Now this is interesting

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.