DON MCLEAN AMERICAN PIE LIVE REACTION 

This song is actually a music/social history lesson. SO much meaning to the lyrics. Your best bet is to hit the internet and read up on the song and then it will have a lot of meaning to you.

"Vincent" by Don McClean is a must. One of the most beautiful yet sad song ever written.

I actually know ALL THE WORDS. Ever since 1972 when it hit the radio. Yet I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday... did I have breakfast yesterday??

"American Pie" is the longest song ever to reach #1. So long that it was on both sides of s single.

This song is iconic in the music world, it has a deep meaning within its lyrics, and was written for the plane crash tragedy with a few big names in music. You should really dive deep into this song's meaning more than just the face value catchy chorus.

"Castles in the Air", "Vincent". But American Pie was the most iconic.

everyone sings along with this song....."Vincent" is great!.....

Don McLean is about as Americana as you can get. This song is ICONIC. I've probably heard it several thousand times, but I never get tired of it. This was by far Don's biggest hit. It happened five years before I was born...February 3, 1959...the day the music died. The day Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash, the first major tragedy in the rock and roll world. And yes, you have to hear the studio version. A perfect production.

You should know the meaning of this Song. R.I.P Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper ( Father, son and the Holy Ghost ) 3th Febuary 1959. They caught the last train for the coast

robert flack's recording of "killing me softly" is a song written about seeing don mcclain's gig at a small club, attended by the songwriting team of charles fox and norman gimbel. the fugees covered it brilliantly in the '90s. the lyrics say it all: Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style And so I came to see him to listen for a while And there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud I prayed that he would finish but he just kept right on Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song He sang as if he knew me in all my dark despair And then he looked right through me as if I wasn't there But he just came to singing, singing clear and strong Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song

“The day the music died” google the meaning to this song. 😰

It's so amazing to see how many of your generation loves the 70's talent. I'm so proud to have cut my teeth on them. And this one was huge! Cool pick! Dude you've got a hippy heart. Be proud of that! And yes, there's no not singing with this one😁

Remember. Roberta Flack said her song "Killing Me Softly" (which you did a reaction to, and loved it) was about Don McClean.

"Vincent" trust me - one of the most sadly beautiful songs ever written.

I remember numerous years ago a local radio station was going out of business. They played this song on repeat with no commercials for their final 24hrs of broadcasting.

Happy you liked this, I can't tell you how much I love this song! "Vincent" also a beautiful song by him.

Vincent. His song about Vincent Van Gough the wonderful painter who took his own life. Do the one with lyrics. You can experience the emotions of the song better. " This World Wasn't Made For One As Beautiful As You"...❤️😢

Don McClean's cover of the Roy Orbison song "Crying" is, for me, one of his very best.

This and Sound of Silence during the 60's era have such deep and powerful lyrics no matter the generation. These two songs are absolute gems in the music industry. So glad you have reacted to both of them and can't wait for more.

I've loved this song for decades! Lord, I feel old...

This is one of the all-time greats. Everybody born before 1980 knows it by heart. Try "Vincent" by him next. It's about Vincent Van Gogh and to die for.

This is a wonderful song for the references, the story, everything about it. It was a huge hit in the 70s and made Don McLean a household name. Everyone always loves to sing the chorus.

I had to chuckle at your comment at the beginning about the audience singing along with the chorus. I said to myself, “you will be too before the end of this song.”

This is a masterpiece! IMO it is probably the best song ever written. It has too many meanings to list here. Do a little research on it. Don is an amazing live performer but you need to hear the recorded version of all his songs. Another great one is Vincent. It's a tribute to the painter Vincent Van Gogh. Do the version that shows VVG paintings as the song plays. You will love it! Thanks!

'Vincent' is another good one by Don Mclean

Starry starry night, about Vincent van Gogh

When this song came out, _everybody_ knew the lyrics by heart.

"while Lenin read a book on Marx" is John Lennon from the Beatles not the Russian leader !

This is a great great song. It had a resurgence in about 90 or 91,it was in the Tom Cruise movie "Born on the Fourth of July ". Which I thought was so cool. A whole new generation was listening to it. I remember my way younger brother and his friends loved it!

This song and Zeppelins Stairway to Heaven was probably the two most played songs on Rock radio in the 70s. I'd say at least one usually both was on the daily playlist on the station I growed up on.

A wonderful singer, performer and musician. Don Mclean is of Scottish extraction. I had three school friends from Glasgow who almost shared his facial features and eyes.

One of the best singer storytellers of his time loved him growing up

I was introduced to Don Maclean by my Step-dad in the 80's! I still love this song! Great reaction Jay!!

classic tune!. being very early 70s i think you can feel the peace and love spilling over from the late 6os!. you must do Don Mclean's VINCENT!. it will blow you away!!. great work by the way!

