The song made its debut in Philadelphia at Saint Joseph's University in March 1971. He continued to write in Cold Spring, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Disc jockeys usually played the album version at full length, which was to their benefit because it gave them time for a snack, a cigarette or a bathroom break.ĭon McLean began writing the song in upstate Saratoga Springs at Caffe Lena, according to local lore. One had to flip the record in the middle to hear all of it. Side A ran 4:11 minutes, and the B side was 4:31 minute. The single was split in two parts in 1971 because the normal 45 record did not have enough room for the whole song on one side. When asked what 'American Pie' meant, McLean jokingly replied, 'It means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to.' McLean has left the interpretation of the song to others.Īt 8 minutes 32 seconds, this is the longest song in length to hit #1 on the Hot 100 Chart. It’s a late ’90s rock ballad about someone who can’t give a romantic partner everything they want out of a relationship. Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971. 'American Pie' is a song by American folk rock singer and songwriter Don McLean.
