Don McLean - American Pie - Live (1971) [Restored]

Don McLean - American Pie

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[Planclanman]

The way he sings it live is almost hypnotic, there’s a majestic yet depressive tune that brings you a much different feel.

[radar]

I'm sure, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Bruce Springsteen, all thought, "Now why didn't I write this song"?!

[acwilson]

Its amazing the reach music has, I was born 20 years after this song was released, on the other side of the world. Over 50 years later, every time I get in the car with my 6 year old twins, they shout "Pie song!" and we all sit there and belt it out like its the last song we will ever sing! A true classic

[rorschach]

Hands down the best version of American Pie: McLean’s early live performances were the best entries in all of music. ❤️

[sammy]

The number of people he alluded to in this song. The beatles, manson, rolling stones, buddy holly, Ritchie valens, elvis, bob dylan. Then talks of the future we are heading down. No poetry, etc, anymore. The world has eroded. He was correct!😢

[eyeTHC]

This is the only song I remember my dad playing as a child. Like 10 years old. It’s one of my core memories of my dad and I’ll never stop listening to this.

[bossleonie]

It will never be called the best song of all time (not that it’s bad), but it is the best storytelling song ever. By far.

[listairgin]

Best live version! Unaccompanied, just Don and his guitar. Brilliant!!!! 🌌💕🌠🕊

[kayisagoat]

The raw, unedited vocals of genuine and beautiful voices make me feel some sort of way. Like what you like, but nothing can tell me that this isn't pure beauty... even heartfelt lyrics and such.

[aynrandish]

McLean is the only living writer and singer of a top 5 song from the 20th century. That’s huge!

[ZJ-nekn]

He still does it pretty good even today but back then you could tell he put every last ounce he had into it i love when a performer does it that way that's how it should be

[thepizzasnobofnepasnj]

This song live, then when his voice was still high and young, still has the ability to touch our hearts. An eternal song; timeless, poignant today and awesome.

[jillianholmes]

I saw him live at Ravinia in Highland Park, Il, solo, like this about 1971. It was awesome. Just Don, his guitar, and a stool.

[BlackHoleSun]

I love how when he harmonizes with the audience as they're singing the melody.

[terryreneau]

They don’t write ✍️ sing 🎤 mesmerizing songs that captured the heart ❤️ of America 🇺🇸 and the music 🎶 industry in the good old days! Impeccable performance Mr. Don McLean 🤗

[froggieredcliffe]

I think that Everyone knows the words to this Songs. A TRUE CLASSIC thank you Don.

[jesperjnielsen]

Legends never die! Thanks for the music Ritchie and Buddy!

[calummcneil]

Don Maclean is a true American Legend. LONG MAY HE LIVE, A TRULY GREAT MAN..

[drewsivermitus]

I come here so often I feel like I was there love! Probably one of the best live performances of any song ever. Amazing.

[boywonder]

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Did you write the book of love, and do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Now for ten years we've been on our own, and moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
A quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Helter skelter in a summer swelter, 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 halftime air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune
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 singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Oh, 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
I started singin' it
Singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
I met a girl who sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
They were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' This'll be the day that I die"