Fun fact: Every time you heard this song on radio, the DJ was taking a "break". The farther back you go, the more nefarious the "break" was likely to be...

One of my college professors back in '72 gave us an assignment to write an analysis of the song. I listened to it over and over and wrote what I thought was a wonderful essay about how American and religious values had changed. It wasn't until years later that I discovered the true subject matter. No Google in those days.

 

Took me quite awhile to realize who "Vincent" was in one of Mclean's later songs. I've never been one to let ignorance get in the way of being happy.:lol2:

LOVE it!

 

And funny you started this thread. I was thinking of starting a thread similar to this about Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me Not to Come". :lol2:

 

I'm with Clyde. If you grew up in the 70's, there are certain "anthems" and this at the top of the list.

 

They're on my phone, I've got the CDs and I'm sure I had the 8 Tracks.

It is an age thing.

 

I did know it was about the death of Buddy Holly but rarely remember that Bobby Valens

 

Richie Valens not Bobby Valens.

Richie Valens not Bobby Valens.

 

How long has it been sense he died??? :bunny:

I'm not particularly a fan. I don't really hate it or anything' date=' 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).[/quote']

 

Fun fact about We Didn't Start The Fire: the,events/lyrics are in chronological order.

Fun fact about We Didn't Start The Fire: the,events/lyrics are in chronological order.

 

Weren't those lyrics written to be an "autobiography" of Billy Joel's life via world news references?

Around 1980 I believe, a buddy of my had to write a book report about the meaning of "American Pie" for a high school class. I was 21 at the time. Went through the entire song with him and dissected it. He got an A. "The Jester, "The Marching Band", "Jack Flash", "The Book of Love" "a girl who sang the blues". Always found the lyric fascinating.

Richie Valens not Bobby Valens.

 

And I still do not know what he was known for. That is why this is a very 'period song'.

How long has it been sense he died??? :bunny:

 

Enjoy that one. It's like Halley's Comet.

And I still do not know what he was known for. That is why this is a very 'period song'.

 

Two songs come to mind for Richie Valens.

 

Oh Donna

La Bamba

 

Big Bopper had "Chantilly Lace."

don't care for it, at all! Absolutely not my type of music and I think it's more "smaltzy" than anything.

Oh Donna

 

Donna was written by Richie Valens when he was only 17 (he also died before turning 18). Damn good song. I would've loved to see what he could have written had he lived longer.

Enjoy that one. It's like Halley's Comet.

 

Will milk it for every penny. Promise...

Great song and for sure a classic...BUT...the most overplayed song I can think of on radio over the years. I almost can't listen to it any more because of that fact.