Don McLean is an American singer-songwriter best known for his 1971 hit song, “American Pie.” His other hits include “Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” “Crying,” and “Castles in the Air.” He has released more than 40 albums and singles, many of which have charted in the U.S. and abroad. He has also written several books and had a starring role in the musical Ain’t Misbehavin’. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of American popular music.
| Name | Don McLean |
| Genre | Folk/Rock |
| Date of Birth | October 2, 1945 |
| Instruments | Guitar, Piano, Vocals |
| Labels | United Artists Records, EMI, Capitol Records, etc. |
| Notable Songs | American Pie, Vincent, And I Love You So, etc. |
| Awards | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, American Music Award, etc. |
10 Best Don McLean Quotes
1.
“I think the American Pie project was the most extraordinary thing I have ever done.”
– Don McLean, from Jambase
2.
“I don’t like to talk too much about my stuff. I think the song should speak for itself.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
3.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about the loss of innocence. It’s about the death of an era.”
– Don McLean, from The New York Times
4.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song of hope. It’s a song of optimism and it’s a song of faith.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
5.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about the joys and tragedies of life.”
– Don McLean, from Jambase
6.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about the American Dream. It’s a song about the promise of our country.”
– Don McLean, from The New York Times
7.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about the power of music. It’s a song about the power of music to bring us together.”
– Don McLean, from Jambase
8.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about freedom and the power of the individual.”
– Don McLean, from The New York Times
9.
“American Pie is a song that speaks to people of all ages and all walks of life.”
– Don McLean, from Jambase
10.
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song about change. It’s about how things can change for the better, and for the worse.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
7 Inspirational Don McLean Quotes
“I think it’s important to write something that comes from your heart, that has some significance to you, and hopefully it will have some significance to the audience.”
– Don McLean, from GRAMMY.com
“I hope that when people hear my music, they come away with some of the joy I have found in it.”
– Don McLean, from GRAMMY.com
“I think the art of songwriting is really about capturing emotions, and that’s what a great song does.”
– Don McLean, from GRAMMY.com
“The most important thing is to believe in what you’re doing, and to be true to your own ideas.”
– Don McLean, from CBS News
“People have to discover things for themselves. You can’t give them too much information, because they have to have a chance to make up their own mind.”
– Don McLean, from CBS News
“The songs I write are about life, about people and about things that I care about.”
– Don McLean, from Rolling Stone
“When I write a song, I try to have it be a reflection of who I am and an expression of my feelings.”
– Don McLean, from Rolling Stone
8 Famous Don McLean Quotes
“It’s a song that’s very dear to me, and it has a lot to do with the world, and a lot to do with America, and I think it’s a song that’s timeless.”
– Don McLean, from Songfacts
“I’ve always felt that if I could make it in music, then I could make it in any field I chose.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
“I don’t think I ever thought ‘American Pie’ was a really great song.”
– Don McLean, from The Guardian
“It’s a song about the death of the innocence of the early rock and roll era.”
– Don McLean, from The Telegraph
“I wanted to write something that would make people feel good about their lives.”
– Don McLean, from The Guardian
“That’s my job in life, writing and performing music that speaks to people.”
– Don McLean, from Billboard
“I think ‘American Pie’ is a song that speaks to people in a profound way.”
– Don McLean, from USA Today
“American Pie is really a prophecy, a myth. It’s a song about the death of something that I had loved, and it was a good way of saying goodbye.”
– Don McLean, from Rolling Stone
5 Don McLean Quotes About Love
“Love is the answer and I think that love is the only thing that can really save the world.”
– Don McLean, from The Guardian
“Love is the only way for an artist to deal with poverty, failure, and dissatisfaction. Love is the only thing that can save the world.”
– Don McLean, from The Guardian
“Love is the answer and the only thing that matters.”
– Don McLean, from Express
“Love is the answer, but you have to get to love by a lot of hard work, a lot of understanding and a lot of patience.”
– Don McLean, from Belfast Telegraph
“Love is the answer, but there are many questions that you have to ask to get to the answer.”
– Don McLean, from Financial Times
5 Don McLean Quotes About Life
“Life is a journey and you have to find your own way to live it.”
– Don McLean, from Rolling Stone
“I want to be useful and I want to improve people’s lives in some way. That’s why I write songs — to bring some kind of insight or understanding to life.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
“I’m not a philosopher or a guru, but I do think about life and try to explain it to people in a way that makes sense.”
– Don McLean, from Daily Mail
“I have learned a lot about life and I have a lot of answers and I’m still learning. I’m still trying to understand.”
– Don McLean, from Huffington Post
“I’m just trying to make sense out of life, as we all are.”
– Don McLean, from All Music
7 Quotes About Don McLean
“Don McLean is just a great singer, with a unique and classic style.”
– Joe Brown, from Classic Bands
“McLean has become a master storyteller, spinning tales that are part poetry, part philosophy and part history.”
