I'd listen to all the stuff that was going on around me and drift off into my fantasies about it. My fantasies have fuelled all the songs I've ever written. Don McLean driftfantasyfuel Change image and share on social
I was around in 1970, and now I am around in 2015 ... there is no poetry and very little romance in anything anymore, so it is really like the last phase of 'American Pie.' Don McLean americananymorephase Change image and share on social
I have a weird sense sometimes of what's going to happen before it happens, and I kind of live by that, which is how my instincts operate, I suppose. Don McLean happeninstinctkind Change image and share on social
My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very unusual way of writing songs and of thinking about music. I wasn't at all like Bob Dylan or Simon and Garfunkel. I was completely different - I didn't have a David Geffen at my side. Don McLean bobcompletelydavid share on social
I was always just into my music and maybe into trying to save the world a little bit. I never really thought I'd have a hit record or anything like that. I was prepared to travel around all over the country, kind of like a Johnny Appleseed, and sing. Don McLean appleseedbitecountry share on social
I think longevity is more important than trying to make people realize you're around every second. Don McLean importantlongevitymake Change image and share on social
People ask me if I left the lyrics open to ambiguity. Of course I did. I wanted to make a whole series of complex statements. The lyrics had to do with the state of society at the time. Don McLean ambiguitycomplexleave Change image and share on social
The kids today all seem to think they should be stars, but I wasn't brought up that way. Don McLean bringkidstar Change image and share on social
When people ask what 'American Pie' is about, they're missing the point. The song isn't about the lines themselves - it's about what is between the lines. The song is about what isn't there. Don McLean americanlinemiss Change image and share on social
I've never done anything but what I wanted to do with my life. I don't think too many people can say that. I wrote the songs I wanted to write, for me. I had no idea that 'American Pie' would relate to anybody. Don McLean americanhaveidea share on social
