to pass "GO", you get to pass away
But before we start our show, here's our sponsor to say:
"Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way"
Well down in Mexico, the laundry's on the line
There's where you can go if you land on the nine
Canada is nice if you're fond of ice
If you land on the two then we'll send you there twice
We interrupt this game for a news release:
A man has gone insane and been killed by police!
Now back to the game, that's a dangerous play
'Cause if they see you in C-U-B-A you must pass away
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
My supper's on the stove, the war is on the screen
Pass the bread and butter while I watch the Marine
The shot him in the chest--Pass the chicken breast!
The general is saying that he's still unimpressed.
"We had to burn the city 'cause they wouldn't agree
That things go better with democracy!"
The weather will be fair, forget the ozone layer,
But strontium showers will be here and there
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
Well livin' in the country watchin' shadows fall
My reception ain't too good in a power stall
Bombers in the air, missiles in the sea
Chemicals in everything, including me
They don't keep their promise in the promised land
It's getting mighty hard to find an honest man
But coming very soon, a show you'll die to see
It's called "The End Of The World", on channel "C"
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime time
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Well this is life, this is Prime Time
This is livin' the American way
Don McLean's song "Primetime" is a satirical commentary on American society and its obsession with television, entertainment, and materialism. The song captures the apathy, cynicism, and disillusionment of the American people towards the state of their nation and the world at large. The lyrics criticize the trivialization of serious issues and the glorification of shallow and superficial values.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for a scathing critique of American life: "This is life, this is Prime Time, this is livin' in the U. S. A." McLean then depicts a scene of violence on the subway, where an elderly woman is pushed down by a group of youths, while bystanders look on apathetically. The lyrics suggest that life has become cheap and insignificant in modern America, and that people have lost their sense of empathy and humanity.
The rest of the song is a series of vignettes that highlight the absurdity and superficiality of American culture. McLean takes aim at consumerism, advertising, politics, and war. He notes that people are more concerned with their appearance, personal hygiene, and trivial matters than with serious issues such as democracy, bureaucracy, and the environment. The media is also portrayed as a shallow and manipulative force that distorts reality and promotes violence and sensationalism.
Overall, "Primetime" is a powerful critique of American life that challenges the viewer to think critically and reflect on the state of the nation. It is a poignant reminder that the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, and material success can lead to a loss of meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well this is life, this is Prime time
Life in America is being glorified and popularized through the media and entertainment industry.
This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Living in America means living in a place where violence, inequality, corruption, and poor living conditions are prevalent.
Well will you take the car, or will you take the trip?
People are obsessed with trivial decisions and material possessions while ignoring the larger issues of the world.
Remove annoying hair from your upper lip
Advertisements prey on people's insecurities and create unrealistic beauty standards.
What's it really worth? Does she really care?
The pursuit of wealth and material success is a hollow and unfulfilling venture that rarely brings genuine happiness.
What's the best shampoo that I can use on my hair?
People are preoccupied with trivial and materialistic concerns while ignoring the larger issues of the world.
Hey what's the real future of democracy?
The future of democracy is uncertain as politicians and bureaucrats become increasingly corrupt and ineffective.
How're we gonna streamline the bureaucracy?
Bureaucracy and red tape are hindering progress and efficiency.
Hey, hey, the cost of life has gone sky-high
The cost of living is becoming increasingly expensive and out of reach for many people.
Does the deodorant I'm using really keep me dry?
People are preoccupied with trivial and materialistic concerns while ignoring the larger issues of the world.
Well spin the magic wheel and try to break the bank
People are being encouraged to chase wealth and material success through gambling and risky investments.
Think about your life when you fill in the blank
People need to reflect on the choices they make and the values they hold in order to find true fulfillment and happiness.
One spot on the wheel that says you must die
Life is a game of chance and everyone is subject to mortality.
American roulette is the game we play
Society encourages and glorifies risky behavior and the pursuit of wealth and material success.
But no-one wants to have to be the one to pay
No one wants to face the negative consequences of their actions or take responsibility for their mistakes.
You get to pass "GO", you get to pass away
Even in death, one's value and societal status is determined by wealth and material success.
Well down in Mexico, the laundry's on the line
Other countries and cultures offer different and often more fulfilling ways of living and seeing the world.
There's where you can go if you land on the nine
Other countries and cultures offer different and often more fulfilling ways of living and seeing the world.
Canada is nice if you're fond of ice
Other countries and cultures offer different and often more fulfilling ways of living and seeing the world.
If you land on the two then we'll send you there twice
Other countries and cultures offer different and often more fulfilling ways of living and seeing the world.
A man has gone insane and been killed by police!
The media sensationalizes violence and tragedy for ratings and entertainment.
My supper's on the stove, the war is on the screen
People are consumed with trivial and personal concerns while ignoring the larger issues of the world.
Pass the bread and butter while I watch the Marine
People are consumed with trivial and personal concerns while ignoring the larger issues of the world.
The shot him in the chest--Pass the chicken breast!
People are desensitized to violence and tragedy due to its constant depiction in the media.
The general is saying that he's still unimpressed
War and violence solve nothing and only perpetuate the cycle of conflict and suffering.
"We had to burn the city 'cause they wouldn't agree
Violence and destruction are often used to impose power and control over others.
That things go better with democracy!"
The values of democracy and freedom are often manipulated for political gain and profit.
The weather will be fair, forget the ozone layer,
People are ignoring the pressing ecological issues that threaten the planet and its inhabitants.
But strontium showers will be here and there
The ecological impact of human actions and industrialization is often ignored until it is too late.
My reception ain't too good in a power stall
The power and control of governments and corporations often limit individual freedoms and opportunities.
Bombers in the air, missiles in the sea
The threat of war and violence looms constantly in the world.
Chemicals in everything, including me
People are subjected to harmful chemicals and pollutants in their daily lives.
They don't keep their promise in the promised land
The values of democracy, equality, and freedom remain unfulfilled and elusive for many Americans.
It's getting mighty hard to find an honest man
Dishonesty, corruption, and greed are pervasive in American society.
But coming very soon, a show you'll die to see
The media and entertainment industry sensationalizes and perpetuates violence, tragedy, and danger for profit and ratings.
It's called "The End Of The World", on channel "C"
The media profits off of people's fears and anxieties about the future and the state of the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON 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