The Complete True Story Behind “American Pie” by Don McLean

The Book of Love Makes an Entrance

Introducing some of the most discussed themes of “American Pie” – the 1957 hit by The Monotones “The Book of Love” and the Rolling Stones – the second verse is as follows:

“Did you write the Book of Love

And do you have faith in God above

If the Bible tells you so

Do you believe in rock n’ roll

Can music save your mortal soul

And can you 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

Man, I dig those rhythm & blues

I was a lonely, teenage broncin’ buck

With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

But I knew I was out of luck

The day the music died”

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Source: njarts.net

Reaching back to the days of his youth, McLean tells of a time when he courted a woman who ended up despising him. Although McLean references the woman in the song as the writer of the Book of Love, it is widely believed she is a symbolic figure.

Written by Warren Davis, Charles Patrick, and George Malone, three of The Monotones members, the idea for the “Book of Love” chorus line “I wonder, wonder, wonder who, who wrote the book of love” came to lead singer Charles Patrick after he watched a Pepsodent toothpaste commercial that featured the line “wonder where the yellow went.” Inspired by a kid who was kicking his ball against the garage door while the band was rehearsing, the song includes a “boom” part.

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