When the classic song, “American Pie,” recently had its 40th anniversary, New York Daily News critic, David Hinckley, suggested that the “value of the song as a catchy tune and cultural mile marker may outstrip the profundity of its lyrics.”
Nevertheless, people have been fascinated by those lyrics for decades and have attributed various interpretations to them. But Don McLean, the man who wrote and sang the song, had this to say: “I have never discussed the lyrics, but have admitted to the Holly reference in the opening stanzas.” He then added: “You will find many ‘interpretations’ of my lyrics but none of them by me.”
On Sunday, February 5, 2012, Hinckley printed some interesting interpretations he received from readers as a result of his article on the 40th anniversary of the song. Whether they are true doesn’t matter. But they sure are interesting.
Concerning the lyrics, “Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry and them good old boys were drinkin’ whisky and rye,” one reader wrote that in the 1960s there was a bar in New Rochelle, New York, across from Iona Prep, where McLean went to high school. The bar was called the Levee and was a popular hangout for local high school students. However, although the drinking age at the time was 18, the bar was “dry” for the high school students.
Another reader added that one day, when the Levee bar was closed, McLean supposedly drove to the Mug Ale House in Rye, New York, where he drank whisky “in Rye.”
Okay, now I understand.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
What's wrong with America
Like millions of Americans, I sat in front of my television set prepared to enjoy Super Bowl 46 (I refuse to use Roman Numerals since I’m not in Rome) on Sunday, February 5, 2012.
I watched the singing of the National Anthem. Then, just before the kickoff, NBC played a clip from an upcoming movie, the Dictator, staring Sasha Baron Cohen. The final scene of the clip showed the actor at a track meet, preparing to race what appeared to be a 100 yard dash. He fires off a pistol and begins to run. As the other runners follow suit, he turns the pistol on them and shoots them down.
At first, I thought this was funny. But then it dawned on me that millions of young people had just watched our National Anthem being sung and were waiting for the football game to begin. And this movie clip was the image that someone thought was appropriate to show them? An “athlete” shooting his fellow runners? Worse yet, this commercial was soon followed by one for the 2012 Summer Olympics. I started to wonder what a young child would make of this.
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not if favor of censorship. But there is a time and place for everything. This was neither the time nor the place for this movie clip.
Simply put, what’s wrong with America is that common sense no longer prevails.
I watched the singing of the National Anthem. Then, just before the kickoff, NBC played a clip from an upcoming movie, the Dictator, staring Sasha Baron Cohen. The final scene of the clip showed the actor at a track meet, preparing to race what appeared to be a 100 yard dash. He fires off a pistol and begins to run. As the other runners follow suit, he turns the pistol on them and shoots them down.
At first, I thought this was funny. But then it dawned on me that millions of young people had just watched our National Anthem being sung and were waiting for the football game to begin. And this movie clip was the image that someone thought was appropriate to show them? An “athlete” shooting his fellow runners? Worse yet, this commercial was soon followed by one for the 2012 Summer Olympics. I started to wonder what a young child would make of this.
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not if favor of censorship. But there is a time and place for everything. This was neither the time nor the place for this movie clip.
Simply put, what’s wrong with America is that common sense no longer prevails.
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