by Erin Eddins, Source Publications

I’ve written a lot in my life and I don’t find it at all surprising that much of that writing has been about things I am truly passionate about. In fact to be quite honest, I find it difficult to write more than a few lines about things I am not naturally drawn to.

In line with this thinking now seems to be the appropriate moment to admit that I have written about Don McLean a number of times. In fact I have even given two speeches about him and his music. The most obvious angle has always been his anthem “American Pie.” I have stood in front of large groups and dissected the song line by line, explaining the metaphors and undertones of every phrase. But I have a sneaking suspicion that many of the readers of The Regular Joe are at least semi-familiar with the musical epic. So, in my review of his album by the same name I will choose not to delve into the classic “American Pie” and instead share some of the other equally great songs.

As a fair warning, I first love songs for the music and then the lyrics, next my own meaning and lastly the meaning the artist intended. I will spare you lines of da-da-dum in what sounds like the melody in my head. And I will further this favor by omitting my own personal meanings of each song. What I will do is, give my favorite lyrics from the song and tell you a brief synopsis as to what the artist is telling us. The rest is up to you.

Oh, also I should mention: I grew up listening to this record and would switch from track to track. The day I discovered the thin shinny line that represented the dead space between songs was a great day for me and a terrible one for my mother (I did not have the gentlest touch and ruined more than a few vinyl treasures.) But because of this I rarely heard an album in the order the producers intended. Therefore, there will be no rhyme or reason to the order of which I will share my appreciation.

“Vincent” gives an emotional message to the legendary artist Vincent Van Gough. McLean sings words so heartfelt it seems he is speaking face to face with the man who so intrigued him.

“I could’ve told you, Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.” That single line is the crux of this haunting melody though several other lines resonate as McLean makes many artistic metaphors between the pain of Van Gough’s life and his famed painting, Starry Starry Night.

“Starry Starry night, flaming flowers that brightly blazeSwirling clouds in violet haze reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blueColors changing hue, morning fields of amber grainWeathered faces lined in pain are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand”

As with most strong albums, American Pie offers the proverbial post-split tune, aka the “sorry you got dumped, I’ve been there too” song. For McLean this statement is made in a very softly spoken and not overly dramatic tune titled “Empty Chairs.”

“And I wonder if you know, That I never understood, That although you said you’d go, Until you did I never thought you would, Never thought the words you said were true, Never thought you said just what you meant, Never knew how much I needed you, Never thought you’d leave, until you went.”

And to go farther into the musical backdrop of relationships, “Everybody Loves Me Baby” is a game of cat and mouse. McLean declares his winning qualities and popularity as he attempts to woo someone he fancies.

“Fortune has me well at hand, armies wait at my command, my gold lies in a foreign land, buried deep beneath the sand.

Angels guide my every tread, my enemies are sick or dead, but all the victories I’ve lead, haven’t brought you to my bed. You see, every body loves me baby what’s the matter with you?Won’t you tell me, what did I do to offend you?”

Yeah, so what is the matter with you?! Let me tell you, it feels great to sign that line at the top of your lungs while driving down an empty road.

On a more serious note, “Babylon” stemmed from Psalm 137, is so powerful I don’t dare try to sum it up:

“By the waters, the waters of Babylon, We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion,We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion”

So before you write good ol’ Don off for being to serious take a listen to “Winterwood.” He is in no uncertain terms happy. This is in fact an odd moment if you take some time to read up on Mr. McLean. But regardless he sounds chipper and uses the moment to share some nice words with a lover. (Giddy smile!)

“No-one can take your place with me, and time has proven that I’m right.There’s no place I’d rather be, than at your place for the night.”

“You are as natural as the night, and all that springs from you is good.And the children born beneath your light, are like the birds on Winterwood.” (Awww.)

Okay, it may seem sappy but when the mood strikes you McLean can really help you out.

Above I claimed there would be no rhyme or reason to the order of my music meanderings that are being called a review. And I think anyone can agree there was no pattern to the clips already mentioned. But as the saying goes, I’ve saved the best for last: “Crosswords.” And much like “Babylon” I cannot do any justice to Mr. McLean in trying to sum up his work so here’s a preview…

“I’ve got nothing on my mind: Nothing to remember, nothing to forget. And I’ve got nothing to regret, but I’m all tied up on the inside, no one knows quite what I’ve got; And I know that on the outside, what I used to be, I’m not anymore.

You know I’ve heard about people like me, but I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free and find they’ve gone the wrong direction.

But there’s no need for turning back cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I’ll walk them all no matter what I may have planned.”

If these lyrics have not convinced you to hunt down this classic, then you most have forgotten the key ingredient to this recipe is “American Pie.”

Simply put, this is my all time favorite with or without my all time favorite song. Buy it, borrow it, something…just listen to it (preferably on vinyl.)