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

A Masterpiece is Born

Recorded on May 26, 1971, and first aired on the radio a month later, “American Pie” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 15, 1972, and remains the most successful single release of Don McLean. The song was distributed on both sides of the disc because of its length. A first interpretation of the lyrics was published on January 7, 1972, by WCFL DJ Bob Dearborn, and most subsequent interpretations stemmed from this initial one. It wasn’t until 1978 that McLean finally stated that the lyrics of the song are of an autobiographical nature and present a shortened version of his life between the mid-1950s and the late 1960s.

Don McLean performs onstage, Chicago, Illinois, November 10, 1978. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

The song also reached number 2 in the UK for three weeks and topped the charts in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. At the time of its release, “American Pie” was the longest song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, at 8:33 minutes long. At present, it is the fourth longer song ever to enter the Billboard. The Library of Congress selected the song for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its cultural and artistical significance.

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