I always thought the girl that sang the blues that turned and walked away was Janis.

The common thought about the meaning of “the day the music died” was when Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in 1959. It was way before I was born (1967) but as I grew up in the 70’s, people were still talking about the tragedy. Please listen to some Buddy Holly if you want to know what 1950’s American rock & roll sounded like. Cheers ✌️🇦🇺🙃

Oh, I just LOVE your reactions, and I was singing right along with you! Such GREAT memories! It's refreshing to see such a young person enjoying the music we've loved for so many, many years. Keep 'em coming!

I've loved this record since it came out but never seen it live, what a treat!! I was singing along with the chorus as well Jayvee. It is one of those songs that you just have to join in isn't it lol!!! Thank you so much for listening to this wonderful song and the singer, I like I can hear every word he sings, but that's Don for you. Take care and stay safe please my friend Mary-Ellen UK

This song was on the charts for soooo long. Be driving around with the guys, and the song comes on the radio... it was sing-a-long time! The whole town knew the lyrics to this song. I think the whole country knew this song by heart.

So many lyrical references contained in one song. He paints pictures in words like no other. You have to check his “ Vincent” about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Such a sad song but a masterpiece.

Great reaction! 😉. I love how you are loving the older legends!💜

The mid-sixties on through the 70s was the era of singer songwriters...such a great era!

Madonna did a version of this song but I seriously advise you not to bother listening to it. Yep it’s that bad! ✌️🇦🇺🙃

Don McLean wrote beautiful songs and this one is both beautiful and clever. So much music history in one song. He also breathed new life into old songs. He made the song " the mountains of mourne" live again.

Anyone who was alive at the time that this song was heavily played on the radio knows every-single-word of this song. (That's probably why they filmed so many audience members mouthing or singing the words.) It's pretty remarkable that everyone knew all the words, because it's a long song with lots of verses. It was such a huge hit. When people ask Don McLean what the song means, he sometimes answers "It means I never have to work again."

This song is really deep; he sings about the death of 3 singers and an end to 50is music; he considered real music -and he was right; But you really have to listen to “Vincent” also a master peace of Don McLean.

I still cry about that day regularly, and I wasn’t even born yet. What an incredible loss. This song is an exquisite memorial.

Back in '71 every radio station in the country played this song so often, that kids in the street were constantly humming it. Everyone knew all the words!

I sooo love your reactions. No judgement on your part, that's a beautiful thing. All about the music. Such a sad song. It was a sad day. Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper. Painful.

Study every word I's a history lesson. This is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. I can't express enough to study and google ever word.

This song was HUGE in the early 70's. Super talent. Brings back lots of memories.

His song "Vincent" about the life & death of the painter Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most beautiful songs ever.

one of the greatest songs of the 70's

I’ve been singing this tune since I was little. I sing along every time I hear it. It’s one of the all time best tunes! Love you dude!

If you like Don McLean you should check out his song “Vincent”; I’ve also heard him sing the song “Babylon” using a looped recorder.

EVERYBODY is singing this w you!! 😄 The story behind this makes it even more special. Look it up & then re-listen! ❤

LOVE your reaction to this! This was VERY popular when I was in high school. There are so many cultural references that pertain to the 50' and 60' that you probably would not be able to get the meaning of the song. However, as others have said, below, there are sites that address the meaning of it. Thanks for your reaction. It was GREAT!

As A 62 yr old who was in High School (grad 1976!!) it is wonderful to watch you "discover" a song I have been singing ever since!! Read up on the interpretations. I have heard a little different interpretation from back in the day. Others below have added other numbers of his. Thanks for learning!! Oh look your next one up is QUEEN! 1st time! OMG!!! I have subbed!

First-class reaction... priceless

Vincent is the one you need to hear.

Listen to Roberta Flack singing "Killing Me Softly With His Song"- the song is about him.

One of the most powerful and beautiful songs ever written, also the amount of layers and meanings behind this song are amazing. Specific events about the death of famous singers are alluded to but the change in culture is described throughout the song too

I went to a concert in 'Het Amsterdamse Bos' last year. He's a lot older, his voice only a bit older. Imagine: a wonderful evening in a wood, not too warm, and Don Mclean singing. The audience sang with him. It was magical. And when he began singing 'Vincent'... Makes me smile thinking of it.

Been singing this since 1972 and each time it brings tears to my eyes.

The Song is about Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and "The Big Bopper" I'd recomment "That'll be the day" by Buddy Holly, there's also a very cool live performance of that song (i think it's just 1:20 something minutes long), he really was one of the fathers of rock'n'roll

Love this song. I love the entire audience singing along.

