British guitarist analyses Don McLean's dynamic performance live in 1972!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.พ. 2020
- Tonight I'm taking a look at Don McLean performing his classic 'American Pie' back in 1972!
Original video - • Don McLean performs Am...
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Don McLean's "Vincent" is one of the must beautiful as well as one of the saddest songs ever written!
Coolrockndad I love that even more than this song. For those who don’t know, it’s about Vincent Van Gogh.
Yes I almost forgot about that one. So Don was not a one-hit wonder.
I spent several months around Arles France a few years ago and got to see where a lot of Van Gogh's work took place. I listened to Vincent incessantly during that time.
I don't know about that.... Empty Chairs makes my eyes leak.
For more personal reasons I would also say The Grave.
Lawrence Taylor not even close to a one hit wonder. Don had many hits.
Holy shit he sounds incredible.. So much respect for a person who just can grab a guitar and get up there and do this .. Amazing
Amen to that!
Your reply hit me in the heart. Great use of H.sht. It was Amazing wasn't it.
Singing In that period started with talent.
He put in years of practice beforehand.
In the late 1960s, my older brother invited a very young, largely unknown, nearby guitarist to play at our public school's auditorium to a motley collection of working- and middle-class teenagers. The man and his music were brilliant. Don McLean came by to our small house shortly after to collect a heavy bulging burlap bag filled with hundreds of quarters. I was transfixed; to a child he seemed like some kind of rock-n-roll god.
When asked what the song meant ? Don’s reply... that I never have to work again ! Priceless
He was right too. Lol.
Right and wrong. It means he's blessed to work at what he loves the rest of his life - music. Writing songs and touring is work!
Everyone knows its the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, and other musical legends.
Haha true,back in the good old days when musicians could make a killing off one song or one album.
@@MyMomo17 Yes, about the plane crash, but it is so much more than that...it is truly an indictment of the musicians of the day and their selling out to the commercialism and ego.
There are references to Dylan, Jagger and the Stones, Peet Seeger, Joan Baez, Elvis, the Beatles, and later the horrific concert at the Altamont Speedway in California where Hell's Angels motorcyclists killed a man in front of the stage during the Rolling Stones concert. Do an internet search on the meaning of American Pie...it is quite eye opening!
Don said the song was written all in one go, fully formed. It just came out. He said he was amazed at how it happened.
Every time I hear this song, I cry. It's weirdly prophetic, referencing the past and future of America simultaneously.
Don McLean is so underrated! He's music composition and lyrics are soothing and brings an emotion that not many artists can accomplish. I always get misty eyed when I listen to him.
Exatamente, suas músicas, interpretações e postura humana são confortantes.
how the heck is he underrated. he was a massive success, considered one of the best innovate poets of the time.
I'll be fifty five in two weeks and I can't even remember when I didn't know every word to this song. It's also amazing how I can go years without hearing it; but when I do, it all comes right back. It seems like magic how deeply music and lyrics can embed themselves in to your conscience and life.
Tahoe Mike happy birthday. I’ll be 54 next month. I know what you mean. Even though it’s a long song, it’s a song our generation and older knows all the words too. No matter how many years pass, between hearing this song, you still know every word.
Tahoe Mike same here, I’m 66, from Australia. Bought the album, and like others of a mature age lol, we still remember every single word of the song. I still have the album and all my vinyl. Brilliant song, Terrific live version.
Same here
Exactly- and lately, I do question exactly how much cranial capacity i've wasted remembering every word to every song for my whole life. That was likely space reserved for Math; and it was gone before i ever hit jr. high. So many beautiful songs to take in then.
Tahoe Mike I’ve always said we should have learned everything at school to music, we’d never forget it.
I just felt like listening in TH-cam to an old vinyl I haven’t played for years,
Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson of course. I’ve remembered every word of every song.
What is it with words to music that the spoken word doesn’t have ?
Wings of Pegasus, THANK YOU for pointing out something I would have missed. I would have missed the fact that Don switched to harmonizing with the audience and that audience followed his dynamic cues like BGVs (background vocalists). I wonder if there could be any more rewarding moment for a singer songwriter.
