He first submitted his concept to the three major networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) hoping that one of them would pick up his show. The networks liked the idea but wanted to make some changes. For example, NBC didn't find it realistic that parents would want their children on a honeymoon and ABC wanted to make it into a movie. Schwartz nevertheless stuck to his principles and ideas and the project was put aside. He felt he had compromised too much with the network when he changed many of his ideas for "Gilligan's Island", which he had also created and produced.
It wasn't until 1968 when the movie, "Your's, Mine and Ours", became a success that the Brady Bunch concept was reborn. This movie joined Henry Fonda who portrayed a father of several children with Lucille Ball who also had several children and in the end they had a baby of their own. It was at that time the networks thought differently and remembered Schwartz's tv pilot. ABC picked up the show and Schwartz began looking for the actors and actresses that would make up the Bradys.
Schwartz began by casting the children. He felt that to simplify which kids belonged to which parent, their hair color would match. Because he did not know who would play the parents, his goal was to find 3 blonde girls, 3 brunette girls, 3 brunette boys, and 3 blonde boys. The children would be cast according to which actors were chosen for the parents. Schwartz has said that Susan Olsen just won his heart on the first interview and that Mike Lookinland was the best actor (though he had blonde hair which was a problem).
The part of Carol was originally going to go to Joyce Bulifant (Marie, Murray's wife on the "Mary Tyler Moore Show"), but after screen-testing Florence Henderson, he felt she was the lady for the job. Next came Alice: Monty Margetts was originally chosen but after casting Florence Henderson, Schwartz felt that more of a comedienne was needed and thus, Ann B. Davis was cast into the role. Finally, Schwartz originally had Gene Hackman in mind for the role of Mike Brady, but was told by Paramount that Hackman was too much of an unknown at the time and he had never done television. Robert Reed, who had starred in the "Defenders", tested for three different tv parts for Paramount. The Brady Bunch was his least favorite, yet he was cast as Dad. Robert Reed went on to have many arguments and differences of opinion about the show and did not even appear in the final episode.
This set the stage for blonde daughters Marcia, Jan and Cindy (Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, and Susan Olsen) and brunette sons, Greg, Peter and Bobby (Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, and Mike Lookinland with dyed black hair). They were chosen from over twelve hundred kids, 464 of which Sherwood Schwartz personally interviewed.
The pilot episode, "The Honeymoon", premiered on September 26, 1969 and the show ran for 5 seasons and 117 episodes. The last show, "The Hair Brained Scheme", where Greg graduates, aired on March 8, 1974. During the original run of "The Brady Bunch" the kids also became a singing group, touring the country with a live stage performance. There was also a animated cartoon series "The Brady Kids" which ran from September 9, 1972 through August 31, 1974, with a total of 22 episodes in which the kids did the voices for their cartoon counter-parts.
In August, 1974, everyone believed that "The Brady Bunch" had run its course. It had never been a top-rated show and could have been like most shows which when cancelled fade into history. But this was not the case with "The Brady Bunch". Immediately following its cancellation "The Brady Bunch" began airing in syndication as reruns. Since then it has never left the airwaves. The Brady Bunch has been airing somewhere around the world ever since. But the story does not end here!
In 1976, Sid and Marty Krofft, producers of "The Donny and Marie Show" came up with the idea for a variety show similar to their present show but starring the Brady family. Without Paramount's or Schwartz's permission or knowledge, the Kroffts debuted their show "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour". This led to 8 more 1-hour shows called "The Brady Bunch Hour". This show had the family singing, dancing and doing comedic skits.
Everyone but Eve Plumb (Jan), who was recast with Geri Reischel, returned to star in this show. Most of the actors today admit that this show was a disaster.
But, in 1981 the Bradys were once again resurrected by NBC. What was originally to be a 2-hour movie "The Brady Girls Get Married" became the first 4-episodes of a new series "The Brady Brides". This series would prove to be the last time in which all the original cast would be together again. The concept of this show was the marriage of Marcia and Jan to two completely opposite men, Wally Logan and Phillip Convington III, and the four of them sharing a house as newlyweds. It had a relative success and ran for ten 30- minute episodes.
