American Pie
Just Luis Lyrics


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A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they? d be happy for a while.

But february made me shiver
With every paper I? d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn? t take one more step.

I can? t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.

So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock? n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you? re in love with him
`cause I saw you dancin? in the gym.
You both kicked off your shoes.
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.

I was a lonely teenage broncin? buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died.

I started singin?,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

Now for ten years we? ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin? stone,
But that? s not how it used to be.
When the jester sang for the king and queen,
In a coat he borrowed from james dean
And a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while the king was looking down,
The jester stole his thorny crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while lennon read a book of marx,
The quartet practiced in the park,
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died.

We were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass.
The players tried for a forward pass,
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players tried to take the field;
The marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

We started singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick!
Jack flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil? s only friend.

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break that satan? s spell.
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news,
But she just smiled and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
Where I? d heard the music years before,
But the man there said the music wouldn? t play.

And in the streets: the children screamed,
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
The church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most:
The father, son, and the holy ghost,
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died.

And they were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die.
"this? ll be the day that I die."

They were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.




Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Singin?, "this? ll be the day that I die."

Overall Meaning

The song "American Pie" by Don McLean is a poignant tribute to the tragic plane crash that took the lives of three prominent musicians - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper - on February 3, 1959, often referred to as "The Day the Music Died." Starting off with the memories of a simpler time, the first few lines of the song take the listener on a trip down memory lane when music had the power to bring joy to people. However, in contrast to the happy memories, the next few lines suggest the beginning of a difficult time, with the news headlines bringing constant sorrow.


As the song progresses, McLean recalls the hopelessness and loneliness of his own life, represented by his "lonely teenage broncin' buck" image, along with the power and magic of rock and roll. The verse mentioning Buddy Holly's wife and his death was particularly touching, as it alludes to the tragedy and the sorrow the whole world felt. McLean then transitions to the present, where he reminiscences how things have changed over the years and how the younger generation, including himself, has been left disillusioned.


The chorus of the song is the most recognizable part, with its catchy melody and memorable lyrics. The repetition of the line "this'll be the day that I die" emphasizes the sense of impending doom and the inevitability of the disaster that was to come.


In conclusion, "American Pie" is a multi-layered song that commemorates the tragic loss of three iconic musicians, the end of an era of music and cultural innocence, and the beginning of a new, darker chapter in American history.


Line by Line Meaning

A long, long time ago...
In the distant past...


I can still remember
I can vividly recall


How that music used to make me smile.
How that music brought me joy.


And I knew if I had my chance
And I was confident that if given the opportunity


That I could make those people dance
That I could get those people to move rhythmically


And, maybe, they?d be happy for a while.
And, perhaps, they would experience temporary happiness.


But February made me shiver
But the month of February caused me to tremble


With every paper I?d deliver.
Every time I delivered newspapers.


Bad news on the doorstep;
Unpleasant news waiting at the door;


I couldn?t take one more step.
I couldn't continue any further.


I can?t remember if I cried
I cannot recall if I shed tears


When I read about his widowed bride,
Upon learning about the spouse left behind by him,


But something touched me deep inside
But something deeply stirred my emotions


The day the music died.
On the day when the music ceased to exist.


So bye-bye, miss American pie.
So farewell, miss American pie.


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


And them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


Singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die.
Singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end.


"this?ll be the day that I die."


Did you write the book of love,
Did you author the book that deals with love,


And do you have faith in God above,
And do you believe in the higher power of God


If the Bible tells you so?
If the Bible affirms it to be true?


Do you believe in rock?n roll,
Do you have faith in the power of rock music,


Can music save your mortal soul,
Can music rescue your earthly spirit


And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
And can you instruct me on the art of slow dancing?


Well, I know that you?re in love with him
Well, I am aware that you are infatuated with him


`Cause I saw you dancin? in the gym.
Because I witnessed you dancing in the gymnasium.


You both kicked off your shoes.
Both of you removed your shoes.


Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.
Man, I really love that rhythm and blues music


I was a lonely teenage broncin? buck
I was a lonesome teenager full of energy


With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
Sporting a pink carnation and driving a pickup truck,


But I knew I was out of luck
But I realized that I had no chance


The day the music died.
The day when the music faded away.


I started singin?,
I began to sing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


And singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
And singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."


"This?ll be the day that I die."


Now for ten years we?ve been on our own
Now, for the past ten years, we have been alone


And moss grows fat on a rollin? stone,
And moss accumulates on a stone that is continuously moving,


But that?d not how it used to be.
But that is not how things used to be.