The way he phrases, influences how we listen and react emotionally to the song.
This is one of the greatest songs I wished never had to be written . Feb 3rd 1959 r.i.p
Great comment, so true.
WRONG DATE NOT 59? lol🐾♥️☘
Judy I’m right look it up
@@Oceansideca1987 you go IRISH! BRAINS very much enjoy your broadcasting!🐾♥️🐾♥️🐾☘☘☘🇺🇸
So true of words have ever been written
Don's performance of Vincent from this same set is also great. Truly amazing lyrics!
* * SHEER BRILLIANCE * * amazing how a simple guy, with no flashy clothes, pure clean voice, and just accompanying himself strumming a guitar can hold an audience this long.... of youths no less! I remember 1972, if nothing more, for this song that dominated it.
I suppose a lot of people know that Roberta Flack's fantastic song " killing me softly" was written after she saw Don McClean in concert. He blew her away.
Wow didn't know it was about this man. Nice
Dude that is astonishing. I had no idea. And you are 100% correct. The whole song is about him. th-cam.com/video/_GC_TNT_OJo/w-d-xo.html
A lot of people are completely mistaken - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Me_Softly_with_His_Song
Here's the original artist performing the song - th-cam.com/video/tazfAeF0ZB4/w-d-xo.html
fifthof, correct and duly noted. I looked at the Wikipedia page and saw that it was about Don. But I didn't notice that it Lori Lieberman, not Roberta, who saw Don that evening in ‘71.
@fifthof Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States and Canada for Roberta Flack, Wikipedia
Has to be one of the all time great live performances, song, vocals, harmony, and meaning. 10/10
Went to a Dan Fogelberg concert in the 80's and his band didn't show up, so he played the concert anyway by himself on a stool with his guitar - all his songs, it was great, this reminded me of that. RIP Dan F.
One of the most significant songs in American History. The lyrics are complex and interesting there are many theories about hidden messages . Vincent was another Gem a lovely tribute to a gifted but tortured soul .
I heard some Professor's trying to do this and they suck and don't get it, writing and writer's are often personal so you ca guess only kn some interviews he gives a detail or two.
So generous of an artist to mold his performance to his admiring audience, not threatened, enjoying leading a sing-a-long for the moment. Charming. Admire all your analyses, Fil.
Thanks!
Wow, I'd never seen him performing before. Just gorgeous!
I may be old (64) but how many people can be moved and audience singing- just one man and his guitar?
We haven't seen that often. GREAT STUFF.
It proves that one person with an instrument can entrance an audience.
John Sebastian, John Prine, Donovan, Ralph McTell and Melanie can do it. Many other I'm sure as well.
Be it sweat or a tear, you can feel the sadness in this song. Don does a great job with this live performance. Thank you Fil for the analysis.
Love the way he sings harmony when the crowd sings chorus.
I'm not used to hearing Don live so that was a whole new experience. Thank you!
Look up Don playing this tune at Glastonbury festival..pretty good
Don McLean was a true troubadour. In his voice you can hear Ricky Nelson curves, sometimes he approaches John Denver on the am dial. Lyrically he's deeper than you think. From James Dean to Mick Jagger, religious and historical references, also biblical in Shakespearean, intellectually he
Is stimulating, he references Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.. Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on that flight.
He chose to stay in the bar and drink. Don McLean's lyrics achieve two things they're familiar on one hand and invite wonder and interpretation on the other. Vincent/Starry Starry Night, is another kind of trip. Don is masterful in his imagery, and his interpretation of colors and textures. He opens the eye of the patron and at the same time invites us to look through Vincent's eyes. I see no madness in the work of Vincent Van Gogh. Every brush stroke has intent and purpose. I would like very much to meet and hang out with Don McLean. I always imagined Shakespeare and Einstein having a conversation over a beer what would they talk about? He had a deep and profound effect on the way I listen and on the way I write. Thanks Don.. Aces.
You can see him feeding off the audience. Top of his game. Love it.
