"American Pie" is a song by American singer and songwriter Don McLean. Recorded and released in 1971 on the album of the same name. The song topped the charts in the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand and reached number 2 In the UK.

At the time of release, it was the longest song to enter the "Billboard Hot 100", ( 8 minutes and 42 seconds).

"American Pie" has been described as "one of the most successful and debated songs of the 20th century".

Verse 3 begins, “Helter skelter in a summer swelter, The birds flew off with a fallout shelter.“ This is said to be a reference to The Beatles, one of several in the lyrics, referring to their songs as well as to Charles Manson. Next, McLean gives a nod to the band The Byrds, but mentions that their music changed for the worse in the 1960s due potentially to marijuana use.

The chorus repeats the phrase "the day the music died" referring to a plane crash in 1959 that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, ending the era of early rock and roll. This became the popular nickname for that crash. The theme of the song goes beyond mourning McLean's childhood music heroes, reflecting the deep cultural changes and profound disillusion and loss of innocence of his generation.

Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Known to fans as the "American Troubadour" or "King of the Trail", he is best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie".

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