BBC Radio have broadcast a 23-minute discussion with Don McLean. You can find the podcast at this programme page :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0305g95

The relevance is that back in April, the manuscript to "American Pie" ( the 8-minute song, not the movie ) was released, so that anyone could study it. The song was an evergreen for so many decades because it had a good tune, a chorus that everyone sung along to, some outstanding guitar playing and intriguing lyrics... but just WHAT were those lyrics about ?

It's great to hear Don McLean explain this, how it fits into his life experience as a singer-songwriter and how the American entertainment scene changed for the worst. Don explains why "there is no music industry now". He turns out to be such an unassuming person "I just want to walk down the street and not be recognised"; so frank and honest about life in the same way that he has always been - and unlike so many of the "superstars" who are a result of the dumbing-down of the American entertainment industry.

For the older generation such as myself, it is great to have a classic such as this explained after all of these decades. And it you've always wondered what on Earth that the song "American Pie" was all about, please listen to the above podcast. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading this ! Hoping you're having a good day !

And thank you for posting this. I have always liked Don Maclean and have seen him several times in concert.

Interesting listen: so true what he says about developing mental illness and how we're all susceptible. Have always loved Vincent and American Pie is one of those songs that reaches into all your senses and takes you back to a time & place...