I was nine years old and on the road for a summer of 72 family vacation across America from California to NY, with a tent trailer being pulled by a Dodge 440 station wagon, mom & dad, 3 brothers and my sister, this song hit the radio on AM. Two versions played, with the longer gaining more airtime with each passing week. The countryside was rolling by and I would look out across the landscape with this song melodically in my head. Buddy passed in the 50's and I had no idea who the hell he was until my older brothers told me. Great times that summer and it is THE Song that brings back those wonderful memories with my family.
You're story reminds me of my youth. I was 8 in the summer of 72 when my family and I traveled from Minnesota to Florida pulling a pop up camper behind a Chrysler wood sided station wagon. I sat in the rumble seat that faced the back! The thing that really sucked is my parents listened to polka music on the radio! Sounds like you had cool parents that listened to good music.
@@dalereisdorph2882, those were the days; swimming in watering holes for cattle, fishing rivers, eating around the campfire, story tellin, and fun.
@@D11Alpha Those were the best times. No real stressors in life, just having a great time!
It's refreshing seeing a person of your age who appreciates the music of old farts like me.
Cherokee respect to our friends across the pond
It's like a lament for lost Innocence this song.
Hey Fil do you ever wonder how many people are analyzing you when you are analyzing any particular band...You have a beautiful smile and to see that when something in the song is great...I can't help but watch you with that smile, So keep on smiling it looks good on you, and I hope you never stop! Good on you and great job!
Thanks!
Yes I do watch his face as well and have commented on his lovely smile.
I'm always watching Fil! That smile....🥰
Fil is a cutie. I’m sure he has many fans.
Fil's my man crush, ain't gonna lie
The real masterwork here is the song writing. The way he weaves in and out of different stories all the while keeping the narrative.
Don played our local high school in 1971. Just weeks before this song became a hit. I remember as a 17 year old really struck by his rendition of "Empty Chairs" moved for the first time earnestly taken by his writing.
He did a concert at my high school in the early seventies. I didn’t know who he was when I went to the concert, but I did after that. I wore his albums out during my college years. No other like him. Takes me back many years.
Wow. Never heard a live version of this song before. SO much more powerful than the recording! Really well done. Love all the things you pointed out in the analysis too, Fil. Excuse me - gotta go listen to this one again...
This guy was Huge in the 70s. " And I LOVE YOU SO" was written by him in the early 60s and recorded by many greats. This song was HUGE also and seen as a revival of true song writing . Great stuff , Thanks!
I think every artist, regardless of their medium, whether it’s music, painting, or whatever, strives for what Don McLean accomplished with this song, a connection with their audience, when the audience says to themselves, “I think I understand.”
I am emotionally moved by the connection he has with this audience. Look at their faces. This type of engagement is all but lost these days. Not in these times sadly.
Thanks Fil. 🙂
Half of todays audience would either be Tweeting about it or updating their status rather than actually listening and enjoying the show.
@@smbake we still have a strong folk scene in Cape Breton, NS. This song is still sung in clubs, and around 🔥 campfires.😊
I can’t sing, but I’ve bellowed out this after a few drinks many, many times. Since I can’t sing or play an instrument, I memorized lyrics, have three binders full of folk and local songs.😊
@@smbake I don’t own a smart phone, but I don’t understand people putting anything between themselves and the singer they’ve come together to celebrate.
This song was made to sing it the way we used to, in the car with the radio full volume, at the top of our lungs. Good times!
I saw Don in Concert At the Albert Hall in 1973 it was the most amazing performance i'v ever seen on his softer song ie Vincent or Empty Chairs you could have heard a pin drop such was his deliverence a true artist story telling on a Acoustic guitar such a great technique truly Brilliant
Don't think I've ever seen this one live. When it's on the radio I'm always so wrapped up in the lyrics that I've never noticed what a fantastic voice he has.
