Rearview Mirror is an intimate retrospective of singer, songwriter, Don McLean. With a career spanning more than 30 years, and over 40 gold and platinum records to his credit, McLean has become a legend in his own time.
Bridging both generations and genres, the list of musicians who have recorded McLean's songs reads like a who's who of the music industry... Elvis Presley, Madonna, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Guns & Roses, Josh Groban, Chet Atkins, and Emmylou Harris have all helped immortalize this musical giant. But, by far, what rocketed McLean to legendary status was his 1971 classic "American Pie".
"American Pie", the siren song of the seventies, is thought to be based on the tragic death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash in 1959. But, because McLean refuses to divulge, or discuss, the meaning behind his lyrics, it remains a mystery, and one which continues to absorb fans to this day.
As you can imagine, over the years I have been asked many times to discuss and explain my song "American Pie." I have never discussed the lyrics, but have admitted to the Holly reference in the opening stanzas. I dedicated the album American Pie to Buddy Holly as well in order to connect the entire statement to Holly in hopes of bringing about an interest in him, which subsequently did occur.
This brings me to my point. Casey Kasem never spoke to me and none of the references he confirms my making were made by me. You will find many "interpretations" of my lyrics but none of them by me. Isn't this fun? Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence." - Don McLean, From The Straight Dope
Article comments
1 - Rodney Welch
FORTY gold and platinum records? Are you kidding? Of what? To my knowledge he had only a bare handful of hits -- "American Pie," "Vincent," and "Dreidel" come to mind. How in the hell did he move that many records? Explain, please.
2 - Evan
i am gonna get more of Don Mcleans albums