Don mcleane american pie meaning?

Question

What's the meaning to Don McLean's song "American Pie" of 1971?

Answer 1

Don McLean Online - the Official Website of Don McLean and American Pie.

Initially inspired by his memories of the death of Buddy Holly in 1959, ‘American Pie’ is autobiographical and presents an abstract story of Don McLean’s life from the mid 1950s until when he wrote the song in the late 1960s. It is almost entirely symbolised by the evolution of popular music over these years and represents a change from the lightness of the 1950s to the darkness of the late 1960s. This is also very symbolic of changing America during this era.  In Don’s life the transition from light (the innocence of childhood) to the darker realities of adulthood probably started with the death of Buddy Holly and culminated with the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 and the start of a more difficult time for America. In this 4 year period, Don moved from a fairly idyllic childhood existence, through the shock and subsequent harsh realities of his father’s death in 1961, to his decision in 1963 to quit Villanova University to pursue his dream and become a professional singer.

Read the text for more of the explanation  - click blue.

http://www.don-mclean.com/?p=68

Answer 2

Here is the shortest explanation I could find.

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_...

Al

Answer 3

The music dying is in reference to the deaths of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens in a plane crash in Iowa. The song is about growing up and lost innocence.