Don McLean is a brilliant songwriter singer player artist. One of those guys who paints pictures with his lyrics. A real thing of beauty! The American Pie album contained so many beauties..Vincent and Empty Chairs..Just to name a couple. American Pie a brilliant capsulized history of Rock from Buddy Hollys death onward. A wordsmiths feat! Big fan of Don McLean. Thanks Fil ! Well done! Brilliant! 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
I have a good friend from Colombia who is learning English as a 2nd language. Her teacher assigned THIS song to the class as an English lesson to learn about English phrasing, vocabulary and culture. It was fun to go through it line by line with her! The fact that almost 50 years later, it's such a cultural touchstone that Tyson Furay sang it to serenade the crowd after his victory is a testament to that. What a moving live performance and detailed analysis!!
Howdy howdy Lynn, hope all is well. Definitely one of the most iconic songs ever written and one of the best to boot. I agree, great performance!
@@jamesgordonakacrazylegs8222 Hey, James! It was amazing...never saw a live performance of this...shivers and tears all the way.
I'm an old guy, so this song, and the events around the meaning, are woven into the tapestry of my life. Like "Bohemian Rhapsody", the music business folks were not happy about this song, because it did not fit the model (3 to 4 minutes) for radio playing time. When, of course, the popularity of this song blew that assumption away, the business folks came to him and ask that he write another "American Pie". As if an artist can just crank out a song like that at will. So while he laughed about that, he did write a song, that for me, is a greater song than "American Pie". He wrote "Vincent"; his omage to Vincent Van Gogh. And that song is in my top 10 all time favorites. The lyrics are just breathe taking, which for me, makes him one of the all time greatest song writers. Sometimes his song writing fame distracts from his amazing voice. I would say that Don has a five to five and a half octave range (maybe six). And if you would like to hear that in one of his songs (and another one of my all time favorites), listen to his cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying". Here's the link: th-cam.com/video/juxvkRDO2Nk/w-d-xo.html There aren't many singer that would even attempt to cover this song, because of the vocal range required. So here we see that Don is not just a great song writer, but one of the best singers around. I loved your breakdown of this performance of "American Pie". Just Don and his guitar. As you mentioned, in the recording there were other instruments (drums, bass guitar, etc.). But there were also background singers in the chorus. Here Don uses the audience as his background singers. Which makes the performance much more intimate. Thanks again. I learned a lot that I did not know from listening to you analysis. Best wishes. Billy J
Now that was a wonderful performance if I do say so myself! Feeling sentimental tonight so he might have gotten a little tear out of me. You sir are still the best on YT for us true music lovers!!! Thanks again professor for keeping it real. Peace Boogie Woogie! PS Carolyn Wonderland
I found myself singing along, just like the old days. Thanks Fil.
In a history class we analysed the meaning line by line of the lyrics, our professor the late Archie K. Loss, researched this when writing his book, Pop Dreams Music, Movies and the Media in the 1960s, and even though he was not able to determine the meaning of it all and Don McLean wasn't sharing the meaning, he did come up with much of it by researching events which happened prior to that song being written, but some lines could be taken more than one way, maybe that was intentional, maybe not. The reference to so many things in that song, like the Jester who he believed to be Bob Dylan because of his James Dean like leather jacket and sitting on the side lines in a cast, Dylan's motorcycle accident. Marching Band = Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ? " Oh and as I watched him on the stage, My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell = Hell's Angels at Altamont Free Concert on stage with the Stones. Incredible Don was able to make so many references to so many things in the song and many people myself included didn't pick up on it. Loved the song since i first heard it and even more now.
Hi Fil !!!!
I love how he tried harmonizing with the crowd singing along.
Right? Loved it!
A driver's Ed. car radio is where I heard this song when new. It's timeless. Castles In the Air is a good one too. Fil, your brilliance and efforts are greatly appreciated!
Fil is so generous. He renews my faith in music, which I love and others ignore.
On Feb. 3, 1959 I was just a month and a few days shy of turning 12 years old. I had discovered the radio and rock and roll a few years earlier. Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were very big in my young world. I was pretty shattered when the DJ broke the news of their deaths. This was the first time that someone in my life died and I had no idea what to make of it.
When Don McLean released American Pie in 1971 all the memories of my exposure to early rock and roll came back. It was very bittersweet.
