Don McLean - American Pie

So basically I've been listening to Don McLean lately. I don't know why, I like my rock/metal, you know, Therapy?, The Wildhearts, Sex Pistols and so forth.

But I really like Don McLean basically for his passion for what he does and his love of art in all forms. So when listening to American Pie I was wondering what he was trying to say. I know it's basically dedicated to Buddy Holly but there are references in there that are hard to figure out. Such as "Helter Skelter in the summer swelter"

In this line, could he be refereing to Charles Manson's apocalyptic vision of war between races or simply The Beatles song?

What do you think some of the references are?

http://www.rareexception.com/Garden/Pie.php

The meaning of every bit of the song...sorry i dont know how to linkify.

It's a great song, but so overplayed on radio....

Seriously though, Goole it and you'll get all kinds of answers about the lyrics

http://www.rareexception.com/Garden/Pie.php

The meaning of every bit of the song...sorry i dont know how to linkify.

rmerri52

Thanks for this, found it really interesting. Although I was hoping to see peoples own interpretations of the song since McLean himself has never truly revealed what he meant by his lyrics. But still, fascinating stuff.

Link