Analysis Of The Song ' American Pie '

Given the points above, it is almost sacrilege to classify this song as anything other than an American classic. Even in today’s time people recognize

Essentially, the late 1960s and early 1970s are an in between stage for America, where people were exploring the many options in their lives. The release of “American Pie” in 1971 was a landmark in pop music history because the song was eight minutes and thirty-two seconds long. Later, it was divided up into two parts and then turned into the version that is known today (www.don-mclean.com). Now that the time period that surrounded the release of “American Pie” is established it is easier to understand the song because it can be read more in context.

"American Pie" starts out addressing McLean love for music in the 50's. During the 50's, music was a tool for getting people off their feet and on to the dance floors. "And I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance, and maybe they'd be happy for a while" (McLean). This verse symbolizes why he loves to create and perform for his fans. McLean then goes on to mention his mentor Buddy Holly. "But February made me shiver. With every paper, I'd deliver. Shocking news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried. When I read about his widowed bride. But something touched me deep inside. The day the music died" (McLean). Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash. There are two theories on why the song was called "American Pie." It was rumored, "American Pie" was the name of the plane that took Buddy Holly life. Also, someone refers it to a symbol of the beauty queen Miss America (Morgan). Mclean remembered the paper boy delivering the morning paper and there on the front page, was the story of the death of Buddy Holly. At the time Holly's wife was pregnant and soon had a miscarriage afterward. McLean, he says he can't remember if he cried in the moment or not. All this was in the first few verses in "American Pie." McLean incorporated these lines of imagery to help the listener picture his past emotional experiences. I believe McLean wanted to paint a picture for his audience could relate to. During these times it was tough for McLean. Not only did Buddy Holly die but also rock star legends Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. For McLean music died for him and the rest of the world.

When songwriters begin to pen the lyrics of a song, I believe their ultimate goal is to transcend time in hopes of reaching listeners for generations to come. J.R. Cash, professionally known as Johnny Cash, wrote a song that did just that. “Ragged Old Flag” is a patriotic song that speaks to every generation. Written in 1974, “Ragged Old Flag” was meant to tell the story of our country. Johnny Cash recorded “Ragged Old Flag” live at the House of Cash. Cash wanted the song to be recorded live because it was raw, untouched, and unapologetically real. The basis of this analysis is to show how patriotism spans generations, but also why a song such as, “Ragged Old Flag” is an important part of patriotism in the United States of America.

I feel that the repertoire of songs that were written by Tin Pan Alley composers appeal to so many Americans and continue too, today; because, their songs tempo are so upbeat, very rhythmic, making it very fun to listen to. Tim Pan Alley composers and performers inspired the American public during a delicate time, giving hope while influencing people’s feelings and opinions. Finally, another reason that many of these great American song are still appealing is because we hear them in popular movies. For example, song by Diana Krall, “You Don’t Know Me;” can be heard in “MY Best Friend’s Wedding,” along with one of Michael Bublé songs, “The Way You Look Tonight. Another example is, “How Sweet it is” in American Pie by Michael Bublé. Some of these

In the song American Pie, by Don McLean, produced in 1971, McLean uses this song to commemorate the death of singer Buddy Holly but he is able to also describe what he thinks is one of the most influential periods of American history; 1959-1970. The speaker in the song is Don because he’s telling what has happened since the death of Buddy holly and how much has influenced a change in society. In the song “bye bye mrs American pie” there to represent the innocence of American that Holly took when he died. I chose this song because it was one of my father’s favorite songs. And since the main idea of the song is about death, after my father died I felt a connection with the song. American pie relates to an old saying "as American as apple pie".

In America, our identity often comes from the culture we live in and develop for ourselves. The identity of many Americans is also developed by their actions. Some groups develop an identity by speaking their native language, like some members of “Chinatown” in various American cities. Others develop their identities by the way they dress, music they listen to, and their sexual identity. We can clearly see some of the largest factors used to develop one’s identity is the area in which they live in and their actions throughout their day to day life. In Kenny Chesney’s song American Kids we see the development of identity from the hometowns and actions of these so called “kids.”

As The Star Spangled Banner is heard through the speakers of the football stadium, pride fills the hearts of all the Americans while they stand tall. The sole purpose that the song was written was to get America through a time of war and to instill a sense of strength and pride. The songs main focus is on the star spangled banner or the American flag. When people think of America they picture the red, white, and blue flag with the fifty stars. The American flag gives America something that represents them and that is why they wave the flag around proudly when given the chance. That very same pride that fellow Americans get when waving the flag is the same pride that Francis Scott Key felt as he seen the flag flying over Fort Henry. These following lines of The Star Spangled Banner is proof that Americans should be proud to live in America, “What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last

The lyrics express Guthrie's belief that the working class should have the same rights as the rich. He very proudly carried the torch of singing songs about the American worker. Woody Guthrie’s music was not written down, but instead sung, performed, and taught completely by memory. The structure of this song is easy and memorable, using an "ACAB" format, which repeats the beginning of the melody (A section) for the third line. There was a certain Americana aspect to his folk music. He was a migrant farmer traveling as a country singer, using only his guitar and voice (occasionally using a harmonica) in his performances. He created songs from the sights he saw as he traveled all over the USA as a country singer, and spoke out against the lack of fairness and justice of capitalism and poor treatment of blue collar workers. He preached that his folk music was not just something that was made just to “sell” and “make money”, it was intensively focused on political and worldly events.

So why would the band choose to illustrate such a serious stage of personal development with the nursery rhyme-like style of the song's chorus? Before we get to that, the song's emotional and psychological message must first be examined.

I think about my dad, my uncles, my cousins, both grandfathers who fought in the Vietnam war. I think about how my grandfather paw paw Tim would ask me to sing this song for him every time I saw him and how he would make me turn the other way to sing it so he could just weep and cry as hard as he wanted because it meant so much to him. I think about all of our troops I got to visit with and spend time with in the Middle East when I went over seas to sing for them. I think about all of the men crying because they missed their wives so much, or the man telling me he hadn't seen his baby girl yet since she was born. When I sing this song I think about them. This song is about them. It's not about me. That's what I think about every time I sing it. I love our country so much. And we should all love and respect each other because this is the greatest country in the world. I see the love. I see the unity in all walks of life on a daily basis and It makes me so proud to be an American..... so In the words of Forrest Gump. That's all I have to say about

First, the song shows what love can actually do to you as a whole. It can make you feel like you lost a piece of yourself

The song “American Solider” is sung by Toby Keith, a country music artist. The release date of this song was 2003, and it was named one of the hot country songs on the chart in November 2003. The lyrics to American Soldier by Toby Keith explain a soldier's feelings and responsibilities to his family and his country. He wants to be a good husband and father, and to also meet the needs of everyone else. Toby Keith states that he is not a soldier for the money because he is still unable to pay all of his bills, and the glory is not a good reason because it is not always wonderful. He became a soldier because he knows that he has to fight for the future of his family and his country. There are some cons to being a soldier, such as not being able

The song American Pie is a representation of loss during the transition into the 1970s. It was written in 1971 by Don McLean and filled with his views on the state of society, political changes, and cultural changes. The cultural changes and the loss of everything society knew produced the lost generation that McLean was apart of. He demonstrated his disapproval of the direction of the country by using music, faith, and war as examples of the changes and loss his generation faced.

It highlights the struggles that are happening for people. There are some great guitar riffs and distortion. It has a verses/chorus composition. The song is a little bit slower to begin, but soon picks up the tempo, it is a great song to sing along because the lyrics are not distorted by the instruments, like you find with some other bands. This song was written by Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, and Desmond Child.