When the jester sang for the king and queen,
When the court jester performed for the monarchs,


In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
Wearing a coat borrowed from James Dean


And a voice that came from you and me,
And a voice that originated from both you and me


Oh, and while the king was looking down,
Oh, and while the king was gazing downward,


The jester stole his thorny crown.
The jester took away his troublesome crown.


The courtroom was adjourned;
The court session was brought to an end;


No verdict was returned.
No legal decision was reached.


And while Lennon read a book of Marx,
And while Lennon perused a book by Marx,


The quartet practiced in the park,
The band rehearsed in the park,


And we sang dirges in the dark
And we sang mournful songs in the darkness


The day the music died.
The day when the music ceased to exist.


We were singing,
We were singing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


And singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
And singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."


"This?ll be the day that I die."


Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
Chaotic disorder in a scorching summer heat.


The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
The birds took shelter with a structure for protection from radioactive debris,


Eight miles high and falling fast.
Rising to a great height of eight miles and descending rapidly.


It landed foul on the grass.
It landed in a bad condition on the grass.


The players tried for a forward pass,
The sports players attempted to move forward by passing the ball forward,


With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.
While the court jester remained on the sidelines with an injury.


Now the halftime air was sweet perfume
Now the air during the halftime break was fragrant perfume


While the sergeants played a marching tune.
While the sergeants performed a marching melody.


We all got up to dance,
We all stood up to dance,


Oh, but we never got the chance!
Oh, but we were never given the opportunity!


`Cause the players tried to take the field;
Because the players attempted to occupy the field;


The marching band refused to yield.
The marching band stubbornly resisted.


Do you recall what was revealed
Do you remember what was disclosed


The day the music died?
On the day when the music ceased to exist?


We started singing,
We started singing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


And singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
And singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."


"This?ll be the day that I die."


Oh, and there we were all in one place,
Oh, and there we all were gathered in a single location,


A generation lost in space
A lost generation without direction


With no time left to start again.
With no remaining time to begin anew.


So come on: Jack be nimble, Jack be quick!
So come on: Jack, be agile and swift!


Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
Jack Flash perched on a candle holder


Cause fire is the devil?s only friend.
Because fire is the sole ally of the devil.


Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
Oh, and as I observed him performing on the stage


My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
I clenched my hands tightly in a fury of anger.


No angel born in hell
No angel created in the depths of hell


Could break that Satan?s spell.
Could free themselves from the enchantment of Satan.


And as the flames climbed high into the night
And as the flames ascended high into the dark sky


To light the sacrificial rite,
To provide illumination for the ritual sacrifice,


I saw Satan laughing with delight
I witnessed Satan gleefully laughing


The day the music died
The day when the music ceased to exist.


He was singing,
He was singing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


And singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
And singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."


"This?ll be the day that I die."


I met a girl who sang the blues
I encountered a girl who sang sad songs


And I asked her for some happy news,
And I requested from her some positive information,


But she just smiled and turned away.
But she merely smiled and walked off.


I went down to the sacred store
I descended to the holy establishment


Where I?d heard the music years before,
Where I had previously heard the music years ago,


But the man there said the music wouldn?t play.
But the man present there informed me that the music was not going to be played.


And in the streets: the children screamed,
And in the streets, the children cried out,


The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
The lovers wept and the poets had dreams.


But not a word was spoken;
But not a single word was uttered;


The church bells all were broken.
The church bells were all damaged.


And the three men I admire most:
And the three men whom I greatly respect the most:


The father, son, and the holy ghost,
The father, the son, and the holy spirit,


They caught the last train for the coast
They boarded the final train headed towards the coast


The day the music died.
The day when the music ceased to exist.


And they were singing,
And they were singing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


And them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
And those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


Singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
Singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."


"This?ll be the day that I die."


They were singing,
They were singing,


"Bye-bye, miss American pie."
"Farewell, miss American pie."


Drove my chevy to the levee,
I drove my Chevrolet to the riverbank,


But the levee was dry.
However, the riverbank was devoid of water.


Them good old boys were drinkin? whiskey and rye
Those good old boys were consuming whiskey and rye


Singin?, "this?ll be the day that I die."
Singing, "This will be the day when I meet my end."




Writer(s): Walter Carl Becker, Donald Jay Fagen, Don Mclean Copyright: Music Corp. Of America Inc., American Broadcasting Music Inc., Red Giant Inc., Benny Bird Co. Inc.

Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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