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Only a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of songs make an impact, fewer are able to sustain that impact for decades on end, and even fewer are able to accomplish such a feat while also boasting a runtime of eight-and-a-half minutes. Enter Don McLean’s “American Pie,” an epic staple of folk rock and American music.
A true cultural touchstone, the oft-debated lyrics of “American Pie” address everything from the loss of innocence to rock ‘n’ roll attitudes to — yes — America itself. On this episode of The Story Behind the Song, McLean joins host Peter Csathy to chat about the song’s origins, why it took 10 years to complete, and its monumental legacy.
Listen to the full conversation with Don McLean about the story behind “American Pie” and more in this episode using the player above. Then, make sure to like, review, and subscribe to TSBTS wherever you get podcasts for updates on all the latest episodes of The Story Behind the Song.
For more, follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and check out host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media. Also, listen to Don McLean’s holiday album Christmas Memories (Remixed and Remastered) here.
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