Next, in 1988 the Bradys were back again for a holiday celebration, "A Very Brady Christmas". Susan Olsen (Cindy) would be missing from this reunion, Jennifer Runyon took her place. This was a two hour movie in which the Bradys got together to celebrate Christmas, introducing the world to the spouses and children of the Brady kids. This movie was the highest rated TV-movie of 1988.
Based on the success of the Christmas movie, CBS attempted once again to bring the Bradys back. In 1990, Schwartz was asked to write three 2-hour movies related to the bunch, and this ultimately turned into a 2-hour movie with four 1-hour episodes to follow. Maureen McCormick (Marcia) did not return for this series. He role was recast with Leah Ayres. This show was placed in the Friday night 8 o'clock time-slot, which Schwartz believes was its doom.
He felt that dealing with the adult Bradys and their 90'ish problems was too grown-up for the time-slot and that it may have fared better an hour later. Thus explains its quick cancellation.
Since this time several documentaries and specials have been made: "Bradymania, A Very Brady Special", hosted by Florence Henderson; "Brady Home Movies" written and produced by Susan Olsen; and the "Brady Chronicles" produced by Nickelodeon television. Even a play was produced called "The Real Live Brady Bunch". A touring cast of actors used the original scripts and exaggerated the lines and mannerisms to create an even more satirically humorous dedication to "The Brady Bunch". Along with these specials, many unrelated shows, such as Saturday Night Live and Day by Day, and even Former- President George Bush have made reference to or satirized the Bunch. All these events capture the history and cult-feeling that "The Brady Bunch" has inspired. But it doesn't end there.
In 1995 Paramount studios created "The Brady Bunch Movie" and in 1996, "A Very Brady Sequel". These motion pictures were written to display the vast differences between the days of "The Brady Bunch" and today. The movies spoof and laugh at the wholesomeness of the 1970 Bradys and remind the world of easier days of the past.
Along with all the stage and screen works dedicated to "The Brady Bunch", there are numerous toys, songs and books dedicated to the show as well. Most notable is "Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg", written by Barry Williams and Chris Kreski and updated in 1999. Barry Williams is currently touring the United States promoting his new CD 'The Return of Johnny Bravo' and the new edition of his book.
The 30th Anniversary brought many documentaries and specials, along with a television movie based on Barry Williams' book. The Brady Bunch is the only series ever to be shown in some form on all three major networks (ABC, NBC and CBS), as well as in theatrical and motion picture media. With all these firsts and now entering the fifth decade worth of history, the question is: Will the Brady phenomenon ever end? With each new generation will a new bunch of children tune-in to learn how Marcia handles wearing braces, or how Jan deals with being the middle child? There are so many lessons to learn and laughs to enjoy. It is very likely that despite their 1960's roots, "The Brady Bunch" will continue to have universal appeal long into the 21st century.
American Pie
The Brady Bunch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
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 ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
The lyrics to "American Pie" by The Brady Bunch are a tribute to the late 1950s and early 1960s rock and roll era. The opening lines describe the chaotic state of the world, with "helter skelter" being a reference to the Manson Family murders and "fallout shelter" referencing the Cold War. The song then transitions to a football game, where the half-time air was "sweet perfume" and the marching band refused to yield to the players trying to take the field. This transition represents a loss of innocence, from the optimistic and carefree attitude of the 1950s to the tumultuous events of the late 1960s.
The chorus of the song features the well-known line "Bye, bye Miss American Pie," which represents the loss of the American innocence and culture of the 1950s. The rest of the chorus paints a picture of a group of people coming together, drinking whiskey and rye, and singing to the tune of the music industry dying out. The final verse tells the story of a concert where the singer is watching a performer succumb to temptation and fire, which symbolizes the decline of the rock and roll industry.
