In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
A long, long time ago
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile
And I knew that if I had my chance
I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
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?
And can music save your mortal soul?
And can it 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 (both kicked off your shoes)
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage bronkin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pick-up truck
But I knew that I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singing
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will 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
Well, I went down to the sacred store
Where I heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
Well now, in the streets the children screamed (the children screamed)
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed (the poets dreamed)
But not a word was spoken (not a word was spoken)
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire the most
The father, son, and the holy ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
We started singing
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die
We started singing
We started singing
We started singing
We started singing
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile
And I knew that if I had my chance
I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
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?
And can music save your mortal soul?
And can it 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 (both kicked off your shoes)
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage bronkin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pick-up truck
But I knew that I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singing
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will 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
Well, I went down to the sacred store
Where I heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
Well now, in the streets the children screamed (the children screamed)
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed (the poets dreamed)
But not a word was spoken (not a word was spoken)
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire the most
The father, son, and the holy ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
We started singing
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die
Bye bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die
We started singing
We started singing
We started singing
We started singing
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madonna raped this song
quite simply, this song was butchered by Madonna, or as the egocentrical, stuck-up,british-wannabe tart wants to be known as, "M". She sucks.
i love this song so much. If it was a girl i would bang it. but instead i bang my sister. Other than banging my sister and ridiong my tracter i ushually listen to this song
Wow. Last time I checked this website was called "Song Meanings", not "Song Critiques". Keep your opinions to yourself.
This cover is better than the original. It's quite rare for a cover to be better than the original, and this is one of them. The vid sucks though.
Originally a ballad by Don McLean, Madonna turns this poignant song about "The day the Music Died" into a pop song.
I just love Madonna's version of this song...
I agree, the only cool version of american pie is by snuff!!!! PUNK RULES
everyone that has something negative to say about madonna needs to learn that she is a true artist thats why she is famous and all of you people are not.....this song is awesome....madonna is the shyt!!!!!!!!
Yes, Madonna shafted this. Kiddies: go to the Don McLean page - NOW! Don't waste your time here. Don wrote on his website (don-mclean.com/i/ap.asp) "It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie'", So he didn't seem to mind. One good thing is that it has brought my fellow pop fan teenagers (wierdos) closer to don McLean and sparked their interest in his music, so I can't curse Madonna for that. Don deserves the credit, and he got it. Oh, and the rumour that Madonna actually wrote the song, children - That's not true. Sorry to burst your bubble.