I'm not particularly a fan. I don't really hate it or anything, but I generally go looking for another channel to listen to when it comes on the radio.

 

Maybe it's an age thing...but it doesn't do anything for me musically, and it seems like a well assembled list of familiar events and references. I'd liken it to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" (which I also don't care for).

It is an age thing.

 

I did know it was about the death of Buddy Holly but rarely remember that Bobby Valens and the Big Bopper were also killed in the crash.

 

My wife had no idea it was about that (until 5 minutes ago). If you are less than 55 you probably do not know the origin or the song or why it hits so many people who grew up in the 50s and 60s.

 

Here is a good video with how it impacted Waylen Jennings - who was supposed to be on the plane. Jennings would later go to fame when he teamed up with a colorful mucision - Willie Nelson. That I DO remember.

 

I just want to go on record as saying, I appreciate Madonna's version too. So...there!

I am barely in my 40's and I like the song, don't love it but it is really a brilliant song lyrically.

As for the remarks about it being an "age thing"...interestingly enough, neither my dad or my mom can stand the song either. Maybe my dislike of it is genetic - although they both hate on it more than I do.

 

Dad:

• Born in '48.
  
• Graduated high school in '66.
  
• "American Pie" came out when he was 23, which is essentially smack-dab in the middle of what I would consider someone's wheelhouse for figuring out what kind of music they dig on.
  
• Dad's Top Ten Bands: The Yardbirds, The Troggs, Neil Young/Crazy Horse/Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Animals, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Band, Santana, The Animals, The Ventures
  

Mom:

• Born in '51.
  
• Graduated high school in '69.
  
• "American Pie" came out when she was 20, which is again pretty much right in the middle of someone's wheelhouse for figuring out what kind of music they dig on.
  
• Mom's Top Ten Bands: The Supremes, The Foundations, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Smokey Robinson, Glays Night & The Pips, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Carole King
  

^Dad sure likes the Animals.....

It is an age thing.

 

I did know it was about the death of Buddy Holly but rarely remember that Bobby Valens and the Big Bopper were also killed in the crash.

 

My wife had no idea it was about that (until 5 minutes ago). If you are less than 55 you probably do not know the origin or the song or why it hits so many people who grew up in the 50s and 60s.

 

Here is a good video with how it impacted Waylen Jennings - who was supposed to be on the plane. Jennings would later go to fame when he teamed up with a colorful mucision - Willie Nelson. That I DO remember.

 

But that was "A Long Time Ago"...... obscure Waylon reference......

^Dad sure likes the Animals.....

 

Hahaha....well he does, but that second one should have been Cream.

I like this version!!!!

 

Great song. Many memories around this song for this old guy. I loved both sides of the 45 RPM

I was 7 when the song came out and the youngest of a large family.

 

While my parents weren't always inclined to pay attention to the pop or rock that was coming out, as they were more into 40's music, this one I recall having the whole family in discussion about it, making me extremely interested and intrigued to gather any nugget of info regarding what they were all chattering about related to what the song was about.

 

Buddy Holly died 5 years before I was born, and to me they were discussing ancient history, but still since it was about music, I was all into it.

 

Music of "my day" is only one portion of what music is important to me, and during the 70's it was still important to me to know about what came before me.

 

I recall making a point of always running to turn up the radio when it was on to take it in every time it was played, and to sing along.

Other than "Vincent", and not that they're similar, and don't know why exactly, but 5 other tunes always seem to come to mind when I hear "American Pie". I guess structurally or epically, or them being the same type genre does it to me, and that they were stand out tunes of their day that weren't much like anything else on the charts at time.

 

Al Stewart - Year of The Cat -1976

Al Stewart - Time Passages - 1978

Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally) - 1972

Gilbert O'Sullivan - Clair - 1972

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street - 1978

Right in my wheelhouse of teen musical listening. I liked this song but never really loved it. I will sing it and listen when it plays and I do know all the words. But I just don't put it up there with others during that time.

Great song. Many memories around this song for this old guy. I loved both sides of the 45 RPM

 

Fun Fact: Ray Charles' 6 minute 30 second "What'd I Say" was the first 45rpm single to take up both side A and side B of the 7" record.

 

(I've tried to stay away from branching into collecting 7" vinyl....but I've still got a decent handful of "must haves" that I've picked up over time. I've got an original pressing of "What'd I Say Parts I & II".)

I don't think it's necessarily an age thing. I love the song, and I'm 27.

 

Also a big fan of Buddy Holly and Richie Valens.