Don McLean-American Pie

[robpape]

I agree with the conclusions in most cases ...my only difference is that instead of Janis Joplin I always think of Joni Mitchell and the song Blue..for that reference

 

[Mr. Bob Dobolina]

"And while the King (Elvis) was looking down, the jester (Dylan) stole his thorny crown...", Man, I still love this tune.

 

[atticusfinch]

the story(s) in this song are cool. The way it was written was very cool. It's way too damn long, but that's besides the point. Classic rock radio and karaoke both ruined this song for me in ways only comparable to say, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, One Way or Another, and nearly every song off of Led Zeppelin IV.

If I never heard it again, I'd have no problem with that. I remember back when I was bartending in college, on the jukebox, we had the 45 version of it. Was only like 3-4 minutes long, which was perfect. Of course, the rest of the song was on the flip side, so, we still got hammered with it all the time. Just with about a 30 second pause in the middle of it.

Although it is a classic song, i agree that it has been overplayed by radio stations, whether it be the abridged or the uncut version, and wouldn't be sorry if i never heard it again too. I much prefer Vincent, the lyrics and melody are just sublime, although they do play it on the radio, they don't tend to overplay it like American Pie.

 

[Phil B.]

I believe the song has been overplayed as well. Does it make it any less powerful? I guess it does for some listeners. I don't listen to music much anymore on the radio (internet stream or otherwise).

For me, this song is still just as powerful as the first time I heard it. ***:

 

[Sweaty]

I still love to hear it and it still sounds fantastic every time I hear it, I would go and see him again anytime, I was privileged to see him

 

[Sweaty]

I have tickets to see the great man on the 40th Anniversary tour of American Pie in the Royal Albert Hall in London. This will be a great night and I am sure it will be a sell out

 

[METALPRIEST]

Pretty cool stuff

 

[CP/M User]

I love his revised version of "Castles in the Air", the original from the Tapestry album is good, though this version really blows me away due to the slower tempo and orchestrations.

 

[LG]

^^That is a good song, I saw a vinyl copy of "American Pie" a couple weeks ago at my flea market...but the cover had seen better days so I passed.

 

[CP/M User]

^^That is a good song, I saw a vinyl copy of "American Pie" a couple weeks ago at my flea market...but the cover had seen better days so I passed.

Yeah the Revised version of "Castles in the Air" is a bit of a difficult song to track down. The original "Castles in the Air" song opens up on Don McLean's Debut album "Tapestry" which is faster in tempo with more of a Guitar/Keyboard (Synthesiser?) orientation sound about it, this remake came out in the early 80s.

Looks like the Revised version maybe on some Don McLean compilation albums though.