‘American Pie’ by Don McLean is so cryptic that it has spawned numerous vying interpretations. When asked, McLean said of the song: “You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me...Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence”. McLean has avoiding answering direct directions about the meaning behind the song’s lyrics, saying: “They’re beyond analysis. They’re poetry”.
There are parts of the song that have an undeniable meaning behind them however. The line “February made me shiver/with every paper I’d deliver” refers to when McLean learnt about Buddy Holly’s death whilst folding newspapers for his paper route in February 1959. Much of the song refers to the events of the 1960s, particularly the break-up of the once idealistic youth movements. The “loss of innocence” for 1960’s youth was symbolised by the death of President John F. Kennedy.
As the song is very much open to interpretation, grab your sennheiser headphones and have a go yourself!