Listened to the album at work yesterday...remembering. We (college students of a certain age) listened to it for hours when it came out, analyzing every single thing. Great song. Great album.

Not to nitpick, but I thought that I'd point out that only one of the three murder victims, Chaney, was African American. Schwerner & Goodman were both Jewish, a social worker and a college student (respectively) from New York who were in Mississippi to register Black voters.

^^Was going to mention that too... but I wonder if Bob meant "civil rights FOR African-Americans"?

QT

As one who grew up post-60's I see that time as almost mythical. So much strife, yet so much good to counter it. People valued their citizenship and found ways to "speak truth to power" without blogs & cells and 24/7 newschatter. WTF happened??

That's why I was sorry to nitpick, QueenTiye, I was a little unsure if he meant to use "African American" to as a modifier of "civil rights" or as a descriptor of "activists." Obviously he'd be right on the former, but off on the latter.

@Ceu I was about 14 when that song/album came out and my parents heard it so much they came to like it (and still do). It kicked my ass off the Alice Cooper phase and I've been in folk, political, topical, etc. ever since. Phil Ochs was a magical gone-by when I discovered him (and still listen--we could sure use him now) but McLean made legend with that song. Then Hollywood stole the title and diminished it for a generation but I'm glad my kids grew up hearing it and liking it before that crap came out.

Thanks for the bit about Goodman, Schwerner and Cheney, Bob. I didn't know that and always wondered about that line standing out. Anybody know the Ochs song about the 3 slain? The title is their names in above order. It's heartwrenching and a full account of it in song from shortly after it happened.

On a lighter not, my 5 yr old son heard it on a compilation disc and it has now become the ONLY car song...and I do mean only..Again Dad Again...great live version..he will be tickled when he gets home from school

McLean wrote this song in 30 minutes, and it takes 10 minutes to sing it!

He must have been channeling to create such a dense, symbolic satire so quickly. Part of this song's magic lies in the fact that it chronicles the transition from the Silent Generation to the Baby Boomers (McLean was born in 1946, the first baby-boomer year.).

How many songs tell American history with musicians cast as political figures? It's too bad that McLean's angst-written muse departed him so quickly. He's still a great performer, but his song-writing abilities fled once he turned 30.

@dontpanic23:

According to his web site, Hollywood had to pay McLean huge royalties for use of the phrase "American Pie."

@cyclo--and so they should have. But I feel let down that he would accept money for it to be used in such a disgusting fashion. And that awful version by Madonna with a video of--damn I just threw up in my mouth--various American citizens in the background. Now that's relevant to the song. *must brush teeth*

dontpanic23:

All was not lost! McLean is known for his quiet philanthropy, particularly towards the arts and liberal political causes. He has a history of giving generously to the Democratic Party.