In the Summer of 1971, not long after American Pie was released, I was taking a Summer course in the English department that focused on the impact of film and music in our lives. An assignment was to describe what McLean’s lyrics were about and their personal impact. I was 3 to 4 years older than many of the class members... just enough older to have a much different take on the lyrics. Many of my class mates had no idea who Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were, or the many other references in the song. My professor was considerably older and clearly got it. I had a couple of heartfelt discussions with him after class.
Thanks very much for your analysis Fil.
Fantastic hearing the full song, usually it's cut down.
I always thought this was the best singer songwriter composition of the 70's. Not just the melody and the story telling carried by Mclean's artful use of his guitar, but resurrecting the legends, myths and tragic loss of idols like Dean, the KIng, and Holly. It is a haunting eulogy of those that left something special after they had gone. You can't help but feel awe and respect.
Great songwriter. His singing is easily underestimated. Taking on Roy Orbison's Crying is not for the faint-throated.
J Muller True dat.
Thanks for that, just heard it on your recommendation, a great rendition!
@@flamencoprof The London Dominion version is the best imho th-cam.com/video/XjMNOouIb0k/w-d-xo.html
And the Skyliners song he covered, "If I Don't Have You" wasn't shabby either
Very true! That was a tough one and he did it wonderfully!
We had lost so many Icons by the time this came out.JFK, RFK, MLK , Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix, and many friends to Vietnam and even more we're lost who could not survive coming home.. New York City was covered in these black and white posters for Don's concert. He was a regular on the folk scene in the Village and at Cafe Lena in Saratoga. These songs were the soundtrack for our lives. Every week, another great album would come out
Thanks for mentioning the Sus7 chord. And the harmony vocal. What I liked most was the audience following Don's singing strong and ending so softly AND The Audience following his dynamics- now softly, now loud, now slowly and softly . Very well done Don.
True legend!!!! He could have only written "American Pie" and "Vincent", then taken a 40 year vacation.
1971, I was 18 years old starting my Freshman year in college. It sure brings back great memories. Thank you.
Congrats on an accurate appraisal....Don was quite sickly as a child and was afflicted with asthma....he once said that he had to learn to breathe again.....when you hear him sing ‘live’ you realise that he just loves to sing.....he feels a real freedom....even now in his 70’s his range is still phenomenal....he has never abused his vocal chords ... I saw him in Glasgow just two years back and he could still hit those high notes as if his life depended on it...especially on Roy Orbison’s semi-operatic “Crying”.......Don as a guitarist is also unique....he has such style....but the main thing is we should really embrace and enjoy artists like Don while we can.....so as we live through these challenging times I can hear Don sing...”This little light of mine...I’m gonna let it shine”.... Shine on Don!!
I love this song. It took me years to learn it, just by hearing it over the radio. I still know every word.
All those folks in the audience singing along are somebody’s grandparent today.
Yep!!
when the crowd is your backup singers you have something special. The word play and story really make this song a joy to hear
the historical references are many. in 1972 i heard an analysis of the lyrics on am radio in a burger king parking lot. king and queen elvis and connie francis . lennon as in the beatles read a book on marx. the jester was bob dylan the girl who sang the blues was joplin. when i was young you could go to a music store and listen to music in a soundproof room before you bought it. that changed in the early 60s because the man there said they were stopping that. the church bells all were broken referred to an increasing demand to not ring bells on sunday. these are a few of the poetic connections and there are many more. i love your work and joy and respect for music
Did Don McLean have tears at the end of the song? I never saw that before. This was a great performance by Don. What a great story he brings to the world and a great analysis of his songs on AMERICAN PIE AND VINCENT. Thank you Fil.
Yes he did. I had mentioned this in my comment. I cried as a result of seeing Don cry. And for other obvious reasons.😢
Sweat.
That was sweat running down his face not tears.
When this came out in the US it was massive. I'd listen on my little transistor radio. AM of course. After awhile, they came out with a version on the radio where they'd explain what each line meant, pausing the song. I always wondered what happened to that version, if it was local or nationwide. Just a classic song, takes me back to so many things happening back then. Thanks!
