The Book of Love Makes an Entrance
The second verse of the song introduces some of the most discussed themes of “American Pie” – the Book of Love and the Rolling Stones.
“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”
Source: njarts.net
This is a verse in which the singer reaches back even further in the days of his youth, a time when he courted a woman who ended up despising him. While the woman is referenced in the song as the writer of the Book of Love, it is widely believed she is a symbolic figure, and the Book of Love reference is about the 1957 hit by The Monotones, “The Book of Love.”
The song was written by Warren Davis, Charles Patrick, and George Malone, three of The Monotones members. The idea for the 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.” The song includes a “boom” part, which was inspired by a kid who was kicking his ball against the garage door while the band was rehearsing.