American Pie

One of the most iconic songs of the last century

Don McLean’s 8 minutes and 42 seconds, tour de force was written and released in 1971. It is a song virtually everyone knows. Since its release, children and parents have happily sang along to it over many long car journeys, becoming a soundtrack to generations ‘lost in space’ — and not just the one of the Apollo moon landings, as originally referenced. It bridges the gap between generations and touches us all.

It was also the title of an album that as well as this song, featured the exquisite Vincent. A song about the artist, Van Gogh.

Yet the song, American Pie, is as essentially American as… American Pie. It is a paean to a lost idyll of American culture and values. As well as an eulogy to a loss of innocence and ideals, and the death of an utopian vision. And the dream of exceptionalism.

The title itself refers to, perhaps, apple pie, the unofficial symbol of the US, and its all-in comfort food. It represents prosperity and national pride. Yet through the lyrics of the song, the symbol is subverted. The song points towards a darker age where the cultural values of the past have been corrupted and more or less abandoned.