Never heard the version where they explained it. I took a course in college on the History of Rock and Country Music and the professor handed out notes that told it. I KNOW I still have it somewhere but darned if I can find it.
@@mikeoakley7470 It was prolly just something they did locally then. That radio station is long gone.
I use to sit at home and night and just roll the old dial and this song would be all over AM radio from the east coast to as far as i could get, Chicago.
I wish I could give this 100 thumbs up! The girls of the early 70’s were sure delicious too. Great video. Fantastic analysis.
Once again, Fil, another superb analysis. It always gives me a lot of insight into a performance. And brings my attention to certain aspects I would have never noticed before. Some things I DO take attention to, but of course I don't catch everything. That's what you're here for! I love your smile. So beautiful. You can light up a room with that smile of yours Fil. So handsome and engaging. This performance moved me so much that I cried. I cried for various reasons, but I think the main reason was because I saw how much this song affected Don and how it made him so emotional it brought him to cry a bit. That one single tear rolling down his face grabbed a hold of me and caused me to produce a tear as well. I forget sometimes how deeply effected and emotional singers can get when they're performing. Thank you once again Fil for another magnificent analysis and video. Lots of love.😊🙏💞🎶🎸🎼🎤🎧🎵✌🍀
Someone that can stand up tell a story and get every ones attention with just a guitar... that is true musician... one of the greats... love the slightly different miladies and runs he puts the vocal lines at times... and the change in tempo... mesmerizing performance!!!! thanks Fil...
I wish I could songwrite like this. What an impact this song had on our culture, as you can see. As a footnote, I was at a bluegrass festival in 1990 where some of the best performances were on the tailgates of pickups after the show. A guy was playing mandolin but someone said to him "Hey man, Pie?" he said OK and sent his GF to get his guitar. He then played Pie and by the time he was done the entire parking lot was listening. It was a moment.
Saw Don McLean on the Liverpool Philharmonic. He went on and on singing this song. It was fabulous! 💕💕 xx
I’m not going to be one of those old foggies comparing todays music with our music of the 60’s and 70’s, because it is irrelevant but I really do miss the storytelling artists like Don McLean, Arlo Guthrie, Harry Chapin and Bob Dylan where it was just a singer, and a guitar
And Jim Croce.
Scottrick LaRoque absolutely, and I could add Neil Young, Cat Stevens and Joan Baez to that list
Lyrically one of the great rock songs ever. Such a catchy tune. As a kid I had no idea about the content. But one of those bar and jukebox songs that was a sing along anthem. Masterpiece
My brother brought this 45 home when this song came out. Said you have to listen to it! It was on both sides of the 45 because it was so long. So we then proceeded to wear out the record player learning every line. Then we bought his album. Such good stuff! Thanks for transporting me back, Fil.
From America just wanted to say love your reviews. Be well Thank you
Love this song! Never had seen this performance of it !
Thanks for another incredible analysis !
We - in the 1970s - Loved "American Pie" because He gave Us a Rock 'n Roll Documentary of the 1950s-1960s in a Song... With The Chorus That Seeped Into Our Soul... 52 Years After Its Release, We Can Still Sing The Chorus "A Capella" Anytime/Anywhere... Beyond Great...
“Vincent”my favorite. You have great analysis, educational and opens new windows into music. Love your smile❤️
His voice was always one of my favorites. I love his Castles in the Air, Vincent, and Waters of Babylon in which he leads the audience live in a round. Nice analysis, Fil. Thanks!
I love Castles in the Air. It was the song that inspired me to learn to pick out the guitar accompanyment instead of just strumming. Beautiful song.
This song, like few before or after it, reached such a level of timelessness that is incredible. If there were a section in the RnR HOF for individual songs, this one would be among the first, if not THE first to be inducted.
Don McLean is such a wonderful songwriter and performer! I went to see him every time he played the Playhouse in Winnipeg back in the 70s. Amazing. Just Don and his guitar...and an audience in the palm of his hand. What a privilege!
