how long is the original song american pie

“I get a kick out of the fact that the song is still alive,” he added. Of “American Pie,” McLean said: “It has a melody which is something that is pretty hard to find these days, and that’s just the opening part of the song – I mean, the song is eight and a half minutes, and it’s a rock and roll song.” McLean also spoke about the lasting legacy of the song, which at 8 minutes and 37 seconds held the record for the longest song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, until Taylor Swift re-released her hit “All Too Well” in 2021. “He wanted me at the White House to sing the song, but I’m in Australia right now on tour.” “I intend to go over to South Korea next year and sing it with the president, so that’s probably going to be another news story,” McLean joked on Thursday. The legendary singer later told CNN that he had big plans for the South Korean leader. Yoon received a standing ovation for his efforts before Biden presented him with a guitar signed by McLean. “We know this is one of your favorite songs,” he told Yoon, who drew cheers from the crowd as he launched into the classic lyrics. The two leaders met Wednesday at the White House state dinner, a glamorous affair attended by stars like Angelina Jolie and Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim.Īfter watching several musical performances, Biden told the crowd a story about how his sons would sing McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie” when driving to school. This classic tune was written by Don McLean.American singer songwriter Don McLean joked on Thursday that he was planning to sing his iconic “American Pie” with the South Korean president, after the leader entertained US President Joe Biden with a karaoke rendition of the song. Watch two video versions of American Pie and see the written lyrics below.

McLean repeatedly declined to explain the symbolism behind the many characters and events mentioned in “American Pie”. The main theme of the song goes beyond its superficial semblance of mourning McLean’s childhood music heroes, and reflects the deep cultural changes and profound disillusionment and loss of innocence of his entire generation. This fatal plane crash ended the era of early rock and roll. The phrase “the day the music died” refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. McLean also earned a country hit in 1981 with his remake of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” song. This song was the number-one US hit for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart starting January 15, 1972.ĭon McLean was born Octoin New Rochelle, New York and became a pop and folk artist best known for his recording of “American Pie,”. The Don McLean American Piesong was “American Pie” was released on the American Pie album in 1971.

How long is the original song american pie