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).
Superman's Ghost
Don McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to be like old George Reeves
Stuck in a Superman role.
I've got a long way to go in my career
And some day my fame will make it clear
That I had to be a Superman
Verse 1
He came from another place deep in his mind
As far as the planets in space.
As galaxy's mysteries start to unwind
Some changes are bound to take place.
Though gravity constantly weighs on my travels
My mission is close to adrift
Though I can be strong when my power unravels
I still come to you for a lift.
(Chorus)
Verse 2
I know I can fly when my plane hits the sky
I believe I've got nothing to lose.
But when I'm alone with the bed and the phone
I get the terminal metropolis blues
I flew to the coast where Superman's Ghost
Lay shot on the bedroom floor
He said "Watch out for TV it crucified me,
But it can't crucify me no more."
(Chorus)
Verse 3
"I'm red white and blue, I've got justice to do
I'm the man of your fantasy dreams
But I'm an alien man from an alien land
Who's alive on your orthicon screens.
I once ruled the world and when flags were unfurled
I performed for you live not on tape.
But the public is cruel when played for a fool
As you see by the blood on my cape."
(Chorus)
Verse 4
"Well I never was real or stronger than steel.
I'm a figment of Freudian need.
And the video screen is a psychotic scene
And it's all done with mirrors and green
My agent just called, the talks have been stalled
I soon will be pulled from the air.
But the image persists in the video mists
That a Superman still will be there!"
(Chorus)
The song "Superman's Ghost" by Don McLean is about the struggle of maintaining an image as a successful performer. The chorus refers to the late actor George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s television show. McLean compares himself to Reeves, saying he doesn't want to become like him, stuck in one role for his entire career. The chorus also expresses McLean's desire to be remembered for his own unique accomplishments, rather than being overshadowed by a character he portrayed.
In the first verse, McLean describes the pressures of being in the public eye. He references the vastness of space, suggesting that the universe is constantly changing and that he must evolve in his own career as well. He also acknowledges that despite his own strength, he still needs support from others.
The second verse explores McLean's struggle with loneliness and self-doubt. He implies that when he is alone, he questions the legacy he will leave behind. The mention of "Superman's Ghost" suggests that even after death, Reeves was still known primarily for his role as the superhero. McLean warns against allowing oneself to become a victim of the media, pointing out that even a powerful persona like Superman was brought down by the public's fickleness.
Overall, "Superman's Ghost" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting too wrapped up in an image or persona, stressing the importance of staying true to oneself and evolving as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
He came from another place deep in his mind
The character of Superman was created in the author's imagination.
As far as the planets in space.
The character of Superman came from a faraway place.
As galaxy's mysteries start to unwind
As people become more knowledgeable about the universe.
Some changes are bound to take place.
People's understanding of the universe will change over time.
Though gravity constantly weighs on my travels
Although there are obstacles in my path.
My mission is close to adrift
I am not entirely sure what I am supposed to be doing in life.
Though I can be strong when my power unravels
Even though I have strength when I need it.
I still come to you for a lift.
I still need help from others from time to time.
I know I can fly when my plane hits the sky
I am confident in my abilities.
I believe I've got nothing to lose.
I am willing to take risks.
But when I'm alone with the bed and the phone
When I am by myself.
I get the terminal metropolis blues
I feel down when I think about the big city.
I flew to the coast where Superman's Ghost
I went to the place where the man who played Superman died.
Lay shot on the bedroom floor
Where George Reeves was found dead.
He said 'Watch out for TV it crucified me,
Be careful of how popular you become.
But it can't crucify me no more.'
I have moved on from my past.
'I'm red white and blue, I've got justice to do
I am a symbol of America.
I'm the man of your fantasy dreams
I am the perfect hero in people's imaginations.
But I'm an alien man from an alien land
I am not from this world.
Who's alive on your orthicon screens.
But I am still portrayed on television.
I once ruled the world and when flags were unfurled
At one point, I was a very important figure in society.
I performed for you live not on tape.
I used to perform in front of live audiences.
But the public is cruel when played for a fool
But people can be very harsh and unforgiving.
As you see by the blood on my cape.'
As evidenced by the trials and tribulations that I have faced.
'Well I never was real or stronger than steel.
I have always been a fictional character.
I'm a figment of Freudian need.
I am a product of people's subconscious desires.
And the video screen is a psychotic scene
The world of television can be very crazy.
And it's all done with mirrors and green
But much of it is just special effects.
My agent just called, the talks have been stalled
My professional career is not going as well as hoped.
I soon will be pulled from the air.
I will no longer be on television.
But the image persists in the video mists
But I will continue to be remembered by fans.
That a Superman still will be there!'
That the idea of Superman will always be present, even if I am not.
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