Overall, the song "American Pie" is a commentary on the changing times and the loss of innocence in American culture during the 1960s. The references to specific events, people, and places help to paint a picture of the state of the country during this tumultuous era.
Line by Line Meaning
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
Chaos and confusion in an intense summer heat
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
The situation was very bad that even the birds had to flee carrying a place of safety
Eight miles high and falling fast
A high fall from grace
It landed foul on the grass
Things did not turn out well as it landed in a bad spot
The players tried for a forward pass
People tried to make progress
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Even someone who is supposed to bring laughter is hurting and out of play
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
Things seemed better during a break, but it was just a temporary facade
While the sergeants played a marching tune
People continued on with their lives as if everything was normal
We all got up to dance
People tried to enjoy life despite the chaos surrounding them
Oh, but we never got the chance
Their efforts to enjoy life were cut short
'Cause the players tried to take the field
People continued to strive for success
The marching band refused to yield
Others resisted their progress
Do you recall what was revealed
Remember what happened
The day the music died?
The day something precious and joyful came to an end
We started singing
They tried to bring joy despite the sadness and chaos
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Saying goodbye to something dear and symbolic, like a cultural icon
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Things didn't turn out according to plan
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Others found solace in substance abuse in tough times
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
Looking at the dire situation, they thought it was the end
This'll be the day that I die
The end is coming
And there we were all in one place
All of them in a difficult situation
A generation lost in space
A lost and confused generation
With no time left to start again
Time has run out for a second chance
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Encouraging someone to be brave and act fast
Jack flash sat on a candlestick
Even someone who is reckless and daring is in a difficult situation
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend
Chaos and destruction are the only outcomes of recklessness
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
Observing someone's showmanship and skill
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
Feeling angry and powerless
No angel born in hell
There is no hope or positivity in a hopeless situation
Could break that Satan's spell
The negative force is too strong to overcome
And as the flames climbed high into the night
The situation got worse
To light the sacrificial rite
Adding to the mood of destruction
I saw Satan laughing with delight
Negative forces are in control
The day the music died
The end of something significant and joyful
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Saying goodbye to something dear and symbolic, like a cultural icon
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Things didn't turn out according to plan
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Others found solace in substance abuse in tough times
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
Looking at the dire situation, they thought it was the end
This'll be the day that I die
The end is coming
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Saying goodbye to something dear and symbolic, like a cultural icon
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Things didn't turn out according to plan
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Others found solace in substance abuse in tough times
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
Looking at the dire situation, they thought it was the end
This'll be the day that I die
The end is coming
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Don McLean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donald Pfeffer
Once I asked a girl if she’d ever heard this version of American Pie. She just smiled and turned away.
Lenny Payne
It's both bizarre and awesome that this exists.
Eric Rakestraw
I remember hearing this on KFOG in the '90s. On Friday the 13th, the radio station played a bunch of bad songs from the '70s for an hour, called "Hits from Hell" ("Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks was also on the playlist). After this song finished playing, the DJ said, "Thank God the Bradys didn't release an 8-minute version of 'American Pie'!"
AZKNIGHTWOLF
I bet "HONEY" by Bobby Goldsboro and "RUN, JOEY, RUN" we're on that list.
NBCeeUs!
Seasons in the sun was the absolute worst! Followed by, in a close second, almost a photo finish, was everything the Carpenters ever recorded.😭 🤢🤮
Bernard Augusto
This is the good version.Does anybody have the bad one when they sing out of sync?I love that!!!
Tom Ellis
I got this album for my 10th or 11th birthday. I didnt even know the album existed but my sister got it for me as a birthday present. The album didnt get a lot of play time on my record player but, it was the thought that counted.
John G
Funny hearing the Brady kids singing about whiskey, Helter Skelter and da devil.
Lenny Payne
I know. Of all the verses of the song to go with, they chose the one with all the dark undertone and mentions of Hell.
sexobscura
even too much for the manson family