Wow! Fantastic performance! What a great story teller.
I saw him at The University of Maryland Cole Field House about the same year opening for Steppenwolf and he was just great !!
I liked this live performance with him and his guitar. Iconic song as most of his other wonderful songs. Good analyzing Fil. Love catching these usually late at night when time settles down for me. Thank you.
Crying by Don always brings tears to my eyes.
Whenever this song comes on the radio I sing along to it, from start to finish. I have to force myself not to cry though, which with this song isn't easy.
I remember hearing that for the first time in 1971 on the radio and getting cold chills. It's an iconic tune. Great video, Fil.
Thanks Fil, boy does this song take me back to my high school days, incredible memories. I memorized every word to this song and never forget them. How I miss the 70's!! 🥲
Excellent analysis, one of my favorites so far!
I remember going to a bar called Mel Woods in Braintree Ma with my brother and my dad. I don't remember why, but I believe our Mom dropped us of at Dad's work. My Dad would bring us there he would have a few drinks and we would get cherries. We would always request this song on the Juke Box. Nice how songs can bring you back to a time and place. Thanks Fil, I really appreciate what you do I have learned a great deal!
I saw Don perform at a free concert in Hyde Park in 1975. I was 13 and had been a massive fan since I first heard Vincent several years earlier. I've loved the American Pie and (especially) self-titled albums ever since.
Thank's Fil for this great, great video he is such a class act Don McLean absolutely brilliant an amazing songwriter and talent Vincent being a classic song to FANTASTIC MUSIC.
I had this album in LP, 8 track, cassette and CD format, one of my all time favorite albums.
This song reminds me of Boone's Farm Strawberry Wine... Our ages were between 8 and 12. Dirt bike riding and camping in the California desert. It also reminds me of Euell Gibbons.... Many parts are eatable.... Grape Nuts Cereal!.... LOL!
Not Annie Greensprings? Or MD 2020?
@Leanne Rische
😳😉😂🙂🍓🌾🛵⛺🎶✌❤
Good times.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer Nah, Richards Wild Irish.
"Tastes like Wild Hickory Nuts!"
What a great comment
Don McLean was the first gig I ever went to. I didn't know at the time how lucky I was to see him in Stoke on Trent of all places. Great song and performance.
Idc what anyone says I love Don so much. He has such a beautiful voice and has wrote some really amazing songs.
The year this was released - '71 was perfect timing as well. With the Country ( and the world) in such deep turmoil and confusion - not unlike today. It was an Anthem and we need another one now!
Being from this era, I can't tell you the significance of this song to us, or how many times we all sand it while my cousin played guitar. Good times; maybe the best.
I had just graduated from high school when this came out. I appreciate you analyzing this song. Thanks Fil.
Went to see him not to long ago....everyone was singing right along with him...this song is almost 50 years later and everyone knew every word...there was people in their 20's and people who were around when the song first came out....everyone knew every word it was really great to see...
Such a great performance of a great song. The audience loves it too. Thanks for this one Fil.
Just one man one guitar and his song! And there was a lot of content to that song! Pretty amazing!
I respect Don for being able get up before a crowd and entertain them with his songs, voice, and his guitar. That's harder than many people think. Playing the guitar in a really entertaining and proficient way he captured your heart right off. Just playing chords and strumming straight up isn't sufficient. His song "Vincent" live shows it very clearly. Thanks Fil!
Dons version of roy orbisons crying is one of the best covers I've heard vocally
We had the 45. Had to flip it. Never saw that again
The Animals - Sky Pilot, long version took both sides. I never could find American Pie on 45. Ended up with the LP.
The first release of this single was indeed a 'flipper,' however it was reissued on 45 with all of American Pie on side A. I own copies of both releases.
@@cessnaace How'd they do that? Was it a 33 rpm single?
Yup, I had flip mine right before the Helter skelter 8 miles high line.
@@acatwiththreenames3658 You have a much better memory than I.
The references he makes shows how much he knew about the music of the 60's. Very dense.