– Stephen Thomas Erlewine, from AllMusic
“McLean is one of the most popular, yet underrated, singer-songwriters of the 20th century.”
– K.M., from Billboard
“McLean has an unparalleled ability to bring characters to life with the spoken word.”
– Joe Marchese, from The Guardian
“McLean’s songs are some of the most emotionally-charged, poetic and beautifully crafted songs ever written.”
– Kim Lengling, from uDiscover Music
“McLean is an American classic, and his music continues to inspire and influence generations of fans.”
– Don McLean, from NPR
Interview with Don McLean
Frequently Asked Questions About Don McLean
1. What is Don McLean’s most famous song?
Don McLean is an American singer-songwriter best known for his 1971 hit song “American Pie”. This 8.5-minute long folk rock classic is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential songs of all time. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Madonna, and its lyrics have been studied in music classes and analyzed for their cultural significance. Other notable Don McLean songs include “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)”, “And I Love You So” and “Crying”.
List of Don McLean’s Most Famous Songs
- American Pie
- Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
- And I Love You So
- Crying
2. What is the Meaning behind Don McLean’s Song “American Pie”?
Don McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie” is an 8-minute epic song that has been interpreted in many different ways over the years. Despite being shrouded in mystery, its lyrics offer a vivid narrative about the death of Rock ‘n’ Roll and of a generation’s innocence. The song is widely considered to be one of the most important songs of the 20th century.
The meaning behind “American Pie” can be broken down as follows:
- Verse 1: Refers to the 1958 plane crash of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, which marked the end of an era.
- Verse 2: Alludes to the changing landscape of the 1960s, with the rise of the counterculture and growing political unrest.
- Verse 3: Focuses on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the sense of hope and optimism that followed in the wake of his death.
- Verse 4: Discusses the death of the “American Dream”, and the disillusionment of the younger generations.
- Verse 5: Highlights the tragedy of the Vietnam War and its impact on the nation.
- Verse 6: Refers to the 1977 plane crash that killed three members of The Who.
- Verse 7: Looks at the rise of Punk and Disco music, and the generational divide that it created.
- Verse 8: Concludes with a plea for unity and understanding between generations.
Ultimately, “American Pie” is a lament for a lost era and a reminder of the importance of understanding and respect between generations.
3. What are some of Don McLean’s most memorable quotes?
Don McLean is one of the most iconic American singer-songwriters of all time, and his songs have been covered by countless artists. He has written and performed some of the most timeless and meaningful songs ever written, and his lyrics have inspired generations of fans. Here are some of Don McLean’s most memorable quotes:
- “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.” – American Pie
- “The world will never be the same, oh no. Once you’ve seen it through the eyes of a child.” – Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
- “And the day we cried, oh that day we cried, when the jester sang for the king and queen, in a coat he borrowed from James Dean.” – Crying
- “It’s just a dream, some kind of dream, everything’s as it seems. So here I go, I’m walking away, walking away from the pain of yesterday.” – Castles in the Air
- “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.” – Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
4. How did Don McLean become popular?
Don McLean became popular in the early 1970s with his single “American Pie”. The song was an instant hit and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks. The success of the song established McLean as a popular singer and songwriter in the United States and other countries.
McLean released several more singles from the album, including “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)”, “Crying”, and “And I Love You So” which were all very successful. McLean also toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, further increasing his popularity.
McLean’s fame extended to other countries and he became a well-known name throughout the world. He released several more albums and singles, including his most recent album “Botanical Gardens” in 2019.
- Released single “American Pie” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
- Released several more singles from the album
- Toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe
- Became a well-known name throughout the world
- Released several more albums and singles
5. What other genres of music has Don McLean explored?
Don McLean is primarily known as a folk musician, however, he has also explored a variety of other musical genres throughout his career.
- Rock music: Don McLean released the album “Playin’ Favorites” in 2002, which featured rock covers of classic songs.
- Classical music: In 2003, Don McLean wrote and performed an original composition for the PBS documentary “The Mystery of Matter” called “The Mystery of Matter March”.
- Jazz music: Don McLean has collaborated with artists such as Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and jazz pianist Chick Corea.
- Country music: Don McLean released the album “American Pie 2: Still American” in 2007, which featured a collection of country songs.
- Blues music: Don McLean has released several albums featuring blues songs, such as “Don McLean Sings the Blues” (2009) and “The Blues & the Beat” (2012).
Overall, Don McLean has explored a wide range of musical genres throughout his career, from rock to jazz to blues.
Conclusion
Don McLean is a singer-songwriter who has had a long and successful career. His music has been a source of inspiration and comfort to many people, and his songs often provide thoughtful insight into the human condition. His unique style of singing and songwriting has been an influence on many younger artists, and his work continues to be appreciated by music fans all over the world. Don McLean’s music is a testament to the power of music to bring understanding and joy to people’s lives.