Watching you watch and "really get" a song my dad, myself ,and then my son sing together and cry..laugh, share means more than you know, keep doing what you do! You bring joy and a real purpose..you bring us all closer together! I thank you, Lisa

I first heard this song in 1973, when I was twelve years old. It took me a long time to learn all the lyrics, but I loved the process. The song has so many layers, so much to think about and discover. And this has to be one of the best live performances I've seen - like you said, just a guy and his guitar, but so much heart in it! (Check out his song "Vincent", about the painter Vincent Van Gogh. Gorgeous tune!)

I love hearing these classic tunes again through young ears and open minds. Looking forward to the day you get around to Bachman Turner Overdrive and “Let It Ride”!

Aww you finally getting to this great classic. Enjoy.

This is the best live version to watch. The reaction from the crowd is awesome. You could tell they were all in for every sing line.First came out when I was two or three and heard it over and over and over......great song, gets into your bones and once you've heard it you know pretty much all the lyrics pretty damn quick.

This has to be my favourite reaction from you. Thank you for sharing it. Blessings.

This song had so much meaning to those of us from back in the day. I am 64 and it means so many things to us of my age

Beautiful song Jay, Thankyou for sharing your reaction 💙😊

I still remember all the words...I was 15 then..He is an awesome song writer, singer, and performer.....another great one!

Don McLean is in a class all his own. He’s singing about rock history. Just for fun, research this song.

Vincent And I Love You So Birthday Song by Don Mcclean 🤘

When you understand the meaning of every word, the song is just the icing on the cake

This was an anthem for my generation--thus the singing audience.

There are references to Elvis , Bob Dyan, The Byrds and their song 8 miles high, John Lennon. The Beatles ( sgt Pepper Lonly Hearts Club Band) the drug. Scene of the 60s , the Stones concert at Altomont with the Hells Angels, Janis Joplin..... when it was came out, I was back from Vietnam and we were all trying to figure out the meaning and references to..

This is one of the best reactions ever! Everyone sings the chorus!! This is as classic as Stairway to heaven, dream on and sweet child o mine

These lyrics were written about this man: Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song

I've heard this song loads of times and every time I just have to sing along.

I was 15 years old in 1972 and my friend was teaching me to drive by letting me drive his brand-new Ford Pinto on the beach (where I couldn't hit anything). This song was on the radio and its always taken me back to those days. I know every word and I was singing along with you!

That is a generational anthem on both sides of the Pond. Try 'Vincent' next, one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

There is a longer version ... it takes up one whole side of the LP Album (and, yes I have it on vinyl). Needless so say I was singing all the lyrics not just the chorus! This song is nearly 50 years old! I feel old, very old! Glad you liked it. I hadn't thought of it in a long time. Big songs from your youth can become seared in your memory ... or perhaps that's just me!

The song tells the history of rock & roll since the day Buddy Holly's plane crashed in Iowa in Feb 1959. Listen to the references, The King (Elvis), Helter Skelter.Sgt Pepers(Beatle), Jack Flash (Rolling Stones)....etc. etc... A great ballad. Timeless.

Legendary song, one of the most memorable of the twentieth century. Songs you will love by McLean are Vincent, And I Love You So! Castles in The Air,Crying,Winterwood

I've never heard the live performance before 😱 Oh wow! Not only a like but it goes in my music playlist.. The voice was even better than the original recording 😁 Much thanks!!

Yeah, i was singing along, to the entire song, every word. I memorized that back in the seventies.

I grew up in this music! There was was great music made back then! I’m glad to see you and others listening to it today! It’s music for the soul.

This song was number one on Billboards chart for 4 straight weeks. Growing up this was our anthem where we tried to learn all the words to this masterpiece. Many good memories to this song when being a teenager was not always easy but was more enjoyable than now when going to school can be dangerous. Vincent by Don is a beautiful song to listen to.

42 yrs after this concert n its the 1st time you are hearing this?!! Its one of the most played songs in history. Used to be a running joke back in the day that the Radio D.J. had to go to the bathroom cause they playing American pie. Your reaction is perfect. Half way thru you STARTED to sing along. Every part of the scene back then was incorporated into this song. Great react. Wish I could give you more than a thumbs up on it. Now you gotta go react to him singing VINCENT. THANKS J

You did great!! Loved seeing you feel it and sing along! Of course we were all singing along with you!!

Listen to Vincent by Don Mclean

“A man and his guitar”. 💖🎶 🎸 Exactly!

The levee in the song was a long tome family bar on North Ave in New Rochelle, NY. It was across from Iona College and Don went to Iona Prep. DonMcLean lived there. It’s my hometown. He use to visit his mother and her friends in New Rochelle and sing this song for them. All the kids in the neighborhood would farther around outside the house and listen.

This was a classic for the time. The reason he cried is because he was talking about people who died, like Janis.

This song is an absolute classic!!!

The year I graduated high school, 1972. Great year for music.